Your Travel Story

The Holy ‘S’

At first, entering the United Arab Emirates zone was slightly unnerving. I started to envisage that security would be the one thing to dampen my experience in one of the most commanding and pioneering countries in the world.  My airport experience was enough to send me into social isolation for the rest of my stay.  Never again will I pretend to sport a toy gun (harmless as it was) to a friend, in front of security, to provide light entertainment after a long journey. Subtlety was never my strong point!

However, at that point, I never guessed that another word beginning with ‘S’ would prove to be the more dominant factor in transforming my holiday in Dubai. Bustling around the busy streets of this global phenomenon, the seemingly intense airport staff I had previously been faced with had morphed into invigorated and excited crowds of multicultural locals and tourists. I questioned what was driving such fervour?

My answer was provided by a group of British global trotters, who were busily preparing their day, whilst enjoying a typical camel dish breakfast. Though the cafe had all the grim elegance of an Arabesque greasy spoon, you can’t beat it for authentic local eats. Anxiously overhearing their conversation, I learnt of the tourist attraction extravaganza of the year, the Dubai shopping festival.

Lasting for a month, every year, since 1996, it was clear from my surroundings that people were mesmerized by what was on offer. Now, I’m a girl’s girl and not surprisingly, I’m still here in the heat of the action (literally), after extending my visit for an extra couple of weeks before the event ends on 20th February. Returning home to the average high street shop is not an option!

Termed as the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai boasts some of the biggest and best shopping centres of the world. The city skyline is sprinkled with malls big enough to hold the entire wardrobe of Lady Gaga. Reef Mall, Dragon Mart and Burjaman have all been transformed into works of art. These are just three out of a long list. It could take a year to get around the lot!

This is when the less label conscious can be pleasantly surprised!

Apart from the obvious, the attraction can get you hooked onto various sports, games and water activities that provide added entertainment. An activity which has become somewhat of a daily routine for me is going to watch the spectacular bands and dance troupes in Dubai Creek Park. You can also check out the DSF Desert Camp, which brings attractions like quad bikes, camel rides, and horse rides to entice visitors.

At night, Dubai explodes into a rainbow of colour and beauty, where you can enjoy lively parades and street performances. Tonight I found myself in Al Diyafa Street, where the stunning lights, that decorate the streets, enhanced the vision that was to transform everyone’s evening meal. Not that I’m complaining about the Arabic cuisine, after taking quite a likening to their Maqluba. You may think you’ve missed out, but these events are set to remain until 20th February.

Whether you’re a shopaholic, a music buff, dance critic or food proficient, this vision would be just up your street…or should I say ‘high’ street. Thus, making Dubai a must on my calendar for 2012!

For more information and insight into Dubai take a look at dubai.mydestinationinfo.com

Written by Hannah Copues

Keeping Yourself Entertained At The Airport

So you’ve shopped around for holiday deals, found a great price to a great destination, and now the day has arrived.  You are so excited as you check in at the airport……4 hours before you need to leave.  Hmmm, that leaves a little bit of time to kill!

This guide to keeping yourself entertained at the airport is wholly based upon you not having children, as if you do you will have very little time for any of this!  It is mainly for couples or older families.  Some of the ideas are obvious, some are definitely not!

• Breakfast: As most people go for early flights to maximise their holiday time, it is likely you have arrived at the airport in the morning, so you could go for breakfast in one of the cafés overlooking the terminal, and watch the craziness of people rushing around
• Shopping: Every large airport terminal has a large amount of shops where you can stock up on holiday supplies, sweets, books, even clothes and technology.  A lot is “duty free” too so is a bit cheaper.  Just don’t go too crazy on the way TO your holiday, but do on the way back!
• Bar – It is usually quite early, however the bars at airports are actually open all day, so if you are a nervous flier or just want to have a beer when you are waiting it is actually possible to do so!
• Arcade games – Sometimes the realm of kids, but really who doesn’t enjoy a quick game on the arcade?  It is a great way of passing the time and you can have some fun too!
• Games consoles – This one is mainly for if you are on your own, unless your traveling companion is sleeping or shopping but you could sit there with your Nintendo DS or Sony PSP and while away some time on your games.
• Reading – Newspapers are always a good way of passing the time, finding out what is going on in the real world as you are about to leave it for a couple of weeks!
• Internet (cyber cafe) – You could check your emails/Facebook/Twitter etc at one of the cyber cafes at the airport, but be careful not to be tempted into checking work email – you are on holiday now!
• Go for a run along the travelators – not recommended from a health and safety point of view, and not really a serious suggestion as security wont like it, but who hasn’t looked at an empty moving walkway and not thought about running the wrong way down it just to see if you can make it?!
• Chat – You could get speaking to others in the departure lounge, and make some friends for the holiday?
• Sleep – or you could also go for the energy saving, sensible option of just getting your head down at the airport and catching up on some sleep…however you would be missing out on the giddy excitement of the airport fun, and running the risk of oversleeping and missing your flight!

Why Timeshare Rentals Beat Hotels

Traveling to fun and exciting destinations can be so rewarding, and saving money on travel accommodations is even better! If you’ve never considered the idea of a timeshare rental from a timeshare owner, it’s time to take a look at why timeshare rentals beat hotels.

Not everyone wants to be a timeshare owner, but the great thing is that you can rent a timeshare from an owner and really save on your next vacation. Plus, there are so many other benefits to vacationing in a timeshare, besides saving up to half the price of a hotel.

Instead of trying to fit everyone into one hotel room, or paying for two adjoining rooms to get more space for your family, staying in a timeshare can give you all the comforts of home for less than you would pay for the same room in a hotel. Here’s a comparison of why you’ll want to stay in a timeshare rental on your next vacation:

What Hotels Offer:

• A single room with one bathroom

If you travel with children, you know how challenging it is to all be in one room, even if the room has two beds. Everyone has to go to sleep at the same time and when the kids go to bed earlier than you, it leaves no relaxation time for the parents.

How a Timeshare is Different:

• Choose from a studio, one, two, or three bedrooms
• Enjoy a living room area (which often includes a sleeper sofa to fit more guests)
• Eat meals together in the full dining room
• Cook in your unit with a complete kitchen which includes a full-size stove, refrigerator, oven and microwave plus a dishwasher and all the utensils, pots and pans are stocked.
• Pack less clothes and check less baggage by using the washer and dryer available either in the unit or at the resort
• One or two full bathrooms (some larger units even have three!)

Perfect for families who want to watch a movie on the in-room DVD player in the living room after they’ve put their kids to bed in the separate bedrooms. You no longer need to cut your evening short when it’s the kids bed time.

How You Get Even More:

• With your full kitchen, you can prepare your own meals saving on dining out costs.
• Many timeshare resorts offer children’s activities, kids clubs, game rooms and even movie nights, so there is plenty to do at the resort itself included in the cost of your rental.
• Timeshare resorts are often attached to hotels, so, you can enjoy all their amenities such as pools, spas, and gyms and theme parks, beaches, mountains and golf courses are typically close by.
• Because owners are offering the unit for rent, they can set the price. This gives you a chance to negotiate from the price they’ve listed on the rental site, saving even more.

There are so many benefits to renting a timeshare and the best place to rent one is RedWeek.com. You can become a guest of the site for free to browse the 5,000 resorts available for rent and if you find one you like, a nominal $14.99 fee is required to become a member and be able to contact the timeshare owner directly to rent the unit.

Enjoy your vacation this year and save money with timeshare rental.

Today is Earth Day 2010

It’s the 40th year of celebrating Earth Day for our planet!  April 22 is the official day of Earth Day all around the globe, and I thought it would make a great post to help increase awareness for a good cause.  Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 to inspire awareness for the planet’s environmental issues, and to help promote a greener and cleaner earth.  Earth Day tries to increase awareness for such topics as climate change, conservation, biodiversity, environmental education, clean energy, recycling, waste reduction, sustainable development, and anything and everything which helps promote a greener economy.

I really believe each and every one of us should do our part in trying to take care of the world we live on.  As the world’s population keeps growing it is only in our best interest, as the human race, to keep the planet we live on a healthy planet.  Do your part this Earth Day by spreading the word and taking part in local Earth Day activities in the local community where you live!

A Beginner’s Guide to Ski Holidays

If you like the great outdoors and would like to try something new check out this information on a beginner’s guide to ski holidays.  A skiing holiday can be one the entire family will enjoy and have memories to cherish for years to come.  Learning to ski is probably the most important aspect of this new venture but simply enjoying your surroundings and the atmosphere of most ski lodges, your winter getaway can be one of phenomenal enjoyment.

Many who are about to hit the slopes for the first time experience bouts of nervousness and fear.  Don’t let this unsettling feeling hinder your holiday plans.  The best way to learn any new skill properly is to undergo some training by a professional in the field.  This can apply to skiing too.  Signing up for beginner ski instructions is a great way to start.  There are a lot of adjustments to make as you experience this for the first time. Make the best of it and have fun.  I remember the first time putting on ski boots which keep your legs bent to a small degree.  I thought it was the strangest sensation not being able to stand up straight. Laugh a lot as you learn these new techniques.  Even when you fall laugh with your ski buddies and enjoy these beginning experiences.  The learning curb can in some regards be the most memorable moments that you will laugh about many years down the road.

A skiing winter excursion will help you refresh and renew your mind in a way only the great outdoors can.  When you first arrive at your holiday ski resort you may be overcome by the large ski slopes.  Do not fear.  Your ski instructor will help you learn the basics on what is referred to as the bunny slopes.  These are small hills with a very low grade which will take the panic out of beginning and build great confidence in your mind toward your new sporting adventure.  Amidst your learning make sure you take the time to get a hot chocolate and enjoy the ambiance setting around the fireplace at your ski lodge resort.

Your ski holidays can include so much more than just skiing.  Make sure to take extra time in seeking out just the right location for your holiday.  While at the resort of your choice make sure to take in the local happenings surrounding your great winter adventure.  After hitting the slopes you may like to take a break and enjoy a little time for souvenir shopping to help remember your momentous ski holiday.

When you finally get the courage to ride the ski lift to the top you will experience yet another natural high in the process.  This whole process is great for overcoming many of our fears.  You have to start by sliding off the ski lift chair and keeping your balance as you reach the snow covered mountain top.  The ski lift does not completely stop so you will need to hone up on your timing skills to get off at precisely the right time.

You no doubt will have many different slopes to choose from when you do finally graduate past the bunny slopes.  Pick the recommended easiest one to begin.  My first experience in doing this found that as a beginner even the so called easy slope looked quite challenging when you are on top of it for the first time looking down.  Again though, don’t let your fears get the best of you.  Make up your mind to have fun.  I found that instead of simply going straight down , as you might think you need to, skiing from one side of the slope to the other in a sort of zigzag pattern all the way down will help you to cut your speed considerably and enjoy ride.

Once you start you will be hooked! It is the most fun you will experience.  At least that’s my opinion.  When you get to the bottom you can hardly wait to get back up again.  Indeed a ski holiday is a very enjoyable way to plan a family holiday or even enjoy some holiday time for yourself.  Who knows what long lasting friends or relationships you may make on your new ski holiday venture.