The Culture Bank

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.

Mixing European sophistication with ancient mystery, the island nation of Cyprus is an exciting, enchanting holiday destination.  Discover and explore the full range of Cyprus’ many wonders including pristine beaches, stunning mountains, fragrant groves of citrus and olive trees, historic ruins and architectural landmarks, and quaint old villages that still maintain the traditions of the past.

One of the most indulgent ways to enjoy a Cyprian holiday is by renting private accommodation.  Holiday villas in Cyprus will give you all the comforts of home and many of the same amenities as traditional lodging without the tourist crowds or outrageous seaside resort prices.  Just a few hundred pounds pays for a week-long stay in a private residence in Cyprus.  Take your selection from a wide range of options:  apartments, townhouses, cottages, penthouses, and of course villas.  You can find cosy lodging for two or spacious accommodation that comfortably sleeps a dozen or more.

Most properties feature self-catering facilities, fully furnished living areas and bedrooms, fresh linens, and television.  Some villas in Cyprus even have other desirable conveniences such as private on-site parking, wireless internet connection, swimming pool, scenic terrace, and more.  With so many different villas in Cyprus to choose from you’re sure to find a place that’s close to the activities you want to experience on your holiday.  Stay just steps away from amazing local eateries, street markets, beaches, historic and cultural sites, museums, great nightlife, and much, much more when you rent villas in Cyprus.

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.

Like any holiday, there are good times to take one and there are times which you should avoid if at all possible. From a financial point of view, there are times when to take a ski holiday. The peak season for skiing holidays are Christmas, New Year and February half term, it is these dates in the calendar that you should avoid as the demand completely outstrips the supply and naturally the prices are at their highest.

If you have children and want to take them on a skiing holiday, and we should say that for children it is one of the best experiences that they can have and the sooner they start to ski the better it will ultimately be for them, you are restricted to school holiday time. However, you don’t have to go at the most expensive time of the year, half term, take them over the Easter holiday period. Do not worry too much about the snow conditions, there is usually plenty about and if you choose a higher resort, you can be almost guaranteed snow, the place to find out is at your ski holiday specialist.

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.

Located in the south-western portion of France and situated within the Hautes-Pyrenees is the town of Lourdes. It lies at the base of the Pyrenean foothills.  Despite the fact that the city’s population only numbers some 15,000 residents, it hosts nearly 5,000,000 international travellers annually and is second only to Paris for having the largest number of hotels and lodging facilities in France.  Additionally the city is of one of Catholicism’s largest and most important pilgrimage destinations.

Spirituality, whether historical in nature or not, is a major component of present day culture in Lourdes.  Because of the city’s depth and beauty, the reminders of the past, and the many peaceful sanctuaries, Lourdes is one of the most popular holiday destinations in France.  In addition to the city’s spiritual aspect, Lourdes features a wide array of other reasons for visiting this historic location.

The city is one of France’s most popular holiday destinations and features over 200 lodging possibilities including luxurious hotels, extended stay apartments, and numerous country villas on the outskirts of the city in the beautiful French countryside.  As is the case in numerous western European countries, the B&B industry is thriving as well.  A simple search online will provide you with a multitude of choices.

On a closing note, Mas des Hirondelles ski resort was constructed just recently and is a very popular skiing destination situated 25 km south of the city of Lourdes in the Pyrenees, meaning that there are winter holiday possibilities near Lourdes as well.

The mystery and intrigue of Spain is unmistakeable.  If your Spanish holidays have been spent at crowded seaside resorts and tourist traps, you’re missing out on the unique ambiance of this fabulous destination.  The music, history, art, cuisine, and characteristic warmth of the Spanish culture are best experienced with holiday rentals in Spain.

Renting villas, apartments, or cottages in Spain is more affordable than you may think.  You can reserve an entire private residence for a whole week or more, for the equivalent of a nightly rate in a mid-range hotel or resort.  Just £300 gets you a week’s stay for two in a ground floor apartment on the Costa del Sol; a party of 30 will pay around £4000 for a week at a huge private villa in Catalonia. 

The value of renting holiday apartments in Spain far surpasses anything you might find at a traditional resort.  Relax in your completely private villa, cottage, or apartment where you’ll enjoy all the basic comforts of home:  fully furnished sleeping and living quarters, clean linens, full kitchen, dining area, television, internet access, dishwasher, and washing machine.  Many holiday rentals in Spain have additional amenities like balconies or terraces with breath-taking scenic views, air conditioning, swimming pools, saunas, and more.

There is no better way to discover the real Spain than with holiday rentals where you can enjoy all that Spain has to offer; the lush greenery of the northern Basque , fantastic skiing in the Sierra Nevada, ancient Roman ruins and many  modern coastal resorts.  

The Galapagos Islands are world famous and will be forever linked with Darwin and his theory of evolution.  These volcanic islands are in the Pacific Ocean some 972 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. They are now a national park; the surrounding waters are also part of a biological marine reserve and UNESCO has declared the islands a world heritage site.  As the Galapagos Islands are so protected and are of unique scientific interest, experienced naturalists always accompany the tours.

The Galapagos Islands are home to some unique wildlife including the giant tortoise and marine iguanas, the only sea-going iguana in the world, and visitors who tour the islands can visit the Darwin centre, swim with playful sea lion pups and get up close to some beautiful wildlife, such as the blue-footed boobies.

Scuba diving is also popular and the Galapagos Islands and the surrounding marine reserve are ranked as one of the top diving sites in the world. There is plenty of marine wildlife, including; sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, sea lions, tuna and morays. Experienced divers can swim with the whale or hammerhead sharks, but there are also plenty of enjoyable opportunities for the less experienced diver.

Some cruises also offer multisport tours. Each day there are opportunities to hike in the forests, kayak in bays with sea turtles and rays, swim or snorkel with sea lions, or go horse riding to an active volcano.

In addition to visiting the Galapagos Islands many cruises offer the option of a visit to Ecuador. This may include; Quito, Guayaquil, the bio-diverse rainforest and the cultural treasures of the highlands in the itinerary. Quito is itself a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is still a place where you can see women in traditional costume going about their daily lives. Tourists can also visit the traditional markets, take eco-tours, visit a spa or enjoy one of its national parks.

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.