Travel Guides

The Antipodes (coming from the Latin antipous meaning with feet opposite) really do give an opposing slice of life to that of the UK - months of blissful sunshine, acres of deserted beaches and a laid back lifestyle that is a million miles away from the humdrum rat-race of home.

Slovakia swept the board in the first World Travel `Green’ Awards held on 15th October, its flagship green water park and spa, AquaCity Resort, Poprad, picking up trophies for `Europe’s Leading Green Resort’ and the `World’s Leading Green Award’.

For the first time, 20 Jewish community leaders from the UK undertook a journey to discover Berlin’s past and present Jewish community. The trip was organised by the German National Tourist Office in partnership with Lufthansa and Berlin Tourism as part of the “Discover Jewish Germany” campaign.

It may be the only solid banker and safe bet this season but a half term break to the Outdoor Capital of the UK is one investment the family won't regret. Britain's active holiday hotspot in Fort William and Lochaber has more outdoor pursuits per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. So head north for the half term and enjoy the great outdoors on a small budget.

Olympic hero Eddie “the Eagle Edwards” will be visiting the Metro Ski & Snowboard show at Olympia on Wednesday 22nd October 2008. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1988 Winter Olympics which took place at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park. The ski jump event catapulted Eddie to worldwide fame and whilst he did not win any medals, he won the hearts of spectators across the globe and returned to the UK as a hero.

Whether you’re looking for a design-led ski holiday, an adventure break in the wilderness or a festive city break, Sweden has something to offer this winter. With new hotels opening up in the ski resort of Åre, brand new activities to sample in Lapland, and some of Europe’s best Christmas markets in the major cities throughout Sweden, there has never been a better time to visit.

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism has announced that three acclaimed courses in the state have been voted onto the 2008 Golfweek’s “Top 100 Resort Courses” list.

Discerning boutique browsers and shameless shopaholics need look no further than Yorkshire South to indulge their passion for fashion amidst the wonderful backdrop, charm and character of the region’s towns, villages and people.

Lonely Planet has tipped Glasgow as one of the top cities in the world to visit in the coming year in a new book published this week. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2009 captures the world’s hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead, bringing together the expertise of Lonely Planet authors, staff and travellers.

GapGuru, the India gap year expert, is searching for school leavers, graduates and career breakers to take part in its Interns4India programme. Interns4India is a business placement programme, limited to 10 participants, which will see them spend six months working as voice, accent and culture coaches in a leading offshore business processing solution provider in Bangalore, Southern India.

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK with the Continent, saw increases in both traveller numbers and ticket sales in the third quarter of 2008 (July-September).

The recent white lion release into Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, situated in the Klein Karoo regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, has been heralded a success after several years of continued efforts.

As the clocks go forward and the dark nights close in, the French region of Brittany provides a number of fantastic year round family fun and educational options for the October half term holidays. Well known as a sailing, yachting and cruising destination and with around one third of the French coastline, the region is proud of its nautical heritage.

See the magnificent colours of autumn and the magical transformation of winter in the South Yorkshire countryside, gardens and villages and find out just where to stop off for comfortable and cosy refreshment.

The world’s leading green resort, AquaCity Resort in Poprad, north east Slovakia, will host over 150 guests, representing the world’s top achievers in tourism, at the World Travel Awards `European and Green Awards Ceremony’, being held for the first time in Slovakia on 15th October. Slovakia is only European destination to host a World Travel Award event in 2008.

Cruise ships, one of the last bastions of freedom for smokers, are joining the rest of the travel industry in introducing draconian measures to restrict use of the “evil weed”. Ships on the high seas are not subject to the same smoking laws as hotels, restaurants bars and other public places are on land. Nevertheless the winds of change are blowing in favour of non-smokers.

Recent reports reveal that Britons are becoming increasingly adventurous with their holiday choices, swapping the usual week in the sun for a more daring break. However, previous research from American Express Insurance Services discovered in that one in four people (24%) plan to go on holiday this year without travel insurance - a risky business given the recent demand for more adventurous holiday activities off the beaten track.

Never a destination that stands still, Miami heads into high season with hundreds of new and refurbished guest rooms and suites, distinctive new restaurants, clubs and sites.

Western Australia’s Kimberley region has been positioned as the real star of Australia in the much-anticipated Tourism Australia campaign “Come Walkabout”, produced by acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann.

Tourism Australia and the internationally renowned film-maker Baz Luhrmann, and his team, have created a new destination campaign to make Australia the ‘must visit’ destination for travellers around the world. The campaign launches in the UK this week.

Luxury travel company Grand Tourist will be launching their new range of Greek travel experiences at one of the UK’s largest luxury travel fairs. Grand Tourist, who ask their clients to follow in the footsteps of the original travellers of the 18th and 19th century, is launching its Greek Palace experience at this year’s Conde Nast Luxury Travel Fair at Olympia. This year, Grand Tourist has also launched Ferrari driving experiences, white truffle-hunting in Piedmont and Ischia island tours in Italy.

The official race for the White House means all eyes are on Washington, DC, and there’s no better place to get a ‘taste’ for political power than in the capitol of the USA. Why not plan your own ‘power trip’ over the coming months and to help you make the most of your visit, here are some A-political tips and ideas.

Thursday 16th October is the hotly tipped night in the Cornish tourism calendar as the best of the best come together for a nail biting evening at the Cornwall Tourism Awards - and this year even the runners-up will be smiling! Flame haired, comic genius Ruby Wax is confirmed as the guest speaker for the award ceremony at the Headland Hotel, and is guaranteed to send the 300 attendees into fits of laughter with tales of her past visits to Cornwall. Ruby’s quips will offer light-hearted relief to an otherwise emotional evening as the award finalists jostle for space on the winners roll.

Some of the world’s top golf players including Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose will be taking part at the first ever Castellon Masters-Costa Azahar (castellomasters.com), which takes place at the Mediterraneo Golf Club in Borriol (Castellon province, north of Valencia) from 23 to 26 October 2008.

For six days in October, the region of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur Wines in partnership with Toni & Guy will bring a selection of fine Bordeaux wines to taste while clients are pampered by Toni & Guy stylists.

The Born Free Foundation has stated its dismay to learn from recent reports that, following the opening of London Zoo’s controversial Gorilla ”Kingdom" (£5.3 million), the Zoo now plans to redevelop its exhibits for Sumatran tigers at further great expense.

For a golfing holiday that is way above par, chip off to Tunisia for a couple of rounds on the brand new Residence Golf Course. The ideal place for a weekend on the fairways; the year-round temperate climate makes Tunisia a superb golfing destination. Tunis is only a two and a half hour flight from London - it takes longer to cover 18-holes than it does to fly there.

Go east young man – or woman. That’s the rallying cry summer holidaymakers will be heeding next summer. Holidaymakers in search of a perfect getaway from the looming recession and dismal grey skies are seeing red and opting to go east. That’s according to destinationRussia - one of the leading UK based websites for hotels, visas and travel within Russia.

Those looking for a good time over Halloween should look no further than spooktacular Scottsdale (Arizona). Located in the magnificent Sonoran Desert, the city is a premier holiday destination where visitors can get spooked with ghosts, goblins, ‘spirited’ cocktails and perfect pumpkins this Halloween. Haunted asylums and creepy crypts make the top of the to-do list while friendly spirits make special appearances, walking hotel halls and welcoming guests.