Tallinn, Capital of Estonia

Cruising and fashion are a lot alike. How so? Holiday seekers are always looking for the most buzz-worthy destinations. The travel industry has a lot in common with the television show Project Runway. When Heidi Klum famously says one day you’re in, and the next you’re out, she could easily be talking about destination hotspots. Travel fads come and go, and cruisers always have their eyes peeled for the next big thing. This is where the Baltic enters the picture. Northern gems like Latvia, Estonia and Scandinavia (Iceland, Norway, Finland!)are stoking the imagination of cruisers.

Riga

Croatia may have been the buzzword last year, but Riga is leading the charge for 2013. Between the crooked cobbled streets, turrets and colourful steeples, the Latvian capital is like a northern version of Prague. Vecrig, the Medieval old town, is the highlight of Riga. From the Dome Cathedral to St. Peter’s, the churches in Riga are the stuff of fairy tales. However, Riga is not all Gothic architecture and soaring spires. Art Nouveau buildings dominate the city, and the best examples are north of the old town, particularly along Elizabetes.

Tallinn

Tallinn, which is the capital of Estonia, is a World Heritage Site. Similar to Riga, Tallinn is an architectural haven. You can easily spend the day winding your way through Tallin’s old town; the city’s breath-taking warren of cobbled streets, medieval walls and cathedrals is a must-see for any tourist. Highlights include the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Toompea Castle. Furthermore, Tallinn’s Town Hall Square is said to be Europe’s oldest gothic town hall. Sooner or later, you’re going to want to take a break and rest those weary feet. Tallinn has numerous open-air cafes to grab a bite and something to drink. Ask for a pint of Saku, which is the local beer of choice.

Reykjavik

Known for being the homeland of musicians like Bjork and Sigur Ros, Reykjavik boomed with the jet setting rave crowd about a decade ago. While the country is still known as a musical hotspot, there is more to Iceland than clubs, bars and Viking beer. When you cruise to Iceland by booking a fantastic cruise offer, nothing will prepare you for the majestic and otherworldly landscape. To get the lay of the land, book a Golden Loop Tour. Highlights of the excursion include Gullfoss, otherwise known as Golden Falls, and the Blue Lagoon. Reykjavik is more like a village than a capital city. The best way to stay warm in the northernmost capital in Europe is to go shopping or pop into one of the many restaurants and enjoy a meal. Lamb and herring are big in the land of fire and ice.

Often hailed as the ‘island of eternal spring’, Tenerife’s climate is one of the most agreeable to be found anywhere in Spain as it’s comfortably warm during the summer, yet doesn’t get too cold in the winter. For this reason flights to Tenerife with airlines like Jet2.com stay popular throughout the season, and if you choose to leave your visit until later in the year you’ll never be short of something to do.

One of the most popular activities to enjoy during the winter in Tenerife is exploring its rugged volcanic terrain, which Neil Armstrong described as the closest thing to the lunar landscape that he’d ever seen on earth! Thankfully you won’t need NASA training to navigate the mountains and valleys of Tenerife, just some comfortable shoes and a strong sense of adventure.

Mount Tiede, the highest point in Spain, is a popular destination for hikers on Tenerife and on your ascent you’re sure to come across plenty of beautiful wildlife as well as flourishing fauna and fauna. Being an island of extremes Tenerife also has a number of vast caves under its surface, such as the 27,000 year old Cueva Del Viento tube where you’ll need to watch your head – or leave with a few nasty bumps!

A Fin-Tastic Experience

Another unforgettable experience to enjoy in Tenerife is a dolphin and whale-watching excursion off the south-west coast of the island, where the waters are inhabited throughout the year by up to 21 different species. From pilot whales to bottle-nose dolphins you never know what you might be lucky enough to see, all from a distance that respects the natural environments of these wonderful creatures yet is close enough to take your breath away.

Back on dry land, the quiet season offers a great opportunity to see Tenerife’s towns without having to content with hordes of tourists. Pay a visit to the island’s capital of Santa Cruz, a vibrant port town at the foot of the Anaga Mountains to wander through its chic shopping streets and sample authentic Spanish food in its many tempting restaurants, without having to wait hours for a table.

Many of Tenerife’s most popular tourist attractions will also be open throughout the year, including wildlife parks Loro Parque and Las Aguilas Park, so don’t miss the chance to take in their sights in peace and quiet – well, apart from the calls of the birds, of course!

As I struggled with my camera to get the perfect shot of the yawning leopard no more than 2 metres away from my vehicle, my Maasai guide casually pulled out the latest smart phone from underneath his traditional Shuka and took the picture I’d been trying to get for the last half an hour.  “It’s for my face book page,” he said stuffing the phone back in his pocket, “but it’ll be a few days before I can upload it as the wi-fi service in the Mara is terrible and I’ve also got to go to a family ceremony tomorrow in my village.”

This easy, unforced blend of ancient and modern came to define my trip to Kenya, a country often derided by travellers as too busy, too commercial, not the real Africa. To a degree, these thoughts also crossed my mind as I landed in Nairobi, where over a million tourists pass through each year, drawn by the world class game and spectacular beaches for which the country is most famous.  Recently however, Kenya has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, but as I spent time in the country my preconceptions thawed and I realised that Kenya is one of the most diverse and engaging countries in Africa.

The other thing that surprised me was the diversity of the landscapes. The Kenyan coast was of course idyllic, the aquamarine waters of the Indian ocean dotted with traditional dhows, fishermen hauling their catch onto the dazzling white sand only a short walk from the small, boutique hotels now lining the shores. But only 5 minutes walk from this, you can explore traditional villages and colourful markets, brightly dressed Muslim women chatting behind bowls of freshly dried fish and spicy samosas whilst men gather around the village radio, for news and of course the latest premiership results.

Away from the coast, further north, the red dust of the arid Samburu park offers a dramatic landscape of semi-desert, where the colourful Samburu tribe – cousins of the Masai further south – offer walking safaris across a landscape divided by the Waso Nyiro River, dotted with lush springs, volcanic plains and sacred mountains, home to huge herds of Oryx , the Somali Ostrich and gerenuk as well as the traditional big game set against a backdrop of endless horizons.

I ended up of course in the country’s most famous park, the Masai Mara, but spent time in the private concessions that border the park itself, where a handful of exceptionally well run lodges, offer guests exclusive game drives on their private land – a refuge for much of the game now moving away from the busier public park.  The magic of these concessions and the Masai Mara itself is that people invest their own imagination here and I heard comparisons made with the rolling hills of England, the open plains of Texas and even the dramatic wilds of Kazakhstan by awestruck travellers. That is the beauty of the Mara – it is both strangely familiar and yet quintessentially African, where one can head out on a mornings drive and see a lion kill, watch a cheetah stalk its prey, follow a leopard for 2 hours and be surrounded by herds of elephants – such is the abundance of game, with no other vehicles in sight. Doubtless to say these private camps and small lodges are a haven for wildlife photographers and those travellers in the know…

This diversity was also reflected in the mixture of people I was lucky enough to meet, from young Maasai warriors, old Kenya settlers, lodge owners, imams, bar staff, pilots, wildlife rangers, hotel owners and hunters (although hunting itself is illegal in Nairobi) – the one thing connecting them all is a love of their country and a pride in being Kenyan. The old tribal divisions and constraints that have cast such a long shadow over recent Kenyan politics, whilst still deeply important, are now being loosened by this desire to be part of a country that still respects the past, but is already looking to shape the future. Whilst no-one can predict the outcome of the next elections, one thing is certain – people want peace and a chance to be part of this new emerging Kenya. It is this unique cultural aspect that adds another exciting dimension to a country already rightly famous for its beautiful beaches and in my opinion, if you know where to stay, still the best wildlife viewing on the planet.

Steppes travel are experts in holidays to Africa, and specialise in Kenya safaris and Tanzania safaris. Visit Steppes today to start your adventure. 

Champagne Vineyards

Aube is situated in the Champagne region of Ardennes in the north east of France and is the perfect area to visit for those wanting to see the abundant beauty that Champagne has to offer. An area most famous around the world for its production of a wide range of sparkling wines such as the much loved Bollinger Champagne, this region has more to it than many people know.

As well as quaint towns and villages, you’ll find enough lakes and forests to keep the nature lovers amongst you happy and at the same time, fans of adventure sports are also well served with a wide variety of activities available such as quad bikes, canoeing and even a centre for parachute jumping. But let’s not forget that this destination is also home to the delicious grapes that go into make the drink of choice for any celebration,

Troyes

The ancient town of Troyes is the former capital of the Champagne region, making it an ideal base to explore what the wonderful region of Champagne has to offer.

Troyes is steeped in history and full of quaint streets and timber-framed houses. You could easily spend your time here simply wandering around and taking in the beauty of the place, in the form of gothic statues and stained glass windows. On top of that there is much to do, for example making time to visit the Museum of Modern Art or the stunning Cathedral of St Paul and St Peter.

The beauty of glass

In Aube you will never be stuck for a souvenir. The area is renowned for it’s glassworks. Home to various crystal and glass blowing factories, including the first one ever established by the glass master of Venetia who also settled in region. If you fancy a short trip to Bayel, you can visit the crystal factory that that makes an assortment of bottles for the locally produced Champagne.

Chateau de Droupt Saint Basle

Churches and Castles

There are several historic buildings and monuments all through the region of Aube, such as the Chateau de la Motte. This captivating building is open from Wednesday through till Sunday for tours and the gardens are open daily, hosting various theatrical events and concerts during the summer months.

Some parts of Chateau de Droupt Saint Basle date back to the 16th century and it even includes an assortment of excellent medieval art. This region is also the home to various timber-framed churches, in villages such as Mathaux and Lentilles. All of these ancient buildings feature beautiful stained glass windows, ancient works of art and sculptures.

The great outdoors

The Orient, a Forest Natural Park, offers biking trails and walking for those people who prefer the great outdoors to ancient architecture and art. The surrounding lakes are home to several breeds of migratory birds and if you are lucky, you might even see the White Tail Eagle in its natural habitat. Sailing and kayaking is a must for adventure enthusiasts and for a more tame experience why not take a jaunt in a cart and horse. For the ultimate arial view of the Aube, why not opt for a parachute jump at Brienne le Chateau.

There is so much more to Champagne than the delicious sparking wine that is produced here, so if you really want to celebrate book a holiday to the region of France that has something for everyone.

It’s an unfortunately inevitability in our travels that, at some point or another, we’re going to have to take on the “long weekend.” We all know it – that deceptive span of time that boasts the word “long” but is actually far too short.

No country can truly be explored with only 72 hours, (though an argument could be made for Monaco, given its impressively small size of 0.7 square miles.) But if a long weekend is all you’ve got (and you’re not headed to Monaco,) you’ve got to make the most of it. And that means picking one or two unforgettable experiences rather than trying to jam in so much you don’t remember any of it. Here we suggest one way to spend a long weekend – 72 precious hours – in Morocco.

A lifetime could be spent in Morocco immersing oneself in the culture. With a history of Berber, Saadi, French and Spanish rule (just to name a few,) the country enjoys an impressively rich diversity of language and culture. Combine that with a climate that ranges from lush Mediterranean to arid desert, and the possibilities for a traveler become numerous to the point of being overwhelming.

How does one tackle so much to see with so little time to see it? By identifying an immersing and unique experience. And one of the most unique and spectacular experiences to be had in Morocco is exploring its territory in the Sahara desert.

One of the easiest ways to explore Morocco’s desert is to start in Marrakech. While that puts the adventurous traveler a few hours away from the Sahara, it offers crucial benefits. Flying in and out of the Marrakech airport is generally one of the most economical ways to go, whereas arriving to cities like Fez or Casablanca can be more expensive. Equally important is the chance – however brief – to explore Marrakech. With no time to spare, take a walk through the city’s famed square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, which is teaming with life, color and spices.

After a city stroll, it’s off to the desert. There are several guided groups available to explore the Sahara in Morocco. Travelers should do their homework ahead of time. Looking to head into the sunset on a camel? Camp out under the stars? Sandboard down the dunes of the Sahara? All and more are possible, but with little expendable time, travelers should make sure to arrange with their groups ahead of time which experience they’re looking to have.

From Marrakech, it can take up to a day and a half to get deep into the desert. The trip to the dunes will introduce travelers to those Moroccans who live outside the bustle of city life, an important experience. The country is renown for its commitment to retaining historical landmarks and influences from the various cultures that have influenced its history, and one of the best ways to appreciate that is to get outside the city walls.

Upon arriving to the desert, the majesty of the Sahara makes the long journey worth it. Surrounded by great sand dunes on all sides, watching the moon rise over the horizon, and sharing the experience with locals is a long weekend one will never forget.

A long weekend in the Moroccan desert may not provide much time to find souvenirs to bring back home, but there’s one thing travelers will most certainly return with – a passion for Morocco, its people, and a fierce desire to come back. And with more than 72 hours next time.

Planning along trip? Maybe you’re going traveling for an indefinite period of time and you’re worried about how to keep in touch with friends and family while you are away.  If so, then read on for three unique alternatives to the classic postcard to ensure that loved ones don’t forget you while you’re.

1. Printing postcards

Before you leave home, consider printing postcards with a picture of your face on them. When you’ve been away so long that you’re worried that your friends and family back home might have started to forget what you look like, whip out one of your pre-printed postcards and personalize it with a message and send. Won’t your mum just love to receive that more than a generic, touristy postcard you picked up in a local shop? Another benefit of carrying a batch of personalized postcards on your travels is that they can be used for sharing with fellow travelers you meet on the road, perfect for noting your contact details down and a handy way to remind whoever you’ve given the card to, exactly who you are!

2. Writing letters

This is another way to make your loved ones at home feel more special than they would with a typical ‘wish you were here’ message scrawled on the back of a postcard. We all know it’s your mum who is going to miss you the most and in this modern age of emails and Facebook, what will really reassure her that you’re thinking of her is a letter sent through the post. It doesn’t have to be long. These days the novelty of receiving a hand-written letter in the post is enough to delight the recipient. So take the time and make that extra bit of effort.

3. The wonder of Skype

If writing really just isn’t your thing then there is another way.  Free and simple to set up, Skype allows you to video call friends and family while you are on the road. Even if you aren’t traveling with a laptop, these days most travel spots have Internet cafes full of computers with Skype already set up. It does require that the people back at home have a camera and speakers set up on their computers but these days the cost of either can be kept to a minimum.

So if you are planning a big trip away and feel worried about staying in touch with the people you love, do not despair! These three handy tips will ensure that you never go lonely on the road and that the ones you love know that they are in your thoughts and even though you might be having the time of your life, that you still care.

Cancun, situated on the southeast coast of Mexico, is a world-renowned destination for tourists. A popular tourist destination, with its tropical climate and other popular attractions, Cancun draws in nearly four million visitors a year. Here we highlight five irresistible reasons to visit this vibrant city.

The beautiful beaches

Boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Cancun offers up nearly fifteen miles of white sandy beaches, fringed with a wide range of accommodation options to make this the perfect sun, sand and sea destination.

Salsa dances take place almost every Tuesday and Thursday to add colour to these and the night parties are some of the best in the world. Along with a typical temperature of 26C, temperature of water at 32 C and with 250 days of sunshine, if it’s a beach holiday you’re after then check out these Cancun all-inclusive deals with Air Canada Vacations.

The Electric Night Life

The party and nightlife scene in Cancun is what casinos are to Las Vegas. Batcha and Azukar offer the best of salsa music. Another party house Cat’s offers no cover charge and reggae band blends the Caribbean music with local flavour. La boom conducts one of the largest bikini contests while plenty of fun is offered by Daddy’O and Daddy-rock with these hip hop and rock stars.

Sight Seeing

Discover the mysterious Chicken-Itza, a renowned archaeological hot spot in the capital of the Mayans. Also don’t miss IK -KIL Connote one of the better places to have a swim. The Tulum adventure provides you with the best Yucatan experience consisting of sky cycling, swimming, tree climbing and lots more to thrill you. Don’t forget to devote a day at the Xplor adventure park, where you can drive amphibious vehicles and raft via caves. Just make sure you leave home with a sense of adventure!

The Food

Cancun is a cosmopolitan city with a culinary scene to reflect this. You’ll find a wide range of restaurants serving up dishes from all over Mexico and around the world. As well as this Cancun also has its fair share of local and typical delicacies. Be sure to try out Kibi, a famous dish of baked wheat balls stuffed with cheese or meat, accompanied with chopped onion and small pieces of orange and chili.

Shopping

Kukulkan Plaza offers the best bit of Cancun shopping experience. With more than sixty thousand square meter area, nearly three hundred shops, almost anything you want can be found there. These are the best places to find authentic Mexican crafts. Among the best are the street vendors, having magnificent art pieces and handmade jewellery.

Added to these tourist attractions is the nature of the local people, which is generous and kind. Miles of stunning shoreline, limitless luxury hotels, along with a non-stop party atmosphere have changed this once a sleepy village into a world-class holiday destination.

You’re sitting at work on a Monday afternoon. You should be making copies of a report no one will read for a boss no one likes, but instead you’re staring out the window, daydreaming about kicking the copies and the boss to the curb to go travel. But you, like so many before you (and too many after,) are afraid. Because while you could easily bid farewell to your current employer and head off into the sunset, how will you explain to a prospective employer down the line why you did it?

That question’s not as difficult to answer as you think. Here’s how to not get hired despite having taken time off work to travel, but because of it.

A travel gap on a CV tends to look more like an ominous black hole than an accomplishment. But unless you spent the entire time taking shots in Ibiza – and even if you did – there were likely some milestone moments. Use your travel achievements as a way to illustrate your ability to be organized, responsible and curious. Whether you climbed mountains, crossed borders or sampled the world’s purported spiciest Pad Thai, the preparation and execution of said feats parallel the set of responsibilities you’d have working in an office. Only they’re a lot more interesting to read about.

It stands to reason that we travel to see people, places and things unfamiliar to us. If you wanted the familiar, you’d have just stayed at home. In any workplace an appreciation for diversity and the differences in others should be highly valued. Perhaps you learned a new language on a whole other continent, or navigated the difficulties of daily life in a third world country. The experience of travel enriches our appreciation for how other people live. And how they work. If you’ve learned how to help manually flush toilets in a country where you don’t speak the language, you can work respectfully with Frank even though he organizes budgets differently than you do.

While you may not want to wax too poetic to a potential employer about those toilets you were manually flushing, you may want to highlight the time it went terribly wrong. And what you learned. There are very few certainties in a traveler’s life, but one is undoubtedly misadventure. Weather turns cold when it’s supposed to be hot. Trains don’t show up. Then there was the time you got locked in a Moroccan hammam with a monkey (hypothetically.) Travelers are inevitably confronted with the need to be flexible and roll with the punches. Regardless of the disaster, use your misadventure anecdotes to illustrate how travel has developed your ability to think on your feet and adapt to whatever’s thrown at you. Even if it’s a monkey doing the throwing.

You may never know how things would’ve turned out if you’d stayed at that job. But you can know this for certain – they hired somebody else to replace you and make copies, and that person doesn’t really like your old boss either, and his or her CV will read like the CVs of countless other people. While they were making copies, you were learning lessons – about the world, the people in it, and yourself – that can’t be learned in an office. But they can be applied in an office. And they can make one hell of a CV.

For that matter, they can make one hell of a candidate.

Harry Potter movie series have been among the most popular ones ever made in Hollywood and from kids to adults in all parts of the world are mad about the astonishing places that Mr. Potter actually stayed in his/her films. What would you do if find about a dreamland park made on Harry Potter theme? Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, USA is designed in such a manner that you will certainly feel like staying in the same place where everything is magical and you never know what is going to happen the next moment.

Mysteries of Hogwarts

Everyone who has watched the wonder school Hogwarts will no doubt be thrilled to know that he/she can now make a visit to the same palace as in the movie.  It is the same experience that Harry Potter must have gone through during his stay for magical lessons in Hogwarts.  You would like to learn a few tricks, won’t you?  All you need to do is buy a Universal Orlando Resort ticket and enjoy.

Dragon Challenge and Rides

Dragon challenge is the key attraction of the park where you will have a chance to ride the dangerous dragon going at a killing speed and twisting you throughout the ride.  Remember the dark art classroom? You can witness it all in the Hogwarts castle. The chance to explore such exciting rides and the humongous castle in itself is more than worthy.

Nothing Is Quite Like Disney

While we are talking about Harry Potter, let us not forget Disneyland. It is and has always been the best holiday vacation. Disney has always been the prime attraction for people residing in different parts of the world and more and more people make every possible effort to get cheap Disney tickets. Disney is the dream location for children, adults in different age groups and it is all because the place in itself is marvelous and you will cherish every moment spent during your visit.

Recapturing Your Childhood

Getting Disney tickets means a chance to meet all your favorite Disney characters including Mickey, Mini, Uncle Scrooge and many more.  You can take snaps of this life time experience. Started years back, today numerous countries and towns have developed their own Disneyland making it easier for visitors to get an experience of such a popular spot.

Get Online Tickets for Disneyland and Harry Potter Theme Park

Whether you looking forward to enjoy your stay in world popular Disney land or the imagistic Harry Potter theme park, online stores will allow you to purchase and download tickets of your favorite locations. It is quite easy to find tickets of the places that you have always wanted to go and experience.  There are a number of websites that you can use for this purpose.

Both the locations are known for tremendous fun so plan your trip and start packing for a life time experience.

Whether you’re walking down the sultry streets of Havana or visiting Christopher Columbus’ original landing spot in Baracoa, there are plenty of things to do and see in Cuba. The island nation packs in over 11 million inhabitants, nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a political history so rife with action you can still see the bullet holes in many of the government’s legislative buildings. In addition to the traditional “must-do”‘s that can be found in various guidebooks, here’s a list of “must-don’t”‘s to help make the most of your time in Cuba.

1. Don’t take a cab

Havana, Cuba’s capital city, can be explored largely on foot if you have enough time. But when you need to get somewhere in a hurry (not very Cuban of you, but it happens,) don’t just hail a yellow checkered cab. Taxi prices may seem reasonable when compared to their Manhattan counterparts, but not when compared to the price of a maquina. 

Those old cars in Cuba that everybody’s always talking about? They’re usually maquinas, a form of taxi system meant for residents of Havana. They can be hailed just like cabs, only before you get in you’ve got to let the driver know where you’re going. If he’s headed your way, he’ll give you a lift to anywhere in the city for 10 Cuban pesos, or roughly 50 American cents. A regular cab will likely cost you at least 10 times as much.

2. Don’t point blank ask a stranger about Fidel

That old dinner table etiquette your mom taught you back in fourth grade about avoiding politics among strangers has never been more applicable than in Cuba. Cubans have a colorful and covert system of referring to their revolutionary leaders in public. The girl behind you in Cafe G talking about her papa, the guy across the street stroking his imaginary beard – they’re likely both talking about Fidel. But that doesn’t mean they’re comfortable talking to you about him.

Look at it this way: if you lived in a country where freedom of speech didn’t exist and people have a tendency to go missing for supporting the opposition, you wouldn’t want to criticize the government to a complete stranger either. You’ve got to earn a Cuban’s trust before you’ve earned the right to sit down and talk politics.

3. Don’t go with somebody offering to take you to the Buena Vista Social Club

A brief history lesson: The Buena Vista Social Club was a members-only Club in Havana until the 1990s, when it closed for good. So when some guy approaches you while you’re touring through Habana Vieja and offers to show you the way to the Buena Vista Social Club – this will happen if you spend any more than five minutes walking around the city – you can politely decline on account of the club’s having been closed for over 20 years.

This “don’t” can be paired with a definite “must-do,” though. Do check out the album and documentary film titled Buena Vista Social Club. Both were released after the club’s closing, but represent some of the best music Cuba has to offer, played by some of the best musicians in its history.

4. Don’t walk around with earbuds listening to your iPod

This is really a “don’t” in any new country, but would be a particular shame in Cuba. Cuba is a country renown for its street life, and the sounds that accompany it aren’t to be missed. Whether it’s a sax solo being played down an alleyway, the cheers of a pickup game of baseball in the street, or the porcelain tinkling of dominoes being shuffled on a table, the noise ringing out from Cuban streets creates a unique and whole identifiable soundtrack. Lady Gaga’s new single will be waiting for you when you get home. Pull out the earbuds and pay attention.

5. Don’t come back and talk about old cars and salsa music

As a country in a perpetual state of quarantine, Cuba can indeed feel like a trip back in time. But don’t reduce it to a camp cliche. When your friends ask about your time there, tell them about more than the classic 1950s cars and sexy salsa music. Because Cuba is more than those things. It’s the people driving the cars and dancing or playing the music. Get lost, meet people, pay attention, and come back with a story about Cuba that hasn’t been told before.