The Culture Bank

For most people, holidays are a chance to put the everyday stresses and strains of life behind them for a while, or visit parts of the world their lives don’t normally take them to.  They can be expensive, of course, but one alternative if you’re on a tight budget or looking for something different, is to volunteer for a working holiday.  It may not quite as relaxing as the usual week in the sun and often hard work. However, it can be more interesting and rewarding as well as a great way to experience different places and people.

The concept is simple; take part in one of the many global projects that need volunteers.  It’s a similar idea to the backpacking trips, gap year breaks and sabbaticals that many people already take, but with the addition of being involved in something that can help others and the environment.  One of the best ways to find out more is through the Ecoteer organisation.  Their website provides a wealth of information on what kinds of projects are available and how to get involved.

There are many different placements, including guides at ecotourism resorts, working on conservation and humanitarian projects, teaching assignments and much more.  “Travel with a Cause” is the motto of Ecoteer. They provide a gateway whereby prospective volunteers can get an idea of what’s out there and register to join the organisations that they are interested in working for.

Volunteers need to be over 18 with people of all backgrounds and experiences welcome.  They have to cover their own travel expenses to wherever their placement is based as well as travel insurance and spending money, but accommodation and food are generally provided.  For cheap holidays with a difference and an exciting challenge offering the chance for self-discovery, this could be just the ticket.

Baden has long been considered the grande dame of German spas.  The town lies at the base of the Black Forest, along the banks of the Oos River in Karlsruhe.  Karlsruhe is a city located south west of France. It was founded in 1715 and its churches and chapels are favourite destinations among visitors.

Baden-Baden’s World Famous Spas

Baden-Baden’s spas have been popular since ancient times. The Romans were the first to appreciate the health benefits and healing powers of the thermal springs and established the first baths in 69 AD.  Today there are twelve thermal springs in the town.  Each with therapeutic powers that remains unchallenged. The water that bubbles up from 2,000 meters below the ground is rich in minerals such as lithium, caesium, boric acid, and manganese, magnesium with traces of cobalt, zinc and copper.

Visitors bathe in the hot waters, which have been proven to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of illnesses such as joint, heart, metabolic, respiratory and muscle disorders. The water from Baden-Baden is also used in a variety of drinking and inhalation therapies. The town has won awards for the high quality of its drinking water.

Other Places of Interest

There are other interesting places to see in Baden-Baden, such as the Old Castle ”Hohenbaden,” Sammlung  Frieder  Burda, the ruins of the old Roman baths. Karlsruhe offers other destinations as well such as the Kleine Kirche, Grand Ducal burial chapel, Rondellplatz and the Museum of Natural History.

Gaming is widely accepted and promoted in the Caribbean and the most upscale resorts feature casino grounds for guests to immerse themselves in luxurious games, shows and nightlife.   Bask in the balmy Caribbean breeze by day and join the high-stakes atmosphere by night.  For distinguished travellers looking for the lights of Las Vegas combined with the salt air of the islands, here are a few of the top casino picks for high-stakes Caribbean holidays.

Aruba

Aruba is the birthplace of Caribbean stud poker and the island is ripe with a vibrant mature casino scene with spectacular facilities.  The casino at the Riu Resort and the Crystal Casino at the Renaissance Aruba are the islands finest.   The Stellaris Casino at the Aruba Marriott is the country’s largest.   A few of Aruba’s casinos are open 24 hours for gaming excitement.

Bahamas

Reserved only for tourists, Bahamian casinos are open during gaming hours only, except for the opulent Crystal Palace Casino on Cable Beach, which features 400 slots and 40 tables.   The island’s best-known casino is the masterpiece 50,000 square foot Atlantis Paradise Island – it includes more than 1,000 slots and 90 tables.

Curacao

No stranger to the gaming industry, the luxurious island operates a few well-known casinos, including the 29,000 square feet Venito Casino.  The Hill Ross Casino turns into an entertainment complex on the weekends.  The 15,000 square foot Breezes Curacao resort is the only place on island where gamblers can play 7 card stud poker.

Dominican Republic

Operating over 100 casinos on the island, the Dominican Republic houses many outstanding casinos that are open late into the evening, including the Playa Dorada Casino and the Renaissance Jaragua in Santo Domingo, the island’s largest casino.

When planning a cruise, one of the first steps is to decide on the kind of holiday that you want.  Cruises are available to hundreds of exciting destinations, so it is a good idea to consider your options so you can book your perfect break. 

The first thing to think about is the kind of things that you would like to do and places that you would like to see.  Maybe you have a specific destination or area in mind already, or maybe you want a holiday that will give you the chance to do something like rock climbing, adventure sports or to visit cultural sites. 

Next, consider the format of your break.  Maybe you would like to spend more days at sea, allowing you to enjoy the onboard facilities and the open ocean.  You might alternatively like to have several port calls in different areas, so that you can experience many places and see plenty of the area, or you could go for a Cruise and Stay option, where you spend several days on shore at a port to get a real experience of the area. 

Consider how long you want to go for and how you will get to your starting point.  Many people choose cruises where they do not have to fly to reach the port, especially if they are going for a shorter time period such as a week or less. 

Making these decisions will make it much easier to select and book your holiday.  Whether you decide to go for a Cruise and Stay in the Caribbean, or a two week tour of the Mediterranean, you will be able to check which cruise lines offer the type of holiday you want and then you can choose a suitable ship to sail on. 

For many divers, the Great Barrier Reef remains one of their top “must do” destinations.  This natural wonder of the world stretches for 2,300 km along the east side of Australia, and offers some of the most impressive and accessible underwater landscapes in the world.

It is not just for experts either; many amazing dives are doable by beginners.  For example, Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays offers ample opportunities for novices to snorkel or scuba over reefs, with crystal clear waters allowing stunning visibility at all depths.

Heron Island, which caters to resort guests only (no day trippers) is quiet compared to some other islands and includes the Heron Bommie which the famed Jacques Cousteau suggested was one of the top ten best dive sites in the world.

Lady Elliot Eco Island Resort, at the bottom tip of the reef, offers a laid back ecology-friendly approach, with a natural lagoon offering calm waters for beginners as well as more adventurous dives out in the sea for the experienced diver.

Be sure to take your PADI certificates with you, and a whole new world of underwater adventure awaits.

Situated just a few miles from the south coast of the UK, the Isle of Wight offers a wide range of entertainment and attractions for all the family, with a wealth of history thrown in.

Initially colonised by the Romans, the Island was visited many times by Vikings, and during the Middle Ages enjoyed a very brief period as an independent Kingdom.

The Roman Villa at Brading offers visitors a fascinating view of the remains of a 3rd Century villa complete with many beautiful mosaics.  The medieval Carisbrooke Castle – once a prison to Charles I – is well preserved and offers children the chance to dress up as Norman soldiers or civil war troopers, whilst parents enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Children will also love the islands’ long sandy beaches, as well as more modern entertainments such as the large amusement park at Alum Chine, whilst the rich dinosaur finds in the area often fascinate all the family.

Reached by a short ferry ride, the Isle of Wight is more accessible than many think, and a perfect summer holiday destination.

An Overview of Lake Garda

Northern Italy offers many an idyllic holiday retreat, but few resort areas capture the region’s warm atmosphere better than Lake Garda.  The area surrounding this 60 kilometre-long stretch of water is bustling with charming villages filled with some of the friendliest people in the world.  Visitors can bask in the alpine sunshine while enjoying chilled wines, coffees, or ice cream sundaes overlooking Italy’s largest lake.

While there will be ample opportunity to enjoy the excellent cuisine, the more adventurous holidaymaker can also take advantage of Lake Garda’s many water sports opportunities.  There is also a theme park next to the lake called Gardaland.  If you would like to visit a major urban centre to take advantage of shopping and entertainment venues during your holiday, the city of Verona is just a few kilometres away.

Lake Garda Hotels

There are many hotels to choose from around Lake Garda.  The Hotel Leonardo da Vinci is ideal if what you are looking for is an all-inclusive family break, and the hotel is close to the beach.

Another excellent accommodation option is the Le Palme Hotel.  Centrally located, this hotel is a mere 500 metres from the lake’s shores and 15 kilometres from Gardaland.  The Le Palme Hotel is also located a mere 45 minutes away from the nearest international airport.

Other Accommodation

Obviously hotel costs will vary tremendously depending on the quality and location of the hotel you choose, but there is sure to be an attractive option to suit any budget.  Self-catering chalets and apartments are also available in the Lake Garda area, and may provide a more affordable option for some travellers.

Maldives holidays offer visitors a chance to try different activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing.  These types of luxury holidays have a great appeal due to the fact that visitors do not require previous experience in order to indulge their curiosity.  The warm sunshine, clear blue seas and accommodating beaches make instruction in these activities possible most of the time.

The Maldives is able to offer visitors a chance to see a spectacle of wonder: the underwater coral garden.  The Maldives is home to three quarters of the world’s coral reefs, meaning that the sight of exotic fish is almost guaranteed.  The clear blue waters facilitate optimum viewing conditions.   

Visitors can select from a number of different ways to enjoy the coral reef, including by submarine.  The 120ft Whale Submarine is one of the recommended vessels to travel in.  This submarine leaves from the Tear Drop Reef, which lies between Male and Villingill.  The passenger submarines do a variety of dives both day and night, enabling the visitor to experience how the reef, and its inhabitants, change at different times of the day.   Alternative ways of visiting and viewing the underwater coral gardens are through snorkelling and scuba diving.

Maldives holidays offer a chance to see exotic sights common in the underwater coral garden, which include schools of yellow boxfish, common lionfish, turtles, reef sharks and many other common sea creatures that call this coral reef home.

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.