Beach Holidays in Gambia

Beach Holidays in Gambia

The Gambia has been a popular winter sun holiday destination for a while, this is mainly because of it's fantastic picture perfect beaches, the weather in the Gambia is excellent all year round with it's moderate tropical climate, the people of the Gambia are warm and friendly, The Gambia is easily accessible, with plenty of last minute cheap flights to Gambia and bargain all inclusive beach holidays offered by many of the large tour operators.

In this article I will try and highlight the best of what The Gambia has to offer in terms of beach holidays, but it is important to remember that the Gambia has much more to offer the traveler than just stunning beaches and winter sun, wherever you go, you will not be far from the river Gambia and there are plenty of excursions should you get tired of lazing on the beach.

Las Islas Cies beach in Galicia, Spain

Las Islas Cies beach in Galicia, Spain

This has to be one of the best beaches in Europe and what is interesting is that it is one of the few beaches not in the Mediterranean. When most people think of a beach holiday is Spain, the Mediterranean cost usually is the first thing to spring to mind, but Las Islas Cies is on the western coast of Spain.

Delving a little further, you will see that Las Islas Cies beach is not only a fantastic beach, but also very exotic and I guess the best bit is you don't have to travel to a far off destination to get there

Benagil Beach, Algarve, Portugal

Benagil Beach, Algarve, Portugal

With Stunning white sandy beaches, tucked away in little coves and clear blue waters, Portugal's Algarve has many beaches that could easily make it onto any list of the best beaches in Europe.

One of the best is Benagil beach, near Carvoeiro, here you will find beautiful soft golden sands, free of high rise buildings and hotels, that makes you feel that you have escaped to somewhere remote, there is however a small kiosk selling drinks and snacks.

Benagil beach can be easy to miss as it is hidden away behind one of the Algarve's distinctive cliffs, just look out for cars parked on the roadside for a clue. You can also rent a small fishing boat to go and explore the picturesque coastline and wonderful caves.

The Best Laguna Beach Destination, California USA

Laguna Beach It’s located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego offers a golden sandy area and fresh water became an excellent vacation area. Laguna Beach consists of 30 beaches. Laguna Beach holds the distinction of having one of the greatest number of localized beaches of any city on the California coast. The list includes the northern beaches of Irvine Cove, Crescent Bay, Shaw’s Cove, Boat Canyon, Diver’s Cove, Picnic Beach and Rockpile.

Central Beaches include Main Beach, Sleepy Hollow, St. Ann’s Street, Thalia Street, Oak Street, Brook’s Street and Mountain Road Beach. Southern Laguna Beach (South Laguna Beach) beaches include Bluebird Canyon, Pearl Street, Wood’s Cove, Moss Point, Rockledge, Victoria Beach and Treasure Island. Guarded by a premier force of lifeguards, Laguna Beaches are operated under the City of Laguna Beach Lifeguard Services. You can prefer many activities here.

Scuba diving, sailing, bird watching, surfing, and beach volleyball are the most preferred.If you prefer outdoor activities, you have an access to hiking, cycling, golf, tours, and picnics. Laguna Beach is a popular weekend vacation in Southern California. It’s known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in southern California. The city has good hotels, unique shops and restaurants, world famous art galleries and art festivals. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed here.

Laguna Beach presents a variety shopping vacations. You can find clothes, hand-made jewelleries, and antique shops. Besides, there are art galleries in which the works of artists are exhibited. Festivals are also held in Laguna Beach, which is well known by people all around the world.

In Laguna Beach, you can find many places to spend your time. It especially offers a pleasing vacation for the families. While your children enjoy the beauties and activities of the sand, you can sunbathe and enjoy its wonderful nature.

Family Beach Holidays in Malta

I decided to visit the republic of Malta out of season in March to see what this archipelago of seven islands has to offer in the way of Hotels, beaches and what the scuba diving would be like on the island.

Cheap Flights to Malta

Because I was traveling out of season I found an excellent deal on my flight and hotel accommodation in Malta. At this time of year there are plenty of cheap flights to Malta and the hotels offer some pretty good deals as well. I booked my flight and 8 nights stay with bed and breakfast at the 4 star Paradise Bay hotel in Marfa, with an ocean view through lastminute.com in February and the total came to just £340! I think that is an excellent deal in anyone's book. I flew with Air Malta, but Air Alitalia, Ryan Air, Lufthansa, British Airways and a few no frills airlines also fly to Malta so plenty of options to choose from, helping to keep the prices nice and competitive.

Winter Sun Holidays in Malta

One of the main reasons for choosing Malta was it's location, it is 37 miles south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, if you carry on further south you will reach North Africa giving the country a warm climate for most of the year, perfect as a winter sun holiday destination!

Diving in Malta

Although I have my PADI open water diving licence, I had not been scuba diving in quite a few years and though a little research found a few places on Malta that offer the chance for you to go diving and so thought that this trip would offer the perfect opportunity to brush up on my skills. Paradise Diving School is located within the premises of the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel in Marfa on the northern tip of the island.The school caters for all levels of diving and is a P.A.D.I registered school offering a whole range of courses including an introduction to diving and:

Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Dive Master

Malta has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts to suite most peoples tastes and budgets. Most people who visit Malta probably go on a package deal where the hotel and flights are included.

Malta Weather

The climate and weather in Malta are largely influenced by the sea and is very similar to that of southern Italy or southern Greece. It has the characteristic Mediterranean flavour. Generally the winters in Malta are pretty mild, and only very rarely having cold weather carried by winds from northern and central Europe.

The summers in Malta are sunny, warm and dry and you can expect daytime temperatures in summer to be hot, but the cooling effect from sea breezes really help! In the spring and autumn there is a very hot wind that comes from Africa which can occasionally bring with it unpleasantly high temperatures.

Winters in Malta are mild with only rare occurrences of cold weather brought by north and northeast winds from central Europe. In fact, daytime winter temperatures almost never fall below 10ºC (50ºF) During winter, it sometimes it gets rather windy for a few days with strong gale force winds blowing either from the northwest (Malta's most common wind) or from the northeast bringing days of miserable stormy weather. Most of Malta's annual rainfall falls during autumn and winter, mostly from thunderstorms which make up most of the rainfall.

The weather usually shows signs of warming up in late March, early April, heralding in a long spell of hot, dry weather and the aproaching summer.

Malta - Top Attractions

Other than the beach and seemingly never ending summer, there are many other reasons to visit Malta. Malta has a rich history and culture and with this comes some impressive ancient ruins, museums, works of art and architecture. These include St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta and the St John's Co-Cathedral Museum which is right next to the church, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples near the village Qrendi and the impressive National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

The Qom city - Province

Qom is a religious city just 160 Km south west of Tehran, the capital of Iran. Since this city plays a great role in Iran’s governance, there is lots of attention on this city. Beside the modern attention, the city has an independent character regarding its culture and its influence on the whole country.

Qom is considered to be a holy city among Shia Muslims, as it is the site of the shrine of Fatema Masume, sister of Imam Ali ibn Musa Reza (789-816 A.D.). The city is the largest center for Shia scholarship in the world, and is a significant destination for pilgrims.

Shrine, Qom

I travelled to one of Qom’s suburbs last month to dig one of its most famous handicrafts known for Iranians and also for the whole world from Iran: The Blue beads!

The Original Blue Beads

The Blue Beads are known to be of good luck and bringing you the good things while they keep the curse and bad luck far from your fate. Those are all about superstitions of course, but the blue glaze on the beads, are welcome by most cultures by the way.

Making Blue Beads

Qom is the origination of blue beads since 1000 B.C. but nowadays we see Turkish handicraft makers claim Blue Beads are originated from their country, which is simply a false judgment regarding the most famous encyclopedia, Britannica.

A modern Islamic Blue Beads Handicraft

Zanjan -Province and the City

Zanjan Province is located in North West of Iran (Persia). The province has been divided in two in 1996. Qazvin province formed by taking Qazvin and Takestan cities from Zanjan province and 7 other major cities/countries remained in Zanjan province: Zanjan, Abhar, Khorramdarreh, Tarom, Mahneshan, Eejroud and Khodabandeh.

Zanjan Grand Hotel

Zanjan is mostly an industrial province with its major industries in Automobile, Electrics, Metal works and Textiles. Iran Khodro, Iran Transfu Company, Iran Zinc Mines Development Company and Pars Switch are some samples of them.

Tourism and Economy


Zanjan has a great position in different kinds of Tourism like business tourism, Eco Tourism and historical sites tourism. There are many business & investment opportunities in the province for foreign investors and companies. Some of these fields are listed below: …
For tourists interested in historical sites and monuments Zanjan has many things to be visited. The most famous places among them are Rakhtshooi Khaneh (a place where people used to wash their clothes there), Soltanieh citadel tower and some Karevansaras (Places for travelers and ancient letter carriers, Chapars) etc.

Soltanieh Citadel

Two Soltanieh Inside views

One of the most Significant points of Zanjan city, is Caspian Exhibition complex. Caspian is in the suburb of Zanjan, close to El Daghi complex. I think Caspian Exhibition can play a great role in Zanjan’s economy growth. Caspian is designed in 3 phases and right now (July 2007) the 1st phase is completed in three salons (1600, 3200 and 3600 Square meters) and the second phase is 40% completed. One the most important issues that Caspian suffers from, is car parking area for visitors.

Modern Zanjan

Nowadays, Zanjan city with a population of nearly half a million (1.2 million people the whole province) is almost a modern city in Iran but still with traditional culture and life style. I really felt the lack of entertainment facilities in the city, since the only places to get some rest for residents are El Daghi and Mellat complexes. There are two lakes in Zanjan which I really missed some Jet Skies and boats, but there isn’t any.

El Daghi Complex

Education

Today’s Zanjan is a good place for education. There are many universities in Zanjan and there are lot students from other cities especially from Tabriz and Tehran. Professor Sobouti, who is a Zanjani himself, has made a well equipped university for post graduation which is one the most beautiful and pleasure places I’ve ever seen as an academic center in Iran.

Madagh Best Beach Travel

Madagh Best Beach Travel

Not far from Les Andalouses in the Bousfer suburb, they visited the six beaches and were alarmed at the report.Despite regulations limiting the use of the beach to 30%, these 'rogue traders' occupied the whole beach.On the bright side of things, a warm congratualtions goes to Madagh Beach.

House in Lake Toba

BALI ISLAND in Indonesia

BALI is an island in INDONESIA. It has an area of 5,632 square kilometers. Because of this small are one can explore BALI very easily and have a best leisure time. BALI island is famous for its beautiful landscape, lush tropical forests, fast flowing rivers, fruit gardens and a chain of six volcanoes. BALI is full of FLORA & FAUNA. THe temperature is always 20-33 degrees celsius round the year. The combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, the year-round pleasant climate, and the absence of security problems make the ISLAND So special.

Atlantis Hotel Beautiful in Dubai

Atlantis Hotel in Dubai

Water world ... the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai , one of the world's most anticipated hotels. The hotel is on 113 acres of the Palm Jumeirah, boasting over 1539 rooms.

Water bed ... the Neptune and Poseidon Suites are exclusive to Atlantis, with both bedroom and bath views directly into the mesmerising underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon.

Sea view ... the Ambassador Lagoon is a window into the wonders of the ocean, and the centre-piece of Atlantis, with over 250 species of fish and sea creatures.

Fish surprise ... keeping with the water theme, the Lost Chamber is a maze of underwater halls and tunnels under the Ambassador Lagoon with over 65,000 fish.

See sea food ... Ossiano is home to a three-star Michelin chef, and offers gourmet seafood with views of the exotic marine life of the Ambassador Lagoon.

Pleased to meet you ... Dolphin Bay is a four-and-a-half hectare lush tropical setting where you get the chance to meet the colourful characters in their natural habitat.

Big dipper ... Aquaventure is a 42-acre waterpark with the Zigguret Centerpiece that touts a 27.5m vertical drop.

Shark tank ... after the Ziggurat, you will emerge slowly through the lagoon at Shark Attack.
All washed up ... the Rapids is a 2.3km path of tidal river with one metre waves though a lush tropical landscape.


Shark proof ... you can also experience the Shark Tank from the dry,
and more comfortable, viewing chamber.


Bar view ... sip cocktails in the oceanic space of Barazura and enjoy views overlooking Palm Jumeirah.

Grand view ... the Grand Lobby makes a colourful first impression.

Bath time ... the spa experience includes two hours of spa treatments, your own private time in a jetted tub and access to both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.

Spa service ... the Royal Spa Suite offers treatments designed to individual needs, and a spa menu delivered byprivate butler service.

Grand designs ... each of the 1373 spacious guest rooms and 166 suites is designed with subtle oceanic and Arabic influences.

Sapporo in Japan