holiday destinations Archives

January 27, 2014 by author

Anchorage, Alaska: Thrill in the Winter Chill

There are still a few weeks to go before we finally see the end of this long cold winter – which only means more time for ice and snow lovers to go out and enjoy their favourite winter time sports, and when it comes to such activities, one of the best places in the world to do such is in Anchorage, Alaska. The city provides some of the best winter experiences for all winter adventure pilgrims.

Dog Sledding

What used to be a simple mode of transportation has turned into a popular winter sport and pastime in Anchorage, Alaska. There are many dog sledding routes in Anchorage with varying difficulty levels. Why, even in summer you can still enjoy dog sledding in the Punch Bowl Glacier. There are wide open spaces which are just perfect for the uninitiated, as well as more challenging routes that that will surely pump your adrenaline. You can be your own dog sled driver and manoeuvre your way through the trails, or you can hire an experienced musher to help guide you along. In addition, be sure not to miss the Iditarod Race and get to see some of the best mushers from Alaska and other countries battle it out in the Alaskan snow tracks.

Ice Climbing

For climbing fanatics, gear up with your warmest winter clothes, arm yourself with ropes and ice axe, and brace yourself for some of the most exciting ice climbing experience in Anchorage, Alaska. There are various opportunities for ice climbing in the outskirts of the city. You can climb frozen waterfalls if you dare, or take on the more difficult ice glaciers which are rock solid even in the summer time. Of course, whether you’re an amateur or a pro, it is always bets to enlist the help of an experienced guide who can show you the best spots for ice climbing as well as provide help when needed.

Ice Skating and Tobogganing

For those who are not so adventurous, you can put on your skates and glide through ice in the many skating rinks and frozen ponds in Anchorage, Alaska. There is the Westchester Lagoon which is pretty famous among ice skating enthusiasts, with barrels of bonfire where shivering skaters go to when the cold becomes too much. The lagoon is pretty famous and tends to fill up easily with skaters and those wanting to play some ice hockey. Thus if you find the place is full, you can go to other skating venues like McDonalds Centre in Eagle River and Cuddy Family Park in Midtown Anchorage. Alternatively, if you want to ride a toboggan, there are many slopes in Anchorage, Alaska where you can do just that. There is the Sitka Park in Sitka Street for beginners, Connors Lake Park in Jewel Lake Road with moderately difficult slopes, and Oceanview Park in Oceanview Drive where you can find more challenging slopes for a more exciting tobogganing experience.

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Photo by paxson_woelber on Flickr

October 12, 2013 by Arlene

4 Cultural Events to Attend in Dublin This Autumn

The splendid city of Dublin is celebrated worldwide for its exciting cultural events that run throughout the year. This autumn/winter is no exception as visitors will be able to attend and enjoy a whole host of traditional Irish festivities. With this in mind, here is my top pick of cultural events to be held in Dublin this up-coming season, so book your flight and reserve a hotel in Dublin on Venere.com, and visit one or more of these fun cultural events listed below.

1. Temple Bar TradFest 2014

This wonderful festival celebrates the best of Irish music and culture over a period of five days and five nights. The Temple Bar TradFest is now in its ninth year and this year’s line-up featuring over two-hundred free events is set to be the best yet. This festival has something for all ages and even includes a family programme to enable everybody to get involved in traditional Irish culture. Throughout the festivities, held from the 22nd to the 26th of January, music and art will be brought in full force to the streets of Temple Bar making this an unmissable event for all!

2. Dublin Docklands’ Christmas Festival

This magical Christmas market is returning to George’s Dock for the ninth consecutive year. Visitors will be able to revel in a little festive cheer as they explore the unforgettable Victorian Carnival, the artisan food and craft market and Santa’s splendid grotto. Dublin’s Christmas Festival will be in full swing from the 12th of December until the 23rd of the month making this a fantastic event for everybody looking to get into the festive spirit.

3. Dublin Beatles Festival 2013

This music festival is set to be Dublin’s newest and most exciting of the year. Celebrations will begin on the 7th of November and draw to a close on the 12th of the month. The festival will mark the 50th anniversary of the only Beatles performance ever held in the Irish capital. Over twenty Irish and international groups will be taking to the stage to play homage to the iconic rock group. The festival will also feature memorabilia fairs, art exhibitions, fashion shows and street art displays.

4. Dublin Book Festival 2013

This vibrant and informative festival is now coming into its eighth year and has always proved to be a great success for the city. The Dublin Book Festival aims to showcase, develop and support Irish publishing through the marketing and sale of works produced in the region. This is a fabulous and family-friendly cultural event that will be held at the city’s Smock Alley Theatre from the 14th to the 17th of November.

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Photo by sebastiandooris on Flickr

October 11, 2013 by Arlene

Egypt’s 5 Top family holiday destinations

Imagine smooth white sand between your toes, then dipping them in the calm, clear water; a warm sensation before diving in with your snorkel and relishing in the underwater paradise that is the coral reef surrounding you. Welcome to Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera, where the vast array of sea life is astounding and the seemingly endless beaches speckled with parasols and cafes will delight you.

It’s hard to go wrong when choosing such a wonderful destination, but it’s easy to improve upon by simply choosing the right resort for your family; so let’s take a look at my top 5 destinations.

Egypt_Golf

Let’s start with Sharm El Sheikh, a spot with perennial sunshine and magnificent mountain views. This sophisticated resort is the perfect getaway for those looking for diversity. Bronze your body with the glistening sun while relaxing against the immaculate sand or take a plunge into the warm water animated with diverse aquatic life and spectacular coral reefs fabulous for diving and snorkelling, and featuring the incredible Ras Mohammed National Park.
Head to the Hadaba and Ras Um Sid area for a relaxing coffee or shop at the local bazaar. The Naama Bay area also offers plenty for those looking for a night of pubbing and clubbing.

Hurghada_Beach

For more tranquillity, the natural Makadi Bay resting between meditative mountains and sedate sand dunes is a great little village. Take the family for a day of golfing, horse and camel riding along the great stretches of serene white sand or get active with the many sports facilities on offer.

A more peaceful paradise, this is also a great spot for sunbathing while offering not only snorkelling and diving in the crystalline waters but also the opportunity to go kite surfing.

Also, many bars and restaurants offer live music, delicious local food and a relatively chilled out nightlife.

Red_Sea_Coast

Packed with family activities and water sports including the usual snorkelling and scuba diving, along with kite surfing, water-skiing and para-sailing, El Gouna is a remarkable location. Consisting of an array of lagoons and islands connected by canals, with 10km of white sandy beaches, this resort has a lot to offer. Boasting traditional and modern architecture, world-class cuisine and exciting attractions such as an aquarium, go-karting, paintballing and much more, you’ll never be lost for something to do.

Not only this, but you can also find upmarket boutiques, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, and many excursions to local archaeological treasures.

Red_Sea_Kites

For those who wish to capture both the magic of Egyptian towns and the divinity of its beaches, Hurghada is just the place. Lounge along some 20km of golden sand, take a dip in the still, translucent waters or try your hand at diving and snorkelling in the year-round hot sun. For something more cultured, take a stroll down to Old Hurghada to capture a glimpse of bustling bazaars and magnificent mosques while shopping in the many stylish boutiques, dining in fine restaurants or trying out one of many shisha cafes.

Finally, the charming resort Taba is a favourite for those wishing to get more in touch with nature. Besides the luxurious hotels, your entertainment will feature brilliant, undisturbed sunsets, snorkelling and diving in the dazzling blue waters with picturesque mountain backdrops and taking in the warm rays of the Earth’s sun. Those looking for extra culture will be pleased to know that not only is it within easy reach of the pyramids of Giza and the Lost City of Petra, but it also lies on the border with Israel, and is only a short ferry ride away from Jordan.

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Photo by womeos on Flickr

May 1, 2013 by Arlene

Amsterdam Family Holiday Itinerary

Telling your friends you’re taking your kids to Amsterdam doesn’t always garner the most enthusiastic responses. The scores of coffee shops and the red light district don’t necessarily give out a very child-friendly impression to parents. However, it’s a common misconception that Amsterdam is for adults only.

The truth is that there are plenty of family-friendly activities to do in Amsterdam – you just have to know where to look. After you’ve browsed through the Amsterdam hotels from Expedia, you should start thinking about what you’re going to treat your family to. For the sake of brevity, we’ve mentioned just a handful of the many things you can treat your family to in the city.

Vondelpark

Vondelpark seems to be Amsterdam’s reply to Central Park in New York. When the weather is good, it’s a great place to hang out with the little ones. It’s the largest park in the city, located just south of the Leidseplein. Over 110 acres, it’s absolutely huge, and you can spend the entire day exploring it on bike.

You’ll be genuinely surprised at how much stuff there is to do in the park. There’s an outdoor theatre that has live musical performances for free during the summer. Also, Amsterdam’s Film Museum is located at the centre of the park, which is an absolute must if you’re a film buff. It hosts over 35,000 films and all kinds of film memorabilia. If you’ve got time for a movie, check out their classic Dutch film screenings.

Pancake Boat Cruise

Yes, you read that right. This cruise takes you around Amsterdam while filling you up with all-you-can-eat pancakes. It’s very comfortable, and the pancakes are delicious. Keep filling your belly as you admire Amsterdam’s gorgeous skyline, as well as other great views of the city.

The Pancake Boat is docked in Amsterdam Noord, and the length of the trips is negotiable. You can choose to go for an hour or two and a half hours – depending on how hungry you are. If pancakes aren’t really your thing, there are other food-themed cruises, like the Mexican Wrap Dinner Cruise or the Brunch Cruise.

Nemo

Nemo is a science centre and museum that’s geared specifically towards kids and teenagers. The largest science centre in the Netherlands, it receives over 500,000 visitors a year, and is Amsterdam’s fourth most-visited museum. Its popularity is definitely warranted.

It packs in five floors of interactive exhibitions. Your kids won’t want to leave – it’ll be particularly difficult to tear them away from the giant domino contraptions and the DNA experiments. You’ll be glad you visited, and your kids are bound to thank you for it.

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Photo by bcnbits on Flickr