The Culture Bank

Mexico is fairly new as a popular tourist destination, with previously a few locales like Acapulco the effective preserve of the rich and famous. Now, Mexico is starting to open up to the general public, who find its natural beauties largely unspoilt and its people second to none in their friendliness and approachability.

With stunningly beautiful landscapes, magnificent beaches, great sporting opportunities like river rafting and a fascinating history in the shape of ancient pyramids and Aztec ruins, it’s easy to see why Mexico is proving so alluring.

Renting a villa in Mexico is the best way to explore the many attractions this unique country has to offer. Mexico is opening up just as cheap flights, travel websites and a growing taste for independent travel have transformed the industry, and holidaymakers are tailoring their trips down to the last detail rather than opting for a full package including flights and hotel. Freedom and flexibility are the bywords in modern travel, and renting villas in Mexico has never been easier. You’ll want to travel around and use your rental villa as a base, coming and going as you please.

Whether you’re into exploring Mexico’s Aztec heritage in ruins and museums, lazing on sandy beaches, looking for great night life or simply getting to know a lovely, friendly people, renting a villa will place it all at your fingertips and enable you to enjoy your Mexican holiday at your own frenetic or leisurely pace, whichever you prefer.

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.

Tour operators encourage holidaymakers to go to the Algarve region with cheap deals at hotels, holiday apartments and golf centres, and if cost is the only criteria then you are onto a winner. But discerning travellers who don’t like to be herded together, and who want an authentic Portuguese experience should consider renting holiday accommodation in less well known areas.

Try searching the magical ‘castle route’ of Alentejo, the scenic Lisbon coast, or the ancient towns and landscapes of the north for your Portugal villa rental. From Lisbon or Porto airport you can access the real Portugal that most visitors never experience. Any extra effort in reaching these areas is rewarded by cheap holiday villas and apartments, and views to die for. With a little browsing through holiday accommodation websites, you can find stone cottages and holiday villas, surrounded by vineyards and close to glorious empty beaches.

Even the popular Algarve region has some tranquil oases if you avoid the major resorts. Whitewashed Portuguese villas sit high up in the hills and nestle in quiet villages or estates in the countryside, but you will need a car if you want to get out and about. They make a perfect base from which to visit the area’s famous golf courses and sample the hustle and bustle of Vilamoura, Albufeira, Portimao and Lagos.  If you head east from Faro airport towards the Spanish border, the coastal town of Tavira is still charming, unspoilt, and blessed with miles of glorious beaches.

For a relaxing holiday, where you are guaranteed to get plenty of fresh sea air and the chance to take in the sights and delights of multiple locations across a large region in just a week or two, a cruise on a luxury ocean liner is the ultimate choice.

Cruise companies vary substantially in terms of what they offer in their cruise deals, but many are ‘all inclusive’, meaning that food, drink and board is all included in the upfront price. It is worth noting, however, that you will need to take sufficient extra cash or traveller’s cheques along with you, as you will need to pay for day excursions and any extras, such as activities and souvenirs. Passengers can select adult-only cruises and also choose from a number of different accommodation suites – inside cabins are less expensive than outside cabins (which have a view of the sea). Some of these ‘outside cabins’ might be described as ‘deluxe’ or ‘superior’, and some have pricey extras such as a balcony, a Jacuzzi, an extra large bed or even butler service.

One day you might be bartering in a market in the Canary Islands, the next day you could be floating out at sea, perhaps enjoying a glass of champagne in the ship’s bar. There are many cruises specifically tailored for families, with activities to keep children occupied while parents are free to choose what to do for a few hours – perhaps a pampering session in the spa and treatment room on board the ship. When night falls, each ship offers its guests a range of on-board entertainment, from themed parties to cabaret and comedy acts, from classical concerts to quizzes, from dance competitions to movie screenings.

Routes around the East Mediterranean might stop at Athens, Cairo, Istanbul and Malta. Other popular Mediterranean ports include Cannes, Barcelona, Crete, Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Ibiza, Florence, Tenerife, St Tropez, Casablanca Morocco, Sardinia and Madeira. Every cruise company has a unique fleet of ships serving a choice of different routes. So from admiring the yachts of the rich and famous in Monaco or the Cote d’Azur to admiring the classical art and architecture of Italy’s historic Florence, whatever your preferred choice of route in the Mediterranean, a cruise holiday could provide the experience of a lifetime.

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.

Who wouldn’t love an Italian holiday?  The romance, the scenery, the history, and of course the food, make spending a week in Italy the perfect way to relax and unwind.  Unfortunately, thousands of other travellers are thinking of the same idea.  If you want to experience the charm and magic of Italy without the tourist crush, consider renting a holiday home.

Renting holiday apartments in Italy is an affordable alternative to traditional hotel or resort accommodation.  For roughly the same cost as conventional lodging you can stay in a beautifully appointed private residence with all the comforts of home.  You’ll enjoy fully furnished living quarters, spacious bedrooms, self-catering facilities, flat screen television, DVD player, stereo, and internet access.  Never spend another holiday in a cramped hotel room!

You’ll find holiday cottages in nearly every major Italian destination and a few out of the way places, as well.  Tuscany, Sardinia, Campania, Lake Como, Sicily, Umbria, no matter where you want to go, or what you hope to see, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for with Italian holiday rentals.

There are so many different types of properties available that you’ll return to Italy again and again, never taking the same holiday twice.  Rent a holiday cottage on a working farm in Marina di Grosseto, a seaside flat in Porto Rotondo, or a luxurious villa in Anacapri.  From small apartments that sleep two to grand manors suitable for family reunions, the possibilities are truly endless. 

If you want something different from your holiday accommodation, then holiday homes in Italy are an excellent alternative.

Budget airline have aircraft that are not fully utilised during the winter months and because of this they are offering deals that enable us to have a weekend skiing just like our continental neighbours, Eurostar also has fantastic offers too. A quick weekend away to the ski slopes is no longer difficult and your ski holiday specialist will be able to offer some really great ski deals at prices that are mouth watering and make you wonder how it can be done! There are loads of ski resorts that are easily accessible form most places in the UK, but naturally if you live in the south east of England, you are that bit nearer and closer to the train operator.

Only an hour from Geneva airport, Chamonix has lots of modestly priced accommodation with short stay bookings accepted as the norm. The terrain is varied and boasts fabulous views of peaks and glaciers incorporating the Mont Blanc Massif. Davos is a huge ski area which is shared with Klosters, just down the valley, with some excellent long runs of up to eight miles. Easy to get to from Zurich airport and plenty of weekend rooms available.

Weekend deals are naturally confined to Europe and are split between some of the best resorts in France, Switzerland, or Italy. With Geneva and Sion airports being the closest to the Alpine region, you can usually be only one hour away from the resort and that weekend skiing experience.

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.