The Culture Bank

The beauty of travel is that you meet people of a different culture to ourselves and it is all part of the great experience of life together with the fact that we can now visit places that were unheard of to previous generations. Learning about the culture and customs of other people is one of the great experiences of travel.

For those that have been of a Kenyan Safari, trips to Maasai villages are often on the agenda, these tend to be structured and although informative about how the village functions, they have some commercial aspect as the Maasai womenfolk quickly put out tables with items they have crafted themselves in the hope of making a few Kenyan shillings, nothing wrong with that.

But why not try living amongst a group of Maasai as your holiday accommodation, not the villages themselves; few would pay to sleep in a mud hut with a cooking fire in the centre with hole in the roof for the smoke to go through. One suggestion could be the lodge called Ii Ngwesi which is Kenya’s only safari lodge to be wholly owned and operated by the local Maasai community a luxury one too.

The bedrooms or banda as they are called is built with a view into the bush enabling you to enjoy the sights and sounds of wildlife during the day, and sleep out under the stars in the evening. The rooms have bathrooms with all the amenities of home; the only difference is that the showers are outside, but not in view of anyone except for wildlife and nature while taking a refreshing shower.

Remember try to integrate with the people they love to hear about us as much as we do about them. Remember, you’re not in a zoo, so just don’t stand back and stare. The community you’re visiting may well be just as curious about you.

Picture: YY

Along with Mallorca and Malta, Cyprus is a firm favourite Island destination for the British traveller taking their summer holidays, autumn, spring and winter too. In the autumn months the temperatures hover in the mid to high twenties and although the spring period these are lower, it is still very pleasant. The summer months the temperatures can reach the low thirties, with plenty of cooling in the pleasant sea, or numerous pools and sea breezes it is never overpowering.

Hiring a car and seeing Cyprus’s attractions make for some excellent day trips in the foothills, or to Nicosia which is the Island capital. Roads here are in good condition and the traffic, although not sparse is unlike some of the roads seen on the Costa del Sol for example and with Cyprus nothing is further than a couple of hours away from wherever you are staying.

Cyprus is full of churches and some of the best examples are to be found in the Troodos Mountains above Limassol, where dozens of Byzantine churches are to be found. Inside is a treasure trove of beautiful frescos. Examples include one from 1495 featuring the Life of Christ, another church in nearby Peléndri village features a complete cycle of the Virgin’s life from a century earlier.

For the more active sporting travellers, scuba diving at Larnaca offers some really great dives including one to Zenobia, which foundered in Larnaca harbour on its 1980, towed away and scuttled complete with cargo. At a depth of 140 feet the wreck is not one for beginners but simpler dives can be found nearby including reefs, caves and wrecks at a shallower depth.

There is much to see and do in Cyprus, festivals, jazz concerts, wine tours and outdoor theatre events; Cyprus is well worth a visit, summer or winter.

Picture: ColinsCamera

With the ever rising cost of living, saving money isn’t easy, but going on holiday doesn’t have to mean going broke, or going without the little luxuries that make going away so attractive. With a little time and effort, you can take the family away from home for less than you might think.

A quick search will turn up hundreds of websites offering cheap holiday deals, but the discerning shopper will be able to wade through the information overload and choose the gems. There are bargains to be had, if you know what to look for.

First, be sure to book with a reputable company. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Read the fine print, and be sure you understand what’s included in an “all inclusive” holiday package. Don’t forget incidentals like transportation and meals. It’s also important to understand the company’s cancellation policy.

Secondly, look beyond the more obvious, popular destinations. Big resorts may command top dollar while a smaller nearby destination might offer rooms and rates at much lower prices: it pays to shop around. Flexibility can create a substantial reward as well. Beginning your holiday mid-week, for example, rather than on a weekend, might net you savings in airline tickets.

Finally, consider your own backyard. There’s no need to travel out of the country to enjoy the experience of spending time with your family. If an exotic destination is out of reach, consider a less expensive local holiday package. By taking a little time and research, you can enjoy a cheap holiday deal.

Picture: John Meyer

Finding the right hotel in London can be a daunting task as there are literally thousands to choose from, so we have decided to share our best hotels to suit any budget, from those who want to flash the cash, to those with a smaller budget.

Luxury Hotels

The Ritz London

www.theritzlondon.com

This 5 star hotel situated near Piccadilly Circus exudes luxury and sophistication. Five types of room are available from the luxurious Superior Queen Suite to the stunning Prince of Wales suite, and all have been fully restored with period features.

The level of service at The Ritz London is second to none with staff members ready to serve you whenever you need them to. A range of complimentary services are at guests disposable including laundry and dry cleaning services, Valet Service, Fast Wi-Fi connection and 24 hour room service.

All this luxury come at a price though, and with rooms starting at approximately £435 per night it is out of most peoples reach.

Independent London hotels

The Jesmond Dene Hotel

www.jesmonddenehotel.co.uk

The Jesmond Dene Hotel is situated near the St. Pancras Euro Tunnel terminal and just a two minute walk from King’s Cross underground meaning that travelling throughout the city is easy and convenient.

This independent hotel has a range of rooms to choose from and offers a range of facilities including free Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception and luggage storage. There is also a concierge service that can help you find the best restaurants and bars, shopping experiences and excursions that London has to offer.

Complimentary breakfast is included for those who book online through the website. Rooms start from just £62 per night.

Budget Hotels

Hotel Ibis London City

www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-5011-ibis-london-city/index.shtml

The Ibis London City Hotel is situated in the heart of the city near the Tower of London and has 348 modern rooms. Room facilities include en suite bathrooms, satellite TV and tea and coffee making supplies.

It also features a restaurant and bar serving a range of bistro style meals and drinks.

Each room come equipped with Ibis bedding custom made Sweet Beds which offer the ultimate in comfort. Wireless internet is available by request.

For a city centre location the Ibis London City Hotel offers some of the best prices with rooms costing from £69 per night.

Value for money

When it comes to going on holiday, going on a cruise gives you great value for money as you can expect to stay comfortably for around £93 a night and that includes both your room and any accompanying meals; although it is worth noting that the price changes depending on where you are going and the size of the ship.
Any extra activities, such as excursions or inland trips, will cost you more, but you would generally find this on most holidays.

On board facilities

Cruise liners come equipped with many facilities so that they can appeal to the needs of all their customers. All cruise liners have swimming pools, gyms and spas so that you can go for your morning jog without ever having to leave the ship, and then relax with a sensual massage.  A vast array of entertainment for all the family is available at the on board nightclub, from comedy shows to karaoke.

Transportation

Booking plane tickets and arriving on time can be a hassle, but with a cruise, you are free from all of that, as cruises generally leave from local ports.  All you have to do is arrive on the day of departure with your luggage and tickets.

The locations come to you

Expect to visit many exotic locations on your cruise.  Generally calling in on at least three ports, you can choose to go inland, visit the local scenery and pick up some souvenirs, or just admire the breathtaking panoramas from the comfort of the ship’s deck.

Picture: kansasphoto

A city break can be a good option for anyone looking for cheap holidays. Lisbon is a good choice, with its heritage, beautiful coastline and hills; it is also one of the most affordable short-haul destinations. However, it is essential to remember that the total cost of the flights, which are generally higher to Portugal, are offset by the lower cost of accommodation and dining out. Lisbon also has the advantage that it is an all-year round destination, rarely too cold or too hot.

For people living in the South of England, Normandy and Brittany are good options for a budget holiday. Both regions offer picturesque landscapes and accommodation and dining out are substantially cheaper than in the UK. Both destinations are popular, as their closeness to the south of England makes getting to them easy and relatively cheap. The ferry companies often have special offers, which are worth watching out for.

For anyone who prefers to stay in the UK, Dorset may not be as popular as Devon or Cornwall, but it can be just as picturesque and often there are better deals available for this part of the country. Public transport also tends to be good and it is possible to travel around the whole area by bus. Dorset has a range of stunning landscapes, from the sweeping dunes of Studland to the rugged cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. It also has several blue flag beaches, along with pretty towns and rolling green countryside.

Picture: Nicolas Roux

Summer holidays on the Island of Crete are always a magical time, as Greece’s largest Island, Crete has so much to offer it would be hard to know where to start. It has plenty of beaches, rocky coastlines, and is steeped in history. You can enjoy sun soaked days relaxing or exploring all that Crete has to offer.

It’s a destination for everyone, perfect for a romantic getaway, a relaxing break away of fun times for kids. Old and young alike can enjoy this fabulous island whether you want fun in the sun or to get away from it all. This Island is popular with many travellers because you really do get value for money from your holiday in Crete, from affordable accommodation like the Aquis Bella Beach Hotel and flights, to cheap places to eat and drink including traditional Greek delicacies in the towns of Rethymnon, Elounda and Hersonissos.

Many people head to Greece for its world renowned beaches, Crete has a fantastic selection from soft golden sand beaches to small pebble beaches. Lots of the beaches have plenty of water sports to choose from for daytime entertainment and can be quite lively such as those in Malia. But if you like some peace and quiet then look towards Elafonisi and Vai Beach which are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and are much more relaxed whilst still catering to your needs.

History is a big part of Crete’s Island life and always a draw with the tourists, there are a number of archaeological sites across the island such as the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, it’s said it was home of the King Minos. Or Spinalonga (Kalydon) which is an ancient fortress built to protect ancient Olous. History buffs would also benefit from visiting the Heraklion Archaeological Museum which houses some amazing artefacts as well as information on the Minoan civilisation.

Crete has a varied nightlife, from fabulous restaurants offering amazing Greek fare and small local tavernas with great atmosphere, to small ice-cream and cake shops. All locally sourced, it’s a real treat for the pallet, but don’t worry if you don’t like exotic foods you can still get tradition British fare in some of the larger resorts. If you like a drink or two, you are pretty spoilt for choice in many resorts in Crete, from small local drinking dens hidden away down winding streets to cosmopolitan bars on the harbour or beach front there is something for everyone, even those who like to be out until the small hours in one of many nightclubs across the island.

With all the unspoilt scenery, lively resorts and retreat village out of the way there really isn’t a reason why Crete is not the island for you, not with its glorious sunshine!

Picture: idleformat

Breaks to cities both in the UK and Europe have become increasingly popular over the last few years as many people look for something different from taking in the sunshine on a Spanish beach. Shorts breaks are increasingly popular as they give the holiday maker the chance to spread their holiday weeks over many different periods.

A city that offers the traveller a wealth of choice and is very easy to access by both rail, road and air, is Bath with its imposing Georgian terraces and of course Roman Heritage, many would put Bath in the category of England’s most beautiful small city. Shopping is well catered for and the city has been praised for retaining many independent shops, unlike some other UK towns and high streets with have sadly declined. There is concern though that the newly opened SouthGate shopping mall could have a negative impact, so now is the time to enjoy roaming these small independents during a city break.

A good morning sightseeing or shopping can be tiring so what better way to relax those aching muscles through a visit to the recently refurbished Thermal Baths, here you can wallow in the hot, mineral-rich spring-waters, following the Roman occupiers of some 2,000 years previously.

Bath also has a number of museums for those interested in our heritage, but many visitors prefer to go on organised walking tours which are arranged through the Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides, details can be found at their website,  many prefer to take a hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour. Excellent food can now be found at the city’s pubs, high quality restaurants, including one from Jamie Oliver have become well established.

Bath has much to offer the short break visitor and it is no surprise that many return, to repeat their enjoyable short break at this lovely English city.

Picture: Liminae

Many tourists visit Africa to travel on a safari with the aim of viewing the Big Five – lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros.  Africa has many national parks and reserves which offer patrons this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park, located in the north of Tanzania, is divided into three regions: Serengeti plains, Western corridor and Northern Serengeti.  The area is renowned for the annual migration of more than a million wildebeest and thousands of zebra.  The park is also home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

The Etosha National Park, situated in northwest Namibia, is famous for the 5,000km² salt pan that is partially enclosed in its borders.  The pan attracts thousands of flamingo and pelicans after the rainy season.  Mammals commonly seen in the park include: elephant, lion, leopard, hyena and meerkat.   

Maasai Mara, Kenya

The Maasai Mara National Reserve continues northward from the Serengeti and forms part of the area famed for the Great Migration of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest.  While the reserve holds one of the highest populations of lion in the world, it is also a major research centre for the spotted hyena.  The park is named after its indigenous inhabitants, the Maasai people.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

The floodplains, swamps and woodland of Botswana’s Chobe National Park are divided into four geographical areas.  The Chobe River flows through the northeast region of the park, the Serondela area, which serves as a watering point for the roaming game.  Because it draws elephant, buffalo and giraffe, the area is attractive to tourists.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to a high percentage of the world’s mountain gorilla.  Other mammals found in the park include the golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena and bushbuck.  Walking amongst the gorilla and climbing the region’s volcanoes are some of the tourist activities offered.

Picture: @Doug88888

With its almost countless sandy beaches, sunny weather and distinctive culture, Australia has become a top ten destination for backpackers from all around the world. Backpacking has become a large part of Australia’s tourist trade thanks to the competitive cost of accommodation, travel and tours, making it the perfect destination for visitors travelling on a budget.

Tours

As backpacking is such a big business there are many tours to choose from. With so much competition not only is there a tour to suit everyone’s needs, visitors are also assured of getting a very good deal. Two of the most popular are the Whitsunday’s and Fraser Island tours. Most travel agencies tend to package them together, including accommodation.

Where to stay

With so many hostels around the country, it is easy to find accommodation wherever you may wish to stay. Some hostels are very basic and are priced accordingly, while others, known as ‘flashpackers’, provide all the modern conveniences necessary for a more relaxed visit. Most hostels offer a choice of rooms, from shared dorm style to private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

If you are really into the adventurous side of travelling most hostels also have outdoor facilities for pitching tents and provide shared kitchen facilities. If you are interested in camping it does not get any better than the magnificent National Australian Parks, where you will find all the basic facilities, as well as being able to experience the natural landscape and iconic Australian wildlife.

Climate

As Australia is so large the climate varies greatly. The southern parts of the country experience very dry and hot conditions in the summer, while at the same time the northern most regions may be experiencing heavy rainfall and tropical thunderstorms. The peak season in Queensland, for example, is during the winter months, when conditions are at their driest.

Picture: Team Windcraft