December 7th, 2010
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The World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures in Senegal is billed as the biggest celebration of black identity in the world. A dozen of music performances from local and international artists are just some of the highlights. Music in Senegal has a really important signification: indeed it was launched in 1960 by some Senegal musicians to celebrate the country’s independence from the French influence through Jazz and salsa.
Senegal’s cultural explosion in the post-independence years was obviously linked to the country head of the state Leopold Sedahr Sengor who strongly promoted local music. The first World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures was held in 1966 on his initiative in Dakar gathering musicians from all around the continent.
Beginning on the 11th December has a specific theme this year about the « African Renaissance, cultural diversity and African unity ». This festival in 2010 is trying to promote a new image of Senegal as a liberated, proudly, creative and optimistic country. This year Brazil, America, Senegalese and African stars are invited in order to show a melting pot culture and a multicultural dialog. This festival is going to be free and a lot of educational activities are organized to make the Young’ sensitive.
If you want to take part to this festival, you can stay in an holiday village.
December 3rd, 2010
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Thailand’s largest outdoor festival, the Thailand International Balloon and Adventure Sports Festival 2010 (TIBF 2010) is to be held at Khundan Prakanchon Dam, Nakhon Nayok Province from December 2 – 6, 2010, as part of the nationwide festivities honouring His Majesty the King’s Birthday on 5 December.
On the 5th December this event will be hilighted with a big firework and a Candle Lighting Ceremony.
This event is very successful in Thailand: indeed it attracts between 150 000 and 300 000 visitors and millions of people are watching it on Thailand’s Tv channels.
This event is held up to help stressed people to get out, get free, take some fresh air, get amazed and get thrilled. Thanks to this event, they can take a break, take some time, take a weekend to have an adventure. For the 1st time many of the minority sports practised by groups of enthusiasts throughout the country are collected; hugely entertaining just to watch or in which to participate. All the activities take place in one of the 4 elements Earth, Water, Wind and Fire.
Thailand International Balloon Festival is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Indeed this Tourism Auhtority expects that this events is going to generate a good image of the country and it’s going to benefit the tourism sector. It will generate income for the local community and thereby contribute to the country’s economic growth.
If you want then to take part to this event, you can find accomodation in Thailand. If you want to enjoy this festival, you can visit Bangkok with Dao Holidays.
December 3rd, 2010
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I’ve got a good news! Since the 27th Novembre, the Grands Montets area and its skiing pists are opened in Chamonix. From now on, you can enjoy the snow season with seasonal temperature and nice snow falls. All the conditions to have a nice week end and skyiing on the Mount Blanc are gathered!
You don’t konw how to ski? It’s not a problem! You’ve got ski schools with lessons to teach you how to ski.
You don’t like snow and skiing? It’s not a problem! Chamonix and its Mount Blanc can either be discovered in winter than in sommer. You’ve got plenty of activities that make Chamonix described as a truly outdoor paradise. The mountain scenery surpasses one’s wildest expectations and the Mont-Blanc, jewel in the crown, thrones silently over the Chamonix valley.
Anyway you can go and visit Chamonix whenever, you’ll always appreciate this beauty. To make you stay more comfortable, you can sleep in gites.
November 23rd, 2010
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Being one of the only countries left in the EU allowing smoking in most public places, it has recently been annouced that on 2nd January 2011 a new bill will be discussed which will prohibit smoking in bars, cafés, restaurants and other public places. Spain is well known for its bar and restaurant culture in that locals enjoy socialising with friends, nibbling on tapas and smoking a few cigarettes as they discuss the working week. However it is likely that this typical Spanish scene may soon be a thing of the past. Many owners in the tourism and hospitality sector are naturally concerned on the impact the proposed ban will have on their business. Spain has always embraced smoking in their culture so bar and restaurant owners fear the ban will have a significant negative effect if it comes into place. Many have noted that regular customers enjoy the freedom of being able to have a cigarette with their coffee in the morning or being able to smoke inside while enjoying a glass of wine with friends. It is thought that the chances of the ban not being passed through parliament are very slim indeed.
October 23rd, 2010
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A recent study conducted by Whichbudget has provided alarming results highlighting how many European tourists regularly travel without insurance. Over 5,000 people took part in the survey from various countries throughout Europe. The results showed that only 37% of Brits always go away with travel insurance and that 44% never take out any form of cover before going away. Spain was slightly worse with only 25% always purchasing insurance, followed by an alarming result from Italian responses showing only 10% take out adequate cover. It appears that even with recent travel disasters being broadcast all over the news such as airline strikes, tour operators going bust and the volcanic ash cloud, that this is still not enough to encourage tourists to purchase travel insurance before going away. The results also showed that 11% of UK tourists only ever take out insurance when they travel outside of the EU and a worrying 8% choose to travel with their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) alone. The CEO of WhichBudget expressed his concern over the alarming results provided by the survey and explained that it is often difficult to predict when an airline or tour operator will go under. It is therefore extremely important that tourists cover themselves for all eventualities.
September 5th, 2010
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At a recent travel forum held at Bournemouth University, UK, leading academics and tourism experts predicted that in forthcoming years, more tourists will be choosing to spend their holidays in Europe than ever before. Professor Adam Blake explained that airline industries will be impacted in the future by further ‘green taxes’ which will subsequently have an impact of flight costs for the passenger. With this in mind, tourism experts at the forum predicted that more people will be staying either in the UK or taking shorter trips to Europe as opposed to travelling further afield on long haul flights. Other tourism experts pointed out, that with this in mind, more work would need to be carried out on public transport in the UK and less road works scheduled for bank holidays. Flo Powell, director of ACE (association of cruise experts) highlighted that the UK is experiencing a big growth in cruises to northern Europe as tourists ‘turn their back on air travel’.
August 12th, 2010
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Marbella has always been a popular holiday resort that is somewhat hard to define. Many people imagine it as a more up-market Benidorm, frequented by boozy Brits looking for a cheap holiday on the Costa del Crime. However, despite its ever-growing popularity, it appears that Marbella has a much more complex story to tell. On the one hand, Marbella is known for its ‘dark-side’ where villains, drug-dealers and prostitutes form part of a corrupt and dangerous community. On the other hand, however, Marbella is home to some of the richest people in the world who come to the Spanish city to show-off, party hard and flash the cash. Who can blame them though? With 300 days of sunshine a year and some of the most beautiful beaches in the south of Spain it is obvious why the Andalucian City has a constant flow of rich European tourists every year. Designer labels, private yachts and Champagne ‘Spray Parties’ are not out of place in Marbella and help reinforce its immaculate image but those behind the scenes know that there is much more than meets the eye. Celebrities appear to find refuge in the city, claiming that they can be left in peace and are unbothered by press and Papprazzi.
Whether Marbella really is becoming the Spanish ‘ghetto’ or is as glitzy and glamorous as it would like to appear, the only way to find out is to experience it for yourself!
July 20th, 2010
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The living history and unique art of Morocco provide an appealing environment for travelers.With its great imperial cities of Marrakesh and Fez or the cosmopolitan city of Casablanca, Morocco has attracted visitors for centuries, and tourism keeps on growing.
This year is also planed to be successful ; The Moroccan government confirmed signals of a record tourism season. North Africa as a whole has also seen strong growth as a destination this year. Thanks to its Atlantic and Mediterranean coast, Morocco lies on Europe’s largest tourist zone and proposes a wide range of summer and winter activities. Tourists will have the chance to experience Trekking amongst the five geographical zones that include desert, coast and plains. An other way to enjoy your holidays in Morocco is to ride a Camel straight into the Sahara, or simply walk in one of those open-air markets with colorful crafts such as carpets, pottery, jewelry, brassware and woodwork.
To discover Morocco, you can find Relais car rental stations where you need them to Rent a car in Casablanca or to Rent a car in Rabat . You can organize a trip in Marrakech and stay at Riad Marrakech Medina
November 3rd, 2009
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With less than 1,000 days until the start of the 2012 Olympics in London, excitement is already growing over what will be a huge boost for the local visitor economy. To mark the occasion, Visit London has released a report outlining how visitors to the capital will benefit from £11 billion in investment over the coming years. The improvements are already starting to take shape, including the East London Line railway extension, new cycle tracks and walkways, the renovation of the Savoy Hotel and a new urban park being built in East London. In Spring 2011 the Cutty Sark will be reopened after being damaged by fire in 2007 and a new wing of the Tate Modern will be opened in time for the start of the Olympics. These are new and exciting times for such an historic and fascinating city such as London and I’m keen to see how these new developments will improve an already amazing city!
October 28th, 2009
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According to Chantal Pitin, head of leisure traffic development at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, more and more people are experiencing skiing in Toulouse with surprising results. As a result of tourists flying into Toulouse, tourism in the area has had a welcome boost. Apparently skiing in the Pyrenees is ‘enjoyable’ and is suitable for everyone, especially as the resorts tend to be small family resorts. I have to admit that although I have been to Toulouse before, I had never thought of it as a ski resort. But I suppose the mixture of sun and snow would be a perfect combination! Although whether it rivals the ski resorts of the Alps remains to be seen…..
