Travel Portugal: A Land True To Its Past

Perched on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal stands out among its neighbors as one of the oldest and yet most traditional and conservative European civilizations. Visitors can view 22,000 year-old Paleolithic art on the rock faces of Vale do Côa, and human occupation of this region dates 500,000 years back in time! The Celts settled here around 750 B.C. and were followed by Romans, Visigoths, and Greeks among others. The Moors enjoyed their infamous occupation from the 8th to the 13th Century and left their culture and ornate, whitewashed architecture as an eclectic signature on the Iberian Peninsula.Today, Portugal's homogenous culture and dedication to tradition is largely due to Salazar's oppressive rule during the mid-1900s. As a result, visitors can enjoy a more culturally authentic stay in Portugal than any other European nation.The north-south axis of mainland Portugal creates regions of dynamic terrain and unique specialties. The popular Douro Valley stretches 125 miles along a winding river and is famous for the string of port wineries at its edges. Cruises are now offered along the entire length of the Valley, beginning in Porto. The resort town of Lagos in the southern Algarve region attracts sun-seekers and history buffs alike. Prepare to be swept away by this hidden gem encircled by 15th Century walls.

Travel Portugal in the Atlantic

Two groups of islands off the Atlantic Coastline belong to Portugal and are a perfect and serene escape from the mainland, offering centuries of Portuguese history all their own and a look into the region's natural beauty. The Azores Islands archipelago lies 907 miles from the coast and is a haven of turquoise lakes, rolling green hills and sandy beaches.Monasteries, cathedrals, forts and ruins dating back to the 15th Century, when Portuguese navigators encountered the outcropping, are sprinkled about the islands. To the South, the enticing subtropical climate of Madeira Island and the surrounding volcanic archipelago is a bastion for adventure-seekers, resort luxuries, Madeira wine and untouched 15th Century architecture standing dramatically on seaside cliffs. Both of these secluded retreats are easily accessible from major airports on mainland Portugal.

Tips to the Savvy Traveler

Nearly all of Portugal works on Siesta time and 97% of the country is Catholic, therefore also affecting commercial hours and holidays. Most shops, banks and pharmacies are closed between 1 PM and 3 PM (yes, even in major cities). Make special note that museums also close in the middle of the day between 12:30 PM and 2 PM. Almost everything except museums closes by 1pm on Saturdays, and plan on simply eating and resting on Sundays when nothing is open. To plan your trip wisely, check the hours of operation of attractions you'd like to see before planning your trip or booking your room!Lastly, be aware when traveling by taxi. Fare is metered within urban limits, but once you leave these boundaries, you will be charged by the kilometer in addition to the price of the driver's return trip to the starting point. When taking a taxi after midnight, negotiate the price with the driver before getting in the car, especially if you've been indulging in Port!

Gran Canaria, Spain

Situated between three continents – Europe, Africa, and the Americas – Gran Canaria enjoys quite a diverse climate. The southern part of the island can be quite toasty, the north cooler, and the mountainous inland region often cloudy or rainy. In general, however, Gran Canaria is a pleasant place to visit, with excellent sunny weather for beachcombers and cooler, pleasant temperatures for those who enjoy hiking in the volcanic mountains.
The capital city of this 29-mile-wide island is Las Palmas. The largest city on the archipelago, Las Palmas was founded in the mid-1400s and is quite British in style. The city is a delightful blending of old and new – with 500-year-old buildings like Santa Ana Cathedral and the Columbus Museum – and new structures such as the stunning El Muelle Shopping Center and the Science and Technology Museum.

Looking for beaches on Gran Canaria? The island boasts a number of fine beaches, mostly in the south, though there are a few in the north as well. You’ll find golden sand, picturesque marinas, charming fishing villages, and crystal clear waters that beckon visitors to water-ski, swim, snorkel, dive, sail, and windsurf.

Vacation in Sevilla (Seville), Spain

Sevilla Spain - An Overview
Originally a region of Phoenician trading outposts in the 9th century B.C., the province of western Andalucía became legendary with the rise of the wealthy Tartesso culture in the subsequent few centuries. Eventually becoming part of the Roman Empire, Andalucía was one of its more affluent regions. The Roman general Julius Caesar himself reportedly founded the city of Sevilla. And from this region, two of Rome’s greatest Emperors came: Trajan and Hadrian. Andalucía was eventually taken over by the Muslims, and several centuries of political unrest followed. Today, the region is growing and prospering, thanks in part to a booming tourism industry.
Sevilla is a stunning city, with its streets lined with fragrant trees and captivating architecture. Like any city with such a rich cultural and historical heritage, there is plenty to see and do there. The parks of Sevilla are enchanting and intoxicating, with picturesque views, and the smell of flowers in the air. They are perfect for spending a quiet afternoon, or strolling through with your mate. There are parks with romantic ambience like María Luisa Park or even the Cemetery of San Fernando. There are parks filled with sculpture and mazes of foliage, like Murillo Park or the Parque de las Delicias. The museums of Sevilla are filled with priceless works of art by the likes of El Greco and Velázquez, and archaeological treasures from Tartesso and the Roman Empire. There is Arabic-inspired architecture and grand cathedrals to observe all around, as well as other colorful and engaging sights to behold.
After a day of seeing the amazing sights of Sevilla, you will no doubt want to experience what the nighttime has to offer. The nightlife in Sevilla has a little something to offer everyone. There are intimate little cafes and bars where you can share a drink and some conversation with a friend. There are lively discos, bars, and clubs where you can dance and party all night long. There is also an abundance of live entertainment in the evenings in Sevilla, particularly Flamenco, which is a true art form from the region (and not something that should be missed!). And if you’re hungry, do not miss out on the tapas. It is definitely a tradition, and Sevilla is acclaimed for having invented this style of eating, with virtually unlimited choices of foods to try.
Sevilla loves to celebrate, and they do so often and with abandon. There are festivals and celebrations throughout the year that showcase the heritage of the Andalusian people, as well as their energy and spirit. Most of them revolve around the Catholic heritage of the region. Semana Santa, held during the week of Easter, is the most famous celebration in Sevilla. The celebration lasts 7 days, and includes daily processions amid the perfume of the blooming orange blossoms. Another celebration is the Feria de Abril, which is held in April. This festival is a celebration of Sevilla’s agricultural traditions.
The summers in Sevilla are extremely hot, from June through September. They are also the most crowded with tourists, and the locals tend to escape both the crowds and the weather during this time. Springtime is lovely in Sevilla, and by far the best time to visit, with the flowers in bloom, and the weather temperate. The fall is also a pleasant time of year to visit.
Sevilla, with its rich and ancient history, has something to offer everyone. It is a perfect blend of ancient and modern, with a unique and captivating sensibility. It is both urban and intimate, and the people are charming and passionate. The sights, the sounds, and the smells of Sevilla will definitely leave you wanting for more.

The Romance of a Hawaii Honeymoon

By Andrew Bicknell
There is no place on earth that conjures up visions of a romantic honeymoon quite like the Hawaiian Islands. And how can the multitudes of newlywed couples who travel to Hawaii every year be wrong. There are many reasons so many couples choose Hawaii as their honeymoon destination of choice.
Of course it is hard to wrong when choosing Hawaii as a honeymoon destination. Spending a romantic one to two weeks in a tropical paradise is the perfect way to kick off a new marriage. Crystal blue waters, miles of sandy beaches and soft ocean breezes are the perfect backdrop to the love and romance every couple is looking for during their honeymoon. There is little to worry about when you and your new love are surrounded by the lush tropical greenery and colorful flowers of this tropical paradise. And with the daily temperature averaging in the mid 70 degree range all year round there is no bad time of the year to visit. In such beautiful surroundings time ceases to have any meaning allowing the newlyweds to focus their time and energy on each other.
Of course Hawaii offers more than romantic solitude as well. With a large number of clubs, dance spots and other cultural events Hawaii offers an exciting nightlife that is hard to match. The nighttime entertainment options are nearly limitless allowing the newlyweds the opportunity to go out and dance the night away. Whether a romantic evening complete with a candle light dinner and dancing cheek to cheek to soft music or going to a dance club and letting their hair down Hawaii’s nightlife will appeal to everyone.
Hawaii also has plenty of shopping opportunities that will keep even the most die hard shoppers happy. A shopping excursion will turn up a little of everything, from the standard tourist fair to more traditional Hawaiian offerings that will add a tropical touch to any newlyweds home. Also do not forget to pick up some of the tackier tourist souvenirs for friends and family. It is highly recommended that the newlywed couple spend at least one day casually checking out the shops of Hawaii.
Offering everything from moonlit walks on the beach, to a vibrant and exciting nightlife and a multitude of shopping opportunities Hawaii is the ultimate honeymoon destination. For the newlywed couple looking to start their life together in the most romantic of locations a Hawaii honeymoon will provide that and more.
Are you ready to take a Hawaiian honeymoon? If you are and you need more information about Hawaiian honeymoons check out the website Honeymoon Destinations.

Travel Insurance Top Tips

Get the right cover. Getting back home in an emergency can cost you thousands of pounds and without the correct cover you will be responsible. Examples include:
- 30 - 35,000 for an air ambulance from the East Coast of the USA
- 15 - 20,000 for a scheduled flight, stretcher and doctor escort from Australia
- 1,800 - 4,000 for a scheduled flight with a doctor escort from the Mediterranean
The golden rule is check with your insurance provider that the cover they sell is the cover you need before you travel.
Take your details with you. Make sure you know what to do in the event of a problem occurring. Take your policy and 24 hour emergency phone number with you. You may also want to leave copies of these with a friend/family member or even send yourself an email containing important information like your: - Driving license and passport number
- Credit card company phone numbers
- Airlines number
- Travel insurance policy number and phone number
In the event of your documents being lost or stolen you can therefore either call the person with copies or log into your email account if you can access it remotely.
Keep as much paperwork as possible. If a problem does arise paperwork such as tickets, receipts, medical bills, police reports etc should be kept to prove what youre claiming for happened.
Enjoy your trip. The chances are that your trip, vacation or holiday will go smoothly and without any problems. Therefore if you're on a beach, on the piste or indeed away from home for any reason - have a good trip.

Holiday in ibiza!

Ibiza Holidays – Fabulous coastline and a unique relaxed atmosphereHolidays in Ibiza have proved tremendously popular over the last 40 years. Ibiza holidays offer a wide variety of resorts and feature a beautiful rugged coastline dotted with sandy coves and exceptional beaches with gorgeous clear water. Inland you will find pleasant farmland, almond and fruit orchards and quiet villages. Ibiza has cultivated a unique relaxed tolerant atmosphere that attracts an incredibly diverse range of visitors and it is partly this diverse and fun-loving mix of visitors that make holidays in Ibiza so attractive. While it is fair to say the big resort beaches can be crowded they can also be tremendous fun. There are plenty of quiet uncrowded Ibiza beaches in the smaller resorts and for those prepared to make the effort. Ibiza holidays have an excellent reputation for watersports with most resorts offering a wide range of activities and excellent conditions. Holidays in Ibiza offer plenty for the fashion conscious, with excellent designer boutiques and an amazing collection of trend-setting cafes, bars and truly extraordinary clubs.
Ibiza holidays – Legendary nightlife brimming with characterIbiza Town has a legendary status: an extraordinarily cosmopolitan and vibrant place that is by turns relaxed, exciting, outrageous, beautiful, atmospheric and brimming with character. Holidays in Ibiza Town attract an astonishing mix of visitors and feature an amazing variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs, all embellished by the romantic setting of the Old Town, the harbour and the glitzy marina. Holidays in Ibiza have gained a world wide reputation as Europe’s premier party and clubbing destination. San Antonio attracts a particularly young and lively party-loving crowd with its inexhaustible choice of nightlife, good-natured friendly atmosphere and extraordinary clubs like Es Paradis or Eden. Both resorts have quieter areas that offer excellent beaches for families and the opportunity to share in the nightlife from a comfortable distance. San Antonio has the small sister resort of Port des Torrent, while many looking for holidays based around Ibiza Town choose to stay in Playa de Talamanca or its livelier beach neighbour Playa den Bossa.
Holidays in Ibiza – Plenty of quieter family resorts tooFor a much calmer traditional resort with true Ibiza charm try Santa Eulalia, popular with couples and families looking for local character and a quieter more upmarket feel. To the south is the enjoyable easygoing small resort of Cala Llonga. To the north of Santa Eulalia are a string of beautiful Ibiza beaches and smaller resorts like Es Cana and peaceful S’Argamassa. Quieter Ibiza holidays can be found along the beautiful north coast in attractive more family-orientated resorts like the renowned beauty spot of Portinatx, or Puerto San Miguel with its rather secluded small village atmosphere.

Could Malta Be The Next Property Hotspot?

Trends come, and trends go, but the news that low cost airlines are to fly to Malta has given the Mediterranean island's property industry hope that 2007 could be an exceptional year for price rises and sales.In recent years the arrival of low cost - sometimes referred to as 'no frills' - airlines to a regional airport has seen property prices within a two hour drive escalate in popularity and price, especially among British buyers for France and Spain.With the advent of these flights to Malta, there is a possibility that demand for property in Malta will increase.Commenting on the news, Malta holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that a double digit property inflation figure for Malta is quite possible for 2007.'Cheap airline destinations have proved to be a magnet for UK property investors, and if that trend continues then prices will go up in the next twelve to twenty four months', they say.'Other than the local market, the UK provides most buyers for property in Malta, and with the British economy doing well it's quite possible that the island will be seen as a good investment opportunity'.Malta HolidaysTribune Properties, a UK company specialising in property for sale in Malta, agree that property prices could rise in 2007.'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look at Malta in the same way they do France and Spain when considering where to buy a holiday home abroad. The Malta weather and low fares could be a magnet for buyers.'There is a warning however from YourMalta that property prices on the island might not necessarily escalate in the same way that regions of France have seen when low cost airlines have started flying to their region.'The Malta government has allowed more land to be used for property, and we anticipate a lot more apartment blocks being built short and medium term. Supply might well meet demand. Unless the political map of Malta changes and with it a change of policy towards her environment, there is a danger of Malta becoming the Tower Hamlets of the Mediterranean, or 1970's Spain where development spoiled much of the coast.'Concern has also been expressed on the island about the infrastructure, with some tourists and potential property investors berating the state of the roads and - compared to mainland European and UK standards - dangerous construction sites.'The real winners from the low cost flights could be the Malta hotels rather than the property industry', conclude YourMalta. 'We envisage a lot more people taking short three and four day holidays to Malta, often booking their flights and hotels on the internet rather than via a traditional high street travel agent'.The year ahead should be an interesting one for Malta.