The Culture Bank

Although mostly known as the place of Mardi Gras, the city of New Orleans has so much more to offer. The Crescent City, as it is often referred to, is home to the world’s largest party. It is also home to world-renowned restaurants, first class shopping, the mighty Mississippi, and unforgettable jazz. Being the birthplace of jazz, visitors won’t have to go far to find an establishment that allows for an evening of jazz music. If this is your first time you will also be introduced to other musical genres that include zydeco, blues and ragtime. New Orleans is also noted as having the best Creole gumbo in the world.

A stroll through the city will allow you to get a feel for what New Orleans is about with its numerous plantation homes that still remain. You will also discover a city full of museums and family attractions that include the Aquarium of the Americas, Six Flags New Orleans, Audubon Zoo and Entergy IMAX.

A favorite place in the city for many visitors and locals alike is the French Quarter. This beautiful area of New Orleans is accented with original cobblestone streets. Here you will find one-of-a-kind souvenirs, paintings, tailored clothing and hand carved furnishings. Not far away is the famous Bourbon Street where exciting and vibrant nighttime entertainment can be had.

No matter what time of the year you choose to visit New Orleans you will never be out of things to do. If you arrive around the end of February you will be pleased to know this is often the time of Mardi Gras. Although much of Mardi Gras is programmed for adult entertainment, Mardi Gras is still a family event.

Due to the pleasant year round climate, there is much to do outside of Mardi Gras. During the other months of the year, visit the Voodoo Cemetery to satisfy the thrill seekers in your group. You can also take the family for a unique dinner cruise experience as they enjoy a steamboat trip along the mighty Mississippi or an unforgettable swamp tour full of crocodiles.

The Alps are synonymous with skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing and can be considered a pretty unfashionable place to be in summer. 

So, when the snow and ice melts what’s left to do?  Well, the melted snow reveals a beautiful, lush landscape with visual drama less stark than in winter, but the addition of colour make sit no less dramatic.  The French Alps also have a rich tradition of summer sport that many people aren’t even aware exists.

Etape du Tour runs every July, giving amateur cyclists the opportunity to complete one stage of that year’s Tour de France – usually one of the hardest.  Up to 9,000 riders take part over a 100mile course that includes at least one sustained, lung-bursting assent.

If you don’t fancy cycling yourself to the edge of exhaustion, but still want to get out on your bike, the numerous ski lifts will take you to many mountain bike trails, all marked according to difficulty.  Some companies offer an impressive eight-day transalpine trip from Vitznau to Zermatt that takes you past the north face of the Eigar and the Matterhorn.

If you fancy a hiking tour, the Alps will offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.  There are many tours, from day trips to week-long lodge-based excursions.  Usually run by locals, hikers will be treated to a wealth of historical and geological knowledge while hiking near glaciers and through fields, across forests and around lakes.
 
Some lodges include a spa, offering rest bite for those tired muscles.  Tour operators tend to go out of their way to provide guests with a great gastronomic experience, so make sure you take time to enjoy the food.  Hikers should research the tour itinerary before booking to judge whether their fitness levels suit the tour.

The normal lifestyle of the Greek is to rise early and to finish early so as to avoid the hot sun of the day. It also adds a little variation for those visiting because long afternoon rests are simply a way of life in Greece.

After the sun sets it’s then time to head out and enjoy a great meal, often followed by a variety of nighttime entertainment. The capital city of Athens is where tourists often find the best live entertainment and superb restaurants. Not noted as being the most attractive or appealing city in the world, Athens still has much to offer those who do visit.

The city has some obvious qualities that really should not be overlooked. It is filled with charming and vibrant neighbourhoods. This impressive city has hosted numerous legendary events and continues to be a unique place of combined Middle Eastern and Western cultures. More than 40 per cent of the country’s population live in Athens.

The city underwent a much needed makeover in 2004 when it hosted the Olympics. Many new buildings were built, the airport upgraded and tropical foliage was placed along the main streets of the city, which added a finishing touch.

In the Old Town portion of Athens is an area called Plaka. This area has been in existence for more than 5,000 years. It is where you can see many Greek monuments and ancient history. Inside the city are the rolling hills of the Acropolis. The outskirts of the city are surrounded by several notable mountains that include Mount Parnitha, Mount Pendeli and Mount Hymettos. Before leaving Greece, be sure to visit Athen’s most impressive attraction, the 2500 year old Parthenon which can be found at the top of the Acropolis.

There are many ways of sampling the delights of the Maldives.  Not only can you enjoy adrenaline filled Maldives holidays, which can see you learning to surf or dive, but there are also many different ways of relaxing in the Maldives. Every person has their own unique way of unwinding, and the Maldives aims to cater for these varied needs.  All you have to do is decide which activity best suits your lifestyle.  Tours, boat rides and spa treatments are available to help you to relax and recharge your batteries.

To enjoy a relaxed luxury holiday tour of a few uninhabited Maldives islands, visitors can take a bike tour.  This allows you to enjoy the flora and fauna of the island, which is comprised of a variety of Maldivian shrubs and tree species, including the mangroves.  Here you can discover the fruit tree known as bullock’s heart, and the monkey pod, a shade-providing tree that makes for an ideal picnic spot.

Alternatively, you may opt for a boat ride that enables visitors to enjoy the coral reef from above.  Dolphins and whales are a common sight during these tours.  Visitors can also use the boats to island hop; each island offers its own unique adventure, from fishing to quaint little cafes on the sea front.

Many people on Maldives holidays want to try out some of the many different spa treatments available.  These use combinations of fresh fruit, Indian herbs and pure essential oils, in one of the most popular methods of relaxation on Maldives holidays.

Travelling to Vietnam is a feast for the senses and taking a few days to journey down the Mekong Delta is an unforgettable experience.  You will find a bevy of guesthouses and bars on the way, so you can literally take your time to soak up your surroundings and enjoy the hospitality of the local people, who have worked by the river and local rice fields for generations.

Among the little villages, you will often find small tourist agencies where you can arrange a day trip to an orchid farm, jungle areas, markets or nature reserves.  Also not far away from the river itself are some wonderful retreats, such as Phu Quoc, which is an island covered in trees with white sandy beaches with a good range of both budget and luxury accommodation.  Ben Tre and My Tho are quieter islands on the river, where you can try out local fish delicacies and enjoy evenings spent swinging in a hammock drinking rice wine – if you dare!

Of course, the floating markets are one of the most striking things about this South Vietnamese region.  With a bustle of colours, smells and noise as people try to sell their wares before the day gets too warm, this is a captivating sight even if you decide not to buy anything.

The Mekong Delta in Vietnam is often used as a route to Cambodia, another fascinating country with a fantastic culture.  It is safer to travel in groups if you are moving on to another destination.  Just remember to avoid drinking tap water locally in case you upset your stomach; have bottled water instead.

New York is the perfect destination for an autumnal holiday. The weather is mild and calm, the streets are not as packed with hordes of tourists as they are during the summer, yet there are still plenty of activities and celebrations to see and take part in.

As autumn creeps up on the city, the parks and green areas of New York become a multi-hued canvas as the foliage changes to vivid shades of reds and orange. From wandering through central park to taking a ferry along the Hudson River, New York offers a unique look at the changing seasons.

Throughout autumn, there are festivals and celebrations galore. There is Labor Day in September, Columbus Day in mid-October and Veteran’s Day in November, not to mention a whole host of other festivities; autumn is certainly a time for parades in New York. 

Labor Day celebrates the working American. It takes place on the first Monday in September each year. Officially the last weekend of summer, most banks, post offices and schools are closed, though shops and restaurants generally remain open. The day is celebrated on the second Saturday of the month with a huge parade through the city.

The Columbus Day celebration takes place on the second Monday in October and involves some 35,000 people divided into 100 groups, with bands and floats. Attracting nearly one million spectators, Columbus Day is the largest celebration of Italian-American culture in the world.

New York celebrates Veteran’s Day with a parade of marchers, floats and marching bands comprised of active officers, veteran’s groups, the families of veterans and junior ROTC members.

Cruises can provide a relaxing adventure on the ocean, and the United Kingdom is served by some of the best cruise lines in the world.  Travellers have the option to choose from adventure filled holidays, to more relaxing and leisure filled trips.  Here is just a sample of what lines UK travellers can choose from when planning their holiday.

Luxury Cruises

Travellers looking for a little luxury in their life might enjoy cruises offered by Silversea Cruises, Regent Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Crystal Cruises or Oceana Cruises.  These ships travel the entire world to some of the best destinations, such as Rome, Alaska’s snow-capped mountains and Venice.  Many of these deals offer pre-sail and post-sail hotel stays, and many provide off-ship offers at most ports of call.

Great Deal Cruises

Travellers wanting a good deal on a cruise without losing out on the luxury of a beautiful ship can choose from packages from Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Lines.  These lines offer great prices and packages suited to any traveller or entire family.  Both lines offer nightly entertainment, geared to both families and adults, and have various dining options on board. 

Package Deals

Travellers interested in package deals might want to look at Cunard Cruises for some of the best package deals around.  Most packages include a hotel stay before and after the cruise.  Additionally, most packages will accommodate any special requests such as visiting certain attractions onshore. 

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland is known throughout the world.  Not surprisingly, it’s also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, and few people miss the opportunity to visit this natural wonder and enjoy bathing in the warm, mineral-rich water famous for its soothing properties on the skin.  The positive effects of the water are further enhanced by the beauty of the natural surroundings.

The Blue Lagoon sits inside a lava field and holds around six million litres of geothermal seawater.  The temperature of the water in the bathing area is around 37-39°C, and rich in minerals like silica and sulphur that provide its unique composition.  Fresh water is constantly pumped into the lagoon with the water completely renewed in 40 hours.  Fortunately, the spa is easily accessible, as it is only 20 minutes drive from Keflavík International Airport and 40 minutes drive from Reykjavik city centre.  Taxis and buses are available to take visitors to the spa.

As well as bathing, there are plenty of other facilities at the Blue Lagoon including a waterfall, sauna, two geothermal steam baths and a relaxation area.  White silica mud is provided free of charge to use as a body cleanser, and various treatments and massages are also available.  The Lagoon Bar offers light refreshments, while accommodation is available at the nearby Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel.

Standard entry including towel is 35 euros, with other packages available. The Blue Lagoon also has an extensive range of skincare and beauty products that can be purchased in the gift shop or ordered online through their website.

There are many reasons to visit Las Vegas.  Try your hand at roulette or blackjack tables; stay in some of the worlds’ largest hotels; enjoy a spectacular show; check out the endless amusement arcades; shop till you drop; and even get married.  In fact, Las Vegas is a non-stop riot of colour, noise and neon, and there’s nowhere quite like it for a bit of escapism.  Aside from all that, the city is also close to amazing landscapes and natural phenomena which can easily be visited as part of a holiday to the area.

Las Vegas is located in Clark County in the state of Nevada.  The area has a subtropical desert climate, and the city is surrounded by dry and rocky desert with mountains in the distance.  Perhaps the most spectacular sight, however, is the Hoover Dam which sits across the Black Canyon where the Colorado River flows.  This has become a major tourist attraction in recent years and visitors can also enjoy a journey down the river by raft.

As the dam controls the flow of water, this is by no means a dangerous sport.  Children and senior citizens are welcome, and the calm water provides a unique opportunity to experience the splendour and wildlife of the Black Canyon.  The journey starts at the foot of the Hoover Dam and ends at Willow Beach around 12 miles downstream.  It usually takes over five hours including three hours on the water and a stop for lunch (packed lunches are provided.)

Black Cannon River Adventures operate a variety of rafts which include tour guides.  Individual trips can also be arranged.

As a city that is filled with almost everything imaginable, it is easy to see why Berlin is a natural attraction for the curious.  It is home to some of Germany’s greatest memorials, monuments and museums.

For the first time visitor to Berlin, make your way to the Brandenburg Gate.  This magnificent monument is one of the last remaining gates that, during medieval times, was used to enter the city.  Construction on the gate began in 1788 as a symbol of peace.  The gate sat in no man’s land during the years Berlin was divided into east and west.  Quadriga, the four-horse chariot on top of the gate, is a symbol of triumph.  It is by far one of Berlin’s key landmarks, and remains a distinguished symbol of the city.
 
No matter how many times you visit Berlin, a trip to the East Side Gallery is a must.  This mile long portion of the original Berlin Wall still displays more than 100 paintings, which are all found along the east side of the wall.  The wall remained completely untouched until its destruction in 1989.  Many of the paintings depict scenes of international freedom.

One of the most noted museums in Europe, the Pergamon Museum is the most impressive in all of Berlin.  Named after the ancient Greek city, it was opened in 1930 after a long construction delay due to World War I.  Joining several other museums in Berlin, the Pergamon Museum is located on Museum Island and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.