Vacations Blog

Whether you managed to grab Olympic tickets or not, it is hard to escape the excitement as London 2012 approaches. The stadiums may not be finished or the athletes warmed up, but London itself is already busy preparing. So make you sure book one of the remaining London hotels to be part of the fun and excitement too.

The 70-day Torch Relay kicks off on May 18^th when the famous Olympic Flame lands in the UK from its current residency of Greece. Before arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27^th July, the flame will make an 8,000 mile cross country trip starting off at Land’s End, Cornwall. As well as the flame, 66 local events have been planned across the country to allow as many people as possible to join in the fun and, well, games. Book one of the cheap hotels nearby so you don’t miss out.

No international event would be complete without a great soundtrack and London 2012 will be no different, thanks to BBC Radio 1. As part of the UK-wide London 2012 Festival, Radio 1 will host its biggest ever, free ticketed live music event on Hackney Marshes between 23-24 June 2012. Incorporating six stages, the two-day event will welcome 100,000 people to witness acts such as Leona Lewis and Plan B. Acts from all over the globe and UK will perform, with over 80 different artists expected to be seen on stage. Make the most of the two-day event by booking one of the fantastic hotel deals in the area. 

You can also discover how the Games started. Visit ‘The Olympic Journey: The Story of the Games’ exhibition at the Royal Opera House from Friday July 27 2012 and you’ll be treated to an array of artifacts from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. On display for the first time in London, the selection of graphics, film and historic exhibits chart the Olympics history from ancient to modern times.

Islam is the official state religion of the UAE and accordingly, Ramadan is strictly observed in Dubai. The festival of Ramadan lasts for about a  month and is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. One of the stipulations of Ramadan is that during the hours of daylight, Muslims must not eat or drink or have sex. Dubai hotels have good deals during the month of Ramadan as it is considered off-season.

Be sure that you are au fait with the tenets of Ramadan and do not inadvertently cause offence by ignoring the strict taboos in place at this time. Be sure not to eat or drink in a public place as there have been instances in the past when foreign tourist have been jailed for doing just that. Women especially are urged to observe the festival and dress conservatively with no tight, revealing clothes or too much make-up. As expected, alcohol can only be bought from 7pm through to 1am in hotels and restaurants. Businesses in Dubai either close for the duration of Ramadan or else have shorter working hours. Some shops will be closed during the day but will open at dusk and trade through to the early hours.

Iftar or the breaking of the fast happens at dusk. Iftar is announced by the firing of cannons which is the signal for people to greet their friends and neighbours and invite them to feast with them. During Ramadan, the bigger hotels host ‘iftar feasts’ which attracts both the tourists and the local people. Food eaten during Ramadan is wholesome and usually based on vegetables. Meat, although allowed, is only eaten in moderation, as Ramadan is about cleansing the body as well as the mind. A typical iftar meal would be a vegetable soup, followed by a variety of salads and pitta or flat bread and washed down with either mint tea or apricot or cranberry juice. What is lacking during the meal is any sort of musical entertainment as there is no live music or dancing allowed.

 Although you have to observe certain protocols during Ramadan, it is still an interesting time to visit Dubai. As it’s an off-season during Ramadan, there are many cheap hotel deals available to entice tourists. Restaurants stage special attractions during Ramadan, including ‘iftar feasts’ and the airlines offer cheap packages. 

There are many ways that you can reward your Dad for all of his love and affection throughout the year. You could always snap up that boxset he’s been hinting at, take him out for a slap up dinner or maybe let him watch sport all day without complaining. These are all lovely ways of making him feel special but with so many cheap holiday deals to be found in Florida, a holiday here would let him know just how special he is.

All inclusive hotels where all of the fun activities and food are included keep things fun and simple, just the way Dad likes it. A great option to wash away that jetlag on your first day is a trip to the beautiful and highly-rated Siesta Key Beach.

See just how brave Dad is by taking him to one of the many theme parks scattered around the region. You can relive your Disney favourites at The Magic Kingdom or see how the movies are made at MGM Studios.

Lowry Park in Tampa is offering special evening deals throughout summer with unlimited rides after 5pm. Fantastic all inclusive hotels can be found conveniently located near to all of the theme parks and zoos meaning that you wont have to travel far at any time.

If, like most dads, yours will watch any game involving a scoreboard and a ball, a night of baseball courtesy of The Florida Marlins should be high on his list of things to do. Even if the rules of baseball prove a little tricky to grasp at first, the buzzing atmosphere will guarantee a truly memorable night for all the family.

When it comes to a family holiday which will put an extra-wide smile on your father’s face, Florida has it all. Family fun as well as great activities and some much need rest and relaxation.

When on a trip, the maximum you end up spending is on hotel bills. This makes your trip very costly. To avoid this unnecessary cost, you need to cut back on your hotel bills. There are certain tactics to do so. Have a look.

Saving on your hotel bill is not as complicated as it may sound. Actually there are a few easy basics that alone can help you save a good deal. First of them is to pack light. Naturally, you may take your favourite anti acne product like the Exposed Skin Care System along but you can easily skip out on the extra cosmetics. When you pack light, you obviously do not need a bellboy to tow your whole baggage.

Another thing to remember is not to employ the hotel telephone. These are usually pricey and can add to your hotel bills. Use your private telephone to make any calls and keep a track of your calls. This would surely assist you in saving money.

Don’t order room service. Of course, you’ll need to pay the additional service charge and the tip too. Of course, you might need to order for room service, when you’re working on something extremely important. But if that is not the case, dining out is always a sure thing. You not only get to see the life outside your hotel room but you make a whole lot of savings too.

Parking charges are another of the factors that will add up to your hotel bill. Though  they might appear nominal at first, if you’re staying up for long they would add up to a large amount. While booking a hotel, look for hotels that provide free car parking.

Fitness centers are a fascinating factor when you look for a hotel. Aren’t they? But they charge you heavily. Almost all of the good hostels charge around $35 each day for using their gym! Instead of going to such an expensive gymnasium, carry your gymnastics videos to exercise in your room.

The 6th sensible thing to do is to take some entertainment for yourself. This would be useful in cutting down on the hotel bills. You can carry some books along ; do carry your glasses as well. You could also carry your favorite CDs with you.

These are the simple steps you can take to cut down your hotel bills to up to 40%.

Edinburgh hotels within the city are steeped in history and wherever you choose to stay, you’ll only be a short stroll from the enchanting Edinburgh Castle and the world renowned Royal Mile. You’ll find literary, cultural and architectural history hiding around every street corner, so it’s definitely worth taking a day or two to explore it all.

Aside from historical landmarks and bustling metropolitan city life, you’ll soon notice that this is a really green city, full of parks and surrounded by open space and woodland. The picturesque rural area around Edinburgh, as well as the rugged landscape of the nearby Lothians is the ideal backdrop for adventurous outdoor activities.

The Lothians have many great spots for sailing, cycling and climbing, so are a great place to go if you’re feeling fit and like the wind in your hair. There are many hotel deals that assist you when booking these activities.

For a fun family day out, or just a peaceful escape from city life, head towards the coast, where the beaches around the East Lothians are perfect. For a livelier seaside adventure, the beach by the village of Gullane has a growing reputation for great surfing, and is only about twenty miles from Edinburgh. If you spend the day here, wait until the spectacular sunset, rumoured to be one of the most beautiful in all of Scotland.

If you dont want to exert yourself too much, then head back up the hills to the dramatic Lothians, which offer some of the best of the great outdoors. Look down towards the city and surrounding landscape, by walking up to Arthur’s Seat, the summit of the extinct volcano.

The world famous Edinburgh Festival takes place throughout August each year, so if you’re planning on visiting the capital around this time, ensure you book your hotels early. Theatrical productions, temporary arenas and street performances can be found on every corner of the city, in celebration of all types of arts and culture, so the festival is a real must.

Spain is a wonderfully diverse country full of culture and history. From city breaks to beach holidays and historic haunts, the cities of Spain have something to offer anyone. There are plenty of great options when looking for accommodation as well, ranging for luxurious resorts to cheap hotels.

Ibiza is a great destination for those looking to combine Spanish culture with a beach holiday. This allows plenty of access to chic cafes, bars and restaurants – just as in the city – but also means you’re just a short walk away from the white sand beaches of Ibiza’s coastline. A hotel room on Ibiza would encourage you to leave the windows wide open, while the fresh Mediterranean breeze will have you off to wander down by the azure waters in no time

Granada is another great destination, as well as home to some great cheap Spain hotels.Granada is an excellent place for a college student to stay and study – being home as it is to the Granada University – making this a good travel destination for other college students. Granada is located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is a historically rich area. The region’s Alhambra Castle contains art and remains of Spanish history, and many important historical events have occurred there. To go to the Alhambra is a unique history lesson on Spain, and certain hotels in Granada even overlook the Alhambra castle.

Rich with history and culture, Madrid is a great city to visit on your Spanish break. Madrid is a city with very strong political, economic, and cultural importance. To spend time away from the hotel, visit the Puerta del Sol for food, drinks, and entertainment.

These cities are only a starting point for exploring Spain. A great way to decide where to go would be to have a look at hotels in Spain and see what you can afford. Wherever you choose, you’re sure to have a great holiday.

Those looking to combine a beach holiday with loads of historic sites should head straight to the shores of Sharm el Sheikh. The unique geography of Sharm is truly breathtaking with it’s desert sands, rugged mountain peaks and brilliant blue sea. Sharm is adventurous as it is beautiful, offering holidaymakers an endless list of activities. For the best rates on Sharm el Sheikh hotels, book early so that you can make sure to get the best room possible.

Underwater adventures

Holidaymakers looking for an underwater adventure will find that Sharm has some of the hottest diving spots in the world. Adventurous divers will enjoy exploring the coral reefs and shipwrecks in the over 250 diving spots located near the Sharm shores. Many well-preserved wrecks can be explored in the straits of Tiran and Marsa Alam, with many more thought to be as yet undiscovered. If you’re planning on spending plenty of time in the sea, it’s a good idea to book one of the many Sharm el Sheik hotels located directly on the coastline. Aside from being super convenient for your underwater excursion, you’ll also enjoy a stunning seaside view.

Out of water activities

If you would prefer to stay dry, there are plenty of activities on the sandy shores of Sharm. Windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, parasailing, submarine tours, and dolphin watching are just some of the water-based entertainments on offer. Those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land can take advantage of the various restaurants, shops and other amenities close at hand.

While Sharm is perfect for the active holiday-goer, it’s also a great escape if you’re looking to just relax on the beach. The many beaches of Sharm el Sheikh are truly breathtaking. Plus nearly every hotel offers an onsite swimming pool, while many of the larger resorts hosting several, some of which even have water slides!

Whatever the preference, the wide range of affordable Sharm el Sheikh hotels available means that the destination and all its underwater mysteries can be enjoyed a reasonable price. Sharm is a piece of paradise that everyone can enjoy.

When looking for cheap hotels abroad the first word people most commonly entered into a search engine is ‘cheap’. At a basic level the word means ‘costing little money’, but for a long while it has had some more negative associations. Despite the price, no one wants to stay in a hotel that’s considered ‘cheap and dirty’. Is this really what you want on your much-needed holiday? Or has the word taken on a more positive meaning?

As we continue to battle against economic crisis, both consumers and holiday-providers are taking another look at the meaning behind terms such as ‘cheap’ and ‘added value’. When travellers book cheap hotels they are not just looking for ‘inexpensive’; they are hoping to get more for their money at the same time. Travellers are looking for the best deal for their budget.

Hotels have recognised that people will take the time to search for the best bargain that includes a low price and high standards. Dropping prices isn’t enough at the moment. A huge number of special deals have flooded the market recently, so companies have to find other ways to stand out from the crowd. Low cost combined with good service and high standards will help hotels get through the economic slump and prosper in the long-term. The smart hotels and agents are keeping holidy-makers happy but adding value wherever they can. Travellers appreciate any options that will help them save a few extra pounds.

So, could this be the key to the real meaning behind the word ‘cheap’ when buying products or services today? Are we really looking for ‘cheap and nice’? As well as offering deals on cheap hotels companies have to offer a good service and quality products so that holiday-makers can feel reassured that the hotels on offer are of an acceptable standard. It’s all about getting that little bit more.