May 8 2012

Family Holidays in Pollensa, Mallorca

Puerto Pollensa 2Located on the north of Mallorca and only an hour away from Palma airport, Puerto Pollensa is one the best Mediterranean destinations for a relaxed family holiday.

The traditional laid back town of Puerto Pollensa is ideal for families due to its compact size, pristine sandy beaches and accommodation to satisfy most requirements.

Dotted with straw parasols, sun beds, pools and excellent restaurants, Puerto Pollensa has the facilities and amenities to suit everyone. The main beach offers a variety of watersports for the more adventurous families while there are also a number of secluded bays for those who want to escape the crowds. The charming yacht marina has a number of bars and restaurants with more choice on the beach-front promenade or the town’s attractive market square.

There are a number of resorts available to families, from self-catering through to full board, with a range of accommodation options. The majority of apartments or villas in Pollensa are equipped with all the creature comforts of home, complete with bathrooms and kitchenettes.

The Duva Aparthotel resort, just 850 metres from the town centre, has its own gym, spa, sauna and Jacuzzi for adults looking for a relaxing retreat while the hotel provides safe and entertaining activities for children throughout the day.

The Pollensa Park Hotel has established itself as a favourite among families for several years and is an ideal venue for a fun filled family holiday. The hotel provides a selection of sports that all the family can enjoy, such as volleyball, basketball, football and tennis. Situated just a few minutes’ walk from a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, guests can choose to take a dip in the sea or stay and lounge about the spacious pool, resplendent with garden areas, terraces and spectacular sea views.

For families looking for seclusion, then there are plenty of private villas located just a few kilometres away from the town centre. Most of these modern and spacious villas have a fully equipped kitchen, 2-4 bedrooms, a roomy living-room and all the amenities of home. Outside, families can enjoy their own private pool with a built in spa, large gardens and barbeque areas.


Sep 5 2011

History of The Grand Hotel Brighton

grand hotel brightonThe Hollywood of the United Kingdom, Brighton and Hove sits 52 miles south of London and is England’s “most populous seaside resort”. And while the local football club, Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., has been united since 1901, the two boroughs of Brighton and Hove were not declared a city until 2000.

Perhaps not the city for pearl-clutchers, the Fairtrade-designated metropolis is the United Kingdom’s Gay and Lesbian stronghold; it’s also home to the greatest concentration of “jediist” –followers of a proper George-Lucas-inspired religion. That being said, the city’s 24 “listed” buildings – structures that have been determined to have some sort of architectural of historical significance — appeal to traditionalists. A city with a cheeky spirit, all of the buses in Brighton and Hove are named after famous people with a connection to the city.

One of the most famous hotels in Brighton and Hove opened its doors in 1864. Commonly called “The Grand Hotel” –and also known as The De Vere Grand Hotel – and designed by John Whichcord Jr., it’s the city’s costliest short-term residence. Originally built for the Victorian Era’s well-heeled, the hotel boasted the third “vertical omnibus” – or lift – in the UK. The 201 rooms are amongst the most expensive in the UK; but those looking for over-the-top luxury must book early if they want to stay in one of the four sea-side suites.

An historical landmark, on October 12, 1984 an IRA bomb went off on the premises of The Grand; the explosion was intended for then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher – needless to say, the “Iron Lady” survived the attack. If you want to stay in the room that housed the bomb, ask for suite 621.

If you’re craving a touch of Italian-inspired Victorian elegance in England’s most populous sea-side resort, find your way to The Grand Hotel in Brighton and Hove.


Mar 20 2011

Ways to Get Discounted Disneyland Tickets

Disneyland is a dream destination for many, but those tickets don’t come cheap. You want to spend as little as you can on park admission, especially if your travel and lodging expenses are high. Here are a few tips to help you get discount Disneyland tickets.

Disney Discounts for UK Visitors (http://www.mousesavers.com/ukvisitors.html)

Disneyland sometimes has deals specifically geared toward those who live in the UK. One package deal currently being offered is called Backstage Magic and offers six days and five nights in Southern California, with three nights at the Disneyland Resort. Disney provides all of the transportation to each attraction, so you won’t have to worry about getting used to driving in California.

Virgin Holidays Packages (http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/usa/holidays/los_angeles/disneyland_resort/excursions.aspx)

Virgin Holidays offers several packages aimed at overseas visitors. This is a good stop especially if you are interested in seeing more than just Disneyland during your time in Southern California, as other nearby attractions such as Knott’s Berry Farm are included.

Disney Rewards Card (http://disneyrewards.go.com)

Disney offers a credit card that rewards members with points for every hundred dollars they spend. If you know a couple years in advance that you plan to take a trip, it might not be a bad idea to sign up for one of these cards and make most of your major purchases on it. By the time the trip is imminent, you can simply redeem your points for a Disney gift card, which you can use to buy Disneyland tickets.

Get a CityPass (http://www.citypass.com/southern-california)

With a Southern California CityPass, you can get tickets to Disneyland bundled with several other destinations. This is ideal for those who really want to make a week of it. In addition to three days at Disneyland, you’ll get a day at Sea World, a day at Universal Studios and a day at the San Diego Zoo or, if you prefer, the San Diego Wild Animal Park. If you know for certain that you want to make it to all these places, then a CityPass is a good way to go for cheap Disney tickets.

Get Them in Advance (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/buy/)

Waiting to buy tickets at the park itself may increase your flexibility, but if you have a pretty good idea of when you want to go, you can save yourself some money by getting them ahead of time. Go online and purchase tickets, and as long as you do it far enough in advance, you can get them mailed right to your house. Otherwise, you can simply print them off.

Stay for Fewer Days

Plan to go at a time when the park is not very crowded, and you can see all of the attractions in less time than you would during peak season. You can buy a two-day pass, and since the wait time for the rides will be considerably less than usual, it won’t be too hard to get as much out of it as you would a four-day pass during the busiest time of the year.

Other Discounts

Throughout the year, Disneyland has a variety of specials to offer. Keep your eye on the Internet and scout for great bargains. Sometimes there are particular days that are discounted; other times, you may be able to get a several-day package at a cheaper rate, such as paying the three-day price for four days at the park. Pay attention when you’re booking your hotel, too, as some hotels offer discounted tickets with the cost of a room.

If you’re willing to do a little digging, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a Disneyland holiday at a reasonable price.


Mar 20 2011

How to Find Dog – Friendly Hotels

How to find dog friendly hotelHow to find dog-friendly hotels is an easy task. There are numerous helpful online sites that will search the area where you want to stay and give you a detailed list of the available hotels and what their amenities and requirements are. Those include PetsWelcome.com, PetFriendlyTravel.com, DogFriendly.com, Trips With Pets as well as the major hotel chains themselves. You could also check for accommodations referrals from the Chamber of Commerce, Humane Society, or a vet’s office in the city that you are going to visit. Do not wait until you get to a destination. Booking your room ahead of time after asking the proper questions will make the arrangements the ones you want and need in order to have a stress-free holiday.

Amenities: Not only are our pets a part of our family, but we want to not only have them travel with us but also be comfortable and be treated like desired visitors. Thousands of hotels warmly welcome pets and their owners.

Therefore, look for additional amenities at the dog-friendly hotels you choose such as no extra charges for your dog to stay in the room with you, a dog run, dog sitting and walking services, grooming if needed, an available vet in case of an emergency, maps and suggestions for nearby parks and beaches where you can take your dog, and maybe even that they give out a pet treat welcome bag!

Requirements: Although some dog-friendly hotels will take dogs of any size, others may have a weight limit imposed. So be sure to ask for detailed requirements when you go to book a stay. Find out if an extra deposit is demanded and if you get 100% of it returned if there is no damage to the room from your dog. Also ask if you are allowed to leave the dog alone in the hotel room when you go out.

If you do leave your dog:

Make it for short periods. At first just go out of the room for a brief time and come back so that your dog will know that you will be returning and will not get anxious.

Pack properly for your dog:

Take all necessary medications, familiar bedding and food bowls, and favorite toys and treats so that your dog will feel almost at home.

Make sure to take more than enough food so that you will not run out, especially if your dog eats a special brand.