Taking off Travel blog

This year, why not try something different for the Christmas season? Whether you have kids or you’re just a big kid yourself a visit to Disney World can add something special to the holiday season. It’s no secret that I’m a big Disney fan – not so much the company itself but the vacation experience they provide ‑ so for me it wouldn’t be a hard sell to spend part of the holidays there.

Okay, so it won’t be warm but on the other hand it may be far less crowded. Although you can’t completely count on that now that many people have woken up to the magic of the Magic Kingdom at Christmas you can still experience much of the joy by going just before or just after the peak Christmas Eve the New Year’s Eve period when you will still get to experience much the festivities. There’s definitely something special about Disney at this time of year.

An extra ticket will get you entrance to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade where Santa himself appears.  Everywhere you look there are fabulous Christmas decorations. Being Disney, this is done on a large scale. There are thousands of lights on the huge Christmas tree on Main Street and  Cinderella’s Castle has 200,000 white lights. The Small World ride has special decorations for Christmas as well as a seasonal version of the well-known song. There’s also a Haunted Mansion with seasonal replacements for the usual attractions. The parade which takes place several times daily is transformed into a Christmas Fantasy Parade and there’s a huge firework show just for this holiday season.

Check out this Christmas lights at Disney World video to see what it’s like.

With snow, hot chocolate cookies as well as the standard Disney magic there’s no better place to be for the holiday season.

Christmas comes but once a year, so deciding where to spend it is important. Europe’s cities are some of the most culturally significant in the world and with their snowy climates, traditional markets and lit-up architecture, they can be the perfect spot for a Christmas getaway. Follow our guide for the top European cities to consider for your Christmas break; they’re all available as last-minute hotel and flight packages, allowing you to enjoy a festive weekend away without stress.

Our first choice is an obvious one:  Paris. With its elegant Christmas lights and decorations, the already beautiful city of Paris is a real sight to behold during the festive season. Alongside the city’s already world-famous boutiques, their Christmas markets hark back to a tradition from the Northern Alsace region, where they create an outdoor village of wooden booths, offering gourmet treats, decorations, crafts and other beautiful samples of French culture. In Europe’s premier city of love, you can also view the city’s lights from the Eiffel Tower or ice-skate under the stars in one of the several free-entry, open-air ice-skating rinks that are set up around the town.

Amsterdam holds its Winterparade in the last week of December each year:  perfect timing for those looking for a last-minute weekend package. With a mix of theatre, music, film, dance and comedy, the Winterparade provides a modern, imaginative way to spend a festive day. If you want a more traditional cultural treat, Amsterdam’s museums and theatres are full of Christmas themed exhibitions, while taking a canal boat trip is the perfect way to sight-see a city renowned for its beautiful architecture.

Speaking of canals, Venice is the perfect Christmas spot for romantics both young and old. The prime location of a loved-up weekend trip, happy couples can travel by gondola on the city’s expansive and extensive system of canals. As with any European city worth it’s salt, Venice is home to a beautiful Christmas market; the Campiello dei Golosi (or Gourmands Square) offers a platform for Italy’s best fresh produce farmers to sell their wares, while streets leading off the square house stalls selling traditional wooden toys, cards, scarves, lace and soaps.

A popular destination of late, the city of Prague is a fast favourite among those looking for a weekend city break. With festive lights, fresh white snow and beautiful window displays, the people of Prague really take Christmas to heart. Wander through the tree-lined streets or drink in the beautiful architecture as you make your way through the meandering roads of the central city area. The main square houses the city’s grand Christmas tree, while the animal stable at the Old Town Square is decorated nativity-style with a petting zoo and figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the Three Wise Kings.

The home of the original Christmas market, the German city of Cologne offers visitors an impressive backdrop to festive activities. Beneath the city’s Cathedral lie well over 160 wooden pavilions, stocked with everything from traditional toys to foods and wines. Watch the city’s artisans at work as they make traditional mulled wine, or head to the Alter Markt for nostalgic roundabouts, puppet theatres and a Santa’s Grotto.

Rachel is a freelance blogger currently on the lookout for hotels for sale.

(Images: dhaun, paulafunnell)

Theme Parks - Florida's Got 'Em!

Florida is one of my favorite places. Here, Adriano Comegna shares the reasons he thinks the Sunshine State is worth a visit.

1. Florida enjoys 3,200 hours of sunshine a year. Orange juice is the Official State Beverage and over two million alligators patrol the state’s waterways. It is a playground for the super-rich and a hideaway for eccentrics. From the beginning of June to the end of November it’s hurricane season. And, of course, it is the theme park capital of the world.

2. Standards of service are universally excellent. In Florida, as in the rest of the US, servers are paid half the minimum wage, the balance being made up by tips. 15%-20% is customary to the extent that it can be taken as an insult if a tip is not forthcoming. Obviously if service is bad, complain. Service matters here – people are proud of what they do and, if you accept this cultural difference and budget accordingly, you will be guaranteed a smashing time.

3. A local delicacy well worth seeking out is the stone crab. The only part that’s eaten is the claw, which with a blindfold and mayo, is as close as you’ll get to lobster without actually eating lobster. Stone crab fishermen remove the biggest claw from stone crabs before dropping them back in the sea. The crab can still defend itself and within 18 months has grown a new claw.

4. Florida is known as the sunshine state. Those 3,200 hours a year help produce mangoes, papaya, guava, passion fruit and citrus of every description. Breakfast can seem like the best meal of the day. If options allow, choose the buffet.

5. Sited as far south as feasible, in order to benefit from the ‘slingshot’ effect of the spinning earth, the Kennedy Space Center saw the last shuttle roll to a halt on July 21st 2011. It remains a monument to the first space age. Attractions include the Saturn V rocket, the launch simulation room at the Apollo Centre, the Rocket Garden and tours of the launch pads.

6. The Florida Keys are closer to Cuba than the US and have a charm and laid-back intensity all of their own. The writer Ernest Hemingway loved it here and, on wilder nights, would referee boxing matches in a local restaurant.

7. The Art Deco architecture of South Miami is famous worldwide and is a magnet for photographers. Sign up for one of the gossipy walking tours and discover niches and corners usually undiscovered by tourists.

8.Founded by conquistador Leon in 1509, St Augustine is the oldest settlement on the US mainland. Cobbled streets, Spanish renaissance architecture and a sprinkling of galleries and antique shops make for a quaint break from the bustle and shine of 21st century Florida.

9. No visit to Florida would be complete without a visit to a theme park. The choice is staggering, the theme park business having been almost invented here. Disney of course is king, with all things mouse and Pixar celebrated here. Usually the ride is constructed after a hit movie. Not so with ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ at Disneyland. Expect a soaking. [Ed: check out Orlando Airport Parking if you're planning a visit to a Florida theme park.]

10. The Everglades are a primeval landscape of mangroves and alligators. Take an airboat tour to glimpse wildlife and enjoy a landscape that hasn’t changed since the last ice age. Complete your journey in Miami with a spicy Cuban style dinner. The food here seldom disappoints. Enjoy.

Adriano Comegna writes on behalf of Thomson holidays, a leading travel operator specialising in Florida holidays.

San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and popular cities in all of America. Unfortunately, the city does not lend itself to easy travel, particularly for newcomers. If you’re planning a business trip to San Francisco, here are some tips for navigating the city without using your entire expense account for tolls.

The Airport

San Francisco is home to a top-rated International airport. If you’re a frequent traveler, you should have no problem navigating your way through the airport. If you don’t travel, getting in and out of the airport can be a bit daunting. The best tip, in this case, is to make use of either the airport’s shuttle service or a taxi. Hiring a professional will take the stress out of leaving the airport and finding your way to your hotel.

Where to Go

If you’re given a choice of where to stay, head to Market Street. The street runs from the northeastern edge of the city, through downtown and continues southwest through the city. Not only does Market Street give you a true taste of all that is San Francisco but it virtually eliminates the need for a car.

If you have a bit of time to explore, hop aboard one of the cable cars, horse-drawn streetcars or trolleybuses and head out on the town.  Market Street is home to everything you’ll need on your trip so there’s really no need to stray far. From shops and restaurants to cafes and pubs, walk out of your hotel and you’ll be only a block or two away from whatever you’re looking for.

Apps Read more »

This vacation destination in the Canary Islands owes its perpetually perfect climate to its location between Spain and Africa. The island is unique, with volcanic backdrops, natural wonders, sandy beaches, and luxury resorts. Enjoy active adventures or relax at a fine restaurant. Although a popular spot for a holiday, Lanzarote has retained much of its natural beauty, culture and traditions.

History and Culture

After volcanic eruptions decimated the island in the 18th and 19th centuries, the people of Lanzarote came up with a way to farm and stay on the island. It rarely rains in Lanzarote, but the volcanic rock that covers the soil soaks up moisture from the air, releasing it into the plants cultivated beneath it. The stark lava fields are actually quite fertile, and grapevines grew well in this soil—wine is now a popular industry in Lanzarote.

Artist and architect Cesar Manrique had a significant influence on the island. He prevented tourism from overtaking the island and made sure the natural aesthetic was maintained as resorts and tourist attractions were built. Manrique made sure no building on the island was taller than a palm tree and he  prevented billboards from being raised on the roadsides.

The people of Lanzarote are jovial, colorful and unassuming. Festivals and music are popular any time of year, and the cuisine reflects the local culture. The people of the island take pride in the local agriculture: the small potatoes grown on the island, local wine and seafood.

Jameos del Agua

The top tourist attraction in Lanzarote is an ancient lava tube that has been transformed into a center of art, culture and tourism. Explore this tunnel that houses a restaurant, a natural saltwater pool, and an auditorium. It’s a distinctive blend of natural and manmade that’s unexpected and surprising.

Visitors enter the attraction via a large stone staircase that winds its way into a restaurant-bar. After walking down a hallway, visitors will come upon a natural saltwater pool that has collected from salt water seeping through the volcanic rock. Living in the pool are miniscule albino crabs that have become blind from their evolution in this dark cave.

After passing the saltwater pool, visitors will enter an exotic tropical garden that surrounds an aqua-colored pool. Attend a concert or a music festival in the auditorium at the end of the tunnel.

Outdoor Activities

Lanzarote is an ideal place to be active. Take a camel safari across the arid landscape, or play golf on a lush, green course. Visitors can go horseback riding across the beaches or bicycling over the rolling hills. If you would rather go exploring underground, check out the many caverns and tunnels formed during the island’s volcanic history. Ancient inhabitants of the island used to hide in these caves to stay out of sight of invading pirates, but today many caves are open to visitors and tours. If you prefer to view the land from above, you can take a sky tour on a small plane or fly like a bird on a skydiving excursion.

Of course, relaxing on the beach is one of the best things to do on Lanzarote. Walk along the white sand dunes at Fuerteventura Beach and swim in the crystal-clear water. Playa Blanca, once a quaint fishing village, is now one of the most active tourist beaches on the island. Find a secluded beach on the south side of the island. They are easily accessible, but due to their lack of amenities, beaches like Playa Mujeres and Playa de Papagayo remain relatively private.

If you’re looking for the perfect vacation, the perfect weather and the perfect beaches, check out Lanzarote. The landscape and the tourist attractions are like no other, and there is always something to do, whether it’s sampling the local cuisine or getting out into the open air.

Francesca Santelli is a travel advisor who suggests cheapholidaysabroad.org as a great package holiday search engine with lots of ideas for Mediterranean and European destinations, such as lanzarote holidays specials.