The Culture Bank

Paphos in Southern Cyprus is still a fairly quiet resort in comparison with Limassol, Protarus and the famous Napa, but it growing very quickly as available land is being built on to support the tourist industry.

Apartments and villas are available to rent in huge numbers; even in the high season it is still possible to find something suitable but there are also a number of excellent hotels offering all inclusive packages, or rooms only, depending on your preference. The beautiful Coral Beach and Resort comes at the top of the list of favourites for anyone who has stayed there.

The most amazing sight here is the sea at sunset. Watch the sea turn to different shades of blue until it eventually turns navy blue, with a huge orange sun sinking down behind the horizon. This is a perfect picture place for romantics and artists alike.

Paphos is famous for its Roman mosaics, which are quite spectacular; The Tombs of The Kings, which is a 4th century catacomb where dignitaries were interred, is certainly worth visiting.

One curiosity which can be found on the road leading up to the main shopping area is the ‘prayer tree’ at the Agia Solomoni Catacomb Church which claimed to have been the synagogue of Roman Paphos. The huge tree is covered in prayer cloths, each one left by a visitor.

Paphos is a great big open air archaeological site which is now totally protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is also a perfect place for people watching and taking things slowly, but even those who are energetic will find plenty to do, from quad biking and shark fishing to horse riding and going on safari.

The city of Marseille is a bustling French metropolis with well over a million residents.  It is now the second largest city in France, having recently passed Lyon in the middle of the 1990’s for second place.  Additionally, it is France’s busiest international port of entry.  Oftentimes referred to as the New Orleans of France, Marseille is alive with activities, diverse culture, and entertainment venues.  Alexandre Dumas once referred to this city as the “meeting place of the entire world.”

Founded by the ancient Greeks, Marseilles was once witness to a number of devastating wars and mass destruction.  However, it is now the crossroads of global traffic comprised of numerous unique sights and sounds.  And don’t forget about the tasty French cuisine.  Although some slum areas have arisen due to the city’s rapid population growth, Marseilles is a charming city filled with allure and elegance.  The Vieux Port (Old Harbour) is especially colourful, which helps to offset the dreariness of the industrial docks which are located nearby.

Lodging in and around the city of Marseille is plentiful.  Apartments, condos, hotels, and French villas are everywhere and you can find some excellent values by doing a little bit of research online.  Additionally, a harbour cruise may be in the offing as part of your holiday agenda as well.  However, you want to remember that the port of Marseille is in a highly industrialised area so choose your water excursion wisely.  Finally, Marseille is in striking distance of Turin, Italy – a favourite holiday skiing destination in winter.

Considered by many to be one of the most interesting, beautiful and romantic destinations in the world, Venice is one of the major cities in Italy, which sees travellers coming in year after year on cheap flights from a variety of destinations.

The city has remained largely unchanged over the last 600 years, which adds to the exotic flavour and nature of it. And while the city has decayed somewhat since its original heyday, it is still one of the major reasons for cheap flights to Italy every year and its romantic charm brings visitors in all year-round.

Venice is a place that invites utter relaxation and regardless of where you are headed once you are finished with your vacation in the city, you are sure to be completely refreshed and replenished. By the time visitors get on their flights to London, flights to Aberdeen or flights to Damascus and other destinations around the world, their worries and cares will have been stripped away by the unique charm of Venice.

This is the only completely pedestrian city in the world; there are no cars. This is mostly because there are no streets, but instead there are plenty of waterways stretching between the main islands. Bear in mind that high summer is one of the worst times to book cheap flights to Venice, as the humidity and heat can cause fairly stagnant smells and an overall unpleasantness for the unwary traveller due to the lagoon. But outside of the peak summer months this is still one of the most romantic cities in the world to book cheap flights to.

Notorious for gambling and consumer excess, Las Vegas, known as the City of Lights, has been dubbed the Entertainment Capital of the World (and also, because of its extravagance, ‘Sin City’). There is undoubtedly nothing understated about it. The famous Las Vegas Strip, at around four miles in length, is home to the city’s biggest hotel and casino resorts, and is characterised by brightly-lit facades, bustling side streets, flashing technicolour neon signs, and diverse buildings, from majestic sky-scrapers to contemporary domes and structures.

A tourist trolley service operates up and down the Strip and stops at most of the major hotels. There is also a free tram service on the west of the Strip and a shuttle service for certain hotel guests. Popular tourist attractions include the Bellagio Fountains, the Mirage’s Volcano Fountain, Shark Reef (a ‘walk through’ aquarium), Zoological Park, Titanic Exhibition, Adventuredome and the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society. You can even book a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and take in the sights of the vast Nevada desert.

Tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels and eating out. Although there is plenty to keep you occupied by day, from cinema, comedy and cabaret to museums, theme parks and shopping delights, Las Vegas really comes alive at night, when billions of light bulbs flash up and down the strip and mesmerise you with various tempting ways to part with your money.

Served by McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas is the ‘Disneyland for Grown-ups’, and is definitely choice for the hedonistic traveller with plenty of cash to spend.

The price for flights to Amman and other destinations in the Middle East are dropping all the time. There are loads of great deals on offer, and there’s never been a better time to visit Jordan’s famous White City and experience the delights of the mystic Middle East.

Amman, as well as being a fascinating and beautiful city in its own right, makes a superb base for exploring Jordan.

The White City of Amman is not just old; it’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. If you’re interested in archaeology and ancient history you’ve come to the right place, but Amman equally boasts a vibrant, modern ambience and rich culture.

Enjoy exploring and appreciating a way of life completely different to that of the West. Take tours to famous sites nearby such as the Dead Sea, the ‘Rose City’ and the ancient settlement of Madaba, which boasts magnificent mosaics.

The King Hussein Mosque in the middle of Amman was built in the Ottoman style, and at prayer times the call of the muezzin echoes down the winding streets and alleyways like something out of the Arabian Nights. You’ll half expect the carpet in your hotel room to whisk you up and off across the minarets.

The inhabitants of Amman love visitors to their city, and their ancient traditions of hospitality will take your breath away.

The bustling markets and streets are an ideal introduction to the Middle Eastern culture and way of life, but there are also chic boutiques and smart restaurants to enjoy should you start pining a little for Western luxuries.

With a fascinating history, dynamic character, architectural landmarks, beer and sauerkraut – what’s not to like about a visit to Berlin, the capital of Germany? Having been divided into East and West Berlin after the Second World War, the two sectors developed distinct characters either side of the iconic Brandenburg Gate and the infamous Berlin Wall. Now reunified, it has a lot to offer visitors.

West Berlin is where most visitors stay, with easy access to the most popular attractions such as the Reichstag building, Berlin Zoo and a host of museums.  Museum Island is where the national collections of art, natural history and antiquities are housed, but there are many other superb museums and galleries to see. Enchanting palaces and tranquil parks include the dreamy Charlottenburg palace and park, the white palace on Peacock Island and the summer residences of Frederick the Great at Sanssouci and of William I at Babelsberg. Berlin’s entertainment is famous, ranging from jazz clubs to the German opera house to cabarets, clubs and live music venues and theatres.

Renting one of the modern, comfortable apartments in the centre will place you in the heart of this vibrant city. Many apartments are in very grand old buildings. Exploring the vibrant streets you will find everything from bookshops and antique shops to avant-garde boutiques and friendly cafes.  It’s a good idea to take a guided tour, and you can even join a guided cycling tour, enabling you to see even more of Berlin.

Tel Aviv is one of the major cities in Israel. The city is situated on the Mediterranean, enjoying a hot, rainless climate that becomes rather colder and damp in winter. Temperatures in Israel can vary from winter lows of around 10 degrees Celsius to summer highs of around 25 – 30 degrees Celsius. As Tel Aviv is on the coast, it enjoys a relatively breezier climate than the rest of the country, with only occasional humidity.

As a travel destination, Tel Aviv offers a good climate, proximity to beach resorts and nautical sports activities centres, interesting architecture, a vibrant cultural life and travel opportunities, such as flights to Damascus or other Middle Eastern cities. Architecturally speaking, Tel Aviv is a very eclectic city. Early buildings include European style housing with roof tiling. Other styles include Art Deco, Bauhaus, classical and modernist. Modernist architecture is especially evident in the business part of the city, with skyscrapers and commercial properties.

Cultural life in Tel Aviv is supported by the rich inflow of tourists from around the world, with a busy nightlife, stunning parks, an array of world class hotels including the Sheraton and Hilton hotels, as well as restaurants, museums and bistros.

For travellers interested in exploring Israel, Jerusalem is within a few hours reach, and other prominent locations such as the Dead Sea are not much further. The country is generally welcoming of tourists, with major world languages such as English, French or Spanish spoken by many people.

International travellers from all around the world book cheap flights to Venice in order to experience the various events and activities that occur throughout the year. Probably one of the most famous of these is the Voga Longa, which is the equivalent of a marathon, with competitors rowing 32kms in less than 3.5hrs to receive a certificate. This is a sight that will have you talking non-stop for years to come, including on your trip back home, regardless of whether you are taking flights to London, flights to Damascus or any other city in the world. There are literally dozens of festivals and events to choose from, so no matter when you book cheap flights to the city you are sure to find something to keep you occupied.

As far as activities go, many people book cheap flights to Venice simply to experience the cultural aspects of this romantic destination. Riding a waterbus, also known as a Vaporetto, is a great way to see the architecture and Venetian watercraft up close. You could also hire a Gondola, although they are considered extremely expensive, often costing upwards of €100 for a short ride. Be prepared to haggle and always agree on a price before you actually get in. One of the most popular activities in Venice and the reason for many of the cheap flights that bring people in is the shopping. Venice is packed to the brim with hundreds of tiny little stores tucked into every nook and cranny and you will be hard-pressed to walk away without buying something.

As one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom, Manchester Airport operates flights from a great many airlines to hundreds of destinations all over the world. Budget airlines are becoming increasingly popular as the cost of air travel skyrockets, and Manchester Airport offers several of these airlines to travellers.

EasyJet offers flights to Manchester from destinations such as Malta and Athens, and is very popular with British expats living in the Mediterranean. Other airlines which offer cheap flights to Manchester include Jet2.com and Viking Hellas and all have websites which offer good rates for early bookings.

Manchester has something to offer everyone from all walks of life. Sports fans may find themselves visiting the City of Manchester Stadium, home to Manchester City Football Club; alternatively if you are more of a red supporter than blue, there is Old Trafford, home to Manchester United Football Club. There are tours available around the grounds and photo opportunities alongside the trophy cabinets.

Manchester has an array of museums and art galleries for those who prefer a cultured trip, and the Lowry Centre also has regular theatre productions showing. Of course if theatre is what you are looking for, there is the Opera House and the Palace Theatre running top named shows such as ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Evita’.

Shopping in Manchester is a highlight, boasting stores such as Harvey Nichols and Selfridges and visit at Christmas time and there are the continental Christmas Markets offering handicrafts and foodstuffs from Europe as well as unusual Christmas gifts.

The largest city in Scotland and the third largest city in the UK, Glasgow is becoming an increasingly popular choice for friends on wild weekend breaks and as a convenient base for holidays in the country. Not only is this captivating city filled with an unrivalled Scottish charm, but it also boasts a captivating array of modern and historical architecture – the Clyde Auditorium, City Chambers and Glasgow Cathedral being among the highlights.

Culture fans will also enjoy a break in this captivating city. Named a UNESCO City of Music (along with the Bologna in Italy and the Spanish city of Seville) Glasgow has an impressive average of 130 music performances per week – with enough variety to cater to any musical taste.

Of course, being such a modern and vibrant city, Glasgow has a wide range of accommodation that will meet the needs of any visitors. From the big hotel groups to cheap and cheerful budget hostels, there are plenty of locations to choose from.

Convenient flights to Glasgow are very easy to come by and the nearby Glasgow International Airport (only 14 kilometres from the city centre) is served by a number of different airlines. As it is such a sought after weekend destination, you will that a good range of budget airlines will offer cheap flights to the city. Also, if you are planning a tour of the UK or even Europe, there is a good service provided to other destinations. Flights to London and Amsterdam are two of the more popular routes.