Barcelona - Spain

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city, with a population of nearly one and half million people (nearly five million in the metropolitan area) and the capital, largest city of Catalonia.

This beautiful city is full of what European cities are known for (outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums and churches) and is fantastic for walking with an extensive and reliable Metro system for more far-flung destinations. The core center of town, focused around the Ciutat Vella ("Old City") provides days of enjoyment for those looking to experience the life of Barcelona while the beaches the city was built upon provide sun and relaxation during the long periods of agreeably warm weather.


August is probably the busiest time in Barcelona; at the same time about 10% of shops and restaurants can be found closed from mid-August to early September, when the owners go on vacations.You'll find cheap accommodation and a much quieter city as a vast majority of Spaniards go on vacation in August. Business is low, people from Barcelona tend to be on vacation, hotels that remain open but don't have their business customers tend to lower prices and make offers.

Activities in Barcelona:

• Las Ramblas or La Rambla, a gorgeous tree-lined pedestrian walkway, 
• Cruise miles of beachfront boardwalk starting from Barceloneta or get a tan on the beach.
• Sit on a wooden bridge to Maremagnum in Ciutat Vella 
• Wander the Barri Gotic in Ciutat Vella, the largely intact pseudo-medieval center of the city.
• Enjoy your Sangria at La Plaça Reial in Ciutat Vella, near the La Rambla Street. Great place to sit,relax and drink. While visiting La Placa Reial
• Walk in Born in Ciutat Vella, a very popular area with great restaurants and places to have a few drinks. 
• Visit a Flamenco Show in a real tablao. 

• Ride the Cable Way to get from the sea front to Montjuïc mountain in Sants-Montjuïc
• Catch a performance at the beautiful Teatre del Liceu or the Palau de la Musica Catalana both in Ciutat Vella.
• Rent a bike or join a Biketour and get to see the highlights of the city in a different way. 
• Join a Barcelona photography walk or masterclass in English 
• Go see some of the famous or small unknown galleries or some mueseums (Museum of Natural History - in the Forum - Museu Blau, CosmoCaixa: Museum of Science - Amazing museum for kids from 4-5 onwards. Adults will really enjoy it also,Tibidabo Amusement Park)

Maldives - The Sunny Side of Life

Maldives is an island nation of a total 1190 islands, formed in 26 natural atolls. Located in the Indian Ocean, south-west of Trivandrum, India and east-west of Sri Lanka (approximately 1 hour flight from Colombo or Trivandrum). The closest neighbors are India and SriLanka. Only 200 of these islands are inhabited while more than 80 of the island are developed into resort islands. The population is around 340,000 and almost a quarter live on the capital Male' island, which is just 10 minutes boat ride from the International airport. Male' is the commercial hub of the country.

The Capital of the Maldives is Male' pronounced "Ma-ley". The population is about 70,000 and is home for almost one-forth of the total  population of the country. This is the base for all the economic activities. The city also has a few places of historical interest.

The international airport is located on the island of Hulhule. There are more than 2 dozens of international schedule flights flying into Maldives from major cities in asia, middle east and Europe. These include SriLankan Airways, Qatar airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Indian Airlines, Balkan, Bulgarian Airlines, LTU, Condor, AOM French, Austrian Airlines and Malaysian Airlines, with some of these airlines flying daily, weekly or twice a week.


No prior visa is needed to enter Maldives and all tourists are given a free 30 days visa on arrival. Tourist visa can be extended upto 90 days for a fee of approx. USD90.00 and upon approval.

There are islands offering nothing but relaxing and comfort. Most of the resorts offer a variety of sports and water sports, which include volley ball, beach volley, snooker, billiard, table-tennis, badminton, football, squash, tennis, carom, swimming pool, etc. Available water sports include Wind surfing, wave surfing, catamaran, sailing, fishing, night fishing, big game fishing, Para-sailing, banana riding, jet-ski, etc.. Almost every island has a dive center.

More than 80 of the uninhabited islands have been developed as resort islands. Each island represent one resort and most of the resorts are located in Male',  and Ari atoll. These island vary in size and shape. Some are only 40 meters wide and some 1Km in width. The number of rooms vary from 8 to 350. All rooms are built a few meters from the beach and they come in individual bungalows and room blocks of 2 to 4. Some resorts also have got rooms built on concrete or wooden stilts in the lagoon - These water bungalows are very popular among tourists.

The Maldive Islands feature several noteworthy attractions which should be experienced by every traveller to the islands. With the islands’ seafaring heritage and diverse foreign influences many interesting sights are to be seen here.

The Grand Friday Mosque or Masjid-al-Sultan as it is locally known, is one of the islands’ finest sights. Constructed in the 17th century by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar, this magnificent edifice accommodates no less than 5,000 persons.

Male’s National Museum is another highlight in the Maldives. Located in a charming colonial edifice the museum houses a mesmerizing range of artefacts.

The President’s Palace is a site of interest which should not be omitted. This magnificent building is the official residence of the President of the Maldives. Although it is not open to the public, visitors may photograph the splendid exterior. The building was constructed just prior to World War I by Sultan Shamsuddeen III.

Caribbean Island - The Romantic Getaways

Yes, this is what a trip to the Caribbean means to a lot of people around the world. Some call the destination ‘paradise’ and others ‘heaven on earth’. Whatever you choose to call it, the island guarantees you everything that you have been looking for in your getaways. Be it beaches, banks, boats or bikinis, a romantic Caribbean getaway has all the essentials of a tropical vacation.


Located on the tip of South America, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, the Caribbean comprises coconut tree-clad mountains, seashore galore, verdant valleys of bananas and sugarcane, and movie-like beauty. The Caribbean comprises more than fifty islands, which gives you a wide choice for planning an appropriate romantic Caribbean travel. World-class hotels, restaurants, resorts, shopping, activities and other attractions at Caribbean, together with exotic warm weather make up for an absolutely ecstatic tropical vacation.


St. Lucia 
St. Lucia is all about jagged peaks wrapped in velvety tropical plants, and honey-colored beaches sheltered by towering palms. There are colorful blooms everywhere and the breathtaking greenery promises couples, their most memorable romantic walk in a lifetime. The beauty of this place is such that the couples actually feel like Adam and Eve walking hand in hand through the beautiful landscape of Eden. It is a place where every valley, roadside, and hill is a veritable garden. Orange, lime, mango, lemon, coffee, breadfruit, and plum trees beautifully cover the landscape. The beauty of the land fertilizes romance almost immediately. In the shades of tall flame flowers, hibiscus, orchids, and shrimp plants, you will find a million excuses to kiss your beloved on your romantic vacation.

Bahamas 

Technically, Bahamas are located outside the Caribbean boundary; however except for a few days when they are cooled be the chilling winter, tourists find it impossible to tell the difference. The Bahamas comprise 700 islands that look like seashells sprinkled across shallow water. These islands share the same sand, sun, and festivity as their southern neighbors. Out of these islands, only 20 are populated and are hot tourist destinations for all age groups.

Bahamas has lots to offer both, families and lovers. If you are targeting rekindling passion in you and your beloved’s hearts, choose from the Family islands such as Eleuthera, Tiny Harbour Island (here motorized transportation means only a golf cart), or San Salvador (renowned site of Columbus’ first landfall). If you are planning a very active vacation, go for Grand Bahama that offers casino gambling, golf, and a chance to swim with the dolphins. You must make a trip to Nassau, Bahamas’ capital city, located on New Providence, for witnessing astonishing glitzy.



Bermuda
Bermuda is not a part of the Caribbean technically, but has everything in common with its southern neighbors. It enjoys the position of being one of the world’s richest countries with semi-tropical climate like that of an island. This, together with a bit of formal British atmosphere makes up for the perfect setting of palm-lined roads connecting the Easter egg-colored houses. From the days of Mark Twain, Bermuda has been the prime attraction for travelers seeing luxurious retreats with temperate winters and warm summers, a golf round and a tennis game. It is fast becoming the favorite of lovers and honeymooners, offering a full range of activities on and off the beach.

Sydney - Australia

Sydney, Australia is famous for its magnificent nature and two landmark structures, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is built around its huge harbor where most of the main attractions and the city center are located at the southern shore. It is a beautiful city and you'll find there is no shortage of things to do and see in Sydney.


Sydney Opera House
In 2007, Sydney Opera House is listed as a World Heritage site and till today, Sydney Opera House is Sydney's most famous and the most photographed landmark in Sydney. Sydney Opera House was designed by a Danish architect, Joern Utzon which had such a long and troubled construction phase that completion of the building is considered a miracle. Visitors can book guided one hour tours every day, between 9am to 5pm, every half an hour. There are also two-hour backstage tours which include breakfast daily at 7am

The Harbour Bridge
The Harbour Bridge which was constructed during the 1930s Depression is the widest single span bridge in the world. Today, The Harbour Bridge is the major link between Sydney's southern and northern suburbs. The Pylon Lookout museum is located at the Harbour Bridge's southeastern pylon where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the harbour and city from its viewing platform. Alternatively, you can book a 3.5 hour climb to the bridge summit and enjoy priceless views from the top of the bridge.

Sydney Aquarium
Sydney Aquarium is located at Sydney's Darling Harbour. Sydney Aquarium presents a fascinating view of the underwater world which includes over 12,000 aquatic animals from 650 species, saltwater crocodiles and giant sea turtles. Sydney Aquarium showcases the world's largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit and amazing underwater viewing tunnels with sharks and stingrays swimming above your head and your kids will love the touch pool and the marine mammal sanctuary. Be sure to grab the tickets online as the prices are lower.

The Rocks
The Rocks is Sydney's most historic district, the birthplace of modern Australia and is one of the city's most popular destinations. The Rocks is Sydney's main port with warehouses lined the waterfront, backed by hotels, banks, offices, merchant shops and brothels. Today, The Rocks is transformed into a hot spot of quaint boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Try not to come on Saturday though because it will be extremely crowded.

 Sydney Tower
The best way to enjoy breathtaking views of Sydney is to visit the top of Sydney Tower. This 1000-foot golden- turret-topped spike is Sydney's tallest building and the view from its indoor observation deck covers the entire Sydney's city area and most often, you can see as far as the Blue Mountains which are more than 80km away. There are two restaurants in the Sydney Tower's turret, great for an after-hours cocktail

















Sydney Beaches

There are more than 30 ocean beaches within Sydney, all with rolling surf and golden sand. If you prefer calmer waters, there are several more around the harbor. On the south side of the harbor, there are Bondi and Coogee beaches and Manly beach is located on the northern side of the harbor. Of all the Sydney beaches, Bondi beach is the most famous and the most crowded with surfing is one of the most popular activities. However, the waters in Coogee beach are calmer with a grassy headland overlooking the beach equipped with an excellent children's playground. Manly beach is similar to Bondi beach, where locals and travelers crowd the 2km long stretch of white sand to swim and surf. Manly beach can be reached via Manly Fast Ferry taken from Circular Quay.

Amazing Singapore

Singapore, known to be the world's cleanest city, rich, bustling with activity, is likely to leave you befuddled and perplexed when it comes to choosing what next to do. Our Singapore Holiday Packages takes you an island country which is lush with greenery and comprises 63 islands. It's bordered in the north by the Johor Straits that separate it from Malaysia and the Singapore Straits in the south that separate it from Indonesia. It enjoys a tropical rainforest climate with abundant rainfall. Singapore is worth a visit at any time of the year.


Beautiful Singapore has restored many old gardens and parks to their previous charming state. The Singapore Tour Package leads families to its Zoo, the world's largest Bird Park in Jurong - one of its largest islands. Though the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the only chief rainforest area left in Singapore, its' nature reserves and hundreds of parks, with rare orchids and botanical gardens have earned for it the nickname, 'garden city'. These are home to several animals, birds and insects, some unheard of, and a nature lovers delight.

English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil are spoken here, with inhabitants from the west, China and India co-existing besides its original inhabitants, the Pernakans, making it an interesting cultural melting pot. The cuisine reflects its' multi-ethnicity; there are various restaurants as well as bars that serve delectable cuisine. Some of the restaurants have live music on some days; others have it every day. Our Singapore Holiday Package will leave you thirsting for more of its sights and sounds. There are entertaining festivals around the year, besides the shopping malls and casinos to enthral tourists.



Water sports enthusiasts can avail of our Singapore Tour Package as swimming, sailing, kayaking and water skiing are popular activities on these islands. Adventure enthusiasts will find Singapore Holiday Packages very interesting as they can go skateboarding or rock-climbing without burning a hole in their pocket! There's more excitement, including diving with sharks off Sentosa, besides a night safari or mountain biking at Bukit Timah. A trip to Mount Faber, near Sentosa, takes tourists through densely forested area to a spectacular view of Singapore.

Our Singapore Holiday Packages and Singapore Tour Packages will introduce you to its' well-known ethnic areas of Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Joo Chiat, Katong and Little India in Singapore. This pretty state offers you a choice of spending time quietly or immersing yourself in frenzied activity as you drink or dance the night away. Sentosa, another of its large islands, is full of entertainment resorts, adventure activities and heritage treks to its magnificent monuments of a bygone era.

When all is done, and you're all out, the Singapore Tour Package offers you utter relaxation through a variety of boutique and garden spas with Oriental and Ayurvedic techniques and even a fish spa to help you rejuvenate tired nerves.

Tenerife Holidays

Tenerife is the number one holiday destination for young travellers looking to let their hair down and take advantage of the next nightlife in the Canary Islands. Although Tenerife does hold a reputation for being the premier place for drunken teens, behind the stereotypical facade Tenerife offers a wide range of fun, lively bars and nightclubs offering something for all tastes. From foam parties to romantic sunset cruises, this island is definitely one of the premier destinations for party goers.

Tenerife experiences a warm climate all year and is said to be an island of eternal spring. This comes as a great advantage to visitors as they can land on the island at any time. The months of December to February have numerous visitors due to the wonderful weather allowing visits to the beaches. August is also buzzing with people as the weather is hot with a lovely and cool sea breeze. If you prefer fewer crowds consider visiting Tenerife in the months of May and October.


There are many places to visit during your tour around Tenerife. There are attractive white sandy beaches where one can relax and sun bathe after long and exciting swims in the oceans. A drive through the pine forests and lunar landscape of Teide National Park would be an experience you don’t want to miss. The national park offers a good view of the volcano on Mt Teide and a ride to its top would grant you a view of other surroundings of the island.

The Siam Park is one of the leading new water parks in the world. It offers everything from meanders on lakes to free fall slides. Lots of exhilarating rides and slides together with a wave pool with gold sand beach offered would be more than you could ask for. Boat trips in Tenerife’s waters allow you a glimpse of dolphins and whales located in the ocean. There is the Masca village located at the sides of mountains north of Tenerife and Cliffs of Los Gigantes which are 600 feet into the Atlantic Ocean among other adventurous sites in the island.

Tenerife offers new and modern bars and restaurants with high quality food from all cultures. Your choice of venue and meals is therefore endless. The local dishes are loaded with lots of tomatoes, zucchinis, green beans and olives. Seafood is also common here and it includes fresh fish such as tuna and others such as crab, eel and lobster. Tenerife dishes are a blend of cultures such as European, African, Spanish and all this greatly contribute to the flavor of the meals. A meal is not complete without sipping some of Tenerife’s national beer, Dorada and other drinks offered on the island.


One of the main party resorts is the stunning Playa de las Americas, where visitors can take their pick from a wide range of night clubs. The liveliest nightspot is Veronica's, one of the oldest nightclubs on the island, offering three floors of bars and clubs with a range of musical genres. One of the most important tips to remember when enjoying a holiday in Tenerife is that the majority of the evening locations do not start to get lively until 1am at least therefore ensure that you pace yourself so you do not miss the end!

Some of the other popular spots on the island include Tramps and Busby's along with the lively British pub venue The Caledonian. The largest carnival will coincide with Shrove Tuesday and visitors will be able to see the island explodes with colour, music and dance. If you plan to visit the island during carnival time, make sure you pack your camera as the parades are known for their eccentricities and vibrancy.

Families planning a holidays to Tenerife may also wish to note that the busier areas of the club are commonly used by 'ladies of the night'.

Hawaii

Hawaii has long been known as the state with lots of volcanoes, beaches, and sights. In truth, there’s more to it than meets the eye; and now, with the help of When Did Hawaii Become a State, you need not be in the dark about what more Hawaii has to offer.


When Did Hawaii Become A State is a recently launched site that focuses on the history behind US’ 50th state. Presented in a blog format, the site outlines the events leading to the island’s statehood as well as provides readers with everything that they need to know before they step on the shores of this island.

From sights to sounds to history, When Did Hawaii Become A State has all the information you need in order to enjoy your stay at this Aloha state. Have a question about Hawaii? No need to worry! Just head on to the “Contact Us’ page and fire away your question. Wait for a few hours and, voila! You would have the answer to your question right at your own email inbox.


Hawaii is the only US state made up of islands. This Polynesian chain of islands is considered to be one of the newest members of the states having achieved statehood only last 1959. Prior to that, however, Hawaii was already an independent country that is recognized internationally as such. It has diplomatic relationships with other countries and was, at that time, headed by a king. With the help of American and European businessmen, the said King was overthrown which paved the way for it to become part of the US territory.