Travel the world with gtahotels

Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest

2009-07-21T13:52:00.000+03:00

Fisherman’s Bastion was built in 1905 on the medieval castle walls, the neo-Romanesque ramparts were so named after the city's fishermen whose duty it was to defend this side of the hill during the Middle Ages, but the existing bastion never actually served a defensive purpose. It is solely ornamental with gleaming white cloisters and stairways connecting seven turrets symbolic of the Magyar tribes that conquered the Carpathian Basin in the 9th century. Set back from the ramparts is an equestrian statue of King Stephen, a memorial to the founder of the Hungarian nation. The view from Fisherman's Bastion, over the Danube, the Chain Bridge and the Parliament Buildings with Pest stretching out into the distance, is outstanding. Floodlit at night, the bastion is a mesmerising sight from across the river. Review our cheap Budapest hotels and get the best rates when you book online with gtahotels.com http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/budapest.htm

A visit to Valetta

2009-07-14T10:10:00.000+03:00

Valetta, which is the capital of Malta, has the charm of an Italian city with its many Baroque palaces set on narrow steep streets that form a grid pattern. The city was carefully planned by its founder, Grand Master Fra Jean de la Vallette and the Knights of the Order of St John. The city was 'built by gentlemen for gentlemen' with the first stone being ceremonially laid in 1566 after Ottoman forces withdrew their siege of the Maltese Islands and the Knights of St John took over. The purpose of the city, built in a short span of 15 years on a plateau between two harbours on Malta's northeast coast, was primarily to fortify the island and secondly to provide palaces, Auberges (lodgings) for the eight Knight's groupings (Langues), churches for worship and gardens for recreation. The remnants of the Knight's occupation today characterise Valetta in the form of some splendid Baroque buildings and fortifications, but the majestic architecture manages not to overwhelm the island's carefree personality.

Today you can enjoy a horse drawn cariage ride around the city before exploring the narrow streets and passageways yourself...

Attractions Lascaris War Rooms

Valletta suffered a great deal of damage during bombing raids in the Second World War. The Battle of Malta and other events involving the islands during the early years of the war are featured in a series of 17th century tunnels, which were turned into a military operations complex during the war. The complex has been restored and now acts as a museum, with charts, models and dioramas.

Malta Experience

A dramatic presentation that illustrates the history of Malta, from Neolithic to modern times, can be enjoyed at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at St. Elmo's bastion in Valletta. This building itself has been impressively restored, having been built by the Knights in the 1500s as a hospital. The wards, which are great sweeping halls with vaulted ceilings and marble floors, now serve as exhibition areas. A modern theatre has been added where the Malta Experience audio-visual show is offered in 10 languages.

National Museum of Archaeology

The archaeological museum on Republic Street is housed in one of the inns of the Knights of St John, the Auberge de Provence. The museum's focus on Malta’s prehistory includes displays such as the reconstruction of prehistoric remains found at Hypogeum. Items such as pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone implements and jewellery from the prehistoric, megalithic and temple-building periods are featured, as well as some Punic and Roman tomb furniture. All the exhibits were found on excavations across the Maltese islands.

Palace of the Grand Masters

The Grand Master's palace, built around 1571, today serves as the office of the President and seat of the Maltese Parliament. The palace is a treasure house of art, from the unique collection of Gobelin Tapestries to frescoes depicting the Great Siege of 1565 by Perez d'Aleccio that cover the walls of the Halls of St Michael and St George. Visitors can also view the armoury and state apartments, which are adorned with friezes describing the history of the Order of St John.

St John's Co-Cathedral

Valetta's magnificent medieval cathedral is famous for the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in its oratory, and the 369 inlaid mosaic marble tombstones that cover its floor. Each tombstone depicts the lives of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, buried beneath. The façade is rather severe and militaristic, but inside the cathedral is lavishly splendid in the grandest tradition of high Baroque, with every inch of wall covered by carving, while the vaulted ceiling sports paintings depicting the life of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Knights.

Events

Springtime is carnival time in Malta. Carnival week with its traditional boisterous revelry, is centred in the capital Valletta. Carnival includes extravagant gaudy floats, fancy dress, and some wild nightlife in the Paceville club area. Other towns and villages across the island also celebrate their own version of carnival. The tradition started in 1560, when a massed Christian armada became harbour-bound in Malta and some jollification ashore ensued. 12 - 16 February 2010

Malta International (MLA)Location: The airport is situated three miles (5km) southeast of Valetta.

Exploring the island of Malta from Valetta is cheap and easy if you travel by bus from the main bus station in Valetta

Munich Oktoberfest

2009-06-26T12:48:00.000+03:00

At the end of September/beginning of October each year all roads in Munich lead to the Theresienwiese, a giant grass meadow about the size of 20 football fields near the centre of the city. The occasion is the world's biggest party, the Munich Oktoberfest. The field becomes a beer-drinking city, complete with its own post office, police force and fire department, and most importantly numerous huge tents, erected by the various Bavarian breweries, that serve as massive beer halls. The first keg is tapped in ceremonial style to open the two-week celebration, which draws hundreds of thousands of revellers from all around the world. Apart from the rollicking beer halls where traditional Bavarian bands belt out their old favourites, the festival offers a host of carnival games and fun park rides, as well as stalls selling a range of German delicacies. Date: 19 September to 4 October 2009; Website: http://www.oktoberfest.de/ If anyone has attended the Oktoberfest in previous years, you will know how difficult it can be to find affordable hotel accommodation. We have secured a limited number of rooms at the 3* Tulip Inn Munich Schwabing hotel which is on the outskirts of Munich - While the hotel is not centrally located, there are very good transportation links to the centre of Munich. Interested ? Please send an e.mail to caroline@gtahotels.com for rates and current availability

White party

2009-06-25T17:08:00.000+03:00

This year marks the 29th annual White party week - This is the worlds largest and oldest HIV/AIDS fundraiserand takes place between the 25th-30th November 2009 in Miamii Florida. Every year for the past 29 years, individuals have travelled from all around the world to attend this premier event.

The Health Crisis Network first held the White Party in 1985, and Since then, the event has grown from a small effort that raised about $16,000 to a major source of revenue for AIDS research, bringing in millions of dollars annually. The White Party has grown from a single evening event to a week-long series of social occasions. The White Party’s name derives from the tradition that participants at all events dress entirely in white clothing

http://www.whiteparty.org/

If you will be attending this huge event and need hotel accommodation then we have secures limited space at the 4* Intercontinental Miami which is ideally located in Downtown Miami and Soars 34 stories over glistening Biscayne Bay. While there are not a large choice of restaurants, bars or nightlife close to the hotel- It does provide a good value and comfortable base from which to enjoy the White party events.

Overall the Intercontinental Miami hotel is just a short stroll to the Bayside tourist complex - Good for some light shopping. If you want to go to South Beach then it's about a 15 minute taxi ride away...

For further information on rates and availability for the Intercontinental Miami over these dates please contact caroline@gtahotels.com

Will your hotel stay cost you any extra?

2009-06-25T11:27:00.000+03:00

Arranging accommodation is definitely of top priority for those travellers who are planning a business trip or going on holiday. Generally the trend is for travellers to book their acommodation first, and then search for the best rates for their flights . For both hotel accommodation and flights, rates are almost always the leading criteria for travellers to bear in mind when considering their options. Second option for accommodation searching, after rates is the location of the hotel, amenities and general facilities on offer. In the past, all you had to be concerned about was paying for your accommodation, with no additional extras unless of course you had used the mini bar, room service, car parking etc....But these days, how sure are you about the total amount that you will be paying for the accommodation? Nowadays, an increasing number of hotels are implementing ways in which they can apply or increase fees, for example, certain services such as air conditioning which were previously included in the room rates are now being charged for separately by the hotel. At this point its worth pointing out that the travel agency that you have booked through are not responsible for any supplementary charges that a hotel may decide to pass on. This growing trend among hotels is actually having the knockback effect of leading to disgruntled guests. Some additional charges that the hotels are passing on are even implemented and made witbout the guests knowledge and even regular customers who visit the same hotel every season can be quite astounded - at the time of checking out - to see how many new fees are added to their hotel bill. Additional hotel charges come in a multitude of disguises such as “mandatory resort fees”, “automatic gratuity” and fees for baggage handling, valet parking, laundry service, access to the gym, use of resort facilities, in-room safe and mini-bar even if you never use them. Quite a number of hotels charge their guests for valet parking - up to $45 per day - despite not bringing cars to the hotel at all; $7 per hour for holding bags behind the reception desk; $10 for Wi-Fi per day or $2 per item for mini-bar restocking. Additionally, there might be some costs covering the general maintenance at the hotels. These hotels know very well which fees will receive complaints and which ones will be paid with little fuss. Not surprisingly, the fees that are hardly brought to guests’ attention are only clarified in the room handbooks or on the website of the hotel and not to the guest at the time of check in nor to the travel agency. Furthermore, these extra charges generally change according to each hotel's needs even if the properties are under the very same brand. At the end of the day, the important point is to keep in mind that the travel agency or the websites that you made your booking through are not responsible for any of these supplementary charges the hotels may be charging. The official agreements made between the hotels and the intermediary companies are essentially based on particular rates for a certain number of people to stay at the hotel. At this point, it is - without doubt – that guests that need to be fully aware of any possible charges and fees that the hotel are implementing. Before making a reservation, it would certainly be a good idea to directly contact the hotel to ask about all the surcharges and take down the name of the person that they spoke to. Moreover, at your hotel, you need to make sure to get a statement of your bill the night before your check-out date, which will give you the favourable chance to examine the hotel bill carefully. If necessary, be unreserved to protest because recent surveys have shown that most hotels are willing to reverse the charges in question to avoid dissatisfied and angry customers.

Liverpool city guide

2009-06-20T12:05:00.000+03:00

Liverpool, was the European Capital of Culture for 2008 Liverpool is nestled along the north bank of the River Mersey, in the north-east of England, United Kingdom. Founded as a small river-side city in 13th century, the city has grown into a prominent centre for industrial trade during 17th and 18th centuries and it has long played a significant role in the UK’s financial scene. A city with an impressive character, Liverpool has lots to offer to its visitors. It is a city with a big heart where old and new, traditional and modern, historic and contemporary stands side by side in a heart-warming atmosphere, offering a unique experience. With its stunning architectural structure, iconic natural beauties, vibrant cultural and entertainment facilities and generous culinary offers Liverpool does show that it is not the “European Capital of Culture for 2008 for nothing. Whether for business or leisure, whether just for a weekend break or longer, a trip to Liverpool is definitely a precious gift you can give to yourself. Now, take your guide with you and let yourself be spoilt by the facilities this fascinating city has to offer you. Major attractions in Liverpool Albert Dock Home to many of the city’s premiere attractions such as Tate Liverpool, Beatles Story and Maritime Museum, Albert Dock is a splendid 19th century building which showcases the best of the city in a World Heritage, waterfront setting. Free admission.

Three Graces Three Graces is the name for the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building which together create one of the most picturesque waterfronts in the world. Declared as a World Heritage site, Three Graces are not to be missed while in Liverpool. Anglican Cathedral (Liverpool Church) Liverpool Church is a spectacular building regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural achievements of the 20th century. The largest Anglican Church within UK, the Church houses one of the biggest organs in the country. Offering great views of the city of Liverpool from the top of its 101 metre tower, Liverpool Church is a must-see site while in Liverpool. Entrance to the church is free. Tower: £4.25 Metropolitan Cathedral Metropolitan Cathedral is a splendid Catholic Cathedral which is the seat of the Archbishop of Liverpool who is the spiritual leader to Northern Province of the Catholic Church in England. Free admission. Walker Art Gallery Walker Art Gallery boasts one of the finest collections of fine and decorative art in Europe. The collection comprises a great number of paintings, drawings and sculpture dating back to 1300 through the present time. Free admission. The Tate Liverpool The Tate Liverpool hosts the UK’s largest collection of modern and contemporary art outside London. The gallery displays pieces from Tate collection as well as special exhibitions. Free admission. (Fees may apply for special exhibitions) Maritime Museum Maritime Museum invites the visitors into an interesting tour into the city’s history of navigation through various exhibitions and video displays. Free admission. World Museum Liverpool World Museum houses an aquarium which offers eye-catching displays of fish and marine life taking the visitors into an exciting journey into the see world. Free admission. Beatles Story Do you love Beatles? If your answer to this question is “yes” then located at the historic Albert Dock, Beatles Story which has spectacular exhibitions including the original outfits, several video and sound recordings of the legendary band is a must-visit site for you. Admission fee: £12.50. Indulge yourself in Liverpool! Liverpool is not known as a premier gourmet destination. Yet, with its first-class restaurants and brassieres serving distinctive flavours from local and international cuisine, the city has rich culinary kitchen which will satisfy everyone whether travelling on budget or not. Alma de Cuba Nestled in the former St. Peter’s church, Alma de Cuba, which is the Winner of UK’s Best Venue in 2008, is one of the most popular restaurants in Liverpool. With its innovative design, decent dining area and Caribbean-infused menu Alma de Cuba brings a new taste, a new colour into Liverpool’s culinary world. Address: St. Peter's Church, 90 Seel Street London Carriage Works Another award winning restaurant, London Carriage Works is a must-visit place serving modern international food served in a professional manner in a refined setting. Address: 40 Hope Street Shangri-La One of the largest and the most popular restaurants in the city centre, Shangri-La is an excellent restaurant serving tantalising specialties from Chinese cuisine with an emphasis on Shanghai kitchen. Sit back and indulge yourself in one of the restaurant’s two spacious dining rooms enjoying the best drinks and service in the neighbourhood. Address: 37 Victoria Street Tate Liverpool Café Open during gallery hours, Tate Liverpool Café is an ideal spot to have delicious, home-made hot and cold meals or to drop in simply for a coffee. Address: Albert Dock Panoramic Panaromic invites you to have an unforgettable dining experience seated at 100 metres above the sea level, enjoying stunning views over the city and its surroundings while tasting the best food in the town. Address: West Tower, Brook Street Everyman Bistro Everyman Bistro offers the top -quality food made with the freshest ingredients. With its warm setting, friendly service, tasty food and reasonable prices this award winning bistro is another must-visit place in the gastronomic Liverpool. Address: 5-9 Hope Street. Blue Bar and Grill This is a sophisticated contemporary restaurant offering a wide menu including tapas, vegetable dishes and fish specialties. Located at the historic waterfront, Blue Bar and Grill is the ideal place to go if you are searching for good value food at affordable prices. Address: Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock. Lively nights in Liverpool Nights in Liverpool are so colourful, so vibrant. Whether you are searching for a nightclub to dance the night away or just for a quaint place to relax and unwind after a busy day you will find various alternatives offering a pleasant night out in Liverpool. Nation One of the most popular clubs in Liverpool’s night scene, Nation hosts a big number of dance and music events throughout the year. Address: Wolstenholme Square Korova Korova is a lively club in Liverpool nights offering live music seven nights a week. Address: 39-41 Fleet Street Circo

Located in historic Albert Dock, Circo is a decent restaurant/bar/club which provides entertainment for everyone with its lively event schedule and professional service. Address: Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock. Barfly Barfly host numerous live music events and performances by various local and international bands such as Coldplay, Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, Gossip and many more. Not to be missed while in Liverpool. Address: 90 Seel Street. Baa Bar If you are looking for a more relaxed way of entertainment, Baa Bar with its friendly service and relaxed atmosphere is the right place to spend the night out. Address: Fleet Street. Funakademia Located on the One Central Street, Funakademia is a cool spot to enjoy your night in Liverpool tasting the best local and international spirits while listening to the best picks from the old classics. Getting in/around Liverpool Located at 12 kilometres from the Liverpool city centre, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest airports. The main gateway to the city, the airport is serviced by several European and non-European airline companies throughout the year. Once at the airport you will find an efficient transit service between the airport ant the city centre which provides quick access to Liverpool and the surrounding area. Bus number 500 run by Arriva Bus Company links the airport to the city centre in about 20 minutes. The service is available in every 30 minutes costing £2.50. For further information about the route and timetable please check the company’s website: http://www.arrivabus.com/ Liverpool is a compact city with all the attractions close to each other which makes the city easy to explore on foot. For those who prefer public transportation the city has an excellent transportation system to offer its visitors. The transportation services which comprise buses, train, ferry, underground and tunnel lines are operated by Mersey Travel in an efficient way. For information about the routes, timetables and fare you can follow the link: http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/ There are several passes which provide cheaper transportation within the city. The “Saveaway Ticket” provides unlimited transportation within Liverpool and surrounding area for 24 hours. A ticket that covers the Liverpool area costs £3.20. If you want to take an extensive sightseeing tour around Liverpool, then you can purchase the ticket covering all the Mersey area costing £4.30. Saveaway passes can be purchased at the railway stations, travel centres, ticket agencies in corner shops and at some of the libraries. Live Smart pass, provides free public transportation as well as rides on City Explorer Bus tour and free entrance to some of the top attractions in the city. The pass is valid for 3 days and it costs £24.99. For further information you can visit the website: http://www.livesmart.biz/ Key events in Liverpool Liverpool Comedy Festival (Annual May/June) Liverpool Comedy Festival is an event which celebrates anything funny, showcasing numerous funny performances in various venues throughout the city Liverpool Lord Mayor's Parade (Annual, June) One of the most important events in Liverpool, Liverpool Lord Mayor's Parade is a spectacular event featuring costumed performers and thousands of people lined the streets of Liverpool marching behind the mayor’s horse-drawn carriage. Africa Oye (Annual, June) Africa Oye is the UK’s biggest festival celebrating African music and culture. Brouhaha International Street Festival (Annual, July/August) Brouhaha International Street Festival is one of the friendliest, most colourful and exciting festivals in the UK featuring music, dance, drama and street arts performed in various venues around the city. International Beatles Week (Annual, August) This is an extensive event during which The Beatles fans from all over the world come in the city of Liverpool to celebrate the music of this legendary band. The event features live entertainment as well as art exhibitions, concerts, flea markets, tours and an auction. Liverpool Biennial (Annual, September/November) This is one of the leading contemporary visual art events in the country featuring various displays of works of art by leading international artists. Bonfire Night Fireworks Displays (Annual, November) Held at Sefton Park, Walton Hall Park and Newsham Park Bonfire Night is a colourful event which fills the city with a festive atmosphere.

Book your Liverpool hotel online with Gtahotels.com and get the best rates for your Liverpool accommodation

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/liverpool.htm

Travel with the Commodore Amiga!

2009-06-20T10:23:00.000+03:00

Ok, hands up...This is not strictly travel related, but for anyone who remembers the classic COMMODORE AMIGA - Here is a photograph for you to swoon over - My first and only love. I took this photograph at the Koç Museum in Istanbul last month, unfortunately for me the AMIGA was safely tucked behind glass, fortunately for the Rami Koç museum the glass saved their exhibit! Tempted by the opportunity to see the AMIGA once again? Who remembers Monkey Island? Lemmings?.... http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/ Book your Istanbul hotel online and get the best rates for your ıstanbul accommodation.

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/istanbul.htm

Prague city guide

2009-06-18T13:21:00.000+03:00

Prague is the Czech Republic's largest city and capital. It's widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and charming cities of Europe, with fantastic attractions, architecture, nightlife, art and entertainment. It's no surprise why Prague attracts millions of tourists every year. Tourists can learn a lot about Prague simply by its nicknames: "the golden city," "city of a hundred spires" and "Praha matka měst" or "the mother of cities." Incidentally, the word "praha" in Czech and "praga" in German mean "capital." Established in the late 9th century, Prague served as the seat of Bohemian Kings, and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, many of whom occupied the city’s majestic Prague Castle, which still stands to this day. From the early days, the historic Vltava River ran through Prague, serving as a mirror to the city’s impressive architectural landscape. The city flourished under Charles IV during the 14th century when many of Prague’s leading attractions were created, including some of its magnificent bridges, church domes and gold-tipped towers. This magnificent architecture survived World War I, when Prague was made the capital of Czechoslovakia, and was largely spared during World War II, except for one bombing raid. The medieval center’s walled courtyards and cobbled lanes remained intact. In 1992, the medieval center was added to UNESCEO’S World Heritage List. In 1993, Czechoslovakia was split into two countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Today, Prague is home to 1.2 million people. The city pulsates with modern energy that is evident in its music, art and special events that are geared towards tourists with a sense of adventure. The following are some of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions. Prague Castle The Guinness Book of World Records lists Prague Castle as "the largest ancient castle in the world." This 1100-year-old castle watches over the city from its elevated perch and provides breath-taking views of surrounding areas. It is a favorite subject of postcards and paintings, especially as the sun sets behind it on the east. The Prague Castle grounds feature a lookout tower, several museums and palaces, the magnificent Royal Garden, the St. Vitus Cathedral and the Castle Picture Gallery, which contains works by Titian, Rubens, and Tintoretto. The Castle Picture Gallery contains the artworks that were left behind when the Swedish army looted the castle's art collection in 1648. Castle Entrance Known as the "First Courtyard," the castle entrance features huge statues of battling titans that date back to the 18th century. The Presidential Guards at the entrance are a tourist favorite thanks to their changing of the guard ceremony every hour and the exchange of banners at 12 midnight. The guards are decked in impressive attire, courtesy of the costume designer of the movie "Amadeus," who was hired by then-President Vaclav Havel in 1989 to re-design the guard uniforms. Old Town This is the historic city center of Prague and the site of some of its most popular old buildings and structures, including the Astronomical Clock, Jan Hus monument, Storch mural building and Estate Theater. The old town boasts of several historical churches such as St. James Church, GothicTyn Church, and Church of Our Lady. New Town During the 14th century, New Town was built as an extension of Old Town. Its most popular venue is Wenceslas Square, site of numerous shops and restaurants. Much of New Town has been modernized and now features discos, arcades and art nouveau hotels. New Town also hosts the Disney-colored Jubilee Synagogue. Lesser Town Lesser Town is located in the area just before Prague Castle and is notable for its amazing streets and churches, including the famous St. Nicholas Church. Near the Charles Bridge, tourists will find the Lennon Wall, which features handwritten tributes to John Lennon and grievances against the old communist regime. Loreta Located in Lesser Town, this Baroque convent was built in 1624 and was said to be patterned after Santa Casa, the home of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, angels carried the original Santa Casa to Loreto, an Italian town. Josefov A historical Jewish ghetto, Josefov is renowned for its unique and well-preserved synagogues, including the oldest active synagogue in Europe, the Old New Synagogue. Rumor has it, this is where the legendary Prague Golem rests. Josefov also features the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe and the house of acclaimed national artist Franz Kafka. Prague Dancing Building Constructed in 1996, this building combines two structures that appear to be dancing: a curving narrow-waisted glass tower that appears to be clutching an upright building. Hence, it was nicknamed the “Fred and Ginger Building” after legendary dance partners Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Petrinska Rozhledna Located on top of a hill, this tower resembles a smaller version of the famed Eiffel Tower. It is 299 steps to the top where tourists can enjoy some of the most beautiful views of Prague. Charles Bridge Built during the 14th century, the Charles Bridge is one of the most impressive attractions in Prague. It is one of several bridges on the Vltava river and the most beautiful of them all. During the daytime, tourists love to stroll on the bridge and frolic on its crowded fairground. The best time to visit is at dawn when you can appreciate the bridge in all its splendor. Museum of Communism Through rare photos, videos, writings and other mementoes, the museum takes visitors back to the days when Czechoslovakia stood behind the Iron Curtain. There are photos of the old Stalin monument in Letna terrace and other photos about how it was passionately destroyed. One of the most popular features is a video of protests that culminated in the Velvet Revolution. Ironically, for a museum dedicated to Communism, it certainly has a curious location -- between a casino and a McDonald's fast-food place. Dining In Prague, lunch is traditionally the most important meal of the day. It’s a favorite time to indulge in traditional Czech cuisine, which revolves around pork and beef along with side dishes such as fries and dumplings. The leading restaurants usually draw crowds during lunch and dinner so it’s advisable to make your reservations. The price of meals already includes taxes but many restaurants that cater to tourists tack on a “kovert” or additional charge. This charge should be printed on the bill as part of the meal charge. If it’s scrawled by hand, tourists can clarify the charges. Note: ketchup, bread and anything else brought to the table is charged. There are many different kinds of restaurants in Prague, but if you’d like to sample Czech cuisine, here are some of the best places: Box Block This luxurious restaurant is located inside the Carlo IV hotel (Senovážné náměstí 13, Nové Město) and serves Czech, Italian, and Fusion food. Its marble floors and elegant frescoes make the Box Block an excellent venue for fine dining. It serves haute cuisine such as turbot in truffle sauce, tuna carpaccio and bison steak. U Zlaté Hrušky Located at the romantic Nový Svět area (Nový Svět 3, Hradčany), “At The Golden Pear” is a favorite venue of locals and tourists alike. Their Czech cuisine is elegantly prepared and they also serve a wide array of international dishes. During summer months, diners can seat at the leafy garden restaurant across the street. U Modré Kachničky That stands for “At the Blue Dumpling,” a baroque hunting lodge tucked away on a quiet street (Nebovidská 6, Malá Strana). This old-fashioned romantic restaurant serves candlelit dinners and is perfect for traveling couples. The menu consists of traditional Bohemian poultry and fish. Legenda Located at Legerova 39, Vyšehrad, Legenda gets rave reviews from foreign tourists who are looking for a filling meal of steak, pasta or Czech classics. The prices here are relatively inexpensive considering its generous and quality servings. Bars and Nightlife There are many excellent and friendly nightclubs and “hospoda” or pubs in Prague. Keep an eye out for a hanging green sign at the entrance which means that the place serves the country’s best local beers, Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar. Most pubs offer only a limited selection of beers. It’s a custom in Prague for people to sit with other people if there are no tables available so don’t be alarmed if this happens to you and don’t be shy about doing the same thing. If you’re curious about the local pub scene, join “The Crawl.” It’s a nightly pub crawl where participants visit a host of pubs and clubs with good entertainment at low prices. The Crawl begins with a few rounds of free beer, wine and absinthe at the Old Town Square clock tower every night at 9:15 p.m. Duende It you're in the mood for some bohemian drinking while listening to live guitar and violin performances, Duende is the place, located at Karolíny Světlé 30, Staré Město. It's a favorite hangout of the arty, local crowd and of tourists of all ages. An excellent venue for good conversation and romance. Baráčnická Rychta Located at Tržiště 23, Malá Strana, this popular pub and bar is tucked away on Mala Strana. It has the furtive and secretive ambience of a 19th century beer hall it once was. There are four types of beer served upstairs while live shows featuring big bands occupy the Cabaret Hall downstairs. Jáma This is the favorite bar of the American expatriate crowd. Naturally, the menu features steaks, ribs, burgers, fries and chicken wings. Jama features at outdoor beer garden decorated by lime and walnut trees. Tourists of all nationalities are here during weekends, rubbing elbows with young locals. It's located at V jámě 7, Vyšehrad. Kuŕe V Hodinkách It means "the Chicken in the Watch," the name of a popular Czech music album from the 1970s. This posh pub attracts tourists and wealthy locals every night. Its walls are adorned with rock paraphernalia. The main attraction of this place is its wide selection of beers and malts as well as its delicious food. Getting In and Around Ruzyne International Airport is about 20 kms away from Prague’s city center and a 30-minute drive by car. Taking a taxi will cost around 350 - 700 CZK, but it’s the most comfortable way to get to the city. Try to avoid taxi drivers who solicit passengers inside the terminal building because they charge between 50% to 100% more. The bus is the most inexpensive option for getting into the city. It costs only 26 CZK, plus an additional 13 CZK if you have a lot of luggage. However, bus drivers don’t accept foreign currency so make sure you have Czech Crowns on hand. The Airport Express and Cedaz bus services have buses leaving every 30 minutes starting at 4:40 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., respectively, until 9:30 p.m. at night. There are also shuttle services for certain hotels that cost 9 EUR per person. Once inside the city, most tourists take public transport because it’s very convenient and services all the places tourists are likely to visit. There are tram and bus schedules at all major stations as well as maps of the city. They operate until 5 a.m. If you’re planning on using public transport, purchase a Prague Card for 790Kc. It’s good for four days and comes with a guidebook and free entry into over 50 tourist attractions aside from other discounts. For an additional 330Kc, tourists get to ride the bus, tram and underground subway for 72 hours. Children and students get a special discount on the Prague Card. Hailing a taxi on the street can be expensive for tourists and its best to negotiate the price in advance. If you have to take a taxi, try to get one from the major taxi companies. Their telephone numbers are as follows: Profi Taxi, +420 844 700 800; PAT Taxi, +420 800 870 888; City Taxi, +420 257 257 257; Halo Taxi, +420 244 114 411; and AAA Taxi, +420 222 333 222. Festivals and Events People in Prague are big on holidays, and there's always a major celebration city-wide during New Year's Eve, Three King's Day (6 January), Easter Monday (March or April), Labor Day (May 1) and Liberation Day (May 9). Labor Day coincides with the Majales spring festival, which Czechs celebrated for over two centuries but was banned by the Nazis and communists. However, its celebration was revived in 1997 with as much fervor as before. On this special day, the streets are filled with bands, costumes, floats and merry-makers enjoying their beer and sausages. Another big celebration is held on January 19, the anniversary of Jan Palach's death. It honors the student who burned himself to death protesting the Soviet occupation in 1969. Prague’s other major festivals include the following: Spring Festivals Prague has a host of festivals in March, April and May. The most notable of these are the Easter Market celebration in April, which features parades and stalls at Wenceslas Square as well as a giant Easter egg hunt, and Witches Night on April 30, where the locals gather around bonfires and celebrate while warding away witches. Winter Festivals As Prague is the winter festival center of the Czech Republic, there's a lot going on in the city from November to February, including music festivals, ballroom dancing and pagan holidays. The International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in December brings amateur adult and children's choirs together in a friendly competition that commemorates Christmas. The Prague Christmas Market in December is held at the Old Town Square and features plenty of food, drinks, souvenir stalls and live entertainment. Saint Nicholas' Eve on December 5 is filled with Christmas cheer and is highlighted by Santa's Parade through Prague. On New Year's Eve, Prague celebrates like any other European city with non-stop parties, dancing, drinking and merry-making. Finally, Ball Season in January is celebrated throughout the Czech Republic with classical ballroom dancing.

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Barcelona city guide

2009-06-16T16:09:00.000+03:00

Welcome to Barcelona, one of the most stylish and elegant cities in the world From the art collections of Picasso to the eccentric architecture of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s unique sense of style is evident everywhere: art, architecture, fashion and entertainment. And at night, Barcelona transforms into a premier party town, where people party everywhere until the wee hours of the morning, especially during summer. The people of Barcelona are a fun loving bunch, exuberant and creative, always full of good cheer and neighborly warmth. There are around 1.6 million residents in Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain, and 3.1 million in the Metropolitan Area. Flanked by the rivers of Besos and Llobregat, Barcelona is a thriving economic center. Its famous ports and the bustling Barcelona International Airport host a parade of human traffic and various goods all day long. Meanwhile, tourists know Barcelona more for its cultural heritage, amazing sights, seven beaches and 68 municipal parks Barcelona’s history underscores its prominence during past civilizations as the capital city of the Crown of Aragon and the Counts of Barcelona. It was founded as a Roman city and historical battles were waged for its control. Today, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an Autonomous Community of the Kingdom of Spain and one of 17 regions that compose Spain. It is the seat of the Catalan government: the executive branch, parliament and Supreme Court. It is also the capital of Barcelonès county. The most prominent and interesting quarters in Barcelona are Ciutat Vella, the oldest town in the city with Medieval roots; Eixample, Modernist in every sense, including its buildings; the gentrified Gràcia; and Barceloneta, a tourist haven of beaches, restaurants, bars and cafes. Barcelona has been one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations for the last decade. Its busiest time is August and September when some shop owners actually close shop and go on vacation to avoid the maddening throng of tourists. Despite the crowds, foreign visitors are more than glad to visit stylish and elegant Barcelona. Attractions Architecture The first thing that strikes a tourist about Barcelona is its amazing architecture, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Much of the credit for the city’s dazzling architectural landscape goes to two architects, Antoni Gaudi and Lluis Domenech y Montaner. Between them, they account for nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Casa Mila, Crypt in Colonia Guell, Palau de la Musica Catalana, Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. Football Anybody who loves football should visit Camp Nou, a veritable European football “cathedral” and home ground of FC Barcelona, the city’s number one team and a European football powerhouse. The arena can accommodate nearly 100,000 people, all of whom scream and stomp when their favorite team is in action. When Franco reigned, FC Barcelona was one of the few ways the people of Catalana could express their anger for the dictatorship, which is one reason why the team is so beloved. La Rambla Barcelona’s most famous boulevard is the perfect place to soak in the city’s culture. As the saying goes, if you sit here long enough, you will see all of Barcelona pass you by. Tourists pack La Rambla during the day to enjoy the sights, meander around the pet stalls or delight in the street performers. At night, the locals are out in droves. If you’re on La Rambla when FC Barcelona wins, especially against hated rivals Real Madrid, you will be treated to the fantastic sight of an entire city rejoicing. La Plaça Reial Sitting right beside La Rambla, La Plaça Reial is renowned as one of the most beautiful squares everywhere. Its charm is enhanced by streetlights designed by Gaudi. Parks Spanning an amazing 203 hectares and located on a mountain, Monjuic Park is the largest park in Barcelona. However, it’s the second largest park that really captures the fancy of tourists, Ciutadella Park, with its zoo, many museums, an old military citadel and the Parliament building. Oreneta Castle Park and Diagonal Mar Park are also can’t-miss destinations. Children will enjoy the Labyrinth Park, with its dizzying garden maze. Museums The Archeological Museum in Santa Madrona boasts of artifacts dating back to the 7th century. The Frederic Mares Museum displays a wide array of Spanish scriptures and artworks from the Middle Ages, including masterpieces of the Virgin Mary and the crucifix. As its name indicates, the Picasso Museum displays nothing but Picasso's paintings and his scope is amazing. The Wax Museums features over 300 famous and life-like figures. Sports buffs will adore the Sports Museum in Buenos Aires while FC Barcelona fans will consider the Museo del Futbol Club de Barcelona as a worthy shrine to their beloved team. Olympic Port Not sure what you want to do tonight? Head to the Olympic Port where you'll find countless bars, pubs, restaurants and other types of entertainment. The Olympic Port is one of the biggest reasons why the night is always alive in Barcelona. Tibidabo According to legend, this is where the devil tried to offer Jesus Christ the world in exchange for His allegiance. Located in the mountains, Tibidabo may not provide a view of the world, but it certainly gives tourists a dazzling view of Barcelona from a vantage point of over 500 meters high. Make sure you take the metro to Tibidabo Station and the Funicular to reach the top of the mountain. Otherwise, you’ll have to walk an entire day to enjoy the view. Montjuic Castle If you want a panoramic view of the city, another excellent place to visit is Montjuic Castle, a fortress built during the 17th century. The view is absolutely breath-taking. Montjuic also hosts some of Barcelona’s most popular parks and gardens. L'Aquarium This is Europe's second biggest aquarium where fishes, penguins and even sharks number in the thousands. Visitors can walk through a long "tube" made of glass and feel like they are in the water with the sharks and other fish. The tube is something that even Europe's biggest aquarium in Genoa doesn't have. Dining Food in Barcelona has a tendency to be inconsistent, and where you eat matters a great deal. Here's a tip: follow the locals and patronize the restaurants and cafes that they frequent. You can’t go wrong. Restaurants typically have a menu of the day (menu del dia) consisting of a simple two-course meal, with three or four options. Keep an eye out for lunch specials from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. which serve food at a fraction of the price. The hours between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Barcelona are usually for siesta time, and most of the restaurants and cafes are closed. However, there are a few good restaurants that stay open, such as Origen, Udon and international food chains. Here’s a rundown of some of the best restaurants in the city: Alkimia Located at Carrer Industria 78, Alkimia is a winner of the Michelin Star for excellence in dining. It specializes in Catalan cooking and seafood dominates the menu. Interiors are simple and all-white to draw more attention to the food. Operated by acclaimed restaurateur Jordi Vila, Alkimia is one of Barcelona’s best restaurants. Gaig Here’s another Michelin Star winner. Food connoisseurs say Gaig has the freshest produce in the city. That’s easy to believe, especially once you see the chickens in the patio freely walking about. Located at Arago 214, Gaig also specializes in Catalan cuisine. In contrast to Alkimia’s simple decor, Gaig’s interiors are a contemporary red and black. Circ Sentits In 2004, Conde Nast Traveler named this restaurant among the “80 Hottest New Restaurants in the World,” and Circ Sentits is living up to that lofty billing. The specialty is also Catalan cuisine, but served with a wine pairing. It is located at Aribau 58. Casa Leopolodo This is the place where pork lovers should dine. They have everything from pork stew to hoof of pork. For variety, Casa Leopoldo also has fish and seafood dishes, including its famous Norway lobsters. It is located at Sant Rafael 24. Bars and Nightlife Barcelona's pubs, bars, nightclubs and discos are constantly buzzing with the live sound of salsa, rock, jazz and flamenco. Here are some recommendations to make the wandering tourist feel right at home. Catwalk This is one of the hottest nightclubs in the city. Catwalk attracts such a crowd that they need every inch of their two dance floors. Dance the night away to R&B and hip-hop as well as Techno music. Things don’t really heat up until 2 a.m. Fonfone Located on Escudellers 24, Fonfone features all-night dancing to the hot beats of electronic music as the multi-colored tiled walls flash non-stop. The interiors are hip and modern. Fonfone also boasts of a well-stocked bar. La Paloma If you’re the type who enjoys gyrating with the young and beautiful crowd, La Paloma is your night club of choice. Located at Tigre 27, this place really begins to heat up at 2 a.m. The dance floor is packed and the party doesn’t stop until 5 a.m. Maumau Meanwhile, if your idea of a night on the town is chilling out at a lounge bar as slow, relaxing music fills the air, Maumau is the place. They regularly host live concerts and short film nights. Sutton Sutton has one of the largest dance floors around as well as two VIP rooms for its hip guests. There’s also a small stage where only the best dancers venture to show off their skills. Thursday is Studio 54 night. The rest of the week features a steady diet of House music. This is a must-visit for lovers of Techno. Chupitos The name says it all: chupitos means “shots” and that’s the specialty of this club. There are hundreds of different types of shots available, including the “Harry Potter,” which is sprinkled with cinnamon. You’ve probably never seen so many shot-happy people all in one place. And don’t worry about staring. Watching other people enjoy their shots is all part of the show. Getting In and Around The Barcelona International Airport, known locally as "El Prat," services flights from Europe and beyond. It’s a mere 10 kms away from the center of Barcelona. Taxis are always available but they can be expensive. Instead, you can take the RENFE suburban train, which leaves the airport every 30 minutes and takes 20 to 30 minutes to get to the city center. Tickets cost around €2.20. There’s also the Aerobus A1 line, which departs from the airport every five to 10 minutes. All its buses are air-conditioned and the fare to the city center is just €4.05. However, the Aerobus is only available until midnight. Once in Barcelona, tourists have many options for traveling around the city. One of the most convenient is the Bus Turistic, which connects to dozens of different tourists attractions. They have northbound and southbound routes. A whole-day ticket costs around €20 while a ticket for two consecutive days is around €26. You may want to consider taking the metro around the city. Tickets are €1.30 for a single trip and €7.30 for 10 rides. There’s also a 50-ride ticket worth €27.55 that’s good for a month. Heading to Tribidabo provides tourists with the opportunity for more exotic types of transport: the Tramvia Blau and Funicular. Tramvia Blau is an old tram dating back to the early 20th century which takes passengers to the foot of Tribidabo mountain. Funicular is another tram that takes passengers to the mountain top. Traveling around Barcelona on a bicycle is a popular way to see the city. There are many places where you can rent a bike such as Barceloneta Bikes near the harbor and Budget Bikes, which has several outlets scattered around. You can also rent a bike from Fat Tire Bike Tours or try out their tour for €22. Renting a car is naturally another option, but parking can be costly at €1.5 to €2.5 per hour. Moreover, driving around the city can be complicated as many of the roads are one-way. It's essential to have a driving map on hand. Festivals and Events Barcelona has year-round wild occasions filled with drinking, dancing and dressing to the nines, especially during the 15 official holidays of the year. Here are some of Barcelona’s leading festivals. Fiesta de San Antonio Abad Naturally, a year of fiestas begins with New Year's Day and is quickly followed by Fiesta de San Antonio Abad on January 17. This occasion is celebrated all over Spain with partying in front of bonfires, especially during the Saturday closest to the 17th. Las Fallas This major festival is celebrated from March 12 to 19. Families make paper mache dolls of Shrek, George W. Bush and other famous figures then parade them all over town and burn them in bonfires at the end of the day. All the while, music is playing and people are drinking and dancing. If you haven’t seen bonfires as big as buildings, just wait for the last day of Las Fallas. It looks like the whole city is on fire. La Diada de Sant Jordi On April 23, Barcelona celebrates this Valentine's Day of sorts and also commemorates the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, who passed away on the same day. It’s a special day for lovers and, naturally, party time for everyone else. Festes de la Merce This is one of Barcelona's biggest yearly festivals featuring fireworks, live music, processions with wooden giants and a popular contest on who can create the tallest human tower. It's also a day for drinking lots of Cava, Catalonia's national drink. Festes de Gràcia On August 15, Barcelona commemorates the Assumption with a week of fiestas and fireworks. It's an important Catholic occasion and the people of Barcelona celebrate it appropriately. Fira de Santa Llúcia This three-week celebration unfolds from December 2 to 23 and revolves around the feast day of Santa Llucia on December 13. Since Santa Llucia is the patron saint of fashion designers, the day features colorful costumes and floats. It's a favorite day of the gay community.

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Cardiff city guide

2009-06-15T10:40:00.000+03:00

Introduction Cardiff is both the political and the cultural capital of Wales. It is located in southern Wales. It is included in the Eurocities network of the European cities and has become an important tourist destination in recent years. Having a shoreline on the Bristol Channel and being situated on the coast of south Wales plain, Cardiff is a picturesque city. Apart from beautiful landscape and gardens, the important historic sites are what make Cardiff an attractive town. It isn’t the pale industrial city any more. Cardiff is a lively city now, especially when it hosts Welsh sporting events in its new Millennium Stadium. As the attractions are generally outdoor oriented, it is best to visit Cardiff during spring. Attractions Cardiff Castle The castle is located in the city centre, very close to the Bute Park. It is a fine piece of Gothic architecture with a beautiful courtyard. Interior design is even more impressive with colorful paintings. There are peacocks wandering in the grounds that are surely worth seeing. The entrance fee to the grounds is 3.75 GBP while admission to the castle in accompaniment of a guide is 7.50 GBP. Gorsedd Park This charming park is surrounded by the Cardiff Civic Centre buildings of City Hall, the Law Courts and the National Museum of Wales. The park has countless colorful flowers all around. There are also statues of important figures like Lloyd George. You can take some nice photos especially at night when the City Hall is illuminated. Bute Park Bute Park is a green area that offers many activities to its guests. The area is suitable for a nice picnic. There are also an arboretum, recreation grounds, flower gardens worth seeing and some ruins including the Standing Stones. The Glamorgan County Cricket Club, the Welsh Institute of Sport, a riding school and Sophia Gardens are located in the garden, too. Millennium Stadium The stadium is located in the city centre of Cardiff, across the road from the castle. It was opened in 1999. It is known to have the first retractable roof in the UK. You can explore the changing rooms of the football players and also the players’ tunnel. Apart from the sports events, it also hosts music events. The seating capacity of the stadium is 74.500. Cardiff Bay

The Cardiff Bay area is a popular promenade. The bay has some of the highest tidal ranges in the world. There are many restaurants, cafes and bars that you can go and enjoy the beautiful view of the bay. There are also street entertainers and shows around the bay on summer Sundays. Cardiff Indoor Market This market is quite popular among ardent shoppers. From groceries to umbrellas, you can find almost anything you need at this market. It is like a huge tunnel between St. Mary’s Street and The Hayes. There is also an informing display about the market on the balcony. The Cardiff Market has been there since the 14th century! The market is open from Monday to Saturday between 8 am to 5.30 pm.

Dining and where to eat As Cardiff is both the capital and the largest city of Wales, it has a wide range of restaurants, cafes and fast food restaurants which have attractive offers to satisfy every budget. There is a great number of Italian, French, Greek, Indonesian, Turkish and Moroccan restaurants throughout Cardiff. Caroline Street is the address of the cheapest dishes, take away- food and kebab shops, so it is a quite popular street especially at nights. ASK To have a great dinner in Cardiff, all you have to do is just “ask”. ASK is a nice Italian restaurant where you can find all kinds of pizza along with pasta. Added to this is the friendly service. The restaurant is located at 24 Wyndham Arcade, Mill Lane. An average dinner costs about € 7- € 10. Diner 77 This is a small American restaurant. It is located at 77 Pontcanna Street. Apart from the delicious cuisine including steak, chicken and ribs, there are also good meal options for vegetarians. The restaurant has been run by a family since 1977. As it may be crowded, it is a good idea to book in advance. (Prices are about the average.) The Kismet The Kismet is a very nice Indian restaurant for those who like Indian cuisine and those on a budget. It is located at 24 City Road. Try the Indian buffet till early evening just for £ 2.95! The buffet includes rice, Indian bread; curry sausages, chicken on the bone and some veggie dishes. If you would prefer a three course meal, you can have it for about £ 6.95. Haze Haze is the right address to try some Welsh cuisine. It is located in the Old Library, the Hayes- opposite St. David’s Hall. There is a wide selection of food- including Welsh produced cheese, spirits, liqueurs and seafood. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10 am and 4 pm. (Prices are less expensive than the average.) Bars and nightlife St. Mary’s Street is the heart of nightlife in Cardiff. Many pubs, bars and clubs are focused on the street. Charles Street is the second address of fun at Cardiff nights. Visit especially the Brewery Quarter on St. Mary’s Street which is a relatively new place assertive on the field of entertainment. Here are some of the clubs you can try when in Cardiff: Oceana Oceana is situated off Queen Street, near New Theatre. This nightclub is located in a two story- building. It has three dance floors, one of which is located on the ground floor, the rest being upstairs. The bar downstairs is open till 2 am. After that time, you can go upstairs to the nightclub for free! Clwb Ifor Bach This is a Welsh club situated in the heart of Cardiff, between Cardiff Castle and Westgate Street Multi-storey car park. There are three dance floors, a bar and a live band in the club. Entrance fee is quite reasonable- around £ 3. Transportation to and in Cardiff Cardiff is mainly served by Cardiff International Airport which is about 12 miles from the city. You can use the regular bus services to get to the airport from the city centre. Apart from the bus service, rail service is also available and quite convenient to use. Take the train to the Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Railway Station which is close by. Shuttle buses from the local rail lines to the airport are also frequently used. To go to the main city centre attractions, the easiest way is to use Cardiff Central Railway Station. There are about 22 train stations in Cardiff. Besides the inter-Wales services, there are also frequent trains to Manchester and Birmingham. This makes access to Cardiff from the nearby cities even easier. Cardiff Festival This is an annual festival held every weekend between July and August. This is a big event which generally includes a Children’s festival, Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival, MAS Carnival and a lot more. Do not miss this event when you are in Cardiff.

Istanbul city guide

2009-06-10T16:52:00.000+03:00

Istanbul, a city with a stunning beauty Istanbul is located on the north western part of Turkey. Spanning over two continents the city is the most populated city of the country and whi,le nolt the actual capital city of Turkey it is still a leading capital of culture, finance and education. Due to its unique location which makes the city a geo-politically important city, Istanbul has suffered many sieges by various civilizations throughout the history. From powerful Roman Empire to prestigious Ottoman rule Istanbul played house to many empires which enabled the city with a diverse culture and stunning historic beauties. Often regarded as the city where East meets West, the city enjoys a rich historical heritage which offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western culture and history. Apart from its historical importance, Istanbul strikes the visitors with its natural beauties. Bosphorous with its picturesque turquoise colour, gorgeous little islands nestled in the Marmara Sea, various sports facilities and with its generous weather the city is an excellent destination for leisure travels. With its modern structure, vibrant cultural and entertainment scene and numerous shopping facilities, on the other hand, Istanbul offers everything which will satisfy the needs of the modern traveller. Istanbul is a huge city with a huge population, therefore the life in the city may seem chaotic at times, especially if you are coming from a place where everything is well organised. Yet, once in Istanbul you will find a unique system within this chaotic structure which keeps this huge city in a special order keeping the life going as it should. Whether you are here for leisure or business, whether you are looking for an exotic vacation or simply for a tourist holiday in Istanbul it is for sure that you will get much more than what you are searching for. Enjoy your time in Istanbul Gastronomy in Istanbul The cosmopolitan structure of Istanbul reflects itself on the culinary diversity as well. As a city where East meets West, Istanbul has a rich gastronomic kitchen where you can find examples from Eastern and Western cuisines. With thousands of restaurants and cafes serving tantalising specialties from Turkish and international cuisine Istanbul invites you to a memorable culinary experience which will well suit both your taste and wallet. Tramway Cafe/Restaurant Located just a stroll from the historic tunnel, Tramway is an excellent restaurant serving delicious tastes from Turkish cuisine as well as specialties from European cuisine. With a spacious dining area, warm atmosphere, good service and reasonably priced menu Tramway is one of the best places to enjoy a fine lunch/dinner in Istanbul. Address: Istiklal Cad. 346, Beyoglu. Leb-i Derya Leb-i Derya is one of the most popular restaurants among locals. Due to its location at the backstreets of the busy Istiklal street the restaurant might not seem very attractive, yet once you’re inside the it will amaze you with its perfect view overlooking Bosphorus, extensive menu, decent atmosphere and quality food. Not to be missed. Address: Kumbaraci Yokusu 57/6, Tunel, Beyoglu 360 360 offers tantalising specialties from international cuisine with an emphasis on Turkish culinary tradition. Sit back enjoy the best dishes in the town while overlooking the gorgeous city of Istanbul from the restaurants spacious terrace. Address: Istiklal Cad. Mısır Apt. 311/8 Beyoglu. Sultanahmet Koftecisi If you are up for a real Turkish lunch/dinner then located right across Sultanahmet Square, Sultanahmet Koftecisi is the right place to go. Serving delicious Turkish meatballs together with salad and piyaz (a cold dish made with dried beans and chopped onions) this restaurant gives an introduction into the Turkish cuisine which makes it a must-visit place while in Istanbul. Address: Divanyolu Cad. 12, Sultanahmet as well as various locations throughout Istanbul Bambi Café Bambi is the name for a café chain in Istanbul which serves a wide range of fast food from hamburgers to toasts, from sausages to durum (wrapped meat/chicken chopped into small pieces). Nice place to drop by before a second round of sightseeing, or after a long night out. Inci Nestled in a small shop at the heart of busy Istiklal Street, Inci is a must-visit place serving delicious profiteroles. The shop has a limited number of seats so be prepared for a long wait before you finally find somewhere to seat and enjoy your dessert. Address: Istiklal Cad. 124/2, Beyoglu. Lively nights in Istanbul You have explored the city by day, so now it is time to dive into the colourful nights of Istanbul. Centred on Beyoglu and Ortakoy areas, nights in Istanbul offer a memorable time out. Whether you are up for a few drinks in a relaxed corner or for heavy partying until the first lights in the morning in this magical city you are assured to find what you are looking for. Enjoy your night in Istanbul! 360 Istanbul Are you ready to dance the night out? With its fascinating design and generous menu including the best local and international drinks 360 is the right place to enjoy the lively nights in Istanbul in a refined setting accompanied by the best views over the city. Istiklal Cad. Mısır Apt. 311/8 Beyoglu Balans and Jolly Joker Balans is a music and performance hall ( Jolly Joker) which has a busy event schedule. Mostly packed with university crowd, Balans is well worth checking out. Address: Balo Sok., 22 Beyoglu Roxy One of the most popular nightspots in Istanbul, Roxy hosts various live music performances, dance and concept parties offering the greatest entertainment in the city. Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Entrance fee: 40 YTL (weekends). Address: Sıraselviler Cad. Aslanyatağı Sok. 5 Beyoglu Babylon Babylon is a leading live music venue housing various live music events by various local and international bands & singers throughout the year. Entrance fees vary for each event. Address: Sehbender Sok, 3 Tunel-Asmalimescit-Beyoglu Hamam Nestled in the terrace of a historic 16th century building, Hammam is a trendy place to enjoy a fascinating night out in Istanbul. Address: Istiklal Cad. Bahceli Hamam Sok, 3. Studio Live Studio Live is another popular nightclub among the locals in Istanbul. Housing various local and international music events as well as DJ performances and dance nights, Studio Live is a must-see place while in Istanbul. Address: Atif Yilmaz Cad. 17/A Beyoglu Nevizade Street Located in Beyoglu District adjacent to Istiklal Street, Nevizade is the best place to be if you enjoy a more relaxed kind of entertainment. With various bars & restaurants (specialising mostly in see food) it hosts Nevizade Street offers the best of entertainment in a laid back atmosphere. Catz Bebek Located right across Bebek Mosque, this is a trendy place where you can enjoy a couple of drinks in a laid-back atmosphere. With its rich menu including best quality local and international spirits served lovely setting by attentive staff Catz Bebek invites you into a memorable night in Istanbul. Address: Bebek Mahallesi Cevdetpasa Cad. Hamam Sok. 2. Topkapi District This is a cosy district where you can find various cafes where you can sit and chat with friends while eating hand-made delicious bakeries called “gozleme”. Flavoured Shisha is a must-try while in Topkapi. Key events in Istanbul International Film Festival (Annual, in April) Held in various venues in Beyoglu area, Istanbul International Film Festival is a leading festival showcasing numerous local and international films and hosting directors and movie stars from all around the world. International Theatre Festival (Annual, late May/ early June) International Theatre Festival is a three week festival during which numerous plays meet the audience in various venues throughout the city. International Istanbul Music Festival (Annual, June) Held by Istanbul Culture and Art Organisation (IKSV) International Istanbul Music Festival is a leading event housing performances by world-famous artists and orchestras filling the city with a musical air. Efes Pilsen One Love Festival (Annual, June) Held on the longest day of the year, Efes Pilsen One Love festival features rock music performances, dance shows and many other colourful events bringing the lovers of rock music into the city. International Jazz Festival (Annual, July) International Jazz Festival showcases excellent local and international jazz performances attracting thousands of visitors each year. Akbank Jazz Festival (Annual, October) Sponsored by Akbank (a private bank company in Turkey) Akbank Jazz Festival is another key event in the city’s music scene. The festival is held in various venues throughout Istanbul. Efes Pilsen Blues Festival (Annual, November/December) Turkey’s only blues festival, Efes Pilsen Blues Festival gives the lovers of blues music the opportunity to meet the leading performers in the world’s rock music scene. International Istanbul Biennial (From September to November) Sponsored by Koç Companies Group, International Istanbul Biannial aims at promoting contemporary Turkish works of arts. Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon (Annual, last Sunday of October) Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon starts from the Asian side of Istanbul, and ends on the European side, on route passing the most beautiful sights of the city offering the participants a unique experience. Widely attended by thousands of local and international runners, this marathon is not to be missed if you are in Istanbul in October. Book your Istanbul hotel online with gtahotels and get the best rates for your Istanbul accommodation http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/istanbul.htm

Hotel reviews

2009-06-09T15:26:00.000+03:00

Surveys show that travel website users want social media and user-generated content which means any hotel review you write when you get back from your trip is going to be read! Here are a handful of the most recent hotel reviews that have been written by guests and submitted to the gtahotels.com website Apostoli Palace Locanda Hotel in Venice Great quiet location (but still close to everything). You'll be relieved to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of St Marks Square etc. Rooms are small but nicely decorated and extremely clean. Breakfast is lovely too and the staff are friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay there again http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/apostoli_palace_locanda_hotel_venice_island.htm Crown Court hotel Inverness We were there for a wedding and found the staff very efficient and helpful. The wedding meal was superb - wonderful veggie choice too - and was served with speed and ease. A huge choice at breakfast too which couldn't be faulted. Brilliant! When we entered our bedroom it was nicely decorated and welcoming. Unfortunately what a disappointment when we looked in the bathroom! If we were to have stayed another night I would most certainly have asked for another room http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/crown_court_hotel_inverness.htm City River hotel Siam Reap Cambodia I would definitely recommend this hotel to others. The price was good and the service was excellent. I especially liked the Roof-top swimming pool, which had a good selection of foods, including Western and Asian options. The rooms were Spartan but nice. There is a very nice pool area and a gym for people who need to workout. The hotel is close to pub street and old market http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/city_river_hotel_siem_reap.htm Kemer Resort hotel Kemer Turkey This is an excellent hotel. Spotlessly clean, great choice of food. The best value hotel we have ever stayed in.It promises a lot and delivers. Great and safe for youngsters, ramps everywhere for disabled. Popular with Russians and german families. You won't be disappointed. http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/kemer_resort_hotel.htm

Popular summer beach destinations

2009-06-02T13:40:00.000+03:00

Fuerteventura is just 100km from the coast of Africa and its fine weather makes is an ideal year round destination. Fuerteventura is relatively unspolit and boasts over 150 beaches. For a fun day out, visit the La lajita Oasis Park with its outstanding Botanical Garden, parrot and sealine shows and even a camel safari! Popular resorts in Fuerteventura are Caleta de Fuste and Corralejo. Corralejo is one of the most popular and lively resorts on the Island of Fuerteventura. Once just a tiny fishing village, the harbour of Corralejo is now a bustling area with day trippers heading to Los Lobos Island and Playa Blanca in Lanzarote. The main street of Corralejo is Calle General which is lined with souvenir shops, cafes and bars. Corralejo's restaurants offer a wide choice, from English fish and chips to tacos or curry

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Golden Sands is one of the largest resorts along the Northern coast of Bulgaria. Golden Sands is famous for its hot water mineral springs and its long sandy beach. Watersports are available on the beach and there are plenty of bazaars, restaurants, bars, clubs and a casino for when night falls. Sample the Bulgarian cuisine at one of the local tavernas.

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http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/golden_sands.htm Sharm El Sheikh is a popular year round holiday resort and world-acclaimed dive centre. Between the two tourist districts of Old Sharm and Naama Bay there are a huge selection of shops, bazaars, restaurants, night clubs and casinos. Take a day trip into the desert and visit Mt Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery.

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Ayia Napa

2009-05-29T09:37:00.000+03:00

Once a small fishing village in the south-eastern corner of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is now a hotspot for holidaymakers looking for a lively vacation - over 250,000 clubbers swarm into this party capital each summer and the phenomenal atmosphere in its scores of bars and nightclubs is nothing short of explosive. Located in the centre of the market garden area of the island, Ayia Napa also boasts a string of superb golden sandy beaches and vestiges of its cultural heritage - there is a Venetian decorated monastery fronted by a 600-year-old Sycamore tree, and a quaint harbour filled with colourful fishing vessels. Just a few miles from Ayia Napa, the resort of Protaras is more restrained and is much more suited to family holidays. Both resorts have excellent beaches, the most famous being Fig Tree Bay. Other popular beaches include Nissi Beach and Nissi Bay, two miles (3km) west of Ayia Napa; Cape Greco to the east, where the challenge is to leap from the rocks into the sea; and Konnos Bay, just past Cape Greco, where there is a beach café and speedboats for hire. Shopping in Ayia Napa is pure pleasure for locals and holidaymakers alike, with real bargains to be had particularly on designer goods. Top name watches, sunglasses, clothing, cameras and jewellery are available at prices up to 30 percent cheaper than in the United Kingdom. Shops and boutiques are generally small and friendly, opening until 11pm every night except Sundays. The local handcrafts make for good souvenir shopping, including beautiful embroidered Lefkara lace, original ceramic pottery, artistic silver jewellery, baskets, woven and silk goods and high quality leatherwear. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere. Variety is the spice of dining out in Ayia Napa, where countless restaurants specialise in a host of cuisines from around the world, everything from the romantic and traditional, to fast food and pub-grub being on offer, holidaymakers won't be disappointed. Whether it is a Big Mac, fish 'n chips, a Chinese or formal French you fancy, you won't have to go far to find it. Visitors are well advised to try the Cypriot fare, however, particularly in the delightful, traditional tavernas clustered around the harbour. Highly recommended is the typical Cypriot 'meze', made up of between 15 and 30 island dishes. Other local specialities include taramosalata, tsatsiki, moussaka, stifado (beef or veal stew), aphelia (pork and red wine), and loukoumades (doughnuts dipped in syrup). Holidaymakers in Ayia Napa soon learn that it is essential to plan an afternoon siesta, if they are to make the most of the sensational nightlife for which the resort has become world-renowned. The Cypriot's appreciation for the good life and good times comes to the fore after the sun sets, with bars, discos, nightclubs and bouzouki clubs open well into the early hours of the morning. Most hotels have their own nightly entertainment with a resident band, and Greek nights with folk dancing are offered. The resort's clubbing scene is legendary with big name DJ's appearing frequently at some of the popular clubs.

The extensive, silvery sandy beaches along the coast of Ayia Napa are washed with warm waters that provide a myriad of opportunities for watersports, including water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, pedal boats, motor boats, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkelling. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation supervises the beaches, many of which have Blue Flag status. Holidaymakers can take excursions from Ayia Napa to places like Agia Thekla, four miles (6km) to the west, with a small offshore island, Makronisos Beach, a cluster of three sheltered bays, or to the historical city of Larnaca, 25 miles (40km) along the coast. Jeep safaris around the island itself are popular, with attractions like the Caledonian Falls and the Byzantine Monastery of Kykkos waiting to be explored. The island's position in the Mediterranean also lends itself to making excursions to other countries, even Jerusalem or Cairo, for a night or two of sightseeing.

Generally Ayia Napa is clean, well ordered and favoured by all types of holidaymakers. Those who do not enjoy noise and bright lights, however, are advised to stay clear of the central monastery square area, which is where most of the popular nightclubs are situated. The main clubbing season is between June and September, and during this period the resort is packed with young people from all over Europe. Older holiday makers may prefer to enjoy the resort during the ‘shoulder’ months (April, May, October and November), when the weather is still good, the sea relatively warm, but the tempo quieter. The island can be windy, but the geographic locations of the surrounding beaches means that it is possible to find a sheltered beach even on windy days. Nissi Beach tends to be overcrowded, but there are other beaches within easy reach where it is possible to enjoy peace and quiet.

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Enjoy a city break

2009-05-28T12:55:00.001+03:00

Bucharest, Romania The majority of Bucharest’s architecture that you see today is made up of buildings that were constructed during the communist regime. Can you imagine that one-fifth of the city was actually demolished so that the Casa Poporului could be built in its place? Step back in time and visit the Village Museum. It is an interesting outdoor museum with a collection of more than 300 buildings that make up the history of Romania's rural architecture. Here you can see peasant homes, barns, wooden churches and Transylvanian houses that all recreate a village setting. Book your Bucharest hotel online with Gtahotels.com and get the best rates for your Bucharest hotel accommodation http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/bucharest.htm Bern, Switzerland According to legend, Bern was named when its founder, Berchtold, was advised to go on a hunt and to name the town after the first beast caught. The bear has remained the symbol of the capital city ever since. One of the oldest and most charming cities in Europe, its old centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the preservation of its cobbled medieval street plan, with many ornate fountains, towers, a massive astronomical clock, and buildings much the same as they have been for the last 500 years. With its relaxed atmosphere, farmers markets and friendly people, it is easy to forget that this is the Swiss capital, an important city of politicians and international meetings. And with its interesting museums, theatres, long-standing monuments and landmarks Bern is a popular base from which to explore the mountains and lakes of the nearby Bernese Oberland. Book your Bern hotel online with Gtahotels.com and get the best rates for your Bern hotel accommodation http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/bern.htm Cannes, France Cannes, one of the best-known cities on the French Riviera. The famous and jet set flock to Cannes especially during the annual Cannes Film Festival. For beach lovers then there is Cannes sandy beach but remember that most of the beach areas are private and you will need to pay for access. The Le Suquet area is an original fishing village that has appealing narrow streets which climb up to the top where you can get a wonderful view of the city. Book your Cannes hotel online with Gtahotels.com and get the best rates for your Cannes hotel accommodation http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/cannes.htm

Billund Legoland

2009-05-28T10:15:00.000+03:00

Thank you Anna for telling us about Legoland in Billund

Billund Legoland Legoland is the best place to spend your free time with children. I have to admit that is great place for visiting even if you are a grown up person and wish to have a little bit of entertainment. It can bring you in the world of fantasy and childhood. I have visited this amusement park with my friends and we had a lot of fun.

As far as I am concerned the best attraction in Legoland is roller coaster X-treme racers. The trolleys on the rollercoaster are in the shape of car and every trolley can accommodate 4 people. The rollercoaster has many turns and at one point it is passing through the dark tunnel. You can feel the wind in your hair and your ‘heart in your mouth’ while going down with a full speed. The water attraction that makes your heart beats faster is canoe trip. The trip passes through the wild river which finishes with a fall through the waterfall. Another exciting water attraction is Viking River Splash. You are being taken up in the Viking raft by the water elevator and then you are going down the waterfall. It is an unforgettable adventure into a dangerous river!

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Copenhagen- Christianhavn District

2009-05-27T15:42:00.000+03:00

Thanks go to Anna in Customer Care for sharing Copenhagen with us...

The capital city of Denmark is atracting tourist from every corner of the world. Around 30% of the Danish citizens live in Copenhagen or around this metropolitan city. Copenhagen is known from its longest pedestrian street with great shopping places and many tourist atractions. Everybody has heard about Little Mermaid or about Hamlet Castle I would like to recommend soemthing different about Copenhagen: two attractions located in Christianshavn District namely Christiania and Church of our Saviour. Christinia is knows as Freetown Christinia an is very special place. Christiania was established in 1971 when a group of hippies have decided to set their own community in the abandoned military barracks. The community became completely independent from the danish governments. The community is situated in the heart of the city and is mostly known from its art whch is present everywhere in this small district. The distict ic coloreful and lively place and creates great diversity from the other attractions in Copenhagen. When you are going out from Christinia you can see interesting sign above your head which is stating that ‘You are now entering the EU’ Next to the Christinaia there is Church of Our saviour located. The construction of the church was completed in 1696 and it lasted around 14 years. The church was constructed in baroque style which is rather rare style to admire in Denmark. Of course the church presents uniqe altar and magnificent organ from 1968 however the most recommended place to visit is the Tower of Our saviour’s Church. The tower gives great opportunity to admire panoramic view of the Copenhagen.

The spire was constructed in 1752 however it was renovated many times during the centuries. The lenght of the tower is 90 metres and to get to the top you have to climb 400 hundred stairs. Climbing up the tower is a bit of experience and adventure. It can also be a little frightenning. The whole spire is built from oak which during windy water can shake a little. If you manage to survive this adventure and appears on the top you will be rewarded by possibility to admire breathtaking views of Copenhagen and shores od Sweden. Get the best rates when you book your Copenhagen hotels and tours online with Gtahotels. http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/copenhagen.htm http://www.gtahotels.com/activities/productdetails.php/SIC.2916CPH.htm

Bangkok city guide

2009-05-27T15:15:00.000+03:00

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. It’s huge, modern and very Westernized. The city is renowned for its many sights, dining and hotel options, and a vibrant, eclectic nightlife. It has more than 11 million residents. To enjoy Bangkok to the fullest, it pays to know its most tourist-oriented districts and what each one has to offer. Among the most worthwhile places to visit in Bangkok are the following.

Sukhumvit Stretching across Sukhumvit Road, this is the bustling commercial core of Bangkok as you can tell from the elegant malls and hotels. From Siam Square, tourists can take the Skytrain to everywhere else in the city. Silom By day, it’s a formal financial district, but by night, Silom is the premiere party venue in Bangkok. The infamous Patpong quarter is located here. Silom spans the surrounding areas of Silom Road and Sathorn Road. Rattanakosin Known as Old Bangkok, this is where most of Bangkok’s historical sights can be found. It’s also a backpacker’s mecca. Thonburi This is the quiet side of Bangkok and home to offbeat attractions. Phahonyothin It’s known mainly for the Chatuchak Weekend Market and the old Don Muang Airport. Ratchadaphisek This area only recently opened up thanks to the new metro line. Once a tourist arrives in Bangkok, he may shocked by the heat, traffic, and sheer number of people on the streets. Fortunately, the city is more organized that it first appears to be. The people are friendly and the city comes alive with the sight of many colorful flowers and orchids and the smell of tropical fruits from October to February. There is much to be discovered here. Many tourists have found a side of Bangkok that they find addictive. Attractions At first glance, Bangkok seems like an urban jungle that’s difficult to navigate, but there are many hidden treasures in the city. One just has to know where to look. Most of the tourist attractions are on Rattanakosin Island, at the Old City. It is striking to see so many temples in Bangkok, a fact that illustrates the deep religious fervor of the locals. Given that, it’s equally surprising to discover how naughty the city’s nightlife can be. The following are some of the most popular attractions in Bangkok. Wat Arun The Temple of Dawn is located at Th Arun Amarin, Thonburi and overlooks the river like a huge, imposing sentinel. It is one of Bangkok’s most popular temples and an architectural wonder comparable to today’s modern skyscrapers. Dating back to the 18th century, the temple signaled the re-emergence of Bangkok after the Burmese invasion. Wat Phra Kaew The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of Bangkok’s most unique architectural structures. Built in 1882, it is a gleaming, gilded building with beautiful marble pillars and a shiny orange and green roof. But the Emerald Buddha itself is hard to see. It stands only 25 inches tall and is positioned high above the main temple building. It’s as if the Buddhists are saying that what is essential is often obscured by what is shiny and colorful. Grand Palace Right next to the temple is the Grand Palace where the monarch of Thailand used to reside. The most prominent of the palace buildings is the Grand Palace Hall, built by British architects in 1882 with a strong Italian Renaissance flavor. It is located at Th Na Phra Lan, Ko Ratanakosin Wat Pho Built in the 16th century, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is one of the oldest temples in the city. It also has the biggest collection of Buddha images in the country. Moreover, the temple has the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. Wat Pho is located at Th Sanam Chai, Ko Ratanakosin. Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall This royal building was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn, the first ruler of Thailand to visit Europe. As such, the throne hall has a strong Western influence. Since this is royal property, visitors should dress modestly – shorts, minis-skirts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. It’s located at Th Ratchawithi, Dusit. Lumpini Park Located at the busy corners of Rama IV and Ratchadamri streets in downtown Bangkok, Lumpini Park always seems to be buzzing with activity. You can tell you’ve found the park when you see the statue of King Rama VI in front. The locals enjoy strolling, jogging, picnicking and doing martial arts here from the crack of dawn until the sun goes down. People sit at the gazebos and sitting areas or feed the pigeons and koi. They can also rent a paddle boat to go around the pond. The park’s lush green gardens are a welcome contrast to Bangkok’s steel and concrete façade. Jim Thompson's House Jim Thompson is the American businessman who is credited with the popularity of Thai silk around the world. An architect by trade, Thompson reassembled parts of old Thai homes to build his house. From the outside, it looks like typical Thai architecture until you go indoors and realize the exteriors of the old houses are now inside. Tourists can also view Thompson’s small but impressive collection of Asian art. The house now has a plush bar where live jazz music is performed regularly. Jim Thompson’s house is located at Soi Kasem San 2, Th Phra Ram I, Siam Square Dining After only a few h ours in Bangkok, tourists will be surprised by the wide variety of places to eat. The city has many notable Thai and world-class international restaurants. Perhaps the best thing about Bangkok's restaurants is that the food is delicious but very cheap compared to other cities. The following are some of the best restaurants in Bangkok. 100 Ratchadamri A place for the blue-bloods, 100 Ratchadamri is located on the complex of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. It specializes in Thai and Italian cuisine. The house specialty is deep-fried crab with a pomelo salad. The dining area is outdoors, facing the lush club grounds. As its name indicates, this restaurant is located at 100 Th Ratchadamri, Pathumwan. Ban Glang Nam Located at 288 Soi 14, Th Phra Ram III, Greater Bangkok, this traditional Thai restaurant provides a soothing riverside view. The kitchen specializes in seafood dishes cooked the Thai way. Their spicy shrimp soup is a hit among expatriates. There are other riverside restaurants in the area but none have the same old-fashioned charm. Bed Supperclub One of the most popular international restaurants in Bangkok, Bed specializes in European and American dishes but also has a Thai menu. It has a unique setting: diners eat on beds rather than tables. In keeping with its futuristic theme, the restaurant projects art films throughout the day. Bed is located at 26 Soi 11, Th Sukhuvmit, Sukhumvit. D'sens This elegant French restaurant is at the top of Dusit Thani, overlooking Lumpini Park. It’s the brainchild of the Pourcel twins, Jacques and Laurent, the men behind the Le Jadrin de Sens in Montpellier, France. D'sens conjures images of the south of France and serves outstanding French cuisine and French wine. It’s located at 946 Th Phra Ram IV, Lumpini. Somboon Seafood Located at 169/7-11 Th Surawong, Silom, Somboon Seafood is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Bangkok. They are renowned for their authentic Chinese cuisine, especially seafood dishes featuring crabs and fish. The Somboon crab curry is famous all over town. Make sure that you book ahead for reservations. Bars and Nightlife The nightlife of Bangkok is notorious for being wild but things have quieted down in recent years. For one thing, all bars and clubs are required to shut down by 1 a.m., which is why locals have learned to start partying early. Smoking has also be banned in all air-conditioned bars, clubs and restaurants. Police occasionally raid bars, both high-end and sleazy, to check for full nudity (not allowed) and to administer drug tests on all the guests. For sheer variety and novelty, Bangkok’s assortment of clubs, bars and discos are comparable to any other city. One of the city’s staples is its go-go bars, where dozens of women dance on stage in bikinis. Most bar girls aspire to meet wealthy foreigners. Prostitution is illegal, but it exists. The following are some of the most popular bars and clubs in Bangkok. Moon Bar at Vertigo Located at the 59th floor of the Vertigo building, guests have a breath-taking view of the city’s traffic far below. On weekends, the Moon Bar is filled early by people who want to get the best seats and watch the distant sun set while sipping their drinks. The Moon Bar is located at 21/100 Th Sathon Tai, Silom. Lucifer The crowds at this club and disco can get pretty wild, proving that this is indeed the place for sinners. A young hip crowd sways to electronic music on the dance floor, especially once the DJ starts blasting hard-core techno. Lucifer is right at the heart of famous Patpong, at Soi Patpong 1, Th Silom. Diplomat Bar Located at 87 Th Withayu, Pratunam, this is the hangout of the beautiful people, including Bangkok’s models, moguls and young celebrities. It’s a very hip and well-dressed crowd so wear your best party clothes to fit in. The Diplomat Bar is a temple to conspicuous consumption. If the mood to dance hits you, Club 87 is right next door. Getting to and Around Bangkok Bangkok has two airports but all international passengers arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, the biggest airport in Southeast Asia, which is pronounced as "soo-wanna-poom." Most tourists prefer to travel from the airport to the city center either by limousine taxi or public taxi because they’re the most convenient and comfortable options available and don’t cost that much. Limousine taxis cost around 800 baht to Sukhumvit while a taxi costs 400 baht. Both take 50-60 minutes to reach the city. There are plenty of people who offer tourists taxi rides at the terminal but don’t pay them any mind. They will charge you twice as much as the regular taxi. Instead, head to the second floor and look for the “public taxi” sign. Airport buses are available until midnight and charge a flat rate of 150 baht on any of the four routes to the city center. Each trip takes between 60 to 90 minutes. There are also public buses and minivans that ply the airport route, but they can take as much as two hours to get to the city center and are not worth the hassle. Once in the city, the bus, metro and Skytrain are three of the most common ways for getting around. The bus may not be advisable for new visitors to Bangkok because they take a rather circuitous route around the city. The metro may be a bit confusing as well with its many routes. On the other hand, the Skytrain is another thing altogether. Try to take a trip on the Skytrain if only to get a feel for its space age allure. There are clear-cut directions in maps available at all Skytrain stops. Most tourists take a taxi to travel around Bangkok. The fare is usually around 100 baht or less anywhere in the city, and that already includes the 35 baht meter charge. All taxis here are air-conditioned. If you're traveling a short distance, why not try the local tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled vehicle that is alternately loved and hated by the citizens of the city. Walking is also a fine option. Festivals and Events There always seems to be a cultural or religious event or festival taking place in Bangkok, especially from November to February. The following are among the most popular of these events and festivals. Coronation Day One of the most awaited days is May 5, Coronation Day, commemorating the 1946 coronation of His Majesty the King, because it’s a chance for people to get a glimpse of the royal couple. King’s Birthday December 5, the King’s Birthday, is another festive events that inspires some locals to turn their homes or businesses into temporary shrines. That Phanom Festival Held in January or February, this 10-day festival honors Phra That Phanom, a sacred Buddhist stupa. Devotees from all around Thailand and Laos undertake a pilgrimage to Nakhon Phanom Province. Bangkok International Film Festival In February, the Bangkok Film Festival attracts films from around Asia, Europe and North America. The Golden Kinnaree is awarded to excellent films in several categories. Chiang Mai Flower Festival Held in January and February, this festival is celebrated with colorful parades and floats decorated lavishly with all kinds of flowers. Chinese New Year As with any country with a large Chinese community, Bangkok celebrates the Chinese New Year with great fanfare in February by lighting fireworks, staging lion dances and cleaning the house. Bun Phra Wet Festival To reenact a Buddhist legend, people dress as spirits and go around town with wooden swords. According to legend, spirits welcomed the Buddha-to-be when he entered his hometown. Its held every June. Rocket Festival During this June festival, farmers shoot bamboo rockets into the evening sky so that rain blesses their rice fields. Kathin It’s held in November to mark the end of the Buddhist holy season and celebrated with boat races that draw the crowds. Surin Annual Elephant Roundup During the third weekend of November, tourists never fail to cheer on the biggest elephant gathering in Thailand. Their numbers are amazing.

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Barcelona city guide

2009-05-26T12:50:00.000+03:00

Welcome to Barcelona, one of the most stylish and elegant cities in the world From the art collections of Picasso to the eccentric architecture of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s unique sense of style is evident everywhere: art, architecture, fashion and entertainment. And at night, Barcelona transforms into a premier party town, where people party everywhere until the wee hours of the morning, especially during summer. The people of Barcelona are a fun loving bunch, exuberant and creative, always full of good cheer and neighborly warmth. There are around 1.6 million residents in Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain, and 3.1 million in the Metropolitan Area. Flanked by the rivers of Besos and Llobregat, Barcelona is a thriving economic center. Its famous ports and the bustling Barcelona International Airport host a parade of human traffic and various goods all day long. Meanwhile, tourists know Barcelona more for its cultural heritage, amazing sights, seven beaches and 68 municipal parks Barcelona’s history underscores its prominence during past civilizations as the capital city of the Crown of Aragon and the Counts of Barcelona. It was founded as a Roman city and historical battles were waged for its control. Today, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an Autonomous Community of the Kingdom of Spain and one of 17 regions that compose Spain. It is the seat of the Catalan government: the executive branch, parliament and Supreme Court. It is also the capital of Barcelonès county. The most prominent and interesting quarters in Barcelona are Ciutat Vella, the oldest town in the city with Medieval roots; Eixample, Modernist in every sense, including its buildings; the gentrified Gràcia; and Barceloneta, a tourist haven of beaches, restaurants, bars and cafes. Barcelona has been one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations for the last decade. Its busiest time is August and September when some shop owners actually close shop and go on vacation to avoid the maddening throng of tourists. Despite the crowds, foreign visitors are more than glad to visit stylish and elegant Barcelona. Attractions Architecture The first thing that strikes a tourist about Barcelona is its amazing architecture, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Much of the credit for the city’s dazzling architectural landscape goes to two architects, Antoni Gaudi and Lluis Domenech y Montaner. Between them, they account for nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Casa Mila, Crypt in Colonia Guell, Palau de la Musica Catalana, Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. Football Anybody who loves football should visit Camp Nou, a veritable European football “cathedral” and home ground of FC Barcelona, the city’s number one team and a European football powerhouse. The arena can accommodate nearly 100,000 people, all of whom scream and stomp when their favorite team is in action. When Franco reigned, FC Barcelona was one of the few ways the people of Catalana could express their anger for the dictatorship, which is one reason why the team is so beloved. La Rambla Barcelona’s most famous boulevard is the perfect place to soak in the city’s culture. As the saying goes, if you sit here long enough, you will see all of Barcelona pass you by. Tourists pack La Rambla during the day to enjoy the sights, meander around the pet stalls or delight in the street performers. At night, the locals are out in droves. If you’re on La Rambla when FC Barcelona wins, especially against hated rivals Real Madrid, you will be treated to the fantastic sight of an entire city rejoicing. La Plaça Reial Sitting right beside La Rambla, La Plaça Reial is renowned as one of the most beautiful squares everywhere. Its charm is enhanced by streetlights designed by Gaudi. Parks Spanning an amazing 203 hectares and located on a mountain, Monjuic Park is the largest park in Barcelona. However, it’s the second largest park that really captures the fancy of tourists, Ciutadella Park, with its zoo, many museums, an old military citadel and the Parliament building. Oreneta Castle Park and Diagonal Mar Park are also can’t-miss destinations. Children will enjoy the Labyrinth Park, with its dizzying garden maze. Museums The Archeological Museum in Santa Madrona boasts of artifacts dating back to the 7th century. The Frederic Mares Museum displays a wide array of Spanish scriptures and artworks from the Middle Ages, including masterpieces of the Virgin Mary and the crucifix. As its name indicates, the Picasso Museum displays nothing but Picasso's paintings and his scope is amazing. The Wax Museums features over 300 famous and life-like figures. Sports buffs will adore the Sports Museum in Buenos Aires while FC Barcelona fans will consider the Museo del Futbol Club de Barcelona as a worthy shrine to their beloved team. Olympic Port Not sure what you want to do tonight? Head to the Olympic Port where you'll find countless bars, pubs, restaurants and other types of entertainment. The Olympic Port is one of the biggest reasons why the night is always alive in Barcelona. Tibidabo According to legend, this is where the devil tried to offer Jesus Christ the world in exchange for His allegiance. Located in the mountains, Tibidabo may not provide a view of the world, but it certainly gives tourists a dazzling view of Barcelona from a vantage point of over 500 meters high. Make sure you take the metro to Tibidabo Station and the Funicular to reach the top of the mountain. Otherwise, you’ll have to walk an entire day to enjoy the view. Montjuic Castle If you want a panoramic view of the city, another excellent place to visit is Montjuic Castle, a fortress built during the 17th century. The view is absolutely breath-taking. Montjuic also hosts some of Barcelona’s most popular parks and gardens. L'Aquarium This is Europe's second biggest aquarium where fishes, penguins and even sharks number in the thousands. Visitors can walk through a long "tube" made of glass and feel like they are in the water with the sharks and other fish. The tube is something that even Europe's biggest aquarium in Genoa doesn't have. Dining Food in Barcelona has a tendency to be inconsistent, and where you eat matters a great deal. Here's a tip: follow the locals and patronize the restaurants and cafes that they frequent. You can’t go wrong. Restaurants typically have a menu of the day (menu del dia) consisting of a simple two-course meal, with three or four options. Keep an eye out for lunch specials from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. which serve food at a fraction of the price. The hours between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Barcelona are usually for siesta time, and most of the restaurants and cafes are closed. However, there are a few good restaurants that stay open, such as Origen, Udon and international food chains. Here’s a rundown of some of the best restaurants in the city: Alkimia Located at Carrer Industria 78, Alkimia is a winner of the Michelin Star for excellence in dining. It specializes in Catalan cooking and seafood dominates the menu. Interiors are simple and all-white to draw more attention to the food. Operated by acclaimed restaurateur Jordi Vila, Alkimia is one of Barcelona’s best restaurants. Gaig Here’s another Michelin Star winner. Food connoisseurs say Gaig has the freshest produce in the city. That’s easy to believe, especially once you see the chickens in the patio freely walking about. Located at Arago 214, Gaig also specializes in Catalan cuisine. In contrast to Alkimia’s simple decor, Gaig’s interiors are a contemporary red and black. Circ Sentits In 2004, Conde Nast Traveler named this restaurant among the “80 Hottest New Restaurants in the World,” and Circ Sentits is living up to that lofty billing. The specialty is also Catalan cuisine, but served with a wine pairing. It is located at Aribau 58. Casa Leopolodo This is the place where pork lovers should dine. They have everything from pork stew to hoof of pork. For variety, Casa Leopoldo also has fish and seafood dishes, including its famous Norway lobsters. It is located at Sant Rafael 24. Bars and Nightlife Barcelona's pubs, bars, nightclubs and discos are constantly buzzing with the live sound of salsa, rock, jazz and flamenco. Here are some recommendations to make the wandering tourist feel right at home. Catwalk This is one of the hottest nightclubs in the city. Catwalk attracts such a crowd that they need every inch of their two dance floors. Dance the night away to R&B and hip-hop as well as Techno music. Things don’t really heat up until 2 a.m. Fonfone Located on Escudellers 24, Fonfone features all-night dancing to the hot beats of electronic music as the multi-colored tiled walls flash non-stop. The interiors are hip and modern. Fonfone also boasts of a well-stocked bar. La Paloma If you’re the type who enjoys gyrating with the young and beautiful crowd, La Paloma is your night club of choice. Located at Tigre 27, this place really begins to heat up at 2 a.m. The dance floor is packed and the party doesn’t stop until 5 a.m. Maumau Meanwhile, if your idea of a night on the town is chilling out at a lounge bar as slow, relaxing music fills the air, Maumau is the place. They regularly host live concerts and short film nights. Sutton Sutton has one of the largest dance floors around as well as two VIP rooms for its hip guests. There’s also a small stage where only the best dancers venture to show off their skills. Thursday is Studio 54 night. The rest of the week features a steady diet of House music. This is a must-visit for lovers of Techno. Chupitos The name says it all: chupitos means “shots” and that’s the specialty of this club. There are hundreds of different types of shots available, including the “Harry Potter,” which is sprinkled with cinnamon. You’ve probably never seen so many shot-happy people all in one place. And don’t worry about staring. Watching other people enjoy their shots is all part of the show. Getting to and Around Barcelona The Barcelona International Airport, known locally as "El Prat," services flights from Europe and beyond. It’s a mere 10 kms away from the center of Barcelona. Taxis are always available but they can be expensive. Instead, you can take the RENFE suburban train, which leaves the airport every 30 minutes and takes 20 to 30 minutes to get to the city center. Tickets cost around €2.20. There’s also the Aerobus A1 line, which departs from the airport every five to 10 minutes. All its buses are air-conditioned and the fare to the city center is just €4.05. However, the Aerobus is only available until midnight. Once in Barcelona, tourists have many options for traveling around the city. One of the most convenient is the Bus Turistic, which connects to dozens of different tourists attractions. They have northbound and southbound routes. A whole-day ticket costs around €20 while a ticket for two consecutive days is around €26. You may want to consider taking the metro around the city. Tickets are €1.30 for a single trip and €7.30 for 10 rides. There’s also a 50-ride ticket worth €27.55 that’s good for a month. Heading to Tribidabo provides tourists with the opportunity for more exotic types of transport: the Tramvia Blau and Funicular. Tramvia Blau is an old tram dating back to the early 20th century which takes passengers to the foot of Tribidabo mountain. Funicular is another tram that takes passengers to the mountain top. Traveling around Barcelona on a bicycle is a popular way to see the city. There are many places where you can rent a bike such as Barceloneta Bikes near the harbor and Budget Bikes, which has several outlets scattered around. You can also rent a bike from Fat Tire Bike Tours or try out their tour for €22. Renting a car is naturally another option, but parking can be costly at €1.5 to €2.5 per hour. Moreover, driving around the city can be complicated as many of the roads are one-way. It's essential to have a driving map on hand. Festivals and Events Barcelona has year-round wild occasions filled with drinking, dancing and dressing to the nines, especially during the 15 official holidays of the year. Here are some of Barcelona’s leading festivals. Fiesta de San Antonio Abad Naturally, a year of fiestas begins with New Year's Day and is quickly followed by Fiesta de San Antonio Abad on January 17. This occasion is celebrated all over Spain with partying in front of bonfires, especially during the Saturday closest to the 17th. Las Fallas This major festival is celebrated from March 12 to 19. Families make paper mache dolls of Shrek, George W. Bush and other famous figures then parade them all over town and burn them in bonfires at the end of the day. All the while, music is playing and people are drinking and dancing. If you haven’t seen bonfires as big as buildings, just wait for the last day of Las Fallas. It looks like the whole city is on fire. La Diada de Sant Jordi On April 23, Barcelona celebrates this Valentine's Day of sorts and also commemorates the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, who passed away on the same day. It’s a special day for lovers and, naturally, party time for everyone else. Festes de la Merce This is one of Barcelona's biggest yearly festivals featuring fireworks, live music, processions with wooden giants and a popular contest on who can create the tallest human tower. It's also a day for drinking lots of Cava, Catalonia's national drink. Festes de Gràcia On August 15, Barcelona commemorates the Assumption with a week of fiestas and fireworks. It's an important Catholic occasion and the people of Barcelona celebrate it appropriately. Fira de Santa Llúcia This three-week celebration unfolds from December 2 to 23 and revolves around the feast day of Santa Llucia on December 13. Since Santa Llucia is the patron saint of fashion designers, the day features colorful costumes and floats. It's a favorite day of the gay community.

Popular resorts in Turkey

2009-05-25T13:09:00.000+03:00

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations this year as more and more holiday makers choose to flock to countries whose currency is non €

Lets have a look at the most popular holiday destinations in Turkey. Its easy to get a cheap flight to these destinations from the UK with airlines such as easyjet, Ryanair, Thomas cook airlines to name just a few...

Antalya is the main tourist area of Turkey and thousands flock here in the summer months. As well as its beaches, nightclubs and bars, the area has plenty of historical attractions including Aspendos, one of the most important Pamphilian cities and Olympos, an ancient Lycian city. Well worth taking is a trip inland to DimÇay or Manavgat where you can go rafting, swim or even eat fresh trout in the river!

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/antalya.htm

While the town of Bodrum does not have a beach so to speak, sandy beaches can be found at Gumbet, Yalikavak and Bitez. Bodrum town offers plenty of shopping opportunities and the nights come alive with bars and clubs. Boat trips can be taken along the coast and to the nearby Greek island of Kos

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/bodrum.htm

Marmaris, a popular resort and its easy to see why, with its numerous bars and clubs it’s a night owls paradise. Days can be spent on the long narrow sandy beach, or you can take the local dolmus or boat to the nearby resort of Içmiler for a change of scenery

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/marmaris.htm

Kemer attracts thousands of tourists during the summer months with its sandy beaches, shopping and nightclubs. From Kemer you can take one of the many boat trips that are on offer, these will take you along the coast or you can also visit the Olympos village

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/kemer.htm

Make your £ go further and enjoy a cheap holiday in Turkey this year

Earls Court

2009-05-22T17:31:00.000+03:00

Earls Court is home to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre which is one of the most popular venues for concerts and events. If you plan on attending a event or concert at Earls Court then its best that you book a London hotel in or near to Earls Court well in advance. Earls Court has many art galleries such as Zest Gallery which is just 358 meters from Earls Court Exhibition Centre and Irish Contemporary Art Gallery which is 897 meters away. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Earls Court and these include the Kings Walk Shopping Centre, Duke of York Square and Fulham Broadway Retail Centre. Earls Court’s nightlife is very lively with plenty of typical London pubs. Many of these show sports on wide screen televisions so you can keep up to date with what’s going on in the sporting world If you want to book a hotel in or near to Earls Court then its worth knowing that Earls Court has two underground or Tube stations so its very easy to get around and visit other parts of London. Earls Court and West Brompton Underground stations There are many hotels close to Earls Court and these can be very popular. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. Enjoy Earls Court and enjoy your London hotel - Get the best rates when you book your Earls Court hotel online with Gtahotels Fast facts for Earls Court; There are plenty of popular pubs on the Old Brompton Road Earls Court is 5km from Charring Cross 500 years ago Earls Court was no more than open fields and greenery

Paradise in the Philippines

2009-05-19T14:20:00.000+03:00

Thanks to Joshua for this picture of a beach in the Philippines. Looks absolutely stunning and makes one just want to jump in the clear blue sea. As soon as I have an update as to where this picture was taken I will update this post....... Joshua, one of our shift supervisors in Manila

Short breaks in Europe

2009-05-19T12:34:00.000+03:00

Bilbao, Once best known for its shipyards and industry has turned itself around and re-invented itself as a popular short break destination. Visitors will not fail to be amazed by the Guggenheim Museum. This ultra modern and contemporary art museum is built alongside the Nervion River, which runs through the city. From the ultra modern museum don’t forget to take time to explore the Casco Viejo (old city) and visit the oldest building in the city, the 15th century cathedral of Santiago http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/bilbao.htm

While the town of Bodrum does not have a beach so to speak, sandy beaches can be found at Gumbet, Yalikavak and Bitez. Bodrum town offers plenty of shopping opportunities and the nights come alive with bars and clubs. Boat trips can be taken along the coast and to the nearby Greek island of Kos. Get the best rates for Bodrum hotels when you book your Bodrum accommodation with Gtahotels.com. At less than 4 hours flying time from London, Bodrum is a great choice to beat those winter blues and head for the blue skies!

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/bodrum.htm

Short breaks in the United Kingdom

2009-05-19T12:25:00.000+03:00

Aberdeen, Nicknamed Granite or Silver city. Visitors will notice that the buildings seem to sparkle in the sun.A historical, cosmopolitan city by the sea with excellent restaurants and cultural attractions. For night birds we must not forget the pulsating nightlife. From Aberdeen you can visit Balmoral at 50 miles away. All in all this makes Aberdeen a great choice for a city break. Book your Aberdeen hotel online and be sure of getting the best rates for your Aberdeen accommodation

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/aberdeen.htm

Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city and great for a short break. One of the more popular attractions is the Birmingham Botanical Garden & Glasshouse. Here you will find Fifteen acres of beautiful gardens including glasshouses containing more exotic flora.For shopping then you need to head to the truly unique Bull Ring which stands on the site of the city’s oldest market and houses over 180 shops and restaurants. Night birds are not forgotten in the cities many bars and clubs. Get the best rates for Birmingham hotels when you book your Birmingham accommodation with Gtahotels.com

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/birmingham.htm

Inverness, Capital of the Scottish Highlands. Apart from Loch Ness all of the sights are easily reached by foot. Take a boat cruise on Loch Ness and of course visit the Loch Ness exhibition centre and decide for yourself if Nesse really is fact or fiction.

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/inverness.htm

Customer Care @ Gtahotels

2009-05-18T18:02:00.001+03:00

What is customer care? handling complaints? Trying to pick up the pieces after a mishap? Helping a client who is unable to travel? Yes, customer care is all this and more. Infact every company should welcome complaints to their customer care department in order to prevent complaints and monitor their services and make improvements along the way. Effective complaint handling We at Gtahotels.com welcome complaints in order to prevent them. We aim to resolve and preventing similar complaints. We make our complaints form easy accessible to our clients and it is easy for them to fill in. We aim to resolve every complaint issue within 20 working days though please bear in mind that often we have to go through a third party and wait for their response. If you have a complaint that can be dealt with at the hotel, don't be shy just ask for assistance from the reception. Generally hotels will go out of their way to resolve any complaints or problems for their guests on the spot. If the air conditioning at the hotel isn't working for example- Don't wait till you get home before you decide to file a complaint....Report the problem to the hotel because its more than likely that they are not aware of the problem and will be more than happy to fix it. Customer Feedback Customer feedback is always welcomed and this helps us at Gtahotels to make changes and improvements. We always appreciate customers who let us have their feedback - We really do listen! Caroline Customer Care manager Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/GtahotelsCare

Soho

2009-05-18T11:06:00.000+03:00

Soho sits right in the centre of the West End of London. Soho covers an area of about one mile. You can walk through Soho from Oxford Street which is one of Soho’s original boundaries.

Soho was once famous for its sex shops and sex industry which had been running in the area for the past 200 years! But since the 1980s Soho underwent a complete transformation and instead of a no go area for most visitors to London, Soho is now the place to be seen and is a fashionable and upmarket area. In the West of Soho there is a small remnant of times past and a few sex shops still operate. Soho has been famous since the nineteen forties for its music scene starting with Club Eleven on Windmill Street and Cy Laurie jazz club. Soho was also the setting for the famous song Mack The Knife which was sung by Louis Armstrong in the nineteen fifties. Soho can also claim fame to being home to the first skiffle club in London which was on the first floor of the Roundhouse pub, Wardour Street. More and more clubs and theatres started to open in Soho including the famous Windmill theatre, The Raymond Revue bar and Ronnie Scotts jazz club in Frith Street. The list can go on because Soho was also home to the legendary Marquee club in Wardour Street. The club opened in the late fifties and it was here that the Rolling Stones first performed in 1962. Soho is a super area of London to wander through and it has a unique character all of its own. Book your hotel close to Soho and you will find yourself right in the centre of all the fun and action. Vinyl junkies should head to the areas around Berwick Street where famous shops such as Vinyl junkies and Blackmarket records sell the latest releases and merchandise. Despite its small size, Soho has everything, pubs, bars, restaurants, late night snack bars, a hare Krisna temple close to Soho Square a small Mosque on Berwick Street, Chinatown in Gerrard Street, and even a primary school for local children! There are many hotels close to Soho and these are undoubtedly very popular. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. Whenever you visit London and its famous and historical area of Soho, one thing is for sure....You will get to see London life as it really it, mulcicultural and anything goes! Enjoy Soho and enjoy your London hotel.

Fast facts for Soho

Carnaby Street was in the 1960s the fashion centre of ‘Swinging London’ these days Carnaby Street is a popular shopping area

Berwick Street is home to record shops and a small street market

Gerrard Street is the centre of Chinatown

Wardour was home to the legendary Marquee club

Soho is the centre of the gay scene in London

Bayswater

2009-05-15T15:59:00.000+03:00

Bayswater is within the London borough of Westminster. If you book a hotel near Bayswater you can be sure that you will have all that the West end of London has to offer right on your doorstep. It may be interesting for those planning to book a London hotel close to Bayswater to know that most of the hotels in Bayswater are the converted Victorian or Georgian town houses some features of which have been preserved. The famous Whiteleys Shopping centre is in Bayswater and is a haven for those who love shopping. Bayswater is also home to the famous Portobello Road. If you have seen the film Bedknobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury you will have seen Portobello Road and heard the song. Portobello Road is a well known antiques market If you want to book a hotel near Bayswater then its worth knowing that Bayswater has four underground or Tube stations close by so its very easy to get around and visit other parts of London. These are; Bayswater, Lancaster Gate, Queensway and Royal oak Underground stations, Bayswater infact covers Charing Cross and parts of Hyde park and Kensington gardens There are many hotels near to and in Bayswater and these are undoubtedly very popular. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian and Georgian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. Whenever you visit London and its famous Bayswater area, one thing is for sure....you will do a lot of walking and sightseeing! Enjoy London and enjoy your Bayswater hotel Fast Facts for Bayswater; Bayswater is within walking distance of Hyde Park and Marble Arch Bayswater has one of the highest hotel concentrations in London Bayswater is one of the most cosmopolitan areas of London and Queensway has a huge selection of ethnic restaurants

The classic W Beetle by Caroline

2009-05-14T15:27:00.000+03:00

As promised on Twitter, here are a few photographs that were taken at the Koç Museum in Istanbul of the Classic VW Beetle.

This is the car I really really wanna have. Actually we had a couple of VW Beetles when I was a child- Naturally they were named Herbie and were totally reliable and unstoppable.

As the engine of the VW Beetle is in the back, we used to drive with ease in the snowy winter months. Also, as the car has no radiator, there was no chance of over heating and during the Summer I remember as we drove past all the overheating cars of the verge of the motorways

The London Eye

2009-05-14T12:02:00.000+03:00

The London Eye is the landmark observation wheel in London. More than 3 million people a year take a ride in the London Eye and get a bird’s eye view of London. If you book a London hotel close to the London Eye you can be sure to see all that London has to offer very easily. If you decide to stay at a London hotel close to the London Eye then you will have the chance to walk around places which have become famous from the cinema. The London Eye can be seen in various films such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer. You will get the greatest panorama of London from the London Eye so don’t forget your camera. The pods of the London Eye are all sealed and air conditioned, so it’s a very comfortable way to enjoy the scenery even if it is raining outside! The London Eye is also adjacent to the Jubilee Gardens, which makes its location even more advantageous. Every New Year the London Eye is the main point for London’s New Year celebrations and there is always a memorable 10 minute firework display from the London Eye. If you want to book a hotel close to the London Eye then its worth knowing that this area of the South bank has two underground or Tube stations so its very easy to get around and visit other parts of London; Waterloo and Westminister underground stations There are many hotels close to the London Eye and these are undoubtedly very popular. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. Enjoy the London Eye and enjoy your London hotel! Fast Facts: With a height of 135 meters, the London Eye or the Millennium wheel as it has also been known is the tallest observation wheel in Europe and is the main attraction for visitors to London. During the 2012 Summer Olympics which are to be held in London, the Olympic emblem will be attached to the London Eye. It will be unforgettable to see the emblem rotating on a giant Ferris wheel. British Airways sponsor the London Eye it so when you get in and of your pod they make an announcement like they do when you are on an airplane! Before you get off the pod you will have your picture take by one of the observation cameras so you should give a good pose! You can buy your photograph from the shop the flight. The queues can be quite long, but they are well organized. You can buy combined tickets with Madame Tussauds.

You can pre book your London Eye visit as well as a Thames River sightseeing cruise online

http://www.gtahotels.com/activities/productdetails.php/SIC.3542BALE.htm

Paddington Station

2009-05-11T16:48:00.000+03:00

Paddington Station is home to the Underground and National Rail. There are a number of hotels near to Paddington Station and these provide a convenient base from which to explore the rest of London. Paddington Station was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and first opened in 1854. The site of Paddington Station is a historic one in that it was, before 1854 the London station for the Great Western Railway. Many of the original features of Paddington Station can still be seen today although over the years Paddington station has been extensively extended. Paddington Station has 14 platforms and trains departing from Paddington Station cover long distance services such as Bristol, Gloucester, Bath, the West Country and South Wales destinations. As well as the long distance services Paddington station also serves West London and Heathrow Airport. Paddington Station serves the Heathrow Express link which whisks its passengers from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes. During the peak hours the Express trains run every 15 minutes. If you arrive to London’s Paddington station and want to freshen up, there are showers, toilets and baby changing facilities at the station. If you need to change your currency then there is a Bureau de change and cash machines. Photograph booths can also be found at the station. There are also plenty of shops, bars and restaurants on offer. In 1863 Paddington Station became home to the first underground station in the world. Today Paddington Underground station covers the District, Circle, Bakerloo and Hammersmith & City lines. In 1854 the Great Western Royal Hotel opened on Praed street. The hotel formed part of the Paddington Station complex. The hotel is still open today but is now known as the Hilton London Paddington . The hotel is connected to Paddington Station by a footbridge so getting to and from your destinations couldn't be easier. When choosing your hotel close to Paddington Station, you will be at the centre of some excellent transport options that will enable you not only to see all of London, but also to travel easily to other parts of the United Kingdom. There are many hotels close to Paddington Station and these range from budget to luxury hotels. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. The budget hotels in the Paddington Station area are all converted Victoria houses, charming and comfortable but don't expect large rooms. Fast facts for Paddington Station; The famous children's book character was named after Paddington Station. You will find a statue of Paddington Bear at the station and there is also a shop full of Paddington Bear goodies. A popular haunt for Children and adults who grew up reading the antics of Paddington bear! Paddington Station is just 15 minutes away from Heathrow Airport by the Heathrow Express Paddington Station was first opened in 1854 and is one of the busiest rail terminals in London Hotels close to Paddington station include the Hilton London Paddington Hotel http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/hilton_london_paddington_hotel.htm?

Oxford Street

2009-05-09T14:24:00.000+03:00

Oxford Street in London is one of the most popular streets for shopaholics. If you plan on spending some time shopping then its best that you book a London hotel near to Oxford street so that you don’t have far to carry your newly purchased items! Oxford street is popular with locals and visitors alike because it is not an expensive street for shopping. Nor is it full of designer shops which come complete with huge price tags. Instead you will find all the affordable high street brands and department stores. Best of all, there are a number of flagship stores so you can be sure of getting the best choice of goods and in the most modern surroundings. The Flagships also have some great promotions and sometimes celebrity appearances. Top Shop have their flagship store on Oxford Street, its close to Oxford Street underground station so really cant be missed! Its a huge store on more than 3 levels and includes cafes, music videos, often live entertainment and an enormous selection of clothes and accessories. Oxford Street is not all about shopping and walking! If your boots haven't been made for walking then you can take a rest in one of the many restaurants and fast food outlets that line Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court road. As well as Shops and restaurants there are also large internet cafes that cover 3 floors so there is no excuse not to keep in touch! If you visit London in December and want to stay close to Oxford street, do book your hotel early because the city is always busy in the run up to Christmas. Oxford Street is always decorated with Christmas lights from mid November to the beginning of January and the lights are always switched on by a celebrity . In 1996 the Spice girls had the honour of switching the Oxford Street lights on and in 2007 singer Leona Lewis pressed the button to light up Oxford Street. If you want to book a hotel near to Oxford Street then its worth knowing that Oxford Street has four underground or Tube stations so its very easy to get around and visit other parts of London. Marble Arch Bond Street Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road When choosing your hotel close to Oxford Street, do bear in mind that Oxford Street runs for over a mile and a half which is approximately two and a half km There are many hotels close to Oxford Street and these are undoubtedly very popular. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. Whenever you visit London and its famous Oxford Street, one thing is for sure....However comfortable your shoes are, your feet will ache from all the walking up and down Oxford Street and at the end of the day all you will want to do is put your feet up with a cup of tea! Enjoy Oxford Street and enjoy your London hotel Fast facts for Oxford Street; Oxford street is the busiest shopping street in Europe Oxford street is over one and a half miles long from end to end which is Tottenham Court road to Marble Arch Every year the famous Oxford Street Christmas lights are switched on by a celebrity and stay on until the 6th of January

Wroclaw

2009-05-07T14:14:00.000+03:00

Wroclaw is one of the biggest and most beautiful cities in Poland. It is the capital of Lower Silesia and is located upon the river Odra. Wroclaw is an important academic, economic and cultural place not only for Poland but for the whole Europe. What to see? Market Square In the heart of the Wroclaw the Market Square is located. This is a place where all the tourists and the citizens of Wroclaw come to eat, be entertained and relax. In the market square you can admire the old town hall. The construction of the town hall started in 13th century and today this building represents many architectural styles like Renaissance and Gothic. You can also find here a monument which is known as Pillory and which was used in the past as place of punishment for criminals. The next important place of admiration is the statue of Alexander Fredro who is one of the most well known of the Polish play writers. Ostrow Tumski Ostrow Tumski which is called Cathedral Island is the oldest part of Wroclaw, of course the place that needs to be visited in here is Cathedral. The construction of the cathedral again started in 13th century however through the years the building was reconstructed and renovated many times. The cathedral is named after John the Baptist. Another place worth visiting in the Ostrow Tumski is Church of the Holy Cross. The Cathedral Island is place where you can visit some important monuments of culture and religion. Panorama Raclawicka Panorama Raclawicka is a painting which presents the battle of Raclawice in 1794. What is so interesting about this painting? The painting is in the shape of a revolving hyperboloid and is very large. size : 120m and 15 m. You can admire the painting in the specially constructed building: Rotunda. The building is open every day (except of Monday) from 9 am to 6 pm. Where to find entertainment? Wroclaw has also a great base for entertainment and night life. Of course many good places are located just in the market square for example Zwiazki which is quite nice. The other important place where many pubs are located is Ruska Street near Pasaz Niepolda. Here you can find bars and clubs like Niebo, Metropolis or Bezsennosc. Of course there are many more places to head for when you are in Wroclaw .Everything depends on taste and individual preferences Where to eat? Of course a city like Wroclaw has a great selection of fine restaurants which are offering great food. For the traditional food you can stop by at Karczma Lwowska Restaurant or Kurna Chata. Of course there is also many places that serve international cuisine like Akropolis or La Luz Art bar and Mexican Restaurant. How to get there? It is easy to get to Wroclaw as there is airport situated close to the city. Ryanair is offering a lot of flights from many different cities in Europe. Where to stay? For the selection of the best accommodation and rates visit our webpage: http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/wroclaw.htm

Get the best rates for your Wroclaw hotel when you book your Wroclaw accommodation online

Victoria Station London

2009-05-05T10:47:00.000+03:00

Photograph by Petteri Kantokari

Victoria Station is home to the Underground , National Rail and Victoria Coach station. There are a number of hotels close to Victoria station and these provide a convenient base from which to explore the rest of London.

Victoria Station first opened in 1862 and included a 300 bed roomed hotel, the Grosvenor hotel which is still open today and has managed to retain some of its Victorian grandeur over the years. The Grosvenor hotel is in Buckingham Palace road which is adjacent to Victoria Station. Trains departing from Victoria Station through the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex which include Gatwick Airport and the Gatwick Express and the popular seaside resort of Brighton. Most trains that depart from Victoria Station stop at Clapham Junction and from here you can connect to trains that travel to the county of Hampshire and other parts of Surrey and Sussex. Clapham Junction is the busiest train station in London because of the number of passengers that alight here merely to board another train and complete their journey. Victoria Station also serves the Venice Simpson Orient Express from platform 2. The Venice Simpson Orient Express is a private luxury train that travels from London to Venice. The train also offers day trips should you want a truly luxurious day out. If you arrive to London’s Victoria station and want to freshen up, there are showers, toilets and baby changing facilities at the station. If you need to change your currency then there is a Bureau de change and cash machines. Photograph booths can also be found at the station. There are also plenty of shops, bars and restaurants on offer. Victoria Station also covers Victoria underground station which serves the District, Circle and Victoria lines. Just two stops from Victoria Underground station on the Victoria line (The blue line) and you will be in Oxford Street. The London Underground or Tube as it is also known is the best way apart from walking to get around London. It’s quick and easy to use but best avoided at the rush hours when commuters are trying to get to and from work. Just outside of Victoria Station in Buckingham Palace Road you will find Victoria Coach Station. It’s very close and well signposted. Victoria Coach Station is the largest coach station in London and it is from here that the long distance coaches depart. The coach station is served well by National Express, Eurolines, Megabus services and Oxford Express which has Wi fi on board. The Oxford Express will take you between London Victoria Station and Oxford in less than one and a half hours. Victoria bus station serves local London buses only. There is also the separate Green Line Coach station for all Green Line buses. Green Line Buses also offer a number of day trips from their Green Line Coach station at Victoria Station including Windsor, Whipsnade Animal Park and London sightseeing tours When choosing your hotel close to Victoria Station, you will be at the centre of some excellent transport options that will enable you not only to see all of London, but also to travel easily to other parts of the United Kingdom. There are many hotels close to Victoria Station and these are undoubtedly very popular. One thing to remember when you book your London hotel is that most London hotels are converted Victorian townhouses so guest rooms are small and may come as a shock to visitors from some countries. Fast facts for Victoria Station; Victoria station is in the London borough of Westminister Victoria station includes a terminal for trains serving Gatwick Airport During the second world war, Victoria station was used to transport soldiers to and from France http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/grosvenor_hotel_london.htm

Aalborg, a city worth a visit

2009-04-30T14:41:00.000+03:00

Aalborg is the fourth biggest city in Denmark. Some would say that it is rather like a town than city, however for a country like Denmark it is imprtant industrial and education center. Aalborg is situated in the north on the country in the part called Jutland and it has much to offer during days and nights.

The history of Aalborg dates back to 1000 years ago and was established by Vikings. You can visit Old Vikings cemetary which is situated in Aalborg- Nuressundby. The graves were dicovered in 1952 are dated back to the Iron Age. The place has a very special atmosphere and is provided with informative boards. You can see the cemetary in the photograph...

The most important shopping street is Osteraggade just in the city center. Strolling through the street you can admire old merchant house: The Stone House of Jens Bang which was built in 17th century. Near the Merchant house there is beautiful Old Townhall- Aalborg Radhus which was built in 1762. The townhall is used for official receptions and civil weddings. Just near the Aalborg Radhus you can see small white church. The church is dedicated to St Botholfus, who is protector of the shipmen.

Very close to Townhall there is Aalborhus Castle. The castle was built by Christian III in the period of 1539 -1555 and was used as a fortification. Today the castle is used by State County of Northern Juttland. Sightseeing is not allowed in the castle as it plays official function however there is possibility to see the surronding area.

The most popular entertainment street in the city of Aalborg is Jomfru Ane Gade. The street is well known because of its lively atmosphere, there are many pubs and the area is popular with the locals. Every place is offering different types of music and different type of entertainment. There are many good restaurants and cafes in the city so there is no problem to find a good place for eating.

If you visit Aaalborg in May you will be able to be a part of one of the biggest Carnival in Europe. It brings attention of the people from different parts of the globe and is very enatertaining experience.

It is easy to get Aalborg by plane, bus or train. The flight from Copanhagen lasts only 45 minutes. Bus station and train station are situated just in the center of the city from where there is close access to many hotels like: Phonix Hotel or First Slothostel Aalborg. What is typical for Denmark all around the city you can see people travelling on bikes. It does not matter if it is winter or summer Danish people are using bikes all around the year. After spending some times in here it is not even suprising that they are travelling to parties on the bikes

Book your Aalborg hotel online and get the best rates for your Aalborg accommodation

http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/aalborg.htm

When is a London bus not in London?

2009-04-29T15:50:00.000+03:00

When is a London bus not in London? When its at the Rami Koç Museum in Istanbul of course! And thats exectly where this photograph was taken. Sometimes its hard to comprehend that there are real people behind any website or online business, but I am proof in the pudding that I am real and this is a phorograph of my father gazing in awe at a London bus in Istanbul during his recent visit to the city. Istanbul is a great city to visit any time of the year, and suring the weekends you can pick up some great hotel bargains. easyjet have been flying from London Gatwick to Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen airport since the 12th December 2008. Transferring from the Asian side where Sabiha Gökçen airport is located to your hotel is made easy by the Havas bus. The travelling time from the airport to Taksim Square is just under 1 hour depending upon the traffic and the fare is just 10 lira per person. You can have a look at the transfer times to and cfrom Sabiha Gökçen airport from the link below; http://www.gtahotels.com/forum/istanbul-airport-t179.html#p300 Back to the London bus in the centre of Istanbul, and I have to say that the Rami Koç museum is my favourite place for a day out in Istanbul - They have many new exhibits there now including a 2 gauge train that runs along the Golden Horn. If you want to see a London bus in Istanbul have a look at the museums own website and plan your visit; http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english/index.html Book your Istanbul hotel online with Gtahotels.com and get the best rates and the chance of a free arrival transfer http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/istanbul.htm

Missing person. Please help

2009-04-28T11:13:00.000+03:00

'annearthur08@yahoo.com' My stepson Timothy Ryan Arthur went to Australia in April of 2008.He hasn’t been heard from since July of 2008. He is 21,he has brown hair,blue eyes,he’s 135-145 lbs.,he’s about 5″10-5″11. I know this is probably weird. But,we have contacted everyone else that we can who might help.Like jails,police,hospitals,newspapers,missing persons websites. If you have any information, please contact me or the Missing You Foundation. ”Thank You”, Anne Arthur

Milan city guide

2009-04-27T13:33:00.000+03:00

A city of art, history, fashion and design: Milan Milan (Milano in Italian) is located in Lombardy and it is one of the biggest cities in Italy. Renowned as one of the leading fashion and design centres in the world the city plays an important role in Italian economics. Milan is known as a commercial city by most of the people. Yet, a little walk in the city is enough to discover the charming blend of tradition and history hidden under that commercial cover. Home to the splendid Gothic cathedral Duomo, Leonardo da Vinci’s world-famous masterpiece “Last Supper”, the renowned opera house La Scala along with many other significant museums and art galleries Milan is also a capital of culture. Thanks to its cosmopolitan structure, this multi-faced city offers the best quality of leisure and entertainment facilities to its visitors. With numerous restaurants, bars, clubs and live music venues Milan is able satisfy the travellers of modern times of every age and interest. Whether for business or leisure once you are in Milan you will definitely enjoy the harmonious life and welcoming atmosphere of this beautiful Italian which will make your visit a long lasting memory. Highlights in Milan Duomo (Milan Cathedral) Located at the heart of the city Duomo is a spectacular example of late Gothic architecture. With a history dates back to 1386, the Cathedral is entirely covered with pinkish-white marble. The Cathedral’s majestic interior is eye-catching with big stained glass windows and series of statues. Climbing up to the Cathedral maybe a hard job but the fascinating view of the city and the Alps are well worth the effort. (Entrance fee: EUR 6.00) Santa Maria delle Grazie Listed on UNESCO world heritage list, Santa Maria delle Grazie church is an important site housing the world-famous masterpiece “The Last Supper” (il Cenacolo in Italian) by Leonardo da Vinci. Visited by thousands of people each year, Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most significant places to see while in Milan. (Entrance fee: EUR 6.50) Arco della Pace (The Arch of Peace) Arco della Pace is a marble arch locates north-west Milan. Originally built to celebrate Napoleon's victories, this neoclassical arch with its bronze statue “Chariot of Peace” is one of the landmarks in Milan. La Scala Opera lovers should definitely visit La Scala which is one of the oldest opera houses in the county. Still in use, La Scala houses various opera singers and conductors. Housing a theatre and a theatre museum La Scala one of the most is visited sites in Milan. (Entrance fee: EUR 5.00) Plazzo Marino Located across La Scala, Plazzo Marino is a magnificent example the residential architecture of 16th century. Seat of the city Municipality today, Plazzo Marino is one of the must-see places while in Milan. Castello Sforzesco Built in 14th century as a means of city defence, Castello Sforzesco is one of the most popular attractions in the city with its tower, courtyards and fountain. (Entrance to the castle is free. Entrance fee for museums: EUR 3.00) Pinacoteca di Brera Pinacoteca di Brera is among the major art collections in the world with its extensive collection including works from Bellini, Tintoretto, Raphael and Piero della Francesca. (Entrance fee: EUR 5.00) Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna (Modern Art Gallery) Modern Art gallery with its spectacular collection on 19th- and 20th-century art is one of the significant museums in Milan. (Entrance: Free) Bagatti Valsecchi Museum Nestled in a beautiful house in Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, the museum holds a distinctive collection on art and crafts from Renaissance and 19th century. Eating out in Milan Saffron rice, casseula, tripe and panettone… These are just some of the traditional dishes from the Milanese cuisine. With its old culinary tradition Milan has an important place in Italian gastronomy. With a great number of restaurants serving delicious flavours from local and international cuisines, Milan is a foodie heaven appealing every taste, every budget. Grand'Italia Located on Corso Garibaldi 9, in Brera district, Grand’Italia is a lovely place serving variety of salads and delicious pizza together with a fine selection of beer at affordable prices. BBQ BBQ serves good value barbequed meat for really low prices, ideal for lovers of meat. (Address: Via Sottocorno, 5) Spontini Do you like pizza? If your answer is “Yes” then Spontini with its wide pizza menu is the right place to go for you. (Address: Corso Buenos Aires, 60) Marenostrum Marenostrum is a lovely restaurant where you can enjoy a fine selection of sea food from Tuna and fish soup to oysters. (Address: Via Peschiera 1) Giardino di Giada Located right behind Duomo, Giardino di Giada is a Chinese restaurant offering good food at affordable prices. (Address: Via Palazzo Reale 5) Sadler With its extensive menu including delicious meat, fish dishes together with a good selection of desserts and wine Sadler is the right place to go for a decent dining experience. Bars and nightlife Milan is a cosmopolitan city which is full of energy day and night. With numerous bars, nightclubs, wine houses and live music venues, the nights in Milan are irresistibly attractive. Check this guide out and find the most suitable place to enjoy the nights in Milan. Have fun! Shocking Club Located at Bastioni Porta Nuova 15, Shocking is a trendy club packed with many fashion models and students in the town. Mostly playing R&B and Hip-Hop music the place is popular among tourists as well as young locals of Milan. Hollywood Hollywood, Corso Como 15, is another popular club of Milan nights which hosts several dance and live music events throughout the year. Plastic Opened in 1980, Plastic is a famous night club where you can enjoy hit music played by famous DJs in town. Adress: Viale Umbria, 120. La Cantina di Manuela A visit to Milan is not complete without trying delicious Italian wines. La Cantina di Manuela, Via Poerio 3, is a lovely bar where you can enjoy best quality Italian wine in a laid-back atmosphere. Birrificio Lambrate Located at Via Adelchi 5, in Lambrate district Birrificio Lambrate is the first brewery of the city for those who like to enjoy home-made beer accompanied by relaxing tunes. Bar Basso Bar Basso, Via Plinio 29, serves delicious cocktails in a cheerful atmosphere and is worth a visit while in Milan. Blue Note Blue Note is a popular Jazz club hosting several local and international performers. Reservation is recommended. (Via Borsieri, 37) Exploring Milan Milan has three airports, namely Malpensa International Airport, Linate Airport and Orio al Serio Airport. Linate Airport is the closest airport to Milan city centre (7 kilometres) allowing fast and easy access to the city centre. There are frequent buses and shuttle services available at the airport. Bus number 73 runs between the airport and the Stazione Centrale (Milan Central Station) in every 10 minutes from 6:00 am until midnight. The ride takes about 10 minutes and the ticket costs EUR 1.00. Tickets can be purchased from the tobacco shop or from the newspaper stands at the airport. Taxi from the airport to the city centre costs around EUR 10.00. Malpensa Airport is located 40 km from central Milan and it is the busiest airport of the city. The airport is linked to Milan via rail and bus network. Malpenze Express runs between the airport Terminal 1 and Milan Cadorna Station. The ride takes around 40 minutes and costs EUR 11.00. Milan Cadorna station is directly linked to the underground system. Coach services (Malpensa Shuttle) are also available at the airport. The ride takes 50 minutes and costs EUR 7.00. For further information you can follow the link: www.airpullman.com Orio al Serio Airport is 45 kilometres away from Milan and the airport is not frequently used by the travellers to Milan. If you are arriving to Orio al Serio Airport you can take the shuttle bus to Milan railway station (Air Terminal). The buses run in about 30 minutes between 4.30 am and 01.00 am. A single ride costs EUR 8.00. Milan has a big railway station “Stazione Centrale”. Nestled in a spectacular historical building the train station is well serviced by several international and local trains as well as two underground stations connecting the station to the other parts of the city. Milan has an excellent transportation system within the city. There are several bus, tram, metro, radiobus and railway lines connecting the centre to the other parts of the city in a fast and effective way. For further information about the timetables, tickets and fares please see the website: www.atm-mi.it Major events in Milan Milanovendemoda (Milan Fashion Weeks) Held two times every year (February-March and September-October) Milanovendemoda is a leading event in the world of fashion. Carnevale Ambrosiano (Ambrosian Carnival) Annually celebrated in February-March, Ambrosian Carnival is one of the biggest events in Milan filling the city with a festive air. Oggi Aperto (Open Today) Every year in the third weekend of March Oggi Aperto gives tourists as well as locals the chance to visit the historical monuments and buildings that are normally closed to the visitors throughout the year. Festa del Naviglio (Naviglio Festival) Held in the first Sunday in June every year, Festa del Naviglio includes several celebrations, music, dance and sporting events. Milano d'Estate (Every year June to August) A typical “beginning of summer” celebration, Milano d'Estate festival celebrates the coming summer season with several music and dance events as well as with several exhibitions and other cultural activities. Festa Latino-Americano (Every year July and August) Organized by Forum di Assago, Festa Latino-Americano is an annual celebration of Latin American music and culture. Milan City Marathon (Every year in November) Milan city Marathon is an annual event hosting a great number of professional participants from all over the world.

Yasemen and the attractive resort of Assos

2009-04-17T12:53:00.000+03:00

Last spring we visited Assos for 2 days. It was so beautiful weekend for us.When we arrived Assos in the morning (6 am) a little dog was waiting for us. All hotels were closed. We were shocked but what we should do now. We waited 2 hours at the beach. Honestly I was afraid but then Assos woke up slowly. Assos is small fishing village. Also if you are trust your feet you can climb to Behramkale and finally you can find your dreams there. Firstly I saw the castle and I said 'I saw this everywhere' but after I saw 3 columns then after wonderful sea view. I wanted to be there until end of my life. But we had to go back and we wanted to swim. the water was like an ice. I am still cold :) Assos is very small village. there are not lots of hotels also it is a little expensive, but to drink a cold beer with wonderful sea view was a dream for us. I have nice photos and good memories from Assos. Distance is a 5 hour drive from Istanbul. For a relaxing weekend Assos is a good choice. Yasemen - Hotel reservations If you are tempted by Assos, have a look at the attractive hotels there... http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/assos.htm

Pablo Picasso in London

2009-04-15T15:18:00.000+03:00

From the 25th February to the 7th June you get the chance to see the Picasso exhibition; Challenging the past at the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN The exhibition features over 60 major pieces of work from Pablo Picasso and includes such works of art as....‘Man with a Straw Hat and an Ice Cream Cone’ -1938 and 'Women of Algiers (after Delacroix)' -1955 See our choice of hotels which are close to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery http://www.gtahotels.com/map/london?lmid=4762

London hotels

2009-04-15T14:34:00.001+03:00

Travel to cosmopolitan London where cultures and religions blend together. Don't miss St.Pauls Cathedral with its whispering gallery and climb to the very top for an unforgettable experience and view! Leicester Square is home to Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest cafe and Trocadero centre.

The Tower of London sits by the River Thames where you can take a boat trip or cross the river to the Tate Modern and the Britain at war experience in Tooley Street. Visit these attractions and get the best rates for London hotels when you book your London accommodation online with gtahotels.com.

From Budget accommodation in London to luxury London hotels Gtahotels.com have accommodation to suit every taste and budget

Before you book your hotel we suggest that you check out our hotel reviews to get the real inside story.

Dont forget that the UK and London are home to an uncountable number of pubs- Its one English tradition that you cant miss out on

Where do we need to go in order to find quaint pubs? Throughout London and dotted along the River Thames you will find pubs such as The Lamb pub in Lamb's Conduit Street, its close to Russell Square tube and has lots of Victorian charm. Outside of London you will find typical English pubs everywhere, Bath, Cambridge, Oxford and Brighton, If you get the chance then do travel to Devon or Cornwall for the quaintest of the quaint!

The Acropolis

2009-04-13T18:15:00.000+03:00

Visitors arriving to Athens for the first time generally head straightaway for the Acropolis. There are very few visitors who are not already familiar with the image of this distinctive citadel of ancient Athens, perched on its steep flat-topped rock above the sprawling city.

This is the spot where Athens, and classical Greek civilisation, began, and the site of a collection of beautiful temples, mostly dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The ruins that remain visible today date back from the 4th century BC, most of them erected by Pericles after the Persians destroyed many of the original Acropolis buildings.

Visitors toil up the slopes past the souvenir stands and enter the site through the monumental entranceway, the Propylaia, which in ancient times contained an art gallery. To the right of the entrance is the tiny temple of Athena Nike, reconstructed and restored.

The Parthenon, the greatest surviving monument of Doric architecture, is the biggest drawcard on the Acropolis, built of Pentelic marble quarried from the distant mountains, which form the backdrop to the magnificent view of Athens from the Acropolis. Alongside the Parthenon is another temple, the Erechtheion, which bears holes on its northern porch where Poseidon's trident struck it during his contest with Athena to have the city named after him. There is a museum on the Acropolis, too, where some of the carving and friezes recovered from the temples are on show, although many of the archaeological finds from the Acropolis are now housed in the British Museum in London.

Dublin city guide

2009-04-10T15:29:00.000+03:00

Dublin, a city of culture Dublin is the biggest city of County Dublin and of Ireland. Located at the mouth of the River Liffey, the city has played important roles in Irish history since medieval times and it still is important to the country as it is the administrative, economic, and cultural centre of the Island. Dublin is one of the top destinations for weekend breaks and it is one of the most popular cities in Europe offering a wide range of entertainment venues that would satisfy people of all ages and interests. Apart from its fame as a “partying capital”, Dublin is also a popular destination for culture travels. With its rich historical background, magnificent buildings, impressive museums the city attracts millions of visitors each year. Home of the most influential writers in the world literary history such as Jonathan Swift, W.B. Yates, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, Dublin is the heaven for the lovers of literature with several literature museums it houses. With its vibrant life which is a fine blend of tradition and contemporary, with its cultural and historical heritage, and with its warm and welcoming atmosphere this marvellous city has everything to offer to satisfy its visitors. Don’t you think it’s high time to explore this gorgeous city? Then, let’s go! Exploring Dublin National Museum of Ireland The National Museum of Ireland has an extensive collection on archaeology, decorative arts & history, county life and natural history. (Admission: Free) National Gallery of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland houses an impressive collection of Irish art and European master paintings. (Admission: Free) Trinity College The oldest university in Ireland, Trinity Collage is listed among the greatest universities in the world. Located at the city centre, the university campus with its historical buildings and its cobbled squares offers tranquillity and peace in the midst of lively life of Dublin. Christ Church Cathedral Located at the heart of medieval Dublin, Christ Church is the cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and it is one of the most tourist ridden places in Dublin. (Admission: EUR 6.00) St. Patrick's Cathedral Built in 1191, St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest church and one of the important landmarks in Dublin. (Admission: EUR 5.50) Dublin Castle Dublin Castle is built by King John in 1204. Largely renovated in 18th century the castle houses Chapel Royal which used to be the official Anglican chapel in Ireland from 1814 until 1922. Dublin Writers Museum Opened in 1991, the museum aims at promoting interest in Irish literature through its displays and activities. Nestled in a beautiful historical building, Dublin Writers Museum invites you to take a tour into the world of Irish literature through first editions, letters, portraits and memorabilia of world famous Irish writers Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett and Behan. (Admission: EUR 7.25) Hugh Lane Gallery Located in the city centre, Hugh Lane Gallery is founded by Dublin Corporation houses an interesting collection on modern and contemporary art. (Admission: Free) Dining out in Dublin After a full day of sightseeing now it’s time to have a nice meal in one of the numerous restaurants in Dublin. Whether looking for a fast and cheap solution for your hunger or for a splendid meal, you are assured to find the place you’re looking for while in Dublin. Enjoy your meal! Wagamama Do you like Asian cuisine? Wagamama, the world-wide the restaurant chain, has a trendy branch in Dublin offering a wide menu of rice and noodle dishes at inexpensive prices. (Address: South King Street) Elephant and Castle Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Elephant and Castle is a popular place with a menu that combines good value food with cheap prices. Bruno's Located on Eustace Street 30 in Temple Bar, Bruno’s is a trendy place to enjoy delicious examples from French cuisine such as salads, meat and chicken dishes, fish specialties as well as delicious pasta and risottos in a refined atmosphere. Eden Looking over the Meeting House Square in Temple Bar district, the restaurant is the “Eden” of food. With its wide menu and professional service, Eden restaurant is the right place for a tantalising dining experience. Oliver St John Gogarty Oliver St John Gogarty Irish Bar & Restaurant is the best place to enjoy good value Irish food in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. Glimmering nights in Dublin Dublin, with its Temple Bar district, is the capital of entertainment in Ireland. When it gets dark the city turns into a dream land providing limitless entertainment to its guests. With a great number of theatres, cinemas, festivals, exhibitions, bars, and pubs Dublin lots to offer to guarantee a memorable night out. Lillie's Bordello One of the most prestigious nightclubs in Dublin, Lillie’s Bordello is the right place to enjoy the night listening to the music played by the best DJs. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 pm until late. (Address: Adam court, Grafton Street) Spirit Spirit is a trendy place inviting the visitors to have joyful moments in a decent atmosphere. The club has a good bar serving various local and international drinks. Whelan's Whelan’s is one of the most famous live music venues in Ireland. With its old history and cosy, laidback atmosphere on the Whelan’s among the “must-go” places in Dublin nights. Bad Bobs Situated on 4-35 East Essex Street, in Temple Bar, Bad Bobs is a 3 storey bar and it is ideal for those who like to spend the night chatting with friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Café en Seine Café en Seine is a nice place serving delicious Irish beer as well as several types of local and international spirits. (Address: Dawson Street 40) Travelling to and around Dublin Due to its geographical location Dublin seems to be separated from the Continental Europe and from UK but actually Dublin is easily accessible via air and water transportation from the Continental Europe and from the other spots in the world. Located approximately 10 km north of Dublin city centre, Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath (Dublin Airport) is the city’s most important getaway to the other countries with more than 30 direct routes to UK and numerous flights to the other spots in Continental Europe. Travelling from the airport to the city is very convenient. The airport is serviced by a direct line to the city centre (Airlink). The ticket for the ride costs EUR 6.00 (one-way) and EUR 10.00 (return). You can obtain the tickets from the bus and rail information desk at the arrivals hall, from Dublin Tourism Info desk, from vending machines at the stations or from the driver on the bus. Dublin has two major railway stations, namely Heuston and Connolly Stations. Both stations are serviced by Intercity trains which connect Dublin to the major towns in the country. Unfortunately there is no direct railway link between the airport and the train stations, but Dublin Bus operates rides (bus number 90 and 92) from the airport to these stations. For further information please follow the link: www.dublinbus.ie Dublin Port, located about a 5 minutes drive to the east of the city-centre and Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is located about a 30 minute drive south of the city are Dublin’s doors opening to UK. There are several companies operating ferry services from Dublin to Holyhead (Wales), Liverpool and to the Isle of Man. Transportation within the city Dublin is provided by bus and train services. All parts of the city are well connected to city centre offering fast and easy transportation within the city. Fares for the buses and trains change according to the distance. A single ticket for the shortest ride cost EUR 1.05. There are various passes you can use on buses and trains for cheaper transportation in Dublin. A day ticket (Rambler ticket) which is available for 24 hours in all bus routes costs EUR 6.00. A day ticket which is valid on all Dublin Bus, DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) and suburban rail services costs EUR 9.30 and can be obtained from Rail and Bus Info desks as well as from Dublin Tourism Info Centre located on Suffolk Street. While in Dublin there is no need to worry about catching the last bus to the hotel. Dublin Bus operates an extensive night bus service (Nitelink) connecting city centre to the other areas in the city for EUR 5.00. For information about the routes you can check the website: http://www.dublinbus.ie/your_journey/nitelink.asp Festivals and events Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival (Every year in January) One of the biggest festivals in Ireland, Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival is the celebration of Irish music and culture. The Festival takes place in several venues in the city’s cultural quarter, Temple Bar. Attracting many visitors from all over the country as well as from UK and Continental Europe, the festival is a lively event warming up the cold days of January. Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (Every year in February) Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is a 10 day festival which celebrates cinema by screening Irish and international films in several venues in the city centre. St Patrick's Day Parade (Every year in March) Celebrated annually in March, St Patrick's Day is Ireland’s largest street party which celebrates the patron saint, Saint Patrick of Ireland. During this day several parades, fireworks, family carnivals and street performances take place in the city filling air with a festive atmosphere. Dublin Theatre Festival (Every year September-October) Dublin Theatre Festival is an annual festival during which many theatre plays, dance and comedy shows are staged in different locations in Dublin. Samhain Halloween Festival (every year in October) This annual celebration takes its roots from the old Celtic tradition of Samhain. It includes parties, celebrations, fireworks and thrilling projections at night and has thousands of participants each year.

Luciane and Istanbul

2009-04-10T15:07:00.000+03:00

BEING ABROAD WAS A DREAM FOR ME AND THIS DREAM CAME TRUE IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY OF THE WORLD. THIS CITY WAS ISTANBUL. The winter of 2006 was the spring of my life. I saw the differences beetwen the oversea countries. I saw the mystery of the three civilizations, the water of two different seas. I felt the lightness of being able to change two continents in just one minute, the peace of hearing ezan from the minarets and the bell of the churches. I felt an authentic-factual peace. It sits on seven hill. The historical one is the first one, but the best one can change in respect of each person. For me the best one is the first one. Also it is the historical peninsula of İstanbul. When i was in my country, i desired to see the Arceological museum which is located in the best part of this historical peninsula. To see the tomb of Great Alexander. And i visited and saw it. Even i touched it. Just beetwen this wonderfull museum and sea side there is a peacefull public garden. Nice relaxing garden and if you walk till the end of this garden, it gives you a wonderful gift; one of the most wonderfull view of Istanbul. You can see the ships passing trough the bosphorus. (The waterway that divides Europe and Asia) and drink a traditional Turkish coffee against this wonderfull view. The other hill is the most cosmopolit one. The other one is the one which has the biggest panoramic view of Istanbul. And the list may go on like this longer and longer. And the lesson i got from this trip is seeing comes before thinkink. Seeing is beyond all of the toughts. Come and see. See and feel. As a small advise you can stay in a small boutique hotel in Sultanahmet where is possible to reach anywhere of Istanbul very easy. I didnt talk about the foods couse it is a big history. I can write a book about this. Wonderful Kebaps, fishes, Ayran and so many others.

Luciane - Reservations

Monasteries in Meteores, Greece

2009-04-10T13:51:00.000+03:00

Meteores is the most spectacular place to visit in Greece. I have visited this place only for one day but it is unforgettable experience. Trip from Athens to this place lasts around four hours but it is worth to go there from every corner in the world.

Originally the area of Meteora was inhabitted by Monks who lived in caves from around 11th century. However in the course of time they started to built monsteries by bringing materials and people from down the hills by baskets. Until the beginning 20th century it was the only way to go to the monasteries. Since that times some paths and roads were created which enabled easy access for all travellers. Nobody has to be put in danger by travelling in the basket andmore J However if somebody is interested in previos ways of transportation there are still some baskets to see.

The monasteries fo Meteora represents an unforgettable architectural achievement. The six Greek monasteries (Holy Trinity , Varlaam Monastery, Monaster of Agios Nikolaos Anapafsas, Roussanou Monaster, Megalo Meteoris, Agios Stefanos) are built on the rocks on the edge of the Pindus Mountains in Northern Greece. Most of them were founded in 15th or 16th century. The most known of the Monasteries is Megalo Meteoris which is situated on the biggest rock. This monastery is the richest one and contains very beautiful paintings. It also has a museum collection. Meteores are very frequently visited by tourists and pilgrims and are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nowadays there are 6 monasteries that are open for visits and entrance to every one costs two EUR. There as special ruleas about clothes inside of the monsateries. Women have to wear skirts which are available for visitors at every entrance. I have visited these amazing Meteores in October and I was suprised by the fog wich welcomed us the top. Fortunatelly fog did not prevent from admiring great views and visiting these pearls of architecture.

Anna - Customer Care

My Baguio Experience

2009-04-09T13:44:00.001+03:00

It's summer time once again. And a good plunge in the beach-water would be a perfect vacation getaway. Or, going to a cool place would be nice to leave the hustle and bustle of the city life. In Philippines, we don't really have nice big theme parks like Disneyland in Hongkong or Genting in Malaysia. I also don't have a bigger budget to fly anywhere so Baguio is one of my top choices if I'm in the Philippines. We call Baguio as a summer capital because it is 8 degrees cooler on the average than any place in lowlands. Just imagine how you sweat in the Metro and seldom can you feel the climate to be lower than 26 degrees. That's why many people would pack their bags and head straight to Baguio to cool off. Every time I go to Baguio, I always see how diverse life here is. They are still preserving the culture and yet they can manage to adapt the fast pace of city and environs. The main street, session road, is jam packed of people with different cultures. This is where you get your first bite of the charm and serendipity of Baguio. Apart from a handful of curio shops and vintage fashion boutiques, Session Road also features an interesting array of culinary delights. Restos, bars are sprouting like tiny mushrooms but one distinct shop amazed me: Oh My Gulay Restaurant (Oh my vegetables). But this exclamation is really the Filipino version for the expression "omigosh." This one of a kind restaurant is housed on the fifth floor (very good exercise, no elevators!) of the La Azotea Building (still along the session road). I'd say one-of-a-kind resto because it is really a well-thought of and it is a fantastic place that suites everyone (not to mention the meatlovers as well). I guess they did it on purpose because when I stared at the entrance door, I could see the guests' faces and how they are trying to catch their breath. Hmmmm.... it is a nice strategy so that peeps can dig more because climbing to the 5th floor would really work on someone's appetite. Hahaha! They serve a wide array of dishes (mind you they are all fresh veggies --- Baguio is known for vegetable supplier in Luzon area). After hiking 5 floors to reach the establishment, you can take a little sip of their native coffee in their cute cups, just to jolt your blood a little bit while waiting for your food. Or you may try the minty iced tea laced with lemon. That would freshen you up a bit. Well, about the food, they mostly serve pasta and I would say that what you have on your plate are all fresh. And they have fun way of calling names to their pasta, sandwiches, and salads... It is really indeed a Pun-ny (Funny) thing to coin a Fast-ta (Pasta). You may hear some chuckling on one the tables from time to time whose browsing their menu. This Veggie Haven is not just a simple ordinary resto that adults could dine but it is also a turf of Filipino's diversed culture. Everything here is with ethnic touch. There is a tiny bridge where you need to cross to get to the seating areas. Moreso, there are few steps you need to take to go to a sem-open space. Someone said, it looks like a Peter Pan Flick. It is more likely of a surreal yet been drawn to real world. My friend’s trying to be artistic, you know! Now, after obeying our stomachs’ plea, my friends and I would wander the session road for Vintage Shops or what we call Ukay-Ukay (2nd hand clothes). Well, if your eyes are very keen, you can dig a mountain of clothes and get an original Guess Jeans for only as low as Php 80 (approx. $2). But of course, you need to negotiate with Manang (Ilokano term for sister) or Ading (Ilokano term for younger sibling or person). Next stop (to maximize your day and also for your budget hehehehe), would be Burnham Park. It is situated in the heart of the city. It is a very popular destination for families. It has a nice park with flowers and trees and picnic grounds. Burnham Park provides a vital role for family bonding. You can just sit back and enjoy the cold breeze brushing through your naked skin (well if you can take off your jacket) while talking to each other and eating a nice chicharon (a delicacy --- I guess it's called "Fried Pork Skin Pop"). It is also a nice place to walk your dogs, or ride a bike or just stroll with your partner doing HHWW (holding hands while walking --- hehehe). And the lagoon, this is the most enjoyable part of the trip. I could rent a swan-like boat and paddle the whole lagoon. Of course, I could not get 10 meters away from the dock. After trying so hard to be a captain of my so-called ship, our trip to Baguio won't be complete if we'll not include the Lourdes Grotto to our itinerary. It is a place of meditation. Of course, 90% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic so this is a favorite pilgrimage site for holy week or just a place to spend a few minutes to give thanks or praise to our Virgin Mary. The grotto has a breath-taking view (not to mention breath-taking steps - literally!). It really is a looong way before reaching the top. Since we can’t roam the whole Metro the whole day, we need a pit stop. Life here is so simple; a clean hostel is a good choice (not to mention that it is in the heart of the city and is very cheap). We always rented the same hostel for the same kind of room type: Family room (3 twin beds) every time we are in Baguio. The five of us would squeeze in and that’s part of our trip, to have bonding as friends and literally, like sardines (we call it ~budgeting!). Of course, our Saturday night won’t be complete without some clubbing. (What do you expect – we’re young!); a different spice to this well-diversed city

Almah - Our Philippines programme director

My first time in New York

2009-04-09T10:27:00.001+03:00

First time in New York City... First time in America... Oh sorry, I should better say my first trip ever abroad. Hours of flight and understanding what jetlag really means. At first, I had no friends around so I talked to myself a lot! I Would be more than happy if you would like to read about my first time in NYC... First thing to learn- Don't even try!! A monday night, the night of Presidents Day so seems no one around 110th West. I really need a cigarette. Oh there is the starbucks, a familiar brand. Smokers do know, cigarette with a tasty coffee after a long day helps a lot. "Thank you for the latte, so where can I smoke?". "Out" replied the manager. "Sorry to offend you I have just arrived to New York City (so I will smoke outside in the cold) So for your sake, do not even try to smoke any where and may be you can even quit smoking in this city or otherwise the amount you paid for the city taxes will increase.

Subway and 1 train Next morning my first work day and have to take 1 train to Times Square. That's all I know. I am really excited that I will see Times Square, is it really that shining like we saw on TV? Some people are passing to 2 and 3 trains on 96th Street. This is something I will try like one month later. The express trains to Times Square. My everday stop was Village 38 just at the corner of 38th street and 8 th avenue. Starting the day with its bagels and coffee and sometimes with fresh fruits helped me a lot to wake up. The first time I had bagel in my life. Despite many varieties, I always tried cream cheese and tomato as in the picture. Times Square “My first Saturday in New York City, everything seems so fine just the trains are not as crowded as it is in week days so its even better, what may go wrong?” I asked to myself. “Well, who closed my exit? Where can I exit now? Nobody told me there was an ongoing construction between the lines. Anyway, I have the address with me. 330 West 38th Street and I know the office is between 8th and 9th avenue. I know the way from Port Authority so if I could just find the exit to there, I can find where the office is. I am on 41th street so I am really close to office. I am not sure if it was only me or all the new New Yorkers who can not decide which way to go to the next avunue or next street. I am sure it is one of the best constructed cities in the world but so easy to go to wrong direction for me. My first time in Times Square was at the day time so going up exit, me as a dumb have not realised I was just in the middle of Times Square. I thought there was going to be lights everywhere how can I know J I know the closest train exit to our office and I have the address too so ofcourse I can find Port Authority. Ok after walking around one hour but I have found, right? St Patricks Day vs Central Park OK this Saturday I have so many plans cause it is the Saturday of St Patricks day and I can not miss the parade, I have heard so much of it. I left the office at the right time and Well there seems nobody here but I can see a few Irish people so I should keep walking I am on the right way.... (after an hour) Have no idea where am I? I know the address and in which station to take off the train.

(After 15 min) Oh great I am in central park. I saw people coming out of the parade. It should have finished already. I know the parade can not wait for me to come. Anyway central park is also nice and I can smoke with a coffee.... Having a seat and watching how the children were having fun took me to my childhood too. Luckily I have my book with me, childrens voices. The deep white what would I want more?

I am not sure but this bridge always seemed to me the bridge where Mary Jane and Spidey met in Spiderman 3. I watched the film later I took this photo but walking over the bridge and seeing everywhere in white was one the feeelings you should live. Staten Island and Statue of Liberty One of the most common questions I have from the people I met was whether I have been to Statue of Liberty or not? Ofcourse I went to the battery park and wait for a long queue to take the ferry to Staten Island. When you are waiting you can have your picture be drew for 5 bucks but you should better be careful as if you do not specify they drew an caricature of yours and with the frame the total can come up to 20 bucks. Oh we are leaving the battery park and will be with Lady Liberty in 20-3o minutes. The weather is nice so no need to be inside. There is the New york city with all its glory. The road in the island gives you a lot information about the colour and the construction of Lady Liberty besides there is a museum within the island where you can have more information and Staten Island Cafe with special statue of liberty glasses. She was just gorceous and the announcement made in the ferry when going back to NYC gave us some more information about the history of statue of liberty and freedom of America.

Going back to the city, be careful about not taking the ferry to New Jersey. Of course I took the New York City ferry but I was just about to take the New Jersey one so just warning in case

Hairspray - The great Broadway musical http://www.gtahotels.com/activities/productdetails.php/SIC.3242NYCHAIR_CXL0.htm

My best night in New York was absolutely the night I have seen my first Broadway show. Hairspray. If you people have not seen yet, buy the ticket right know. It is the best musical winner with 8 Tony Awards in 2003 You would be taken to Baltimore at 60 s and meet great guys who have great passion for dance and friendship. I believe this show is satisfaction guarantee show. IT gives you the feeling for the good and humanity. You should not miss GEORGE WENDT as big mama but I can clearly say every single person in the show was faboulous. MoMa: The Museum of Modern Art http://www.gtahotels.com/activities/productdetails.php/SIC.2174MOMA_TR.htm The first day I have been to New York, I have heard about MoMa and I believe New Yorkers are proud of that huge modern art museum. I got MoMa to my things to do list and I was definately going to go. One weekend taking the bus from 152 broadway to Manhattan, I used E5 bus instead of train and I realised the route of that bus is like a hop on hop off tour bus so you do not need to pay for a tour in the city (just kidding J) and the last stop is penn station on 34th street so the famous shopping mall Macy s is just at the corner. Anyway I have passed like with the bus E5 American National History Museum FAO Schwarz Toy Shop I regret to say this is a toy shop. No it is absolutely not. It is a total attraction and experience. If you really want to see some funny stuff you should visit the store and have a closer look to the giant creatures made with Lego. If you apply before you might have the chance to enter the constructing of it. Even the planning took like one month and they were completed in 6 months. Coney Island and Nathans If you are a fan of hotdogs, you should absolutely try Nathans near Coney Island. There is a lot fun there and you can also win some toys by filling the balloons with water. Not only your children but you will also enjoy yourself a lot. Wonder Wheel was also seen in Joan Osbournes video clip for what if god was one of us. Just try it is really safe so you wont fall. Being at the top, you have a view of Manhattan on one side and the ocean on the other so you can sing what if god was one of us at that point. If you like bookstores in a city try Barnes and Noble and Borders Book store definately. http://www.bordersstores.com/index.jsp http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ After all... Walking down 5th avenue and listening to Sting’s Englishman in New York despite the fact I am neither an English nor a man made me feel so nice. Payless shoe store and Duane Reade was everywhere so I am safe So New York is the city of "hope" and "culture". A real cosmopolite with all the people fom all around the world. It is a city that you can not explain with words cause you have to experience it. So I should better stop here but before I go, one more thing to mention... I believe, there is no other city in the world where the bus drivers are such polite and friendly. They do welcome every single person taking on bus. I would like to give my special thanks to Frank Sinatra for '' New York New York..." Ayşenur - Our New York office director

Hotels close to Disneyland Paris

2009-04-08T12:46:00.000+03:00

Thinking of taking a short break to France to enjoy Disneyland Paris? Well, for all those Mickey Mouse fans out there we have compiled a list of hotels that offer easy access to the Magic Kingdom As the name might suggest, the Residhome Prestige Val d'Europe is not so much a hotel but more or a residence of 190 studios and apartments - The Residhome Prestige Val D'Europe is less than 5 minutes to the train station and a 10 minute walk from the huge Val D'Europe Shopping Complex... The complex offers its visitors a huge shopping centre, a Sea life centre as well as an outlet shopping village. Disneyland Paris...Just 1 stop away on the RER This property is recommended for those who want to explore Disneyland of a budget and just need a base to sleep and recover from the days excitement! http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/residhome_prestige_val_deurope_hotel_paris.htm Home Business Paris Val d'Europe is in Montevrain and again provdes easy access to Disneyland Paris and Val D'Europe. This property is recommended is you want a lille more than just a base for the night- Studios and apartments are modern and well equipped http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/home_business_paris_val_deurope_hotel.htm

How about making all your dreams come true and stay at the Dream Castle hotel? Located in Marne la Vallée the hotel offers a free shuttle service to Disneyland Paris http://www.gtahotels.com/hotels/dream_castle_hotel_disneyland_paris.htm

Ghent city guide

2009-04-08T12:30:00.000+03:00

Ghent with its 250.000 inhabitants is the fourth largest city in Belgium and the main city in East Flanders. Throughout history this charming city has played an important role in the economic and cultural life in the North Europe. With its busy port Ghent was one of the trade centres of the world in the Middle Ages. Today, Ghent is a modern city packed with glorious castles, interesting museums, beautiful waterways adorned by magnificent buildings on both side and with a lively cultural life. Visited by thousands of people each year, yet not on the headlines as much as its neighbour cities in Flanders, Ghent is a real gem in the heart of Low Lands and is waiting to be re-discovered. Attractions The Belfry Tower Expressing wealth and power of the city, Belfry towers are among the most significant features of medieval Flemish cities. With a history dates back to 14th century, The Belfry Tower of Ghent is a must-see spot while in Ghent. The Gravensteen (Castle of the counts) The Gravensteen has a history dates back to Middle Ages and is important as it is one of the first stone castles in the Low Lands. Now a museum, The Gravensteen has a thrilling collection of medieval torture instruments and can be visited all year round. The St Bavo Cathedral With its magnificent tower dominating the city skyline, The St Bavo Cathedral is renowned as the most magnificent church in the country. Apart from its historical charm, the church is also important as it houses the monumental rococo pulpit by Laurent Delvaux, the Conversion of St. Bavo by Pieter Paul Rubens and the world-famous multi-sectioned painting “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” painted by Hubert van Eyck. Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is considered to be one of the most influential and beautiful painting of the Middle-Ages and the Flemish art. (Entrance: Free (church), € 3.00 (Mystic Lamb)) The St. Nicholas Church The St. Nicholas Church is one of the striking examples of Scheldt Gothic style buildings in the Low Lands. Geeraard de Duivel Steen (Castle of Gerald the Devil) Geeraard de Duivel Steen is perhaps one of the most tourist-ridden sites in Ghent not only for its architectural features but also for the story about its owner. According to the legend, Gerald, the owner of the castle, married five times throughout his live and he killed each wife to be able to marry another one, that’s why he was nicknamed as “duivel” meaning “devil”. True or not, the story is interesting enough to attract a great number of tourists to this site every year. Saint Micheeal’s Bridge Saint Michael's bridge, which is a magnificent symbol of the architectural wealth of medieval Ghent, offers a beautiful view of the famous Ghent towers: Saint Nicholas' Church, the Belfry and Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Three Towers). The Graslei and the Koornlei 'Graslei' and 'Koornlei' are two streets alongside the Leie River. With famous and the most beautiful medieval houses they host, streets and surrounding area are among the places you should definitely go while in Ghent. Dining and where to eat Ghent, with numerous restaurants and brassieres serving delicious food from local and international cuisine, offers the best culinary experience in East Flanders. Brasserie Pakhuis Brasserie Pakhuis is located on Shuurkenstraat 4, and offers tantalising dishes from Italian and French cuisine. The menu also includes Flemish specialties such as waterzooï and garnaalkroketten. Cosy with a spacious dining space this restaurant is one of the popular spots among tourists as well as locals. (An average three course meal in Brasserie Pakhuis ranges between € 12 – € 40) The House of Eliott Located on Jan Breydelstraat 36, The House of Elliot restaurant offers mouth-watering dishes from Belgian and French cuisine in a decent atmosphere. Belga Queen Nestled in a charming former 13th century Grain warehouse, Belga Queen invites you to an excellent dinning experience offering the best culinary quality. (Address: Graslei 10) Fabula Rasa Fabula Rasa with its menu including dishes from African and European cuisine is a cosy place where you can enjoy delicious meals at affordable prices. (Address: Fr. Lousbergskaai 134) Ghent by night Ghent by night is a dazzling experience. Taking a walk through the city centre which is illuminated until the first lights of the morning, you will be amazed by the lively atmosphere of this charming city. With numerous bars and night clubs Ghent is a shining star in Flanders’ night life. Het Patershol Located in “Three Towers” area, Het parasol is the best choice for a night out. De Korenmarkt Popular among the students, de Krotenmarkt offers nights full of dance and music. Damberd Jazzcafe With the live Jazz music performances it hosts, Damberd Jazzcafe offers you the right environment to relax and unwind while sipping your drink. From the airport and around Ghent Very well serviced by land, air and water transportation, travelling in and around Ghent is fast and convenient. If you want to reach Ghent from Brussels International Airport the only thing you should do is to take one of the trains to the main railway station in Ghent (Sint-Pietersstation). The ride will last about 1 hour. Sint-Pietersstation is directly served by several lines within Belgium. For further information about the fares and timetables please visit: http://www.b-rail.be/ Once in Ghent you most probably won’t need any transportation as the city is very compact with all the attractions close to each other. Therefore walking is one of the most convenient (and of course the cheapest) way to travel within the city. As in most of the cities in Europe, cycling is a popular way of transportation in Ghent. Bike hire available at Sint-Pietersstation and at bicycle shops such as Biker (Steendam 16), Het Verzet BVBA (Nieuwstraat 41). For those who do not like walking or cycling, Ghent is serviced by several bus and tram lines which make travelling within the city fast and easy. Festivals and events in Ghent Ghent Jazz Festival (Every year in June, dates for 2008: 10th – 20th July) Ghent Jazz Festival is an annual event in which local and international Jazz bands and singers stage their performances for the lovers of Jazz throughout 10 days. The Ghent Festivities (Every year, the week preceding the third Sunday of July) The Ghent Festivities are a serious of events take place in several spots in the city. The festival includes various theatre and music performances, exhibitions, guided city walks and firework displays offering a festive atmosphere.

Year round beach destinations....

2009-04-07T16:55:00.000+03:00

The great thing about these popular year round beach destinations is that most of the cheap airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair fly to them, so you really can get away for a family break without breaking the bank..... Antalya Antalya is the main city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and one of the most popular holiday hot spots, with an attractive harbour setting and the picturesque old quarter of Kaleiçi enclosed within ancient Roman walls. Dominating the town is Antalya’s symbol, the Yivli Minaret (Grooved Minaret) dating back to the 3rd century. The superb Archaeological Museum, housing one of the top collections in the country, is not to be missed. Known as the Turkish Riviera, the Antalya shoreline boasts secluded coves, ancient cities and harbours, seaside towns, sparkling seas and soaring cliffs. The city provides an excellent base for exploring the small towns nearby, as well as caves, waterfalls and Roman ruins, including Perge and the mountain-top remains of Termessos. A 30-minute drive east of Antalya is Aspendos, boasting the finest example of a Roman theatre in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is remarkably intact. In addition to the vast number of archaeological wonders, the area also has a wealth of outdoor activities. Antalya, lying at the foot of the Taurus Mountain range, is host to numerous sporting events throughout the year, including international beach volleyball, triathlons and canoeing competitions Fuerteventura Only 60 miles (100km) separates the island of Fuerteventura, second largest in the Canary archipelago, from the continent of Africa, and this sunny island shares the same latitude (and therefore weather conditions) with the renowned holiday destinations of Florida and Mexico. Unlike those bustling resort-ridden vacation stations, though, Fuerteventura is relatively undiscovered, its more than 150 idyllic sandy beaches only sparsely populated and many seldom visited at all.The island has an arid volcanic landscape, and apart from the beaches, not much to recommend it in the way of tourist amenities or attractions. This has kept the mega resorts and mass summer package holiday trade at bay, but it does have a fair share of day-trippers from the resorts of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria who come seeking a respite from the crowds. The island's two main resort towns are Corralejo and Caleta del Fuste. Fuerteventura is easily accessible from the other islands in the archipelago by ferry or air. The airport is situated close to the island's capital of Puerto del Rosario. Belek Belek is a sprawling resort town specifically developed for tourism, and over the last two decades has grown to encompass the neighbouring village of Kadriye. Boasting 300 days of sunshine and the warm, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the area has become a haven for those seeking the luxury of five-star hotel complexes, as well as some great golf courses. Many of the hotels have their own strip of private beach and some visitors never leave the comforts of their seaside accommodation. Belek is, however, close to a number of interesting sites and there are several exciting activities on offer for those who can bear to tear themselves away. The ruins of the Roman town of Perge is an interesting excursion, as is the well-preserved ancient amphitheatre at Aspendos; its acoustics have stood the test of time and it still plays host to the occasional concert. Jeep safaris into the mountains are another popular outing, as are boat trips, watersports, and visits to nearby Manavgat waterfalls and the thermal baths at Pamukkale. Scuba diving, white water rafting, horse riding and more are also on offer. The town of Belek itself is compact and has a small shopping centre, some souvenir shops and some cafes. Kadriye has more to offer in the way of street markets and nightlife, but day trips to busier towns such as Alanya or Antalya are also available. Belek is the perfect resort for golfers and those seeking lazy days lounging on a beach or by a swimming pool Costa Brava The ruggedly beautiful Costa Brava holiday coast stretches for 100 miles (160km) along the shores of Catalonia in Spain's north-eastern corner, from Port Bou on the Franco-Spanish border to Tossa del Mar, just north of Barcelona. The coast is filled with high-rise resort developments and modern marinas catering to package tourists, but retains enough green hillsides and lonely, wild cliffs, coves and caves to belie its reputation as one of Europe's busiest holiday destinations.Holidaymakers revel in the hidden delights of the craggy coastline, many exploring in boats to seek out deserted coves scented with pine and citrus trees, fragrant herbs and bright flowers. International resorts and marinas lie in close proximity to relatively unspoilt fishing villages and towns bearing evidence of the area's rich history with ancient castles and fortifications. Offshore divers revel in the abundance of wrecks to explore in the crystalline waters, while seemingly endless sunshine pours down on stretches of sandy or shingle beach.The untouched natural areas and fishing industry have also resulted in making a holiday here a gastronomic treat. Seafood reigns supreme, from sardines to delicious lobster, but specialities also include local wild game, like boar, duck and rabbit, which can all be washed down with a variety of wines produced from the vineyards that clothe the hillsides. Bodrum The popular resort of Bodrum, called Halicarnassus in ancient times, is the South Aegean's most attractive resort, described by Homer as 'The land of eternal blue'. The hillside is covered in painted villas adorned with bougainvillea. Narrow streets wind their way down to the sea, and the peaceful setting of its twin harbours offer shelter for yachts. Bodrum is a mustering point for local boats offering tailor-made daytrips to nearby islands or the pristine beaches and seaside restaurants along the magnificent coastline. From its position between the two harbours, the 15th-century crusader Castle of St Peter dominates every part of the town, now home to the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The other attraction in town is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the crumbling remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As Turkey's leading seaside resort destination, Bodrum is packed with foreign visitors in summer, yet it remains unspoilt and retains its charming Turkish character, perfecting the balance between exotic bazaars, the cry of the muezzin and ancient history, with water sports, sunbathing and a nightlife that is notorious throughout Turkey.

Kusadasi Kusadasi is one of the most swollen resort towns on the southern Aegean Coast, overflowing with shiploads of tourists in summer who enlarge the year-round population several times over. Once a small fishing village, today the busy town is packed with curios and carpet shops; its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus making it an ideal base for Aegean cruise ships. Despite the frenzied tourism, Kusadasi is situated amid splendid coastal scenery and several significant archaeological sites, including the three well-preserved Ionian settlements of Miletus, Priene and Didyma. There are plenty of good hotels and restaurants, and ferries link it with the nearby Greek islands of Samos and Mykonos.

Majorca The island of Mallorca (Majorca) is the largest in the Balearic Island group, which collectively form one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, and certainly in the Mediterranean.Mallorca took off as a tourist Mecca in the 1960s, when a development boom spawned the building of hundreds of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping centres which now line most of the island's coast. The capital, Palma, however still retains some of its historical flavour sporting grand mansions and a magnificent Gothic cathedral in its bustling centre. The northwest coast, too, still offers some secluded coves below the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and several quaint old towns and villages.If you visit Mallorca for the sun and fun, it is worth taking a break from the beach resorts and heading off for a tour of the island by car, or even bicycle, to discover the romantic fishing villages, historic monasteries, monuments, museums and spectacular landscapes tucked away from the madding crowds. The interior is largely the preserve of a thriving agricultural community, dotted with windmills, olive and almond trees Sharm El Sheikh A world-acclaimed dive centre and the most developed of the Red Sea resorts, Sharm el-Sheikh has many activities, luxury accommodation and restaurants available. Most hotels and diving centres are situated four miles (7km) from the city at Naama Bay and it has become a busy holiday resort with plenty of shopping opportunities, late night entertainment and an attractive resort atmosphere. Numerous dive sites are within reach of Sharm el-Sheikh, including the huge drop-offs at Ras Mohammed in the extreme southern part of the peninsula, the Straits of Tiran, wrecks and 28 sites located along the coast that are reached by boat. Naama Bay has a gently sloping sandy bottom, is ideal for dive classes, and provides diving and snorkelling opportunities for all levels without having to use a boat or car to get there. Besides excellent diving and snorkelling, which are the main activities, there are plenty of watersports available if one feels like doing more than just soaking up the sun. Add a vibrant nightlife with casinos, discos and nightclubs and one cannot complain of boredom. Dubai Originally a small fishing settlement that became a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, the emirate was rapidly transformed into an international business centre and modern tourist destination following the discovery of oil in 1966. Today Dubai ranks as the country's foremost commercial centre, a city whose skyline is constantly being upgraded with new developments providing the infrastructure and facilities needed for a progressive society, including world-class hotels, shopping plazas and outstanding sports facilities. Dubai Creek divides the city centre into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south and each has its fair share of souks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and fine mosques. From within these high standards of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai's attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers. One of the city's top attractions is its excellent shopping. As an open port with low import duties, Dubai can offer an incredible range of top brand names at cheaper prices due to the tax-free environment, and 'shopping tourists' are drawn from around the world to this paradise of malls, souks, boutiques and modern department stores selling everything from Paris fashions to Japanese electronics. The annual Shopping Festival attracts millions of tourists to the city for a shop-till-you-drop holiday

Dubrovnik Riviera Dubrovnik allows its visitors to make the most of its historical architecture, white pebble beaches and crystal-clear sea. For centuries Dubrovnik has drawn visitors seeking fine accommodations, excellent cuisine, beautiful surroundings and recreational opportunities. George Bernard Shaw is quoted as describing Dubrovnik as 'heaven on earth'.The old town, dating from the 7th century, is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Enclosed by city walls built in the 13th century, the buildings represent a cross-section of medieval architectural styles and remain well preserved. Onofrio's Fountain, situated just inside the main entrance to the old city at Pile Gate, is one of Dubrovnik's most famous landmarks and a popular meeting place. The centre of the old town is the Stradun, its main street, which was originally a channel separating an island from the mainland, and was filled in to join two opposite towns into the merged city of Dubrovnik. There are numerous churches, monasteries and museums to explore; the old town also boasts plenty of restaurants, bars and shops; and the coastal belt is awash with marinas, coves and promenades. Most of the hotels and the best beaches are located north west of the old town at Lapad, as well as in Ploce to the north east Tenerife If there is any spot on the globe that enjoys a perfect climate, Tenerife in the Canary Islands is it. There is markedly little variation in the average temperatures between summer and winter, which hover between 59ºF and 75ºF (15-24ºC), and there is only very occasional rain. Throw this in to the mix of verdant forests in the northern part of the island as well as mountains, deserts, volcanoes, exotic plant and animal life, and spectacular beaches (with black volcanic sand) - and you have a holiday paradise.Tenerife offers the unique experience of swimming and sunbathing on a beautiful beach while just a few miles away snow sparkles on the crest of Mount Teide. The island's central mountain stands at 12,200 feet (3,719m), the highest in Spain, and a cable-car ride to the summit offers unrivalled views of the lunar-like landscape of the volcanic slopes.The island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is an upbeat town geared for tourism. Its port, where once the first shots of the Spanish Civil War were fired, is today a morass of ferries, jetfoils and freighters. Playa del Ingles 'The Englishman's beach' is how Playa del Ingles translates - those naming the resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main attractions are the wide sandy beaches that stretch from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north. The seafront is lined by the lovely pedestrian promenade, the Paseo Costa Canaria, planted with lush gardens. With its conglomeration of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping malls, Playa will not win any awards for architecture or sophisticated ambience, but the ever-growing resort, purpose-built for pleasure and leisure back in the 1960s, is hard to beat for a good value summer fun break. Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas Costa Del Sol The densely populated coast of Andalusia, stretching from Almeria to Tarifa, is Europe's all-year-round favoured holiday destination, known as the Costa del Sol. It consists of a string of fine sandy beaches, where the average water temperature is 64ºF (18ºC), and picturesque towns have abundant tourist amenities, resorts and high-rise hotels. Attractions include zoos, bullfights, water parks, casinos and amusement parks, like the renowned Parque de Attractions Tivoli. The most popular resort town on the Costa del Sol is Torremolinos, which retains some elements of traditional Spain, although most main streets are now pedestrian thoroughfares filled with souvenir shops and ice-cream parlours.

Cape Town city guide

2009-04-07T16:32:00.000+03:00

Main attractions in Cape Town Table Mountain One of the most significant landmarks of Cape Town, Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain which is one of the most tourist attractions in the city. Offering stunning views over Cape Town, Robben Island and the ocean Table Mountain is worth to be at the top of your to do & see list while in Cape Town. Cable-car rates: R145.00 (return). For further information please check the website: www.tablemountain.net Victoria & Alfred Waterfront This is one of the liveliest areas of Cape Town serving as the cultural, entertainment and tourism centre of the city. Visited by over 10 million people from around the world, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is another must-visit spot in Cape Town. Robben Island Located 12 kilometres from Cape Town Robben Island is a picturesque island which was formerly used as a place of banishment for the criminals, social outcasts and political troublemakers. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the island offers a wonderful insight to the history of Cape Town. The island also houses a splendid museum. Individual tours to the island are not permitted. The tours are organised by the Department of Arts and cost R150 per person including the guided tour and transfers. Boulders Boulders is a picturesque area located in Simon’s Town near Cape Town which is house to a beautiful beach as well as the lovely African penguin colony. In Boulders you will have the chance to see these gorgeous animals in their own habitat and also the chance to enjoy safe and enjoyable swimming. Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium South African Museum and Planetarium is South Africa’s oldest museum which hosts an extensive collection on natural history and the human sciences providing the guests with an invaluable insight into the natural beauties and treasures of South Africa. Entrance fee: R15 South African National Gallery South African National Gallery is South Africa’s premier art museum which boasts splendid collections including pieces from South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art. Entrance fee: R15. Two Oceans Aquarium Located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront this is a huge aquarium which has a large display on the marine life in Indian and Atlantic oceans, offering entertainment for everyone of every age. Entrance fee: R82.00 Dining and where to eat in Cape Town With its numerous restaurants and cafes serving tantalising dishes from local and international cuisine Cape Town invites you to an unforgettable culinary experience. Mama Africa Mama Africa is one of the best restaurants in Cape Town serving delicious food from African cuisine. Very popular among locals as well as the tourist crowd Mama Africa invites you to an unforgettable journey into the tantalising local flavours of South African kitchen. Address: 178 Long Street Rozenhof Located in a historic 19th century house, Rozenhof is a budget-friendly restaurant serving good value food in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Address: 18 Kloof Street Savoy Cabbage Right next to Heritage Square, Savoy Cabbage is a trendy restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food from international cuisine in a decent atmosphere. Address: 101 Hout Street Anatoli Anatoli is an excellent Turkish restaurant which serves mouth-watering specialties from Turkish cuisine for affordable prices attracting a great number of visitors, day & night. Traditional doner kebab is a must-try. Address: 24 Napier Street Africa Café Africa Café is another spot where you can enjoy different tastes from South African kitchen served by attentive waiters in a cosy atmosphere. Address: 108 Shortmarket Street 95 Keerom 95 Keerom is a wonderful Italian restaurant located at the city centre offering a fine dining experience with its extensive menu, intimate atmosphere and friendly service. Address: 95 Keerom Street Bars and Nightlife in Cape Town Regarded as the party capital of South Africa, especially during summer months, Cape Town is a city which lives 24/7 offering the best entertainment for everyone, and every taste. Club Roosevelt Club Roosevelt is a great place which appeals everyone of every age with its exclusive lounge and club both of which invite the guest to a memorable night out. Address: 160 Bree Street Galaxy Galaxy is a popular night spot among the young locals. With the various live music and dance events it hosts throughout the year, the club is one of the shining stars of Cape Town’s nightlife scene. Address: College Rd., Rylands Estate, Athlone Rhodos House Situated in one of the historic houses in Cape Town, Rhodos House with its exclusive lounges and spacious dance floor is another hot spot which is well worth to check out. Address: 60 Queen Victoria St Ignite Located right beside the beautiful Camps Bay beach, Ignite is a small, cosy club packed with people especially at weekends. Address: Victoria Rd., Camps Bay Café Camissa Hosting various live music performances and comedy shows, Café Camissa is another place which is worth dropping by. Address: 80 Kloof Street Jo-burg Jo-burg is the place for those who choose to spend their nights in a tranquil setting, drinking a couple of drinks while enjoying a nice talk with the friends. Address: 218 Long Street Wafu This is an award-winning roof-top bar where you can enjoy the best of food, drinks and entertainment in the town. Widely famous for its nice location overlooking the city Wafu is a place not to be missed while in Cape Town. Address: Beach Rd From the airport and around Cape Town Located 22 kilometres east of Cape Town, Cape Town International Airport is the second largest airport of South Africa providing easy access to Cape Town. Upon arrival at the airport you will find various companies which operate 24 hour door-to-door shuttle bus services. The services provide convenient transportation from the airport to the city centre. The ride takes around 20-30 minutes and costs R180 – R120 depending on the number people on the shuttle bus (max. 7 people) Cape Town city centre is very compact making the city easy to explore on foot. However, the city cannot be said to have the most efficient and safe transportation system in the world. This makes going from somewhere to another a very hard task. Yet, the city still offers some rail and bus services to provide transportation in and around. Operated by Metro Rail the trains serve within 4 areas in Cape Town and the surrounding area. Further information about the routes, timetables and fares is available at the company’s website: www.capemetrorail.co.za Car hire is a very popular method of transportation among the visitors to Cape Town. There are numerous car hire companies around Cape Town. Here some of the major car hire companies in Cape Town: Avis (www.avis.co.za), Europecar (www.europcar.co.za), Cape Car Hire (www.capecarhire.co.za), Hertz (www.hertz.co.za). Key events in Cape Town Maynardville Shakespeare Season (Annual, January-February) This is an open-air theatre festival celebrating William Shakespeare and his plays through various theatrical performances which take place at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, Wynberg. Aqua Opera (Annual, February) Held in V&A Waterfront, Aqua Opera is a spectacular event featuring a series of opera performances bringing great number of opera lovers into Cape Town. Cape Town Pride Festival (Annual, February) One of the biggest gay pride events in the world, Cape Town Pride Festival is a 10-day celebration which takes place in various venues throughout the city. Cape Town Festival (Annual, March) Aimed at promoting unity within the city, Cape Town Festival is a colourful event featuring numerous live music and dance performances. Cape Town International Jazz Festival (Annual, March) Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the biggest of its kind in Africa attracting a great number of visitors annually. Cape Town Gourmet Festival (Annual, May) One of the most colourful festivals in the city, Cape Town Gourmet Festival is the most extensive food and wine festival in South Africa. Whiskey Festival (Annual, October/November) Held in Cape Town International Convention Centre annually, this festival gives the world-famous whiskey producers the chance to introduce their products to the visitors. Cape Town World Cinema Festival (Annual, November) During this festival hundreds of local and international films are screened at various places all around the city. Obz Festival (Annual, December)Obz Festival is a colourful street festival which features live dance and music performances celebrating the beginning of the summer http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/cape_town.htm

The library of Celsus

2009-04-07T14:57:00.001+03:00

Once you have booked your cheap accommodation in Izmir, the next step is to plan your stay. For most visitors the first place to visit has to be a day trip to the ancient site of Ephesus. The site is just outside of Selcuk and the journey time by road from Izmir is about 1 hour It's best to go in the morning to avoid the crowds especially during the summer months. However if you make your trip out of season you may find that you have Ephesus all to yourself. While the site of Ephesus is large and contains the largest collection of Roman ruins East of the Mediterranean. Its hard to believe that only an estimated 15% of Ephesus has actually been excavated. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city's original splendour. The theatre dominates the view down Harbour Street which once led to the harbour. For most visitors to Ephesus the highlight has to be the library of Celsus. The library was built in AD 117 by Galius Julius Aquila in memory of his father. We have to remember that unlike today's libraries, the library of Celcus would have held hand written scrolls. Infact over 12,000 scrolls were kept in covens or niches in the walls. The library of Celsus was the third richest library in ancient times after the Alexandra and Pergamum. Beneath the Library was the grave of Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The library was built with such a large entrance in order to enhance its size and as the building faces east, the reading rooms would have been able to make the best use of the morning light. We also have to remember that there was no electricity and that natural light and to make best use of it was important. For cheap accommodation in Izmir, its best to pre book. Book online for the best rates http://www.gtahotels.com/cities/izmir.htm

Athens city guide

2009-04-07T14:43:00.000+03:00

The capital of Greece, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. For thousands of years, Athens exerted great cultural and political influence on the ancient world to the extent that it was considered the cradle of Western civilization. As the seat of learning and philosophy and the home of Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, Athens produced some of the leading philosophers, politicians and writers in history. The city introduced concepts such as parliament, library, university, academy and the independent Greek state. Athens is also where the Parthenon on the Acropolis and a host of other ancient marvels stand tall and proud. Today, Athens is a concrete jungle with a laid-back style, a city characterized by its thriving café society, vibrant nightlife and a kind of quirky charm. Athens is a special place with its own signature vibe. At night, this vibe pulsates in the city’s major entertainment and dining sections. Both are close together and provide tourists with the luxury of walking from place to place. What would life be like in a city that had many picturesque hills? Find out in Athens, a city with seven hills, including the Acropolis. Each hill is a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city streets and an excellent vantage point for viewing the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. Athens is also surrounded by mountains on three sides: Mt Pendeli, Mt Parnitha and Mt Hymettos. It’s really a unique place to visit, both historically and geographically. Athens also has a long history as a cradle of sports. It hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and again in 2004. Both were a smashing success. Located at the Attica periphery, Athens has a population of over 700,000. The Metropolitan Area has a population of 3.3 million. As an (LUZ) Larger Urban Zone, Athens has the eighth biggest population among LUZs in the European Union. Attractions On the surface, Athens appears to be a bit drab with row upon row of six-story cement buildings. But there's a lot to discover in Athens, especially near the foot of its famous hills. Here are some of the most famous attractions of Athens. The Acropolis This ancient town is widely regarded as the most important site in the Western world. It has stood guard over Athens since the Late Bronze Age and is the site of the most important historical buildings of Greece, including the Parthenon, the Erectheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Acropolis houses many temples, but none of them is more impressive than the all-marble Parthenon, the most magnificent Greek temple which houses a giant statue of Athena. Meanwhile, the Erechtheion is famous for its Caryatids, the six maidens who serve as the building’s columns. The Ancient Agora In ancient times, important political and commercial meetings were always held at the Agora (market). It’s where Socrates explained his philosophies and where St. Paul tried to win converts to Christianity. The original Agora was built in 6 B.C. and flourished until 267 A.D. The site also hosts the Temple of Hephaestus, the Attalos Stoa museum and the Church of the Holy Apostles. From here, the Acropolis is just a short walk away. Temple of Olympian Zeus Only ruins remain of this temple, once the largest in Greece and took over 700 years to complete. The temple once contained a huge statue of Zeus made out of gold and ivory. A short distance away is Hadrian’s Arch and the Panathinaiko Stadium, site of the 1896 Olympic Games. Syntagma Square The site of the Parliament building features parliamentary guards with a unique style of walking that many people consider funny. The changing of the guards every hour is interesting to watch. Lycabettus Hill The top of the hill gives tourists a breath-taking view of the Parthenon and of Athens by the sea. You can get to the top either by walking or by funicular. If you choose to walk, you don’t have to worry about going hungry. Several cafes and restaurants line the side of the hill. National Archaeological Museum of Athens This is one of the great museums of the world and the largest one in Athens. It contains the most significant archaeological finds in Greece, including the popular Mask of Agamemnon and the oldest Greek figurines from 2,000 B.C. The most awe-inspiring displays include the Mycenaean Antiquities, partly made out of gleaming gold, a marble statue of Aphrodite and a bronze statue of Zeus. The museum is located at 28 Oktovriou-Patission 44, Exarhia. National Gardens Enjoy the shade of subtropical trees and watch ducks frolic in the pond. Plant lovers will be immersed in the Botanical Museum while their children enjoy the playground. Theatre of Dionysos This historic theater is huge and is a tribute to the importance of theater to the culture of Athens. It’s where the dramas of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Aristophanes stole the show during one golden season in 5 B.C. This magnificent auditorium of stone and marble could seat 17,000 spectators but now only a third of those seats remain. Numismatic Museum Coin collectors will think they have died and gone to heaven. The museum features elaborate collections of Greek, Roman and Medieval coins. It is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Athens. National War Museum Military buffs will find pieces here from all the great wars in history dating back to ancient times. It is located at Vasilissis Sofias 24. Dining Tourists in Athens should make it a point to taste the “sovlaki,” a local delicacy that combines grilled meat with vegetables, garlic, cucumber and wraps it in a thin slice of bread known as “pita.” It’s a mere €1 to €1.50 at the corner store and goes well with French fries and a soda. For the best sovlaki in town, head to O Thanasis at Mitropoleos 69. They also have servings of beef, chicken and lamb sovlaki. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more upscale dining fare, Athens certainly has a lot of that too. The Athens districts of Plaka and Kolonaki are two of the most popular places for dining in the city. With rows of souvenir shops and fashion stalls, Plaka is a tourist’s delight. But Kolonaki is even more popular, with its hip and upscale shopping outlets. Café Avissinia The finest restaurant in Plaka is Cafe Avissinia, located at the Monatiraki neighborhood. It serves traditional Greek food with a modern and creative twist. Its interiors are chic and elegant and afford diners the luxury of dining in an upscale ambience while viewing the rough and tumble neighborhood outside right in front of the local Flea Market. Cafe Avissinia is open for lunch and dinner and boasts of an impressive Greek wine list. To Kioupi Kolonaki features two outstanding restaurants, To Kioupi and Filippou. Located on Platía Kolonakíou, To Kioupi is a tavern located at a basement that serves authentic traditional Greek fare at an inexpensive price. The expatriate community regularly frequents this restaurant which is fondly called "the hole in the ground" by American executives. Filippou Filippou is a simple tavern on the outside but it serves some of the best authentic Greek food in Athens. Located at 19 Xenokratous, it also provides a nice view of the street. Tourists can sit indoors or outdoors. However, the outside tables tend to be full during sunny weather. Bars and Nightlife Greeks love to party, which is why the Athens nightlife goes on longer than in most European cities. The earliest that people in Athens will consider dining out is 8 p.m. Bars and clubs start heating up only after midnight. The party people stay out until 3 or 4 a.m. on weekdays and 5 or 6 a.m. on weekends. During summer, everyone’s drinking at the beach as many clubs relocate there to cope with the heat. The streets of Athens are filled with people that have spilled out from the cafes and clubs. Greece has a kind of informal national drink, ouzo. It’s liquor with a bit of licorice and is available everywhere in Athens. Ursus, which is vodka with berries, is another popular bar drink. The closest thing that Athens has to a club zone is the area near the coast. Live international music fills the air every night. The city center of Athens also hosts many highly entertaining bars and clubs. The following are some of the best bars and clubs in Athens. Remeo This kind of place is known locally as skyladika (doghouse) because its crooning singers resemble pitch-perfect howling dogs. Among skyladika, Remeo is the best in Athens. Like any other skyladika, Remeo is filled with smoke and is a bit sleazy, but it gives tourists an authentic taste of Greek culture. Stavlos An outstanding bar on the Iraklidon row of the Thisio district, Stavlos is a haven for people who love live alternative music alternating with mellow tunes. Stavlos is located at Iraklidon 10, Thisio. Palenque For a taste of Havana, Palenque is the place to visit. It’s located at Farandaton 41, Ambelokipi. It specializes in hot Latin music and dancing, flamenco shows and all-night salsa parties. If you want to learn the tango, dance instructors provide lessons from 6 to 8 p.m. Getting In and Around Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is an outstanding airport that has received great reviews from the international travel community. It is located near Spata, just 27 kms from the city center. Make sure you have euro coins on hand to pay for the trolley that will carry your luggage. To get to the city center, tourists can ride the Metro (€ 6), railway (€ 6), bus (€ 3.20) or a taxi (€ 30-35). If you’re taking a taxi, make sure that the meter is on and says Tariff 1. If it’s on Tariff 2, that’s the fare after midnight and is twice as expensive. Once in the city center, tourists can get around Athens on the Metro, by bus or by taxi. Many tourists prefer taxis. Taxis in Athens are relatively cheap at €0.34/km. The minimum fare is €2.65. There is an extra fee if you call for a taxi by radio (€1.60) or if you have heavy luggage (€0.32). Canary yellow taxi cabs are easy to find anywhere in the city. An option that’s growing more popular every year is walking around Athens. The city government has made most of its streets pedestrian-friendly (no cars) to encourage walking. The city has built many beautiful walks from the Acropolis to other popular sites. The popular tourist areas such as Plaka and Kolonaki feature comfortable elevated pedestrian walkways which connect to the major restaurant and bar venues. At the Kolonaki, tourists can take a break from their window shopping and sight-seeing at the National Garden. The only problem when walking around Athens is crossing major streets, which are filled with so much traffic that it’s sometimes difficult to cross. Festivals and Events Greeks love to celebrate during Christian holidays and festivals throughout the year. The following are some of the biggest festivals and events in Athens. Carnival Season The first carnival season hits Greece in February, three weeks before the start of Lent. The city celebrates with a feast of eating, drinking and dancing in the streets. Since Easter is the most important festival in the Greek calendar, the people of Athens celebrate this carnival season with much fanfare and merrymaking. Its highlight is the candlelight procession up Lykavittos Hill culminating at the Chapel of Agios Georgos. Greek Independence Day March is a month of celebration, particularly on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Greek Independence Day on the 25th. The city celebrates with a big parade and major musical concerts. Greek Folk Dances This festival begins in May and ends in September. Every day, a host of folk dances is performed at the Dora Stratou Theatre to the delight of fans. Naturally, excessive eating and drinking are also part of the celebration. May is also the time of the Spring Festival to commemorate Labour Day on May 1. It's an official holiday. Hellenic Festival The Hellenic Festival, held annually from mid-June to end-September, is the biggest event in Athens. It features all kinds of live musical performances, non-stop dancing and theater presentations in various venues around the city. There’s also a yearly staging of a Greek drama at the ancient Odeon, with the floodlit Acropolis looming in the background. The Hellenic Festival coincides with the Athens and Epidaurus Festival from late-June to mid-August. It has a wide range of events to cater to varied tastes. One of its highlights is a series of theater performances at the ancient Epidaurus Theater.

Orlando city guide

2009-04-07T13:59:00.000+03:00

Orlando is located in Orange County in central Florida. One of the most colourful cities in the United States of America Orlando is a heaven of leisure and entertainment attracting millions of visitors of every age each year. There are lots of reasons that make Orlando a popular tourist attraction. It is mostly known for the world famous theme parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios, SeeWorld and many other venues which offer the visitors the greatest entertainment. The city is also an ideal place for city-breaks and holidays with beautiful surroundings featuring Lake Buena Vista and Kissimee areas. City’s temperate climate with hot summers and mild winters is another factor which makes it one of the best destinations for blue sky holidays. Orlando is one of the leading cities in American business scene hosting a great number of conferences and conventions each year which makes the city one of the busiest cities in the world. With a vibrant cosmopolitan life, excellent choice entertainment and leisure facilities and with a colourful calendar full of cultural and social activities, Orlando is the best choice for a fabulous vacation offering a unique travel experience. Attractions Walt Disney World Resort. Built in 1971, Walt Disney World is the largest and the most visited resort in the USA. Located southwest of Orlando this recreation resort includes theme parks, two water parks, themed hotels, a sports complex along with various shopping, dining, entertainment and leisure venues. http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/ Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando is another popular entertainment venue in Orlando featuring two theme parks, three resort hotels, a nightlife & shopping district. For entrance fees you can check the website: http://www.universalorlando.co.uk/tickets.html SeaWorld SeaWorld is a world-famous attraction in which the visitors invited to enjoy dolphin and whale shows, aquariums, rides and many other live entertainment facilities. For information about entrance fees see: http://www.seaworld.com/orlando/default.aspx Kennedy Space Centre Located east of Orlando, Kennedy Space Centre will take you to an exciting journey into the world of NASA through exhibits, astronaut encounters and film shows. WonderWorks With more than 120 interactive exhibits this upside down entertainment venue offers the whole family a memorable experience full of joy. (Entrance fees: $46.95/adult, $21.95/child) Wet ‘n Wild Wet ‘n Wild is the biggest and the most popular water park in the world including numerous attractions and facilities guaranteeing wonderful moments. (Entrance fees: $41.95/adult, $35.95/child) Orlando Odditorium Orlando Odditorium has an interesting collection of weird objects from all over the world. The Exhibition is held in an odd-looking building actually sinking into the ground. The place is a must-see attraction while in Orlando with it world famous “Believe it or Not” collection. (Entrance fee: $18.95 plus tax) Orlando’s Museum of Art Orlando Museum of Art with its extensive collection including local, regional, national and international pieces of art is a must-visit place while in Orlando. (Entrance fee: $8.00) Travelling to and around Orlando Orlando International Airport is located 14 kilometres southeast of Orlando city centre and 35 kilometres east of Walt Disney Resort. Transportation from the airport to the city is provided by local and private bus services as well as taxis. For those who are heading to Walt Disney Resort, Disney's Magical Express is located on the B-side of the Main Terminal, on the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1), at Commercial Lane spaces B42-B47. If you are heading to the city centre then local buses (Lynx) number 11 and 51 run into the city. Both rides take around 20-25 minutes and cost $1.75. For further information about the time tables you can visit the website: http://www.golynx.com/ Located 29 kilometres north of Orlando, Orland Sanford Airport offers shuttle bus services to downtown Orlando. American Coach (http://www.americancoachlines.com/) and Orlando Carriers (http://www.orlandocarriers.com/) have frequent rides from/to the airport every day. Transportation within Orlando is provided by Lynx local bus system. The bus routes cover almost all the major attractions in the city offering convenient transportation. Standard one-way journey within Orlando costs $1.75 and the ticket is valid for all transfers for 90 minutes. There are several travel passes offering cheaper transportation. A single day-pass costs $4.00, while a 7-day-pass costs $14.00. Car hire is also a popular alternative means of transportation. During peak holiday seasons buses tend to be quite crowded so car hire is advisable if you are planning to see the all the city and the surrounding area a comfortable way. There are rental offices all over the city especially in the main tourist areas. Dollar Rent A Car (http://www.dollar.com/) is one of the biggest car hire companies in Orlando. Dining out in Orlando Orlando does not have a distinctive traditional cuisine. Yet, house to a cosmopolitan culture the city has numerable restaurants serving tantalising samples from international cuisine offering a wide choice of food which guarantees a perfect dining experience. Sweet Tomatoes This is the Orlando branch of the famous restaurant chain in the United States. In Sweet Tomatoes you can enjoy a two-sided salad bar along with fruit, pasta and dessert bars. Not to be missed especially for vegetarians. Address: 6877 S Kirkman Rd. (Average price: $9.00 pp) Dan Marino's Town Tavern If you are looking for a nice restaurant where you can have a family dining at affordable prices there is no need to look further. Dan Marino’s Town Tavern serves good value food at unbeatable prices in cheerful atmosphere. (Average price: $8.00- $27.00 pp) Too Jay's If you are up for a quick bite to fill your stomach before starting exploring the city Too Jay is the right place for you. With its gastronomic specialties this restaurant is a sandwich heaven in Orlando. (Average price: $15.00 pp) Bill Wong's Bill Wong’s is a Chinese buffet style restaurant which serves delicious food at reasonable prices. Located near Universal Studios, Bill Wong's is the ideal place to go if you love Chinese cuisine. Address: 5660 International Drive. (Average price: $16.00 pp) Bahama Breeze Bahama Breeze is one of the best places where you can have the finest examples of Caribbean food. Be prepared to wait a long queue especially at weekends. Address: 8849 International Drive (Average price: $20.00 pp) Pebbles Restaurant Pebbles Restaurant belongs to a local chain offering the best sea food in the town. Address: 12551 State Road. 535 (Average price: $22.00 pp) Carrabba's Italian Grill Popular among tourists as well as locals Carrabba's Italian Grill serves tantalising Italian specialties in a cosy atmosphere. Address: 1001 Sand Lake Road. (Average price: $20.00 pp) Bars and Nightlife Known as a city of entertainment, Orlando has a vibrant nightlife including a great number of bars and night clubs appealing every one of every age. ICEBAR Orlando Icebar is the biggest permanent ice bar in the world. In this club you will be fascinated by the bar’s interior design. Designed by world famous ice carvers in this place from the chairs to the glasses, from walls to decorations simply everything is made of ice. One of the best clubs in Orlando, Icebar is definitely a “cool” place to check out. Address: 8967 International Drive CityWalk’s Rising Star Located in CityWalk which is Orlondo’s hottest spot for entertainment, CityWalk’s Rising Star is open seven nights a week offering a great night out in a refined atmosphere. (Admission: $ 7.00, dress code: casual-chic, age limit: 21) Blue Martini Blue Martini is located in 200 Conroy Road, just a stroll from the Convention Centre. It is a stylish bar where you can enjoy delicious spirits accompanied by the best live music in the town. Pat O'Brien's Located in CityWalk, Pat O'Brien's is the counterpart of the original Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orland. With two bars serving various local and international drinks in a laid-back atmosphere Pat O'Brien's is the right place to relax and unwind accompanied by the enchanting tunes coming from the piano room. The Social This is a cosy bar for those who enjoy spending the night enjoying a refreshing drink while listening to the soothing melodies of Jazz &Blues. Address: North Orange Avenue. Festivals and Events Walt Disney World Marathon (Every year, second week in January) Organised annually, Walt Disney World Marathon is a spectacular event taking place in & around the Walt Disney Parks attracting a great number of people each year. Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival (Every year in March) Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the largest art festivals in the United States. Florida Film Festival (Every year in June) Organised by Universal Studios Orlando, the festival houses the best films from American and international independent movie scene. Mexican Fiesta (Every year in September) Mexican Fiesta is held in Orlando Festival Park and celebrates Mexican, culture, traditions, cuisine, arts and music. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Every year, late November – December) Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a festive event including various celebrations, firework displays, live performance and shows from the famous Disney characters.

Caroline's escape to Selcuk...

2009-04-07T12:06:00.000+03:00

I love to get away from the big city life and head to Selcuk which is a small village in Turkey, it's about an hours drive from Izmir and 45 minutes from Kuşadası.

Selçuk is a small town in the Izmir province in Turkey 18 km (11 miles) from the tourist resort of Kuşadası 3 km (2 miles) from the ancient site of Ephesus Its original name was Ayios Theologos (from which the Ottoman Turkish name Ayasluğ is derived.

In 1914 it was renamed Selçuk, after the Seljuk Turks who settled in the region in the 12th century. Selçuk is one of the most visited touristic destinations within Turkey, known for its closeness to the ancient city of Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Seljukian works of art. The 6th century basilica of St. John the Apostle, which, some claim, is built on the site of the Apostle's tomb, is also inside the town. Selçuk, for many visitors is a stopping point for Ephesus but stay overnight in Selcuk and visit , the old quarter of Selçuk which remains generally undisturbed and undeveloped, retaining traditional Turkish culture and locality.

Ayasoluk Hill dominates the surrounding area, with several historical buildings on its slopes, including the İsa Bey Mosquebuilt by the Seljuk Turks in 1375, and the Grand Fortress. The Ephesus Airport and Selçuk Training Center of the Turkish Aeronautical Association is only 3 kilometers away from Selçuk, offering piloting, parachuting, paragliding and microlight training. The annual camel wrestling championship takes place in Selçuk in the Winter, not far from the ancient site of Ephesus

Here are my top tips if you will be staying in Selcuk;

You may want to visit the House of the Virgin Mary.

The shrine of the Virgin Mary was authenticated by Pope Paul VI in 1967. Pope John Paul II has also visited the House of the Virgin Mary in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI, in 2006 during his four day trip to Turkey. Every year, on the 15th August, there is a religious ceremony held at the shrine to commemorate Virgin Mary who spent her last years of her life here until she died at the age of 101.Saint John the Apostle brought the Virgin Mary to this place near Ephesus in Turkey towards the end of her life (AD37 to AD45).

The first Pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary’s house took place in 1896 which was just a few years after the shrine had been discovered.The House of the Virgin Mary is located about 9km from Selcuk and about 5km from Ephesus. If you want to explore of this area rich in history, then you are best to book your cheap accommodation in Selcuk in advance, especially if you will be travelling over the dates when the ceremony takes place on the 15th August.

The Flying horse at Ephesus museum Courtyard at the Ephesus museum Selcuk is also home to the Ephesus Museum which is in turn home to some of the artefact's that have been uncovered at the ancient site of Ephesus which is just 2km from Selcuk. The photograph above is of the Flying Horse which you can see in the Courtyard of the museum. Ephesus Museum is opposite the park near the intersection of Atatürk Mah and directly opposite the Tourist Information office.

This is the main road in Selcuk, Atatürk Mahallesi which is comming from the direction of Izmir and the road that you see in the photograph is about as busy as it ever gets apart from on a Saturday which is market day and there is likely to be a traffic jam of tractors from farmers bringing their fresh produce to sell!Pamucak beach is a long sandy beach just 20 minutes away from Selcuk by the local mini bus ( dolmus) - This is my favourite day out I have to say.... The beach is pretty much undeveloped so its best to take your own soft drinks and snacks. Having said that, there is a small motel and camping site at the entrance to the beach when you get off the dolmus. The small motel backs onto the beach and you can walk through the site to get to the beach. The motel has a small market where you can get drinks, beer and snacks. There is also an attractive restaurant that overlooks the beach and small palm trees. The sea can be choppy and sometimes windy on the beach but it makes for a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Its best to avoid going to the beach on a Sunday as it will be very crowded. From the motel entrance to Pamucak beach if you look right you will see that the beach is probably quite busy with locals who drive on the beach with their cars. To the left of the beach there are a few 5* hotels. The bars of the 5* hotels are generally open to non residents so you can enjoy a cocktail or two before heading back to Selcuk.

Caroline - Customer Care Manager

Top destinations

2009-04-07T11:00:00.000+03:00

Where are all the travellers going? Here is the Gtahotels.com top destination list... London Where we currently have 636 hotels - All with unbeatable rates Cosmopolitan London where cultures and religions blend together. Don't miss St.Pauls Cathedral with its whispering gallery. Climb to the very top for an unforgettable experience and view! Leicester Square is home to Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest cafe and Trocadero centre. The Tower of London sits by the River Thames where you can take a boat trip or cross the river to the Tate Modern and the Britain at war experience in Tooley Street. Paris 1189 hotels - From Budget hostels and hotels to luxury right on the Champs elysee No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Avoid the queues and climb to the 2nd platform for a great panoramic view. Enjoy a cruise on the river Seine and for a good night out head to the Montmartre and Pigalle districts. For shopping in Pairs you are spoilt for choice take a stroll along the Champs Elysees or visit the famous stores of Galeries Layfayette. Visit the Louvre and see the world famous Mona Lisa Brussels 121 hotels in the capital of Belgium Brussels, capital of Belgium and administrative centre of the European Union. Highlights of a trip to Brussels include; The Grand Palace, the 19th Cantillon brewery, Rene Magritte's house and the Atomium in Heysel Park. Copenhagen 86 hotels including the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel was originally a 17th century grain drying warehouse Copenhagen, capital and the largest city of Denmark is located on the Zealand and Amager Islands. Highlights of a visit to Copenhagen include; The Little Mermaid sratue, Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen beaches such as Hellerup, Bellevue and Amager as well as the attractive and bustling Nyhavn harbour area Vienna 155 hotels starting from less than € 58 for 2 people sharing a room Vienna, capital of Austria and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vienna has many attractions such as the Spanish Riding School where you can see the amazing grey Lippizan horses performing. For the best views take a ride on the Riesenrad feris wheel. In Vienna you will probably find the best in cakes and desserts in all of Europe such as the delicious Apfelstrudel and mouth-watering Sachertorte cake Helsinki 47 hotels from the basic Eurohostel in the Katajanokka sea terminal area to the luxury of Hotel Kamp Helsinki, capital of Finland and only 40 minutes from Helsinki Vantaa airport. Highlights of a trip to Helsinki include the beautiful Tuomiokirkko cathedral, the Kampii centre for shopping, Museum of Contemporary Art and Kiasma. Suomenlinna Castle. Prague 381 hotels from Praha 7 to Praha 1 Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic and a firm favourite destination for a city break. Head for Charles Bridge which is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues, mostly dating back from the 17th century. Prague Castle is among the largest castles in Europe and offers some unforgettable views over Prague. For fine art, visit Lobkowicz Palace. Nights are lively around Wenceslas Square. Barcelona 554 hotels including hotels near to Barcelona Beach and right on Las Ramblas Visit Barcelona and stroll down The Ramblas which is Barcelona's most famous and lively street running from Plaza Catalunya right down to the sea front. The Picasso Museum is the highlight for all Picasso fans. Port Olympico is a popular spot in the evenings. Stockholm 103 hotels from suburb bargains to more expensive city centre hotels Stockholm, capital city of Sweden and since the city is built on islands Stockholm is well known for its beauty. Highlights of a visit to Stockholm include; Wandering along the cobble-stoned streets of Stockholm Old Town known as gamla Stan and the Nordic museum Berlin 239 hotels at rates you wont believe Berlin, capital of Germany and a popular city for a short break. Highlights of a trip to Berlin include; Museum Island, Alexanderplatz Tower, the Berlin wall, check point Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate which is an iconic landmark of the city. Rome 703 hotels that you can book online with instant confirmation Rome, capital of Italy and a cosmopolitan city that attracts many visitors. No trip to Rome is complete without visiting the Colosseum which took 8 years to complete. In its day the Colosseum could hold up to 80,000 spectators. Today instead of spectators the Colosseum attracts visitors in their thousands Edinburgh 172 hotels with the best online rates With its Victorian and Georgian buildings and narrow medieval streets it is easy to see why Edinburgh is listed as a World Heritage Site. Edinburgh Castle overlooks the old city. If you are lucky to be in Edinburgh for the annual Edinburgh Fringe festival then the streets come alive with street performances and art displays. For those familiar with the famous Greyfriars Bobby, go and visit the resting place of this faithful dog Gtahotels.com has accommodation to suit every budget from cheap hotels to luxury hotels.

Lisbon city guide...

2009-04-07T10:53:00.000+03:00

A city with a unique character.....Lisbon Lisbon is the largest and the capital city of Portugal. With its natural and historical beauties, vibrant cultural life, unique atmosphere and cosmopolitan structure the city has a charming character which entices the visitors of every age. Spread across seven hills Lisbon is a city full of energy. The warm atmosphere mingling with the friendly locals with smiling faces the city has something very unique which immediately distinguishes it from the other cities in Europe. Being a city through which once continents were conquered, Lisbon today is a very humble city keeping its doors open to its visitors welcoming them into the Mediterranean generosity. With its numerous entertainment facilities, cultural activities, tantalising traditional cuisine and lovely atmosphere Lisbon is a wonderful city which has something to offer for everyone making their stay a memorable one. Main attractions in Lisbon Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of Saint George) Dating back to 5th century, Castelo de São Jorge is one of the most significant landmarks of the city of Lisbon. Located on the top of the highest of the city’s seven hills, this majestic castle is not to be missed while in Lisbon. Entrance fee: € 5.00 Sé de Lisboa Sé de Lisboa is a historic cathedral which is one of the good examples of Romanesque and Gothic style architecture of the medieval Lisbon. Featuring a beautiful cloister built in 14th century, The Cathedral is one of the spots in Lisbon which is worth visiting. Entrance to the church is free, cloister € 2.50 Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronimite Monastery) This is a splendid 16th century monastery which is regarded as one of the most beautiful examples of medieval Manueline architecture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos also serves as the resting place of the nation’s world famous sailor Vasco de Gama. Entrance fee: € 6.00 Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) One of the most significant landmarks of the city, Torre de Belém is a picturesque 16th century tower which was originally built for military purposes. Now housing a small museum this beautiful Manueline style tower is another spot which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Entrance fee: € 4.00 Tram 28 Tram 28 is a nostalgic tram which offers the visitors a nostalgic ride through the city while providing a great change to see and explore the city from a different vantage point. Centro Cultural de Belém (Belém Cultural Centre) Located in Praça do Império, Centro Cultural de Belém is a Comtemporary Art Museum which hosts various spectacular exhibitions as well as an extensive permanent collection of over 1.000 works of art. EUR 4.00 Fundaçao Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva Nestled in a beautiful 17th century palace Fundaçao Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva is a great museum which invites the visitors to see one of the most impressive and extensive collections on 18th-century Portuguese art. Entrance fee: € 4.00 Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) The National Museum of Ancient Art boasts the most extensive painting collections in the county. Housing masterpieces from the world-famous Portuguese and European painters Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is a corner stone in Lisbon’s cultural life. € 3.00 Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) National Coach Museum is one of the most visited spots in Lisbon offering an interesting collection on coached and carriages from 17th to the 19th centuries. Entrance fee: € 3.00 Museu da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian Museu da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian houses one of one of the world's finest private art collections featuring Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities; a remarkable assemblage of Islamic art pieces such as ceramics and textiles as well as several other invaluable Chinese and Japanese items. Entrance fee: € 3.00 Getting to and around Lisbon Located within the city of Lisbon, Aeroporto de Lisboa (Lisbon Airport) provides very fast and effective transportation into the centre and to various hotels in the city. There are several ways to reach the city centre from the airport. Airport shuttle buses, being the cheapest way of transportation from the airport to the city.Operated by Aerobus and Aeroshuttle companies, the buses offer a convenient ride to the city in every 20-30 minutes.. A single ride costs EUR 3.00 and the ticket can be purchased from the driver on board. If you don’t have a large luggage then you can also use the public buses to get to the city. Run by Carris Bus Service, buses number 5, 8, 22, 44, and 83 links the airport to the city. A single ticket costs EUR 1.40 and it can be obtained from the driver on board. For information about the routes and timetables you can check the website: http://www.carris.pt/ If you have heavy luggage then taxi would be the best way of transportation. Taxis are available in front of the arrivals terminal. A single ride from the airport to the city centre costs around €10.00 – € 15.00. Once in the city, you will find Lisbon welcoming you with a very well working transportation system. The city is serviced by an effective metro and public bus network. Metro runs between 6.30 am and 1.00 am providing fast, clean and efficient transportation. If you are planning to take an extensive sightseeing tour in Lisbon then we highly recommend you buy a Lisbon Card which provides the holders free public transportation as well as free entrance and discounts to museums and other attractions in the city. The card is available at the Tourist Information Offices and costs €15.00 (24 hours), EUR 26.00 (48 hours), and € 31.00 (72 hours). Dining out in Lisbon Visitors to Lisbon are so lucky that the city has a rich culinary tradition offering a wide range of food to satisfy every taste. From delicious local specialties carved with traditional ingredients to tantalising examples from international cuisine in Lisbon you will never have difficulty in finding good food, but you will definitely have a hard time deciding what to pick up among this fascinating culinary diversity. Chapito Chapito is a nice restaurant where you can enjoy great value food in a warm, cheerful atmosphere. Offering fascinating views over the city Chapito is worth a visit while in Lisbon. Address: Rua Costa do Castelo 7 A Brasileira Cafe-Bar Rua Garrett right outside the Baixa-Chiado metro station, A Brasileira Cafe-Bar is one of the oldest and most popular places in Lisbon. In here you will enjoy delicious pastries, tarts, cookies and many other specialties in a cosy atmosphere enjoying traditional Portuguese hospitality. Address: Rua Garrett, 120 Sua Excelência Located at Rua do Conde 34 Sua Excelência, with it colourful décor and spacious dining area, is the ideal place to go if you wan to taste the delicious specialties from traditional Portuguese cuisine. Bachus Serving tantalising examples from Portuguese and international cuisine this stylish restaurant invites you to a memorable dining experience in Lisbon. Address: Largo da Trindade 8/9 Alcântara Café Highly popular among locals, Alcântara Café is a trendy café which offers a decent culinary experience with its fine drink list and extensive menu featuring delicious Italian food. Address: Rua Maria Luisa Holstein 15 Picanha This is a budget-friendly restaurant which will definitely satisfy the meat-lovers with its tasty beef dishes served in huge portions. Right place to fill your stomach up before a second round of sightseeing. Address: Rua das Janelas Verdes 96. Lively nights in Lisbon With numerous night clubs, bars and live music venues it hosts Lisbon boasts a very lively nightlife. Yet, if you are in Lisbon and want to spend your time as the locals do, we highly recommend you go one of the fado clubs located all around the city. Being the places where traditional fado music is played, fado Clubs offers an invaluable insight of the local life and history which are carved by sorrow and longing. Adega Machado A trip to Lisbon is never complete before checking one the city’s famous fado clubs out. One of the most famous and loved fado clubs in the city, Adega Machado hosts performances by the best fadistas (fado singers) in the country. Not to be missed. Address: Rua do Norte 91 A Severa Another popular live music venue, A Severa, hosts various live music performances throughout the year. Popular especially for the “fado” performances it hosts this club is worth a visit while in Lisbon. Address: Rua das Gaveas 51 Kapital Housing different kinds of music in its three different floors, Kapital is the meeting place for the young crowd of all ages and preferences. Address: Avenida 24 de Julho 68 Kremlin Kremlin is another popular night spot housing live DJ performances as well as various techno music nights. Rua Escadinhas da Praia 5 Cinco Lounge This is one of the most exclusive bars in Lisbon. With its wide drink list which includes the top quality local and international spirits, Cinco Lounge is the right place to stop by if you are planning to spend the rest of your day in a decent atmosphere enjoying the best service in the town. Address: 17A Ruben A. Leitão Celtas Iberos Irish Bar Celtas Iberos Irish Bar is a typical Irish bar with a relaxed setting a cheerful service. Right choice for those who want to spend the night chatting with friends in a laid-back atmosphere. Address: Doca de Santo Amaro Festivals and events in Lisbon Fado Festival (Annual, February) Fado Festival is a celebration of Lisbon’s traditional music “Fado” through various live performances taking place all around the city. Lisbon Carnival (Annual, February) Lisbon Carnival hosts a spectacular series of events including street parades, floats and parties which all celebrate the ending of winter season attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. Lisbon Half Marathon (Annual, March) Lisbon Half Marathon which is the largest of its kind in the world participated by thousands of runners each year. Estoril Open (Annual, April-May) One of the most important international tennis tournaments Portugal hosts, Estoril Open brings a great number of spectators in the city of Lisbon annually. Estoril Jazz Festival (Annual, June-July) This is one of the leading Jazz festivals in the country which hosts world-famous jazz bands and singers from around the world offering jazz lovers a musical festivity. Arte Lisboa (Annual, November) Held in Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Arte Lisboa is one of the most extensive contemporary art shows which brings hundreds local and international works of art together in more than 60 galleries.