Rhodes is well known as being the former home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Colossus of Rhodes. This massive statue of the Greek Titan Helios was erected to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over Antigonus I Monophthalmus whose attemptet siege of Rhodes in 305BC proved unsucessful. The massive structure was erected between 292 and 280 BC and at that time was one of the tallest structures in the world. The site on which it stood, as well as other sections of ancient Rhodes have become one of the most popular destinations in Europe, large numbers of visiors flock to its Medieval old town, which is a World Heritage Site

Rhodes lies in close proximity to the other islands in the region, many of which are much much smaller and some of which are unhabited. Their seperation and somewhat isolation makes them well worth a visit. Many, even the smallest are studded with sites of historical interest. Interesting casltes, Byzantine Churches and other ancient ruins that dot their landscapes. Many boat tour operaters based in Rhodes offer boat trips to a number of these smaller islands. Often refreshments or barbeques are included in the price, the operator will often stop at beauty spots on the way so you’re able to go for a swim and explore the area better.

The weather on Rhodes is something upon which you can usually rely. It enjoys long, hot summers, where sunshine reigns and rainfall is rather unlikely. The main tourist season for the island is June to September during which time the average temperature is 28°C. Wind blowing over from the Sahara brings hot, dry air that often brings the temperature into the high 30s during July and August. So be sure to bring the sun cream! Temperatures rarely drop into single figures, even in the winter months. Although this is Rhodes wet season. The island see 60% of its annual rainfall between December and Febuary.

Photo by Alexander Saprykin/ flickr.com

1. Uganda
With stability returning to the country, recovering wildlife and the beautiful Nile River Uganda is a beautiful country located between sprawling jungles and snow-tipped mountains. The city of Kampala is the safest in Africa, and has a virile nightlife.

2. Myanmar (Burma)
Another country that just opened up its borders, Myanmar is the ideal place for the independent traveler. Surrounded by white-sand beaches and towering mountains, with an intriguing Buddhist subculture.

3. Ukraine
A beautiful countryside with forests teeming with wildlife. Ukraine will also host the 2012 Euro football (soccer) championship. And the beer is cheaper than the water, literally.

4. Jordan
Jordan is one of the friendliest nations in the Middle East. Jordan has successfully modernized while still maintaining its cherished traditions and culture. With the rising economy and tourist infrastructure, it is the most appealing county in the Middle East to Westerners.

5. Denmark
This country won yet again the “best quality of life” on Earth. Denmark has thousands of miles of bicycles routes and a beautiful Danish architecture.

6. Bhutan
This is a reclusive country tucked back in Asia, thrush with Buddhist influence. This mountainous country is a place to behold. And tourists can explore the country on less than $200 US dollars a day.

7. Cuba
Cuba has recently relaxed its restrictions on private enterprise and is slowly embracing capitalism more and more every day. This tropic paradise has an endless stream of coffee, rum, beautiful beaches and the best mojitos in the world.

8. New Caledonia
This tropical France in the middle of the South Pacific boasts French cuisine in a irresistible tropical climate. However the native Melanesian culture has been on the rise, Caledonia is a great cultural mixture.

9. Taiwan
Taiwan has also had beautiful landscapes and a bustling economy, but they have embraced the biking scene as they have add island routes, and many others to bring visitors thousands of miles of bike paths.

10. Switzerland
This country has economic growth, beautiful slopes, and political stability, making it a prime destination for any worldly traveler. This country is more than just chocolate and ski slopes, however. Switzerland has a teeming nightlife as well.

picture: Martijn.Munneke/ flickr.com

The RTW-Ticket (Round the world ticket) offers you the oppurtunity to choose. This is the ticket for the traveller whose feet quickly get itchy or who can’t control the overwhelming sensation of wanderlust within them. This ticket allows the you to consider and pick out and plan a route that will take them on the journey of a life time. You can also adapt their travel plams so that it comes within the realms of affordabilty. If you don’t want to spend too much that you can just select a few destinations or stay on the same continent so this trip shouldn’t break the bank. If however you are looking for that full on world tour, you can do so with this ticket. The world truely is your oyster.
Europe is always an interesting destination and a good starting point for a world tour. The relative smallness of the european continent means that you can visit a large number of different countries, with vastly different cultures, languages and histories just by getting in a car or onto a train and travelling a short distance. Why not visit London to kick off your tour? Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and then pop in to see her Majesty for afternoon tea. Go to the palace of Westminster to hear the chimes of Big Ben.
Another interesting destination would be Beijing, the capital of the Peoples Republic of China. Visit this vast and mysterious countrys wonders and sights. Go to the Temple of Heaven, the 15th century landmark that highlights the imporatance of the relationship between heaven and earth in Chinese culture. Check out the Forbidden City (that is luckily no longer forbidden). This was the palace of the Emperors, a huge vast complex of palaces, courtyards, classical Chinese archietecture and gardens. The importance and significance of this sacred place to Chinese cannot be underestimated. They used to beleive this complex was at the centre of the world. Also, don’t forget to bring your hiking boots! No trip to the Peoples Republic would be complete without a walk along the Great Wall.
Down under for our next visit. Get a taste for Australian life and culture by visiting Sydney. Sydney harbour shows off the beautiful skyline in all its glory. After embarking, be sure to go along to the world renowned Sydney Opera House, listen to the orchestra playing a number and enjoy a drink it its impressive bar. But you can’t leave Australia without having seen a few kangaroos, be sure to take a look at the Tarango Zoo and get close to the unique creatures that inhabit this vast island.
If you’re too cool for any of this then maybe a more chilled out destination would be the right one for you. A unique travel destination would be the ceremonial South Pole. Although its exact location is relatively difficult to determine due to shifting ice sheets, maybe you can catch up with some of the scientists that live here all year round. Failing that, consult an Emperor Penguin, they’re always here!
Off to north Africa now, the location of one of the wonders of the world. Cairo, the capital of Egypt a city brimming with ancient treasures. Visit the Citadel if you want to have a look at some of these wonders of antiquity while getting a full panoramic view of the city. Take a look at the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx, very well known egyptian images but extremely different and special in real life.
Off to capital hill next and its Washington D.C where we’re stopping. The Museum of American History on the mall is worth a look if your interested in finding out everything about America’s relatively short modern history. This musuem takes us on an adventure from the time of Columbus up to the modern day. A short mile walk to the south and you can get a few snaps with honest Abe, before setting of the short distance to the White House.
Our last stop take us to South America and to Machu Picchu, the ancient village of the Incas high up in the mountains. A must-see if you take an interest in Inca history. Tour some of the modern markets for amazing produce, blankets and pottery before carrying on to take a tour of the Temple of the Sun to get a taste of how they practiced the ancient relgiion of sun worshipping. Before you leave you should hed up to the pyramid paltform known as Intihuantana, this is where the ancients beleived that the sun was held in its orbit.
One last thing to remember is your camera. Your friends will not beleive that you’ve been on such an amazing trip if you leave it at home!

Picture: Rainer Sturm/ pixelio.de

Art is also something that this city has in abundance and anyone with an interest in art should make their way to the Hermitage, the largest art museum in the world. The impressive collection of over three million items makes this a must see. A range that extents from Egyptian antiquities, Spanish fine art, Pre-historic pottery to an impressive collection of Neoclassical, Impressionist, and post-Impressionist art, this museum has something to offer all the culturally aware.
The city has a large assortment of restaurants, bars and cosy cafes where you can enjoy some authenic Russian cuisine or a glass of wine. Ensure to order yourself a portion of Borscht, a thick, traditional beetroot, beef and vegetable soup, served piping hot with a dollop of sour cream and a shot of vodka. This will certainly help to combat the cold of the Russian winter.
Finding somewhere to stay in St. Petersburg presents no significant problem and as you would expect the range of the scale is quite vast. Grand, historical imperial buildings that have been transformed into hotels make for an interesting experience but can be quite pricey. More moderate apartments or cheaper B&B’s suit the traveller with a smaller budget.
A trip to the Mariinsky Theatre to witness the majestic ballet on a snowy winter evening is an absolute must whilst visiting the city. Opened in 1860, the Mariinsky Theatre is lavishly decorated with crystal, azure and gilt. Even if you are not a huge fan of the ballet or opera, the splendid architectural aspects of the building are awe inspiring.
Taking place throughout December and January, the Arts Square festival is a great winter activity. The event showcases a number of traditional Russian classical musicians and local artists, making for a unique and diverse experience which is definitely worth a look.
This is a truely magical place in winter, settled snow on the glistening golden domes of Saint Isaacs cathedral, frozen rivers and the well known image of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood provide the perfect backdrop for those holiday snaps.

Picture: dorena-wm/ flickr.com

The micronation of Andalusia is located in southern Spain and enjoys a certain level of autonomy within the country. Although part of the Spanish mainland, Andalusia is looked upon as a seperate nation that even has its own capital, the beautiful and culture rich city of Seville. There’s something in Andalusia for everyone which makes it the ideal holiday destination. It boasts a beautiful and extensive coastline as well as scenic snow topped mountain peaks. Perfect for skiing!

Sun Holidays

Marbella and Malaga are two very popular and well known destinations for sun worshippers. Both towns are on the Alboran sea coastline and are counted among two of the most beautiful and unspoiled coastlines in Spain. For holidaymakers looking for more than sunny beaches, Marbella has many activities on offer. Biking trails are a great way of getting to see this beautiful town under your own steam. Biking gives you the freedom to see what you want to see while exploring more intimately and discovering new places, but no need to worry! If your concerned that you’ll get lost you can join a guided bike tour. The companies that provide these tours will also supply you with a bike. Keen golfers also don’t have to worry about getting bored. There are many fabulous courses to visit, the Santa Clara and Los Naranjos for example. As the birthplace of the artist Picasso, Malaga has many historic and modern art museums including the Picasso Home Museum. Malaga is also well known for its beautiful architecture and its interesting churches and cathedrals that are located in the centre of the city. Well worth a visit!

Skiing Holidays

The Sierra Nevada resort in Pradollano is the most southerly skiing resort in Europe. Although smaller than some other European resorts, the Sierra Nevada is considered a top rate resort and has hosted many national and international skiing and snowboarding events. Ski runs are available at this resort to suit skiers of all levels. Due to its southerly location, the air temperature at the Sierra Nevada resort is often pleasantly milder than other resorts. Natural snow is supplemented by snow cannons to keep the runs up to scracth and to provide the best quality skiing experience. If planning a skiing trip to Sierra Nevada there are some things to keep in mind. February is the busiest month as all children have school holidays at the end of the month for a week so that they can enjoy the skiing weather. This month is called ‘White Week’ and is probably best avoided as the skiing resorts are extremely busy during this time.

The Sierra Nevada resort is also well known for its Après Ski or nightlife, possibly more so than other ski resorts in Europe. This is attributed to the Spanish lifestyle which is generally to have a siesta during the day and come out to play at night and even in the cooler climate of Sierra Nevada this typically Spanish attitude pevails.

Picture: Tomas Fano/ flickr.com

If you’re looking for something different from the usual Christmas this year

Although you won’t find any snow, the Christmas festivities here are felt just as much as they are back home. People all over the island celebrate this holiday, even if the country’s main religion is Buddhism. Come December in Thailand, you’ll start to see Christmas decorations, lights and trees just about everywhere.

This year, why not jingle bells Thai style! Christmas on an exotic island is a dream come true for many; you won’t have to shovel your driveway nor will you have to take care of the holiday preparations yourself, you’ll just have to enjoy sipping on cocktails in your Santa hats on one of Thailand’s numerous exotic beaches. Christmas is a joyful time of the year for everyone, so why not gather your family and friends this year and share that joy on the wonderful islands of Thailand?

Even if Jolly old Saint Nicholas might be chanting Ho Ho Ho in a totally different language, the love and great pleasure of this festivity is heartfelt the exact same way it is in any other country.

There is an infinite choice of beach villas in Thailand you can accommodate yourselves in during your stay or one of the astonishing Samui villa resorts which will really give that extra touch of heavenly luxury to your Christmas vacation.

Start wrapping up your presents, pack everything in your suitcases, and come to Thailand where every holiday, including Christmas is an unforgettable experience!

The exotic Palms of Thailand lit and decorated by Christmas lights and ornaments are waiting for you…

Choose to stay in a bed and breakfast on the Amalfi coast means experience the tradition and culture of this pearl of the Mediterranean. Not far away is Nerano, ideal place for a relaxing holiday by the sea but also perfect for all those who love sport. Here you can enjoy the Sun in small coves of indented coastline but also trekking and explore some areas of rare natural beauty, hiking, or boat sailing maybe towards the islands of Galli or even practicing some sport fishing or diving in the depths of the sea to probe the seabed and the wonderful caves of the area.

Then once you leave Nerano behind, continue on to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and the entire Amalfi Coast you have to visit at least once in your lifetime. Choosing a Boutique Hotel in Amalfi Coast can bring you to the discover of luxury and fashion, tailoring traditions of these zones and craft traditions, fishing and food culture with its intense flavors that charm your taste buds.

A holiday of great intensity that will leave you day after day open-mouthed astonished and that will make you fall in love with this land which will, stay forever in your heart.

France is the second largest country in Europe. A very large territory with so many different landscapes and varied cuisine. The ideal for tourism. Without any

Paris is certainly in the first place. Paris is the capital of the country, but it is so much more than just an administrative city. Paris is romantic. Paris is beautiful. Paris is the city of love. Each of the twenty districts, called „arrondissement“, is unique. For example, the 13th District is all about China because there are many Chinese restaurants and shops. Each district has a history and a life. There are many books that offer itineraries and tell funny stories about the city. It is recommended to visit some typical building in Paris : the Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, the Montmartre’s hill and the Champs Elysee. You can also find your own way in Paris by walking in a mysterious unknown street.

The French Riviera is also very famous. Tourists come here to see the sun, the sea, but also to visit the wonderful Provence. The smell of the lavande and the sing of the cicada will follow you in the visit of the cities. At the end of the day, enjoy a picnic by the sea and do not hesitate to explore beautiful cities such as Nice, Cannes, Grasse, Antibes or the jet set of Saint-Tropez.

In the North East you can explore the green of the forest of Alsace and Lorraine. A typical region that has been modified by its history and felt the influence of its neighbors Germany. At Christmas a true magic lies in the field. The Christmas spirit flows into the area. A wonderful time for children and adults. If you want to find some accomodation you could find fine self-catering cottage in Alsace

In France there are beautiful mountains to claim in Summer and for ski in winter. The most famous are of course the Alps, but you could also discover the Jura Mountains and the Pyrenees on the French territory. The Alps are the largest mountain offer many possibilities from the Tyrolean heritage to delicious cheese dishes. You will find wonderful pictures of many panoramas in France and in the rest of the world thanks to Denis Becaud. The Pyrenees, as a link between France and Spain are a wonderful region so different from the other.

Finally, we could not finish a presentation of the French richness without mentionning Brittany. A unique area with so much mystery. It is the land of the Britons and the Celts. Because of the rain, the weather is not always pretty, but it does not disturb your visit of the small ports and the typical village.

Because all the French region are full of interest and diversity, the choice is hard. Good luck!

Source photo : LEPOLAU2008 – David THIBAULT – quantz – afloresm – pppspics – crosathorian / Flickr

First, the sea. Of course, Islands imply water. And not just any water. Pacific is doing its best to offer you amysing spots, swimming in enjoyable blue water and impressive sports.

Secondly, nature. With only 34% of the inhabited islands, Indonesia will show you unique and pristine environment without any human trace. A rare treat that will lead you to discover the tropical forest, claim the slope of a volcano or search unknown species.

Third reason, diversity. Because of the distance that can exist between the different Indonesian areas, many ethnic groups exist in Indonesia. Each of them can be distinguished by its customs, habits and cultures. Thus, jumping from one island to another can also get you closer to a new civilization which, if you’re lucky and manifest interest and respect, will introduce you to its customs. For instance, as a symbol of diversity and as the heart of these islands, architecture and handcrafts are a good start to understand the people around you.

Reason nummer four, tradition. Indonesia is the home to exceptional richness due to the diversity previously mentioned. Starting with the capital, Jakarta, many islands and regions are to explore such as Java, Bali, typical villages such as Kampung Naga and places of worship inspired by the majestic Hindu, Buddhists or Muslims art.

Please ask any information about your departure at the Travel Agency Indonesia
Photo from Jeda Villa Bali / flickr.com

From both sides of the town, North and South, the Adriatic sea coast will suggest so many towns, landscapes and treasures. Only fifteen kilometers away from Rimini, you will achieve Riccione, famous for its nightlife and its beaches. So many activities will be available to enjoy your vacations. swimming, beach volley tournement, sunbath, visit of the Roman ruins and the castles. The town will also offer you many possibilities to rest like the Hotel Cigno d’Oro, to wake up the feet in the Adriatics’water.

The richess of the region does not stop with the beaches. The hinterland is full of fortified villages built around middle-ages castle with a view on a breathtaking landscape, as only Itlay can offer. A bit further, you may run into the arcades of Bologna, the castles of Parma or Ravenna. Your trip just begun.