With the Easter holidays rapidly approaching, many families are looking for a new location for the ideal family holiday. It can be tough to accomodate everyone when deciding on a holiday, particularly if you have teenage children.

However, why not consider a family activity holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees; you’ll have a whole range of activities for the kids, and beautiful scenery and sunshine for the adults. You might think that an activity holiday will be non-stop action, and maybe not suitable for everyone, but actually the towns around the Spanish Pyrenees can make the ideal family holiday locations; there’s an excellent choice of bars and restaurants, as well as shops and even local festivals such as the annual fiesta in the town of Sort.

When you are ready to take part in some activities however, there’s a huge variety on offer, making sure there’s something to interest every type of person. You can go on picnic treks around the local National Park (great for younger children or adults), or for those looking for a bit more action, you can go rock climbing, sea kayaking, canyoning, open kayaking and the most popular activity, white water rafting.

You should be able to find numerous providers online to provide you complete activity holiday packages and hotel deals – have a search online and you’ll quickly find several viable options.

Whatever you decide to do with your family holiday this Easter, try and pick a holiday destination that caters to everyone in the family, particularly the kids!

Cruising has become an increasingly popular form of vacation over the past decade, and with the increase in demand there have been many more cruise deals and a number of new cruise ships built that have pushed the boundaries of size to provide higher standards of luxury cruise.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International operates the 2 largest cruise ships in the world. MS Oasis of the Seas and MS Allure of the Seas were launched in 2008 and 2010 respectively and both have a maximum capacity in excess of 6,000 passengers and a gross tonnage of 225,282 GT. MS Allure of the Seas also became the first cruise ship to have an onboard Starbucks Coffee shop and entertainment featuring DreamWorks Characters. Both ships offer cruises of the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Delivered in June 2010 and making her maiden voyage on June 24^th that same year, Norwegian Epic is the largest cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. At 155,873 GT and with a maximum capacity of 4,100 passengers, the Norwegian Epic is not quite as epic as the ships operated by Royal Caribbean International. Norwegian epic is the largest cruise ship to have docked in New York Passenger Ship Terminal, and perhaps one of the ugliest.

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Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean Cruises also operate the 4^th largest cruise ship ever guilt with their Freedom Class cruisers. There are actually 3 ships in this class that Royal Caribbean International operates: MS Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and MS Independence of the Seas. Freedom of the Seas was the largest cruise ship ever constructed at the time of its completion with a gross tonnage of 154,407 GT and a maximum capacity of 3,634 passengers. Royal Caribbean International also operated the remaining top 12 positions for largest cruise ships.

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MSC Cruises

The MSC Fantasia clocks in as the 13^th largest cruise ship ever built at 135,000 GT and a maximum capacity of 3,900 passengers. Entering service in December 2008 the MSC Fantasia is the largest cruise ship built for a European company. The ship continues to be the flagship vessel for MSC cruises just ahead of it’s sister ship the MSC Splendida.

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Carnival Cruise Lines

The Carnival Dream is operated by Carnival Cruise Lines and is currently the biggest ship in their fleet. Weighing in at 130,000 tons the ship is also the largest to be constructed in Italy. With a capacity of 3,652 the ship likes to boast a huge variety of activities, dining and entertainment options on board. Sister ships Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze are expected to enter service in May 2011 and spring 2012.

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Pubs have been in decline for a few years now, with an alarming number closing across the country. This has been particularly sad for some small towns and villages, where the local pub was often the hub of the community. The closures have been put down to a number of factors, including the smoking ban and England’s lamentable performance in last summer’s football World Cup, but perhaps the biggest blow was the global recession. With families across Britain having to tighten their belts and spend a little less on leisure activities, the lure of cut-price supermarket wine or beer compared to the relatively expensive cost or a drink in the pub has meant that many people have sacrificed the cosy atmosphere of their local hostelry to instead have a few friends around to share a couple of bottles at home, saving a fair few pounds into the bargain.

But some are starting to report a resurgence of interest and are looking forward to a profitable spring and summer. Events such as the cricket World Cup and Six Nations rugby tournament tend to draw big crowds, and St Patrick’s Day is a regular pub-filler. The centrepiece of the spring though is expected to be the royal wedding on 29 April, with many landlords hoping that people will want to watch it on the screen in their local, to get that fondly remembered community spirit. A number of brewers are even bringing out special beers to mark the occasion. To further help matters, the government has said that pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open longer for the day.

Helping things more is the growing trend of people to stay at home or holiday in the UK (the so-called “staycation”), both for environmental and financial reasons. Pubs have been direct beneficiaries of this. And a number are offering all manner of specials and promotions to tempt punters back in – pub quizzes, extended happy hours, student discounts, open mic nights, stand-up comedy, even film evenings. While some are still struggling, there is little doubt that the pub is fighting back, and reports of the death of your local may have been somewhat exaggerated. Let’s hope so. Cheers!

The author of this article is Don Connigale, a freelance copywriter and blogger working with No Win No Fee UK

It’s easy to see why the mountainous and diverse country of Peru has become a hotspot for back packers and travellers. With a number of attractions from the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu perched high in the Andes, to the mysterious Nazca Lines carved into miles of rock.  Situated on the central west coast of South America, Peru has a diverse and beautiful terrain laden with rich culture influenced by the Inca and European civilisations. Many travel agents offer Peru holidays such as Wexas.

The Amazon Basin

A tranquil tour down river into the interiors of the jungle give visitors the chance to catch a glimpse of many of the exotic and endangered species of plants and animal life including toucans, squirrel monkeys, giant otters and, if you’re fortunate enough, pink river dolphins. The Amazon basin boasts most of Peru’s land space, with most of the surrounding land remaining untouched; but tourism is beginning to carve out a spot for itself here. There is a choice of river tours, travelling for several days and stopping to camp out with the indigenous communities, our opting to stay in jungle lodges on your travels. Most Amazon tour companies are located in Iquitos. This area features on the banks of a mile-wide area of the Amazon that has a floating market, various floating restaurants and some interesting architecture.

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Machu Picchu

One of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, tthese beautiful ancient ruins are located 2,430 metres above sea level. Machu Picchu, or ‘The Lost City of the Incas’, is believed to have been an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438-1472). Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation.  Many of the 50 ton blocks are so precisely sculpted and fitted together that not even a thin knife blade could be inserted between them.

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Lake Titicaca

Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world 3,819 feet. By volume of water, it is also the largest lake in South America but it is often disregarded as it is directly connected to the sea. The area is home to thousands of subsistence farmers and fisherman, making a living fishing in the icy waters, growing potatoes in the rocky terrain, herding llama and alpaca at altitudes that leave travellers gasping for air. The clear azure lake is so large that it has waves. It is easy to see why that this is the most sacred body of water in the Inca Empire with more than 30 islands, the best known being the Uros which are floating islands of reed named after the Indians who inhabited them.

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Nazca Lines

Just north of the town Nazca lay markings etched in the desert shrouded in mystery. There are geoglyphs in a number of shapes including dogs, spiders, monkeys and hummingbirds. Scholars believe that the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 CE. The hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized designs. The lines are shallow designs made in the ground by removing the ubiquitous reddish pebbles and uncovering the whitish ground beneath. Due to the windless climate of the plateau the lines have been surprisingly well preserved.

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Let’s face it traditional church weddings aren’t all there cracked up to be, can you ever say you’ve been into a warm church because I haven’t! I know people like to keep it traditional but do we really need to be stuck in these breezy sanctuaries of frozen stone while we tie the knot? It’s unfair on the congregation who are made to sit their huddled together to share body heat in order to make it through the elongated service without catching a cold or in worst case scenario wedding service frost bite.

Not only have couples bought into this “traditional fad” the churches have seen them coming and god bless me to say, have bumped up their hire fee’s to absurd amounts, then as well as the wedding venue you’ve also got to hire a reception venue, caterer, flouriest …the list goes on but what I’m trying to get at is if you want to do your wedding properly and make it a day you and your guests will cherish and always remember, you’ve got to spend a pretty penny and once it’s all added up you’re better off having your weddings abroad in a tropical destination like the Caribbean or if you’re really want to be exclusive the Indian ocean.

I know this isn’t an option for all of you as some of your congregations parties may be over fifty guests as it would acclimate to a silly amount of money, but for those of you’ve you who are only inviting close friends and family a package weddings abroad are more than ideal, for the same price of your run of the mill wedding package you could fly you, your loved one and a hand full of guests to a
Caribbean Weddings resort to witness you’re sun kissed wedding service on a beautiful golden beach.

There’s really no compromise when you also consider many of these resorts are all inclusive (yes, that’s means unlimited booze) and have recently started to offer the actual ceremony for free! Which means’ the service on the beach won’t cost you a dime as it’s include in the wedding package price, which if you wish to know is very reasonable and is in securely in most people budgets.
Your guests will absolutely love it as they can top up on their tans and enjoy like a holiday of their own, you needn’t worry about a money either as for a little extra (I’m talking pennies) you can extend your wedding to include your honeymoon stay which is one more item to cross off that daunting wedding list!

Bio: Jonathan is a junior online marketer working in close relations with tropical sky the luxury holidays specialist

Australia is a behemoth of a country unfortunately the majority of its inner body is arid desert lands which makes it uninhabitable not only to humans but wild and plant life also.  A few towns and cities lurk in the midst of the sands but the bulk of the Australian towns and cities are situated about the coastal regions which are dotted around the golden lining of this vast land.

These idyllic settlements make perfect holiday locations as there basked in the heaven like sun for the majority of the year, this isn’t the only benefit on offer as there’s a multitude of things to do see such taking advantage of the diverse landscapes and auspicious climates.

Australia is often misinterpreted for being a backpacker’s paradise which it proudly is, but for those seeking a more executive and serene holiday often opt for the western coastlines, while to the east hosts a number of thrilling adventures and once in a life time opportunities unique to this part of the world such as the tallest bungee jump, dolphin swimming, meeting other backpackers and non-stop partying.

If the sub tropical western coast tickles your fancy a luxury stay at the Duxton hotel in Perth will definitely have to be on the cards, this hotel has been titled the Savoy of Australia and for good reasons! Located in the noble heart of Perth it‘s delightful location is only footsteps from the array of exclusive restaurants, shopping faculties and best of all the golden perthian beach.

What’s to be done?

There’s more to the western coast than outstandingly beautiful backdrops and sub tropical climates, Surfing is a given when visiting Australia and it’s well worth a shot if you’ve never tried it before! For those of you’ve seeking a more cultured and toned adventure you may wish to enquire into one of the many new world wine vineyards which produce wine that’s distributed the world over,these are just a few delights you may wish to discover on your Holidays to perth .

Heading 2045 miles in an easterly direction we’d touchdown the largest city of the eastern coast sydney. a large and vibrant city that’s blessed in eternal sunshine, we can easily see why Sydney is the most visited city is Australia, if I we’re to stay in Sydney (the western coast is more my cup of tea) I’d book the Taj blue hotel as my luxurious retreat, this five star master piece domain is situated on its very own wharf is only meters away from the city’s main attractions, it’s the  epitome of class and is undoubtedly the best there is in the entire Australasia continent!

What’s there to do?

You’ll never find yourself cut short of anything to do in Sydney, my preferred choice would be to take a sea plane excursions over the city, into the ocean then into the lush rainforests which slowly then merge into the desert, it’s quite extraordinary to see three types of landscapes all within a 30 miles stretch of each other, secondly you can’t take Australia Holidays without venturing slightly into the desert, I recommend an aboriginal tour right into the ancient heart of Australia where you’ll discover the native ways and cultures of the mysterious Australian aborigines.

A lot of people seem to have the opinion that renting a car out for the duration of your vacation is a great idea but many others think it is a complete waste of time. The fact is it really does depend on the type of travelling you are planning on doing.

City Stay

If you are planning on staying within the city then you are likely to be wasting your time with going after car hire. Most fairly decent cities will have excellent networks of travel that include bus, train, underground systems and of course taxis sitting around everywhere. If you are taking out a car then you will have trouble parking and when you do park somewhere you will find that it is going to cost you a small fortune, it would be cheaper simply to use the public transport available.

Public transport is not as difficult as people first think and when I was over in Paris I found the underground Metro easier to navigate than the London one and it was in a language I don’t speak!

Country Stay

If you are staying in the country then the chances are you are going to need to get from the airport to the destination you are travelling to but if you are staying in a nice country cottage do you really need a car for this? Most of the time you will just need to catch a taxi from the airport and back again and you will be sorted!

So When Do You Need Car Hire?

Car hire is still incredibly important in a lot of locations across the world and it certainly comes in handy when travelling to destinations like Orlando, Florida where you have to travel all of the time to get to the theme parks and back to your villa. Going for cabs on vacations like this would cost you a small fortune!

It is also safe to say that if you want to explore the area around you when away you are going to need to get there and sometimes paying for public transport is not always doable and riding with strange people speaking another language can be very unsettling indeed.

In the end it is up to you to make the right decision on whether or not you think that renting a car out on vacation is really worth it.

New Zealand has so many unique places to visit, with the lush greenery covering the whole country it makes a complete change to the concrete jungle we are used to here in the UK, the mountainous regions provide stunning back drops and it is no surprise it has been used in countless movies, most famously the Lord of the Rings was shot on location in the country sides and forests of New Zealand.

But it’s not just the country side that has amazing qualities to express to you, travel north to Coromandel for the hot water and springs that can be found on the coast line and buried in the sand you will find water the temperature of a warm bath. These Geothermal Springs can’t be swum in directly, but in the surrounding areas the water has cooled down just enough to enjoy the heat.

There are various healing properties associated with the thermal water springs in New Zealand, the pH 7.4 water is rich in minerals such as boron, calcium, silica and sulphate, all of which are great for various conditions such as eczema, arthritis and joint pains. The springs offer a total body healing and relaxation experience that really needs to be tried first hand to really feel the benefits on the body.  The water is drawn from 644m below and is purified through hundreds of meters of volcanic rock, leaving only water to help you purify your body.

This is of course due to the active volcanoes around the area, there are many more around the world, here are a couple others that you should definitely try and find yourself relaxing in at some point.

The Blue Lagoon in Grindavík in Iceland and is one of the purest reserves of water around the world, renewed every 40 hoours and containing 6 million litres of water. It is fairly tourist orientated, but it doesn’t take away from the magic of the moment.

If you are looking for a slightly less commercial spot to relax, perhaps with a loved one, talk with the locals in Chile whilst you are on holiday there, the regions around the Liquíñe-Ofqui fault, where a lot of the springs have been capitalised upon by the tourism industry. There are many untouched springs, but it is often best to ask the locals where the best (and safest) ones are.

The experience of laying in one of these pools is unparalleled. So if you every find yourself on a Holiday in New Zealand or any of the other places, you must make sure you give one a go.

It’s a concept that has been loosely referred to for a while now, and without even thinking, safari operators have been working towards the more sustainable safaris and treks in the African national parks. Many people like viewing the wildlife of this beautiful country whilst on their South Africa holidays without having to feel conscious when travelling around and without disturbing too much of the natural habitat that the wildlife are happy in.

When you are looking for a tour operator for a safari and you are conscious of the environment, a lot of the operators will be happy to take phone calls from prospected safari goes and are happy to answer any questions you may have. One thing to consider is to always research the safari tour operators so that you can really find out what they are doing to ensure the environmental sustainability of the tour they are operating.

Eco-tourism started at the game reserves in Kenya, when people visiting the country were taking extended safari holidays and staying in luxury hotels whilst driving around the nature and game reserves, it was clear that there needed to be more thought put into sustainability of the local environment and its people.

When you are in the process of looking for or booking a holiday and you are quite conscious of your impact on the environment, make sure you ask your tour operators or better yet, the prospected hotels, what kinds of practices they have in place to help the local environment.

Here are some tips to consider when booking your tour to minimise any negative impacts on the environment, local community and economy of your destination.

• Choose a travel provider that matches your own eco principles and practices.
• Read guide books and browse the internet for information and advice about the particular area you are travelling to. You should try to be as knowledgeable about the local history, culture and customs of the local environment before you arrive.
• A lot of items that are readily available over in the UK are almost impossible to get hold of in many of the communities in Africa, pack your suitcase with as many items such as school supplies like pencils, paper, dictionaries, and children’s books. Childrens clothing especially underwear and shoes, and don’t forget the things that all children love like toys and games, such as skipping ropes, playing cards and footballs. All these items change lives and you can get in contact with a lot of charity projects around Africa by visiting stuffyourrucksack.com. Just make sure you give these items to community elders so that you don’t encourage begging from the children.
• Learn a few sayings in the local language, just enough to be polite, learn hello, please and thank you. These always get you far.

It is completely possible to go on holiday and still be eco friendly, it just takes a bit more planning a bit more consideration once you are at your destination, but at the end of the day, not only can you reduce the negative impacts of tourism, but you can have a positive impact on the ecosystem.

Upon hearing your best friend intends to marry the phrase ‘run for the hills’ may come to mind.  It can certainly be a mixed bag of feelings, who knows you may be genuinely happy for the guy. What’s certain is that with this monumental news comes an even bigger responsibility: to organise a stag party he’ll never forget. The humble origin of the stag do lies in a time when the groom-to-be would have a mere night out with his friends; now the stag night has evolved into a different beast altogether, one of monstrous proportions, consisting of a full-on foreign holiday lasting an entire weekend. So here are a few tips on the best locations in order for you to give your friend the best possible send-off from single life.

Amsterdam

Partying hard is the mantra for this popular stag destination, as the popular saying goes, “Good boys go to heaven and bad boys go to Amsterdam.” A weekend way in the notoriously mischievous Dutch capital will offer all the ingredients required for a fun-filled stag do. Every nook and cranny of Amsterdam has some historic or cultural significance whilst there is a raft of cafes, bars, nightclubs and, of course, the Red Light District for the more hedonistic desires of your weekend away.  Enjoy a tipple whilst listening to live jazz at the Bamboo Bar or opt for The Bulldog where you can enjoy a relaxing drink before you embark for the dazzling red lights. Short on cash? Don’t worry a new budget hotel comprises 215 shipping containers welded together, will give you your own 14 square metre steel box to put your head down, leaving you with extra cash in your pocket. Remember, when the sun goes down, anything goes in this exhilarating town.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is synonymous with suave, style and swagger which is why it’s the perfect destination for a bachelor party.  It’s hard to imagine a cooler place on Earth, with a deep rooted history in a razzle-dazzle brand of showbiz, foundations laid by some of the biggest names to have graced the entertainment business including Elvis and The Rat Pack.  As a hotspot for gambling and adult entertainment, Sin City has a phenomenal nightlife consisting of intimate cocktail lounges, sports bars, rock concerts, magic shows, techno dance halls and casino after casino. If you want to make the most of your time in Vegas, then look to stay on the city’s dazzling Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard.  It boasts a raft of colossal hotels, renowned the world over including The MGM Grand and Wynn Las Vegas. You’ll notice glittering neon signs, from the Bellagio Fountains to the Venetians remarkable replica of Venice; you’ll really have to pinch yourself to remind you that you are in the desert.

Prague

From its amazing gothic architecture to its bars and night clubs, if you’re looking for a surreal experience, Prague offers an eclectic mix of culture and indulgent pleasure. Set in central Bohemia, the capital of the Czech Republic has built a reputation as a hotspot for stag weekends. There is a plethora of bars and clubs across this idiosyncratic city to ensure a truly unforgettable night. In Wenceslas Square you’ll find scores of mainstream bars and clubs, including a host of lively Irish pubs like the Shamrock where you can enjoy the craic. The old town is full of quaint haunts as well as typical vivacious clubs such as the Lavka Bar and Club which will have you dancing into the early hours. If you’re looking for something more subterranean, visit the Double Trouble bar which is a cellar bar that possesses a booming atmosphere like no other. There are plenty of great deals online, Kenwood Travel are particularly keen on prices.