The Culture Bank

If you are thinking of staying in Vienna with your family, you will find lots of great activities for children. The elegant streets, full of buzzing cafes, grand palaces and pretty houses are perfect for exploring. Kids will love stopping for a Viennese pastry at one of the many little cafes, sitting in a courtyard or a square full of people. You can take a horse and carriage ride around the centre, or a riverboat down the Danube, and over half the area of the city is dedicated to parkland and green spaces such as the famous Prater Park.

The best way to really feel at home in Vienna is to rent a little apartment in the city, where you can relax with the family and do things at your own pace. Tours of the Schonbrunn Palace and the Imperial Palace should keep them entertained for a while. At the Schonbrunn there is a maze and a programme of children’s events. The Imperial Palace has special tours for little ones, bringing Viennese history to life before their eyes.

Vienna’s delightful zoo at Lainzer Tiergarten has many endangered species and offers night tours too. You can combine zoo entry with a ride on the famous Ferris wheel beside the fantastic Prater amusement park. The Planetarium thrills children with ‘space missions’ and star gazing fun. If you visit Vienna at Christmas, the twinkling lights and wonderful stalls of the Christmas markets will create an unforgettable image.

If you are looking for a weekend city break packed full of variety and excitement, there is no location quite like Belfast. The charming Northern Ireland capital has undergone a major facelift in recent years and now boasts an unrivalled culture and provides heritage break like no other city in the UK. As it has grown in popularity as of late, many airlines now offer cheap flights to Belfast. Belfast airport will also connect you easily to other cities in the UK and Europe. Flights to London, Manchester, Barcelona, Malaga and Amsterdam all operate on a regular basis.

If there is one thing Belfast is not short on it’s must-see landmarks. This city has been blessed with some of the finest examples of architecture – the Queen’s University, City Hall, Saint Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast Central Library and the Waterfront Hall are just some of the highlights.

For action packed nights out on the town you will definitely have plenty of options to choose from. Belfast is home to an enviable range of charming pubs, but for those looking for more excitement there is no shortage of late-night bars and clubs. The theatre is also a popular pastime in the city and a visit to the Grand Opera House or the Lyric Theatre is recommended.

Accommodation in the city is as varied as its many attractions and you are sure to find somewhere that will cater to your tastes and budget. Both big-name hotels and backpacking hostels are on offer.

With the increasing numbers of travellers looking for city breaks in Moscow, a number of airlines have begun servicing the city. Moscow’s three international airports serve a vast range of destinations across the globe. Flights to London, Berlin, Paris and Beirut are all offered on a regular basis, and with so many airlines competing against each other there are plenty of opportunities to obtain cheap flights.

The largest airport in Moscow is Domodedovo, which is directly south of the city and can be reached in 40 minutes by train; cheaper coach services are also available. Closer to the heart of Moscow is Sheremetyevo, which was once the city’s largest airport and the only one to accept international flights between 1980 and 1991.

Lastly, there is Vnukovo airport, which is southwest of the city centre. Bus journeys from the Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station in central Moscow take roughly 30 minutes, but unfortunately there is no train service provided for this airport. For those looking for connecting flights, a reliable bus service runs between Domodedovo and Vnukovo.

Sheremetyevo is by far the most convenient airport to fly into, but depending on your city of origin, budget airlines that offer discount flights to Moscow usually come through Domodedovo or Vnukovo. As it is the furthest away, taxi fares from the city centre to and from Domodedovo are the most expensive. If you are sticking to a budget, Vnukovo airport will work out the cheapest for transportation.

Dublin has developed a reputation as one of the best locations for city breaks. As the centre of the city is small and easy to navigate, there is a wealth you can see and do on a short weekend. Of course, the increasing demand for weekend breaks in Dublin has meant that there is now a wide range of airlines offering cheap flights to the Irish capital.

Dublin is serviced by just one international airport, which has only one terminal but a second is currently under construction. It is estimated that 23.5 million passengers travelled through this airport in 2008, so it is easy to see how much of a popular destination Dublin now is. Flights to London, Manchester, Birmingham as well as a number of European and North American cities leave several times a day.

The airport is located approximately 10 kilometres from the city centre and can easily be reached by car or bus. Unfortunately there is no train connection to Dublin Airport, but the Air Coach service is extremely reliable and can have you in the heart of the city in as little as 20 minutes.

When choosing flights to Dublin it is highly recommended to look around and compare prices before you buy your ticket. Both budget and standard airlines have battled vigorous price wars in attempt to get more customers. If you think that only budget airlines offer the best deals, it could be well worth your while checking the prices of the larger operators.

When travelling to Russia you will find a variety of popular tourist destinations. The two most recognizable cities in Russia are of course Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the current and former capital cities. 

In both Moscow and Saint Petersburg, visitors will find some of the most amazing treasures of the country, such as the Tretyakov Gallery housing many of Russia’s finest art, and the Hermitage, which is actually a former residence of Russian emperors, now turned into a museum.  There are elaborately decorated churches like Saint Basil’s or Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, theatres such as the Bolshoi and Marians, and impressive fortress strongholds including Moscow’s Kremlin and the Peter and Paul Fortress.  Then there is the infamous Red Square, quite possibly one of the most impressive locations in Russia. It was built to serve as Moscow’s main market place initially, but has since been used mainly for official ceremonies by the Russian government.

Moscow has many rich palaces and parks of the utmost beauty to be found in the city suburbs, some being former imperial residences.  It also contains a large number of Soviet era buildings along with modern skyscrapers. 

The city of Saint Petersburg is considered the Venice of the North. It features classical architecture at its finest, along with many beautiful bridges, rivers and canals, including the Grand Cascade or Russian Versailles.  It is safe to say when visiting any of Russia’s larger cities there will be endless attractions available to all visitors seeking adventure, and a sense of this remarkable country’s history.

Saudi Arabia is a beautiful country which has much to offer visitors.  Most visas issued are for pilgrims or business travellers but the country has amazing scenery and vibrant cities which are generally much more modern than most people expect.  In recent years the Saudi authorities have made the effort to promote the country to tourists and with airlines offering cheap flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam it’s never been a better time to go.   

As Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed, pilgrims often make the journey to the holy cities within the country and always outnumber those who have just come to have a look around.  Islamic laws should be adhered to as they form the basis of life in the country and the culture is quite conservative. 

Visitors can find any number of bargains at the souk (market).  The stallholders will sell anything from rugs to crafts, which reflect life in the country.  Saudi Arabia also has a number of department stores in the bigger cities.  There are no nightclubs, but there are plenty of restaurants and cafés.  Arabic is the official language but many natives speak good English. 

Mecca and Madinah are cities with religious significance and for that reason only those of the Islamic faith are permitted entry.  For non-Muslim visitors there are several official organised tours available, taking in different historical sites that are open to all visitors.  These tour companies can usually deal with the paperwork that is required to visit and booking your excursions with one of these companies is probably the easiest way to visit as a tourist.

From the majesty of architectural masterpieces like the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza, to the stunning natural landscapes of the Sahara Desert and Mount Sinai, to the glitz and glamour of the seaside resorts and hotels at Sharm el Sheikh on the shores of the Red Sea, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy in Egypt.

This country, situated on the northern tip of Africa, is easily accessed from anywhere in Britain. Flights to Cairo take just five hours, but in that short time you’ll find yourself transported to another time and a totally different and exotic culture. European travellers have been taking flights to Egypt for decades and are still as mesmerised by the country’s allure today as Marc Antony was more than two thousand years ago.

As the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest and most distinct civilisations, Egypt is rich in a history that has developed over thousands of years. Around every corner is another reminder of the country’s centuries of art, architecture, culture, history, religion and tradition. 

However, this certainly doesn’t mean that it is a country stuck in the past. Modern Egypt is a thriving, vibrant nation, full of posh coastal resorts and sophisticated cities. Cairo, with its museums and shops, is the first stop for many tourists on flights to Egypt. This chic metropolis is moving forward in leaps and bounds, seamlessly blending old and new into a single, thrilling atmosphere, quite unlike any other place in the world.

Whether you are intrigued by the ancient mystery of Egypt or its emerging modernism, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Jordan is an exciting and evolving nation with lots to see and do. The climate is warm and dry, with very low annual rainfall.

Peak season to book flights to Jordan is spring and autumn. Temperatures are mild and there are plenty of sunny days to enjoy. Off-season is summer, particularly July and August, when the desert temperatures are unbearably hot, sometimes reaching as high as 36°C. In Amman, the winter months can be cold and from November to April travellers visiting Jordan can expect wind, rain and sometimes, even snow. In the desert regions and the city of Aqaba, winter temperatures are warmer, which makes these areas attractive winter holiday destinations.

The official currency in Jordan is the Dinar. You’ll find ample banks and moneychangers to handle currency and traveller’s cheque exchanges, though the moneychangers generally offer better rates. Keep in mind that banks are closed on Fridays, so if your flight to Amman arrives at the weekend it’s wise to plan ahead to ensure you have the correct currency. If you’re struggling for cash, most of the better hotels can also change currency for decent rates. Credit cards are widely accepted; Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are the most popular. You can use credit cards in nearly all major resorts, restaurants and shops. If you need cash, you can make withdrawals from most banks. ATMs are available, but foreign bank cards are not always accepted.

Flights to the Republic of Ireland arrive at Dublin Airport, which is situated about 11 kilometres north of the city.  From the airport, there are several options for transport to the city centre.  Dublin’s bus service is comprised of over 700 buses some of which run day and night from the airport to just about every location within the city limits, as well as at the central railway station.  Taxis are also readily available, though it’s best to negotiate the fare with the driver before departing the airport.

The best time to find great deals on flights to Dublin is during the off-season, from the middle of November through to early spring.  Fares are much lower, but you’ll trade off with fewer things to do when you get there—some popular attractions are closed during this time.  However, lots of hotels offer special discount packages for Christmas, and there are plenty of golf courses open all the year-round.

Peak season for flights to Dublin is of course during the summer months when the weather is mild, the days are long, and the lush green landscape is in full bloom (Ireland has a high rainfall).  Summer holidays can be fairly crowded, especially during Irish and British school breaks.  Expect prices to be higher in the summer, as well as over St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th).  It’s best to book accommodation in advance to be sure you’ve got a place to stay.

Spring and autumn are great times to book flights to Dublin.  The seasonal hotels and restaurants open for the season in the spring and remain open right through until November.  You can easily find great deals on flights, hotels, and attractions.

Come on, you know you want to…jet off on a flight to Italy, that is.  Like no other place on the planet, Italy is a feast for all the senses.  Famous for its food, its shopping, its art and culture, its history, and its breathtaking natural landscapes, Italy truly is the Belpaese (beautiful country).

Cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice have been must-see destinations for international travellers for centuries.  With so much art, architecture, and culture to explore it really is difficult to know exactly where to start.  But more than just the artistic masterpieces that have become synonymous with the Italian experience, there are also modern city centres full of cutting edge fashion, architecture, and commerce, as well as quiet country retreats, beautiful beaches, fantastic skiing, brilliant hiking trails, and spectacular volcanoes.

When planning flights to Italy you’ll want to leave plenty of time in your schedule to just soak up the atmosphere and lifestyle of this magnificent country.  There’s the food, obviously, but be sure to take every opportunity to simply lose a few hours sipping espresso at a sidewalk cafe or taking a long lunch in an authentic Italian restaurant.

With so much to see and do, cheap flights to Italy are the quickest way to get to the heart of it all.  Where should you begin?  Try a long bicycle tour through Umbria, a wine tour in Tuscany, the ancient footpaths of the Cinque Terre, or a walking excursion to Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri.