Vacations Blog

Greece is an appealing holiday travel destination because of its mix of hot and sunny climate combined with ancient history and culture.

You can access flights to Greece from the UK are available with diverse carriers. Greece’s largest airport is located in Athens, called Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (having airport code – ATH), although Thessaloniki (or Makedonia International), in the northern region, also offers direct flights from UK. Olympic Airlines is the national airline of Greece; with which you can directly fly with from Heathrow to Athens: or Thessaloniki, or select British Airways. The rates are very reasonable.

The major charter flights that go to Greek Islands from UK, directly overlooking the mainland Greece, however, Monarch operates flights to Preveza / Lefkas on the west coastal regions and the budget airline of Easyjet operates flights to Athens as well as Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki is the region’s largest city and the country’s second largest. The city allows you to explore its history which is 3000 year old. You can also head for the 300 miles of pristine beaches located on the Halkidiki Peninsula, and the Mount Olympus coast, and numerous archaeological locations.

Thessaloniki’s diverse culture shines through its Byzantine churches as well as monuments, many of them being UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are also several architectures from Ottoman period, which was dominated by a Jewish population.

The popular White Tower is a fortified tower of the 16th century. It houses the Museum of Byzantine Cultures, even though you can climb the tower to get the views of the neighbouring area. ‘Ano Poli’, the upper town has appealing cobbled streets, and conventional old houses, and the Byzantine Churches range from the 5th to 14th century.

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and has a National Park. This hasn’t been particularly developed for visitors though in order to maintain the area and hence the best way to the top of the mountain is by trekking.

Greece has a Mediterranean climate along its coastlines, including Athens. Generally from April to November you are pretty much guaranteed hot and dry weather. Athens rainy season is between mid-October to mid-April. The July average high temperature is 33.5C (92F) whilst January is the coldest with an average low of 5.2C (41F).

Whether it is to another state or a foreign country, the thought of travel is an exhilarating one. There is an abundance of things to do and places to see. It’s rather simple to get caught up in arranging activities, you may also need to revise your resources once or maybe twice in some instances. As you plan your trip, it is always a good idea to focus on ways to minimize your expenses. There are several ways to keep your spending down and still have an enjoyable vacation.

There are certain things which cannot be left out. One such thing is travel insurance.It is very important in today’s world.People often think that it is not a neccessary thing. One also feels that it may never be used and it is a waste of money.It is a veryimportant thing to do. One cannot predict the future. Anything can happen.So one must be careful about it.It is wise to take a travel insurance anytime somebody goes abroad.It provides safety and financial security of the person.Its a very important decision on the part of a person to take that decision.

Travel insurance agencies offer a wide variety of options. There is travel insurance for your luggage, such as golf clubs, skis, etc. Take into consideration the option of renting your sports equipment when you arrive at your destination and this can reduce the cost of your travel insurance plan. Check the contract to be sure you’re getting what you expect such as the option to reschedule your trip for a later date at no cost. You may be offered either a cash payment refund or perhaps you’d prefer a travel voucher which can be redeemed for a future trip. Check what situations result in a denial of your travel insurance reimbursement to be sure you’re clear on all the details. Some travelers will be just fine with choosing the bottom level of coverage and are glad for the piece of mind it delivers.

Travelers who are age 65 or older may benefit from their seniority through programs which offer senior discounts. This is a great way to save money. You can search the internet for these specials or inquire with your travel agency. Be sure to ask your agent about other travel discounts for seniors. Many companies court retired individuals and couples as they tend to travel the most as they have more free time available. You can get some great prices simply due to your age. This age group of travels can save up to and often more than 10% to 15% on their travel costs.

Besides discounts on travel insurance, many people find that traveling within a group can really save money. Special rates for groups are very common in the travel industry as it benefits the travel companies to have large bookings at the same time. Find a group of friends who share you love of travel and check into group rates. You’ll likely find significant savings which will put more money in your pocket for your trip.

Many airlines give special benefits to those who have ‘frequent flyer’ points accumulated. These can be saved up through programs offered by credit card companies, airlines or banks. Frequent flyers miles can save you tons of money and may even mean a free ticket or free hotel room. Look into joining a frequent flyer club through your airline or credit card company.

On average, the over 65 population may be able to save a minimum of 10 to 15% off their travel expenses, if they conduct a little bit of searching in the right places.

The country of Belgium is situated on the western part of Europe.  It is bordered by the countries of France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.  A land known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, great chocolates and temperate climate, Belgium is now becoming one of the top travel destinations in Europe.  It offers travelers a perfect blend of the old, the new and the natural.  If you are planning to head out to Belgium, here are just some helpful travel tips to make the most out of your trip to this wonderful country.

Like all travelers heading out to Belgium for the very first time, you would want to make the most out of your trip.  Here are just some tips to help you do just that.

The Climate – The country of Belgium is situated right beside the North Sea.  As such, travelers visiting Belgium would be able to experience a warm maritime climate which is characterized with relatively warm winters and even warmer summers.  Rainfall can be quite frequent in the country, particularly during the months of February and April.  If you are planning to travel to Belgium during these months, make sure that you come prepared with the proper raingear. 

For tourists traveling on a budget, the best time to visit the country of Belgium is during the months of July and August.  During these months, travelers can experience a drop in most of the rates of hotel accommodations and airfares, especially within the capital city of Belgium.

Top Tourist Spots – The best place to start to learn about any country is starting at its capital.  In the case of Belgium, it is the city of Brussels.  Here, travelers would be able to experience something old and something new.  Modern-day shopping malls and the headquarters of NATO can be found right next to beautiful buildings dating back to the 13th century.  This is also where the trendiest pubs and restaurants are also found.  While you are in Brussels, make sure to take some time to sample their beers.  This is where most of the breweries of the country can be found, thus giving the city of Brussels the nickname The City of a Thousand Beers.

Just ten miles outside the capital city is the historic town of Waterloo.  It is one of the top tourist destinations in Belgium, primarily of the importance it played in history.  It was here in Waterloo where the famous French general Napoleon Bonaparte was subsequently defeated, changing the course of history forever.

Food to Taste – No trip to Belgium is complete without sampling some of the finest chocolates in the world.  While you are at it, sample some of the unique blends of beer that is brewed in the country, particularly in the city of Brussels which is known locally as the city of a thousand beers.  Make sure that you leave room to try mitraillete, a favorite local snack in the country which is made out of fried potatoes, quality cut meat and loads of garlic.

When it comes to international travel, your documents are an important factor in your voyage. For trips leaving the country as well as those to different states, both you and you belongings are identified through your paperwork. Travelers may easily avoid any unnecessary hassle simply by making sure they are carrying the appropriate papers for their travel as well as proof of identity.

The best international travel tip is to carry the original copy of some documents and keep one or two photocopies of the other in case of emergency. You should also leave a copy of your documents with some friends, which they can fax to you if you lose yours. Ask your travel agent or friends who have gone to those destinations about the necessary travel tips for documents.

Whether you’re traveling for fun or business, these are the documents you will need when traveling abroad:  a passport, visa, driver’s license, medical certificates and insurance.  A passport is a document issued by a national government that certifies the identity and nationality of the bearer, containing their name, sex, date and place of birth.

A valid US passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.  You can go to the Passport Services Office to get information on how to get, replace or modify a passport.  You must go in person to the passport office with two photographs, proof of US citizenship and valid photo ID such as a drivers license to apply. 

A Visa is a document issued by a country’s government that allows the bearer to enter or leave a host country. Most countries require a visa before you can travel there.  You cannot board an aircraft unless you have a valid visa and return ticket, and few countries allow US citizens free passage without a visa.  It is necessary as valid proof of identification and should be carried with you at all times in case of an emergency.  A visa requires a visit to the destination country’s embassy or nearest consulate.  For some countries the visa application takes some time to process, so it’s necessary to apply for a visa well in advance to avoid last minute problems.              

When carrying valuable or electronic items it is a good idea to keep a copy of the invoice, any insurance, as well as the operating manuals when traveling.  The invoice and insurance serve as proof of ownership while the manuals come in handy with technicians if a problem occurs with the equipment.  These documents also enable you to take advantage of international warranties and service locations. 

For some countries, it is required that tourist be covered with insurance prior to entering the country. However, due to the variations of legal matters that may occur between two countries, insurance in travel is a very serious matter. You should call your insurance company and find out whether or not your current coverage extends to foreign travel. Your travel agent may also be able to help provide essential information regarding travel insurance.

The globe-trotters of modern world have quite a few destinations to choose from. There are those well known European travel destinations which have cold climate round the year to the hot Egypt which offers its’ charm of old world pyramids. Global Tourists who have already been to such celebrated destinations are always in the lookout of new and exciting place to spend some quality vacation time to get away from the daily rut, which their busy lives offer.

Capital of Cyprus is Nicosia and almost 792,600 souls inhabit this region. The main languages spoken here are Greek, Turkish and English. So if you are a foreigner, you will not have any problems while traveling as you will definitely found someone who is willing to talk to you in English. The currency here is Cyproit Pound. Climate in Cyprus is typically Mediterranean. The summers are hot and dry while the winter is cool.

Nicosia has been in problems more so because it segmented by the Green Line that separates the Southern from the northern portion. One can see numerous buildings here that belong to the 12th century era. There are many museums dedicated to the culture and Venetian City Walls which the travelers are bound to get mesmerized with. The Troodos Mountain Ranges are a natural splendor. There are resorts present over there which offer maximum comfort and you can truly escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city life. One of the more famous – Buyuk Hammam is a Turkish bath present in Nicosia, is simply marvelous for a complete relaxation.

Limmassol is yet another town that is very popular with the wine lovers. Here you can find many festivals captivating the city for the entire year. The September Wine Festival is perhaps the best known. In case you want to shop for the handicrafts, you can go to the Folk Aet Museum. Another place where you can visit is housed the 14th century castle – Cyprus Medieval Museum. The village of Amanthus has numerous excavation sites and they can quite enthralling to watch.     

Paphos is yet another beautiful city that offers buildings belonging to the Byzantine era. Even Roman and Greek monuments can be seen here. Tombs of the Kings is a famous tourist destination here. Here there are long tunnels for you to explore. There are some stunning mosaics displayed which are bound to hold you in awe.

One of the important things as a tourist you should know is that the people here respect their religion a lot. So as a visitor you should also respect their orthodox Greek and Muslim customs. The local culture is an amalgamation of the Turkish and Greek cultures. One can even see some of dash of the British culture also. The local population wears casual outfits and you have to limit wearing beachwear to the beaches only. Best season to visit Cyprus is September.