The Culture Bank

A city break can be a good option for anyone looking for cheap holidays. Lisbon is a good choice, with its heritage, beautiful coastline and hills; it is also one of the most affordable short-haul destinations. However, it is essential to remember that the total cost of the flights, which are generally higher to Portugal, are offset by the lower cost of accommodation and dining out. Lisbon also has the advantage that it is an all-year round destination, rarely too cold or too hot.

For people living in the South of England, Normandy and Brittany are good options for a budget holiday. Both regions offer picturesque landscapes and accommodation and dining out are substantially cheaper than in the UK. Both destinations are popular, as their closeness to the south of England makes getting to them easy and relatively cheap. The ferry companies often have special offers, which are worth watching out for.

For anyone who prefers to stay in the UK, Dorset may not be as popular as Devon or Cornwall, but it can be just as picturesque and often there are better deals available for this part of the country. Public transport also tends to be good and it is possible to travel around the whole area by bus. Dorset has a range of stunning landscapes, from the sweeping dunes of Studland to the rugged cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. It also has several blue flag beaches, along with pretty towns and rolling green countryside.

Picture: Nicolas Roux

Summer holidays on the Island of Crete are always a magical time, as Greece’s largest Island, Crete has so much to offer it would be hard to know where to start. It has plenty of beaches, rocky coastlines, and is steeped in history. You can enjoy sun soaked days relaxing or exploring all that Crete has to offer.

It’s a destination for everyone, perfect for a romantic getaway, a relaxing break away of fun times for kids. Old and young alike can enjoy this fabulous island whether you want fun in the sun or to get away from it all. This Island is popular with many travellers because you really do get value for money from your holiday in Crete, from affordable accommodation like the Aquis Bella Beach Hotel and flights, to cheap places to eat and drink including traditional Greek delicacies in the towns of Rethymnon, Elounda and Hersonissos.

Many people head to Greece for its world renowned beaches, Crete has a fantastic selection from soft golden sand beaches to small pebble beaches. Lots of the beaches have plenty of water sports to choose from for daytime entertainment and can be quite lively such as those in Malia. But if you like some peace and quiet then look towards Elafonisi and Vai Beach which are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and are much more relaxed whilst still catering to your needs.

History is a big part of Crete’s Island life and always a draw with the tourists, there are a number of archaeological sites across the island such as the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, it’s said it was home of the King Minos. Or Spinalonga (Kalydon) which is an ancient fortress built to protect ancient Olous. History buffs would also benefit from visiting the Heraklion Archaeological Museum which houses some amazing artefacts as well as information on the Minoan civilisation.

Crete has a varied nightlife, from fabulous restaurants offering amazing Greek fare and small local tavernas with great atmosphere, to small ice-cream and cake shops. All locally sourced, it’s a real treat for the pallet, but don’t worry if you don’t like exotic foods you can still get tradition British fare in some of the larger resorts. If you like a drink or two, you are pretty spoilt for choice in many resorts in Crete, from small local drinking dens hidden away down winding streets to cosmopolitan bars on the harbour or beach front there is something for everyone, even those who like to be out until the small hours in one of many nightclubs across the island.

With all the unspoilt scenery, lively resorts and retreat village out of the way there really isn’t a reason why Crete is not the island for you, not with its glorious sunshine!

Picture: idleformat

Breaks to cities both in the UK and Europe have become increasingly popular over the last few years as many people look for something different from taking in the sunshine on a Spanish beach. Shorts breaks are increasingly popular as they give the holiday maker the chance to spread their holiday weeks over many different periods.

A city that offers the traveller a wealth of choice and is very easy to access by both rail, road and air, is Bath with its imposing Georgian terraces and of course Roman Heritage, many would put Bath in the category of England’s most beautiful small city. Shopping is well catered for and the city has been praised for retaining many independent shops, unlike some other UK towns and high streets with have sadly declined. There is concern though that the newly opened SouthGate shopping mall could have a negative impact, so now is the time to enjoy roaming these small independents during a city break.

A good morning sightseeing or shopping can be tiring so what better way to relax those aching muscles through a visit to the recently refurbished Thermal Baths, here you can wallow in the hot, mineral-rich spring-waters, following the Roman occupiers of some 2,000 years previously.

Bath also has a number of museums for those interested in our heritage, but many visitors prefer to go on organised walking tours which are arranged through the Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides, details can be found at their website,  many prefer to take a hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour. Excellent food can now be found at the city’s pubs, high quality restaurants, including one from Jamie Oliver have become well established.

Bath has much to offer the short break visitor and it is no surprise that many return, to repeat their enjoyable short break at this lovely English city.

Picture: Liminae

Many tourists visit Africa to travel on a safari with the aim of viewing the Big Five – lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros.  Africa has many national parks and reserves which offer patrons this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park, located in the north of Tanzania, is divided into three regions: Serengeti plains, Western corridor and Northern Serengeti.  The area is renowned for the annual migration of more than a million wildebeest and thousands of zebra.  The park is also home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

The Etosha National Park, situated in northwest Namibia, is famous for the 5,000km² salt pan that is partially enclosed in its borders.  The pan attracts thousands of flamingo and pelicans after the rainy season.  Mammals commonly seen in the park include: elephant, lion, leopard, hyena and meerkat.   

Maasai Mara, Kenya

The Maasai Mara National Reserve continues northward from the Serengeti and forms part of the area famed for the Great Migration of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest.  While the reserve holds one of the highest populations of lion in the world, it is also a major research centre for the spotted hyena.  The park is named after its indigenous inhabitants, the Maasai people.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

The floodplains, swamps and woodland of Botswana’s Chobe National Park are divided into four geographical areas.  The Chobe River flows through the northeast region of the park, the Serondela area, which serves as a watering point for the roaming game.  Because it draws elephant, buffalo and giraffe, the area is attractive to tourists.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to a high percentage of the world’s mountain gorilla.  Other mammals found in the park include the golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena and bushbuck.  Walking amongst the gorilla and climbing the region’s volcanoes are some of the tourist activities offered.

Picture: @Doug88888

With its almost countless sandy beaches, sunny weather and distinctive culture, Australia has become a top ten destination for backpackers from all around the world. Backpacking has become a large part of Australia’s tourist trade thanks to the competitive cost of accommodation, travel and tours, making it the perfect destination for visitors travelling on a budget.

Tours

As backpacking is such a big business there are many tours to choose from. With so much competition not only is there a tour to suit everyone’s needs, visitors are also assured of getting a very good deal. Two of the most popular are the Whitsunday’s and Fraser Island tours. Most travel agencies tend to package them together, including accommodation.

Where to stay

With so many hostels around the country, it is easy to find accommodation wherever you may wish to stay. Some hostels are very basic and are priced accordingly, while others, known as ‘flashpackers’, provide all the modern conveniences necessary for a more relaxed visit. Most hostels offer a choice of rooms, from shared dorm style to private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

If you are really into the adventurous side of travelling most hostels also have outdoor facilities for pitching tents and provide shared kitchen facilities. If you are interested in camping it does not get any better than the magnificent National Australian Parks, where you will find all the basic facilities, as well as being able to experience the natural landscape and iconic Australian wildlife.

Climate

As Australia is so large the climate varies greatly. The southern parts of the country experience very dry and hot conditions in the summer, while at the same time the northern most regions may be experiencing heavy rainfall and tropical thunderstorms. The peak season in Queensland, for example, is during the winter months, when conditions are at their driest.

Picture: Team Windcraft

Everyone has heard of Las Vegas, which is also known as the Sin City.  However, people who know very little about this incredible city should keep in mind one thing: Las Vegas is a sensational place where the world’s finest restaurants, talented chefs, cosmopolitan hotels, opulent spas, indoor Venetian canals, Elvis impersonators and penny slots have met.  Why should a tourist visit Las Vegas? Well, simply because there is no other place like it.

Attractions

Situated in the middle of the Nevada desert, this city is famous not for its climate or desert environment, but for its allure and mega-hotel casinos decorated to create a fairytale atmosphere.  Most casinos have themes that evoke exotic, mysterious, romantic or faraway destinations.

Besides casinos, you will find an assortment of entertainment options, including the Adventuredome at Circus, Aquarium at The Mirage, Auto Collections, Botanical Gardens, Flamingo Garden, Gallery of Fine Art, Chinatown Plaza and the Wax Museum.  The list can go on and on.

In the chic restaurants you can have a variety of dining options, ranging from simple dishes to omnipresent buffets.  Additionally, you can enjoy an impressive assortment of cafes, pubs, bars and clubs.  Before visiting Las Vegas, a tourist should also know that nightlife never ends in this city.  

Climate

In Las Vegas you will experience a subtropical climate, with an average of 300 sunny days per year.  The summer months are usually very hot, with temperatures ranging between 34 and 40 degrees Celsius.  During winter, Las Vegas has quite low temperatures that can often drop below 16 degrees Celsius. 

Getting there, getting around

The most comfortable way to reach this city is by plane.  A regular flight from London to Las Vegas takes less than 11 hours.  To help you get around the city, Las Vegas provides a reliable transport network, which includes taxis, buses, monorails and rental cars.  Upon arrival, you can rent a small holiday apartment or you can reserve a room at one of the top of the range hotels available in Las Vegas.

Picture: wbeem

A sunny tropical city, Bangkok is on record for being one of the world’s hottest cities. However it is the warmth of its people that charms many visitors, earning Thailand the nickname of ‘Land of smiles’. The country’s predominantly Buddhist religion is evident all around the city with the presence of Buddhist temples, or Wats, on almost every city street.

Bangkok is also popular for its culinary offerings. Take a culinary adventure through the city’s food stalls that line the market streets and sample a variety of spicy Thai specialties that go well with the fragrant Thai rice staple. You can also take a boat tour of the city through the waterways that crisscross the entire city and visit the floating markets at Samut Songkhram for a truly unique shopping experience.

If you like yoga, you can try it out with a different twist. Hot yoga is offered in many studios in Bangkok and is popular for strengthening the heart and body. At the expansive Lumpini Park there is an outdoor gym where you can sweat it out while taking in the surrounding sights.

Picture courtesy of Doug88888

Venice is as unique a city as you are ever likely to visit.  As such, there are times at which there are twice as many tourists as locals, but this is merely indicative of the huge array of attractions on offer. As a collection of 118 islands linked together by a maze of waterways, canals and bridges, just walking around this city is an experience.  Stunning architecture, such as the Gothic palazzos, is surrounded by a unique transport infrastructure that makes Venice truly astonishing on a first visit.  It is essentially a pedestrian city.  Stopping or walking slowly on a bridge can cause traffic, and the sleek water taxis are appropriately more expensive than the waterbuses.

With a history as one of the most important commercial cities in Western Europe as it traded with the rest of the world, Venice has a past to which the numerous churches and museums are testament. The city is steeped in culture.  Famous for its art, the galleries can occupy you for hours on end and Venice is still today a flourishing contemporary art scene.  From atmospheric wine bars to the city’s one and only jazz club, Venice mixes romance and history like nowhere else in the world.

A must-see is St Mark’s Square, famous for the hundred of pigeons that can be found there.  Another must is to take a gondola ride down the river.  These are expensive, but such a vintage part of Venetian history that you really would feel as though you were missing out.  There is no shortage of tourist facilities in Venice, so you can rest assured that a city which is so proud of its architecture and decor will offer some fantastic places to stay and eat.  Venice even has a unique cuisine, different to that of the rest of northern Italy, which ensures that you will not be hungry on your Venice city break.

Picture courtesy of Monosnaps

Caribbean holidays from ITC are where it all began for the luxury bespoke travel agency.  And the Caribbean luxury holidays from ITC offer sun-kissed destinations whose very names make us consider slowing the pace down and taking it easy.

The Caribbean is the name given to a diverse group of islands and countries, from the larger islands of the Dominican Republic and Jamaica to tiny St Kitts, Anguilla and Antigua, each have their own unique island charm and character.  What all the Caribbean destinations have in common are long stretches of unspoiled white sands, warm, tempting clear-blue waters and the chance to find that desert island hideaway.

The islands

First discovered by Columbus in 1493, the small island of Antigua provides an unspoiled Robinson Crusoe-style experience.  It is possible to combine a holiday on the island with its more remote neighbours, St Kitts and Nevis, in a two- or three-centre itinerary.

Also worth mentioning is laid-back St Lucia, an extremely popular destination for weddings and honeymoons: one visit and it is easy to see why.

In contrast, Nassau on the Bahamas is a sophisticated, lively capital known for its shopping streets and colourful nightlife.  The largest island in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, boasts 1,000 miles of pristine beaches.

ITC are certainly experts in all things Caribbean, having offered luxury travel to the region from the UK for four decades.  And while all the hotels have been extensively refurbished, the philosophy of relaxing and having a good time has certainly remained true.

Picture courtesy of ITC Classics

The word Ibiza often conjures up images of teens dancing with reckless abandon, drinking to excess and taking mind altering substances, throwing up and falling from balconies.  However, this is not all that Ibiza has to offer: it is multi-faceted and there is something for both the younger and the older generations, too.

Accommodation

There are numerous self-catering residences in Ibiza suitable for both small and large family parties, allowing visitors to sample the wide range of local foods and restaurants available at an affordable price.  Half-board, however, affords guests the opportunity to eat an extremely large and varied buffet-style breakfast and an equally sumptuous evening dinner and maintain the freedom to choose where, when and at what time they choose to dine at lunchtime. 
  
There are a number of family-friendly hotels in Ibiza that provide kids’ clubs and entertainment.  In addition, there are numerous play parks across Ibiza, in particular in San Antonio Bay. These play areas are particularly popular for their funfairs and trampolines. 

History

In addition to wonderful beaches, the old town in Ibiza is a fantastic place to explore and discover the history of the area.  The view from the castle is stunning and there are some lovely, if pricey boutiques.

Those looking to soak up the culture should visit the Old Town’s central fortress, Dalt Vila.  Visitors can explore the cobbled streets and take photos of mighty statues and the ancient stone courtyard.  Spectacular views can also be found at the battlements near the Cathedral.

Picture courtesy of Xavi is pic’ing on the net