Breaking Blue : Helping you explore the world!

If you’re a European ski holiday addict, why not try something a little different? The USA is studded with hundreds of superb ski resorts on both the east and west coasts, from Vermont to New Mexico, and you’ll be guaranteed the very highest standards of service and hospitality while you’re there. But of course, the snow will be the chief attraction, and with the splendidly groomed pistes the USA has to offer, you’ll enjoy the best that nature can provide with the best that resort owners can deliver. The snow is known throughout the world as ‘champagne’ powder and it’s as exquisite to look at as it is to ski on.

In the USA, resorts tend to be a little smaller than those in Europe, but the accommodation is usually noticeably more spacious and luxurious, with double beds and large rooms.  Even middle bracket lodges tend to have hot-tubs, outdoor pools and saunas. Less expensive than catered chalets are ski ‘condos’ – little self-catering apartments or ‘condominiums’.

If you really want to pack in some extra skiing miles, try resorts in the Rockies, which are usually grouped so you get to try out neighbouring areas too (although be prepared for some extra travelling in the morning if you want to do this). Resorts which are a tad closer to European travellers (like those in Maine and Vermont) are aimed at the ski-weekender from the big cities more than the longer-stay visitor and they do tend to be little on the small side as a result. Wherever you opt to ski in the US, you’ll end up with a superb holiday you’ll be reminiscing about long after you’ve arrived back home.

read comments (0)

Majorca has long been a popular destination for those who desire plenty of sun on their holiday. With its sandy beaches and busy nightlife Majorca draws huge crowds every year. Its many British themed bars and restaurants allow visitors to relax in familiar surroundings while experiencing the local cuisine and nightlife.

There are many holiday apartments and hotels to cater for the massive influx of tourists that Majorca receives every year, especially in the summer months.  However, if you prefer to stay outside the busy resort areas, there are plenty of villas in Majorca available for rent.  These are to be found away from the crowded areas and offer a quieter and generally inexpensive solution for those who dislike the evening disturbances often common in the main resorts.

Majorca has many attractions to visit such as the castle of El Diablo and the Coves del Drac (Dragon Caves).  The caves (can be very busy) are open all year round and you can explore them for a small entrance fee.  Your guide will explain the various stalactite formations and the tour will end with a violin concert on Lake Martel.  You can even take a boat ride on the lake during the concert.

To appreciate the real beauty of the island you must visit Puig de Galatzo.  Tourists can admire the panoramic view of Majorca from the highest peak in this area of natural beauty; from this vantage point the view is breathtaking and provides some great opportunities for photographs.

If you need to shop, then Majorca has plenty to offer, from large shopping precincts to local stores selling handmade goods.  If you are staying close by, in one of the self contained villas in Spain, then there are supermarkets full of fresh produce; cheese made from ewe’s milk, with honey and nuts, is highly recommended and is a local delicacy.

read comments (0)

Australia, affectionately known as Oz or ‘Down Under’, is a vast country (with a land area of over 8 million squared kilometres). It is impossible to highlight all its visitor attractions in just a few short paragraphs. The capital city is Sydney, famed for its opera house and Harbour Bridge. Other major Australian cities include Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth – all of which are close to dazzling blue oceans and stretches of golden beaches. To get an idea of just how large the country is, the distance between Perth on the southwest coast and Brisbane in the east is over 3,600 km, and Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south is almost as far (just over 3,000 km).

Canberra and Sydney are located in New South Wales. Both are modern, thriving, exciting cities with plenty to offer holiday-makers and travellers of all ages. In addition to the distinctive opera house and its Harbour Bridge (which can be climbed or simply walked across, for a stunning view of the entire city), Sydney has some beautiful gardens and national parks, an aquarium, art gallery, museum and not forgetting the infamous Bondi beach. The Gold Coast is just over 500 miles away.

For arguably the best diving experience in the world, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef has to be experienced. This region has plenty of hotels, from simple lodgings to elaborate suites. Other popular activities include glass-bottomed boat tours, dolphin-watching and even – for the brave – cage-diving with sharks. Another popular site in Australia is Ayers Rock (Uluru), in Alice Springs – which looks particularly sensational at sunset or sunrise. The beautiful island of Tasmania, a short boat ride from Melbourne off the south coast, is well worth a visit – a walker’s paradise with lush rainforests and breathtaking scenery.

There are over 300 airports throughout Australia, a network of established roads, rail links and plenty of “off the beaten track” routes, so it is truly a traveller’s dream. To take in the best of what this glorious, friendly country has to offer, you will ideally need at least three months and a well-planned itinerary. And decent hiking boots!

read comments (0)

Whether you want to enjoy the beauty and delight of the Irish hillsides, its enchanting coastline or bustling towns and cities, there are plenty of cottages in Ireland from where you can explore all that the country has to offer.

A whole host of luxuriously decorated and fully equipped cottages in Ireland are available for self-catering stays, allowing you to enjoy your holiday without interruptions common to other holiday types. Georgian style country houses, stone built farmhouses or converted barns are there to choose from when you decide take a holiday in Ireland.

Ireland is a culturally rich and diverse country with a wealth of attractions and sights to visit. To name but a few ; castles such as Blarney, Dublin and Ballyhannon, the Cathedral of St Patrick, and the Guinness Brewery can each provide a pleasurable afternoon’s sightseeing.  Ireland is a perfect place for hiking and the countryside is full of suitable locations such as the mountains of Mourne, Rathlan Island and the Ring of Kerry that all provide suitable destinations for outdoor exercise and sightseeing.

The capital of the Emerald Isle, Dublin is a lively and rich place to visit; packed with museums, galleries, parks and shops, pubs and lovely narrow cobbled streets. Dublin is the beating heart of Ireland and offers a myriad of activities to visitors. Famous places such as Temple Bar, the thriving entertainment centre of Dublin and Grafton Street, full of fashionable shops and boutiques, both will offer many diversions for all holidaymakers.

Going on holiday and staying in a holiday cottage in Ireland will open up a wide range of options and whether you are looking for the thrill of outdoor adventure, a cultural journey or a shopping and pub filled festival, Ireland has numerous events and attraction that will appeal to all visitors.

read comments (0)

If you’ve never been on a cruise holiday before then you don’t know what you’re missing. Cruise liners these days are like vast, floating hotels that use all their many modern resources to provide you with a brilliant holiday experience.

From the moment you step aboard you’ll have all your needs catered for, with a comprehensive range of entertainments and activities that you can take or leave as you desire. If you have kids, this will be a godsend, as there’ll be no need to find things for them to do. First thing in the morning they’ll be up and off, taking advantage of the many activities arranged for them and looked after so you’ll never have to worry about where they are or what they’re up to.

Teenagers, notoriously difficult to please, can make new friends at the discos and other venues, and you’ll be free at last to concentrate on what interests you the most.

Singles and couples also are well catered for on cruise ships, and indeed these floating hotels often attract those looking to meet someone special as well as having a good time.

There’s nothing better than being taken from one exotic port to another, with different experiences on hand every day, new places to explore, and in the meantime having all your needs catered for on board.

There are a great many cruise deals on offer, with all the main players in competition for your custom and wanting you to come back, so there’s never been a better time for looking into cruise holidays.

read comments (0)

New York is one of the most visited cities in the world, receiving over 45 million tourists every year. It has a wide range of popular attractions and there are a number of bus and boat tours available that allow visitors to explore the city. New York was also home to the World Trade Center, which was a prominent tourist destination before being destroyed on the 11th September 2001 in the terrorist attacks.

New York is home to the Empire State Building, a stunning skyscraper that is famous for its involvement in the 1933 movie “King Kong”. Tourists can view the breathtaking sights of the city from the tower on the structure’s popular motion simulator and enjoy a light snack or main meal in one of the building’s eateries, which includes a sushi bar, two main restaurants and three cafes.

In addition to its stunning architecture, New York also offers a variety of fascinating museums and theatres, making it an ideal holiday destination for those who love art, history and culture, and entertainment. The city also has a variety of attractions that are suitable for families, including the Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. Times Square is also worth a visit, particularly during special events such as Christmas and New Year.

New York offers a thriving nightlife and has plenty of bars and restaurants to suit older tourists. Those looking for a family fun day out may wish to visit Six Flags, one of the world’s most popular amusement parks. 

Whether you are looking for a location that offers plenty of culture and history or for plenty of fascinating attractions, you are sure to find everything you need to make your stay in New York a memorable one.

read comments (0)

While the Mediterranean coastline has a reputation for over commercialism and package holidays, hiring a holiday villa in Spain’s interior will give you a totally different appreciation for the country and add to your holiday experience.

Many of the holiday homes in Spain come equipped with their own swimming pool and large gardens and there are always spectacular views of mountains, forests and hillsides. There is typically a local village nearby, where even the smallest will contain a tapas bar and grocery store where you can obtain all you need during your stay.

Holiday villas in Spain are quite often converted farmhouses or refurbished country houses. These have large rooms, with high ceilings and thick walls that help keep the hot Spanish sun at bay. Traditional heavy doors and shutters with oak beams provide visitors to these villas with a cosy ‘home away from home’ sensation unusual for holiday accommodation. They are always generously equipped with modern fittings and fixtures and all bedrooms tend to be on-suite with large communal, living rooms, normally with a stone fireplace at the centre.

Spain offers a host of interesting attractions to visit, Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona is world famous, while the hill top Alhambra fortress in Granada is a must. Madrid is a cultural necessity for those who love to walk around museums and galleries, Dali and Picasso are both well represented here along with Goya, Velazquez and El Greco.

Visitors should try all the traditional Spanish cuisine; from the simple snacks on offer at tapas bars to paella. Spain is also famous for its excellent wines, especially a good bottle of Rioja.

read comments (0)

Ibiza is one of the world’s top holiday destinations, and no wonder with its sun and sand, great night life and rewarding local culture. When Ibiza first started taking off as a tourist magnet in the sixties, the popular choice was package tours that included full hotel accommodation, with round-the-clock meals and entertainment. But as the travelling public has become more sophisticated, many now opt for renting a holiday villa, which has many advantages over the traditional hotel-based choice.

Renting a villa usually works out cheaper if you’re going as a family or with friends, as the charge is made on the property and not per head, so you can spread the cost between you. The noise levels will be much lower than in a hotel, which is good for the kids getting to sleep, and there is usually air conditioning and access to a swimming pool as standard. But the greatest advantage must be the flexibility to come and go as you please without the fixed meal times.

Renting directly from the owner works out cheaper in most cases, or you could pay a bit more but get added security by arranging your stay through an agent, where you’ll also have the convenience of booking flights as part of the package rather than having to organise them separately yourself. 

Renting a villa in Ibiza allows you all the comforts of home, but also the flexibility and peace and quiet that is not always guaranteed with a hotel. It’s the best option, especially if you’re taking kids or going in a group.

read comments (0)

In the past, cruises have been associated, either with the elite in society, or the older generation, so a cruise holiday was not seen as suitable for either families or young people. However, there has recently been a renaissance in cruise holidays, so now anyone can take a cruise.

Some cruise lines offer cruise holidays that are particularly aimed at families. On board there will be children’s clubs and activities, as well as facilities that all the family can enjoy.

For those who are more interested in the culture and history of the places that they visit, there are cruises that are designed to appeal more to adults. These will frequently run courses in wine tasting, local history or art, and may offer cruises to some more exotic locations such as South America or the Far East. Cruises to Alaska or the Arctic Circle are also popular. The Arctic would be impossible to visit any other way, as going ashore is strictly controlled in order to preserve the fragile ecosystem. The cruises offer an opportunity to see some unique wildlife, and to gain an understanding of the scientific work carried out at the base camps.

With more young people choosing to take cruise holidays, cruise lines have designed cruises to suit people who want more excitement and activities. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s Voyager-class ships are equipped with ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls and the FlowRider – a powerful wave that can be surfed. Carnival cruises offer survival adventures in Belize, on which passengers can learn to cook jungle-style. P&O Cruises offers its travellers the chance to hire a Ferrari F430 for a day in Alicante, or a bike ride for a cheaper option. Princess Cruises offers zip-wiring through trees, and in Alaska this can be combined with a bobsled ride.

Other types of cruise holidays include cruise weddings or honeymoons, river cruises, Christmas cruises, mini cruises and many more. Cruise and stay holidays offer the chance to combine a cruise with a hotel stay.

read comments (0)

To the uninitiated, Norway probably conjures images of harsh winters and endless herring recipes. This, of course, is a caricature; if you haven’t considered this beautiful country as a holiday destination, it may be worth your while to do so. The Norwegian wilderness is hauntingly and spectacularly beautiful and, when you’re in the midst of it, it’s impossible not to imagine the bravery and hardiness of those intrepid early settlers who set up farmsteads in such astonishingly isolated landscapes. But Norway is also a highly civilised – and exceptionally well-healed – country, one of the richest in the world, in fact. In the modern era, the population of the country has not only grown but it’s shifted demographically; no longer confined to fighting the land in remoter farmsteads, most Norwegians have congregated in the gorgeous cities of Bergen, Stavanger, Tromsø and Trondheim.

The wilderness, however, has not simply been relegated to the status of a leisure pursuit for modern Norwegians; it is part of the national psyche. Norwegians love it and have an almost reverential attitude toward it – assisted in no small measure by its sublime beauty. The country is studded with spellbinding natural parks as a consequence, a testimony to the fact that here, nature has played a seminal part in forging Norwegian culture and remains central to it. The Jotunheimen National Park is probably the country’s best-loved wilderness destination with its jaw-dropping peaks and glaciers, cascading waterfalls, deep ravines and unfathomable lakes reflecting the landscape above like enchanted mirrors. If you visit Norway, you won’t be forgetting your experience of the country’s stunning natural beauty and its people’s cultured modesty and moderation for a very long time to come.

read comments (0)