English: Port of Igoumenitsa, . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Author: Marie Blunt
There are many travelers who make travel plans in a manner so that more than one tourist destination is covered in a single trip. The travel plan might be a longer one, but it gives the advantage of exploring more areas at one go. One of the most common examples in this regard is Italy and Greece. Travelers visiting the various Greek Islands often make trips to Italy. Apart from flights that connect the two countries quite conveniently, there are excellent ferry services that operate between the various ports in Greece and Italy. Ferries from Igoumenitsa to Ancona are the perfect examples of the same. Both these ports are among the busiest in Greece and Italy respectively. Innumerable ferries operate from these ports and it is also an economical option to travel between the two countries.
With just 2 days to go until the arrival of May, the 2012 wedding season is about to burst into life as brides and grooms from every corner of the globe head up the aisle to say their "I do's".
May and September tend to be the busiest months of the year for weddings in the UK, and if you are one of the lucky ones marrying your sweetheart this year, why not take advantage of the rainy weekend, stay indoors, and book your dream honeymoon holiday to somewhere warm and exotic!
When it comes to the cost of your honeymoon, it seems the sky is the limit. After researching all morning the average spend ranges between $3000 and $7000 for a two week break, and many savvy newlyweds now ask their guests to contribute to their honeymoon fund rather than buying a gift, so that they can splash out on a memorable holiday and enjoy those first weeks as man and wife - a great idea!
So with your perfect partner, honeymoon budget, and your wedding dates all planned, the only thing left to decide where to go! So without further ado, here is our list of Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations for 2012 Weddings...
Mauritius
Mauritius is not just one of our favourite honeymoon destinations; it tops most other lists too! A paradise bathing in the Indian Ocean, it is perhaps the most romantic holiday spot in the world. Sophisticated resorts with endless spa treatments, powder white sandy beaches, warm sunshine, and indulgent dining venues - what more could newlyweds want!
Caribbean
The Caribbean attracts honeymooners from all over the world, and with such an amazing choice of beautiful islands, it is no wonder that it remains such a popular destination. If we were to choose one island for a truly romantic honeymoon, it would have to be Anguilla. Laid back, relaxed, and breathtakingly beautiful, this tiny island has it all.
Santorini, Greece
The Greek Islands are picture-postcard perfect during the summer months, and Santorini with its stunning blue and white buildings, cobbled streets and abundance of wild flowers is a wonderful place to spend a romantic holiday with a loved one.
South Africa
Those looking for something a little bit different should consider South Africa for their honeymoon. Combining a city break, a wine tasting tour and perhaps a safari, is a great way to celebrate your marriage, and you could always add-on a week in neighbouring Mauritius to get the best of both worlds!
Australia
If your honeymoon is going to be your 'holiday of a lifetime', why not take the plunge and head down under to Australia! A magnificent country that has something for everyone, Oz is a wonderful place to visit, and there is nothing more romantic that drinking a glass of wine together while watching the sun set over Ayres Rock.
Wherever you decide to go on your honeymoon just remember, "Short honeymoons are better than no honeymoons, but long honeymoons are best of all" - enjoy!
Wendy Kaufmann is the owner of Equatours Limited. A family owned and family run business specialising in unique travel experiences to countries below the equator.
Fully bonded tour operator, our packages are inclusive of all travel arrangements, accommodation, insurance and a personal travel guide is with you every step of the way to make sure your trip with us is a holiday of a lifetime.
For more information please feel free to visit our Blog http://www.equatourslimited.me or our website http://www.equatourslimited.com
We would love to hear from you.
Modern travelers take the open road for granted. We can hop into exquisitely engineered modern vehicles, pop onto smooth, straight freeways, well lit, with excellent signage and many roadside conveniences. We can cover as much ground as we might like in any direction, in relative comfort and safety.
Much that we love about modern road travel was actually available 2500 years ago to the ancient Romans. They created the template for a system of interconnected roads and conveniences that we have simply adapted during the 20th century as the automobile became the mass method of conveyance. The road system that they built to connect their far-flung empire is still in use in many places.
Image via WikipediaTravelling in Delphi <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.0,23.7166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.0,23.7166666667%20%28Greece%29&t=h" title="Greece" rel="geolocation">Greece</a>
By Nick Nikolis
If you are looking for a fantastic destination for your next vacation that will combine top notch leisure opportunities, ancient archeological excavations and explorations, as well as world class winter sports then Delphi, Greece is where you should go. Nestled in the heart of the Grecian countryside, about an hour outside of Athens, is the quaint town of Delphi. Delphi has some of the greatest ancient history of any city on earth. Housed within her borders are some of the most important, influential, and recognizable symbols of ancient Greece that are known today. Combine that history with world class leisure and winter sporting activities and you have the recipe for a vacation destination unlike any other.
There are so many things to do and see in Delphi that it will amaze even the most experienced traveler. The god Apollo had his sacred precinct located in Delphi, which was called the 'Pan-Hellenic Sanctuary'. Beginning in 586 B.C. the best athletes from the surrounding areas would come every four years to compete in the Pythian Games. These games were the forerunner of the modern-day Olympic Games. The original stadiums have been uncovered and preserved so they become the most fascinating thing to see when in Delphi Greece.
The location of Delphi Stadium and the ruins of Apollo's temple offer views of the valley that will literally take the observers breath away. It is no wonder the 'gods' chose this spot, which they considered to be the center of the Earth, as their primary sanctuary.
The honeymoon! That sweet first journey of the newly-wed couple. All honeymooners want to make it special, interesting, memorable and as blissful as possible. Europe has always been in one of the top spots in the most preferred honeymoon destinations' charts because of its diverse culture, top-of-the-line hospitality standards, world famous traditions and prices suitable for any budget. There are so many European countries that can offer the experience of a lifetime that it can be quite a challenge for couples to choose one of them but nevertheless, the exquisite charm of the South has retained and proved its glory over the years for the some of the best European honeymoons.
Home to some of the world's greatest philosophers, and perhaps the only place where the sounds of crashing plates echoes among the mirth of people enjoying good food and wine, Greece is one of the most exciting destinations in Europe. Situated at the meeting point between eastern and western countries, Greek culture is an amalgam of diverse traditions. With a coastline that spans to 16000 km and with eighty percent of Greece being covered in Mountains, it offers not only a diverse culture but beautiful landscapes. I hope to show you here what Greece has to offer.
From one end of the world to another, there's no destination like Greece for a romantic, Mediterranean honeymoon. Time and time again, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, and other Aegean islands are rated as the best honeymoon destinations.
If you're looking for a few ideas for a true luxury Greek honeymoon, have we got some ideas for you!
Greece, the country with great ancient history, is the perfect tourist place to visit and enjoy your vacations with your family or spouse. Coming to the most ravishing feature of Greece is its beautiful cool beaches. The country has the most number of beaches among all. Greece Beaches are very tidy and hygienic too. Lively at all times of the year people can come and enjoy anytime on any beach. Catering to all the requirements Greece Beaches have all the facilities like resting beds, restaurants with delicious food items, shops providing swimming suits and towels at optimum rates, wines and beverages shops etc.
When anyone thinks of Greek temples, Greece automatically comes to mind. Many people don't consider the impact the Greeks had on history and how far their empire spanned throughout time. There are actually Greek temples that still stand today in Egypt, Turkey, and even Sicily. While Greece does hold the record for the most Greek temples the majority of them are in Ruins. Don't be mistaken with the fact that you are still able to see great temples in the city of Athens. There is another place in the world that rivals the quality of Greek Temples in Greece, the island of Sicily.
Thassos is an exotic Greek island in the Aegean Sea and it is situated a few kilometers away from the continent, 20 kilometers southeast from Kavala. If you travel from the nearest, to the island link (Keramoti) it will be a cheap and quick ferry travel around 30 minutes. The season in Thassos is nearly 2 months shorter than the one in Keramoti - from the second half of May to the first half of September. During the peak of the season (July and August) there are sometimes cool winds and rains because the island is completely surrounded by water. There are many hotel houses you can rent.
The ancient Greek legend tells us that this place is one of the most erotic adventures of Zeus. The Phoenician king Aginor had three sons: Phoenix, Siliks and Cadmus and one daughter called Europa. One summer day, Zeus transformed into a bull and took away Europa to a cave in the island Crete. After the act, three sons were born - Minos, the famous king of Crete, Radamantos, the wise lawmaker and Sarpidon, the first king of ancient Litsiya. While hidden in the island of Crete, Europa was enjoying the caress of Zeus, her father Aginor sent his three sons and his only grandson Thassos to find Europa and told them to search until they find her. All head in different directions - Phoenix head south, Siliks head north, Cadmus searched over the islands. But even the advices of the famous oracle of Delphi didn't help them to find Europa. After searching in many places the young Thassos arrived on the island and charmed by the greenery and the nice climate, he decided to stay here and that how the island got its name.
Another legend tells us that this remarkable place was once home of beautiful creatures, half women half fish called sirens. Those mermaids were singing beautiful songs and thus casting a spell on the passing by sailors. And due to this legend Thassos is the place where the sirens tried to divert Ulysses from his path.
When you travel around the island you will see the many olive trees, the endless pine tree forests, various beautiful pictures where the green trees are mixing with the blue water. But there is some shortage of long beach - you can enjoy the many small ones. But when you travel around Thassos you will find the many remarkable bays which are sometimes hard to reach. It seems that, these hidden positions, has kept them natural and beautiful, because the bus with tourist can hardly reach these spots.
If you are looking for peaceful vacation on some exotic place, then the island of Thassos can offer you just what you want. It is a remarkable place surrounded by water, with nice climate and still preserved the magic from the ancient times. You won't be disappointed if you visit this wonderful place in Greece.
To find out more about the other beautiful Greek islands, take a look at this article.
Greece is one of the most preferred travel destinations in the world. It is a country that can offer its visitors not only modern hotel resorts and splendid beaches, but also a rich historical background. A part from the many places you can visit in the continental part of the Greek land, you can also enjoy a wonderful vacation spent on some of the many islands there. The Greek islands will offer you something different from the usual, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, the clean beaches, the sea water, you can hike to places that are hard to reach with car but deserves to be seen or you can just enjoy the Greek cuisine.
The island of Corfu is one of the most famous tourist places in Greece. The name of Corfu comes from the myth about the nymph that has been kidnapped by god Poseidon.
After the collapse of the Byzantium under the pressure of the greedy crusaders, which were going to free the Holy grounds but on the way preferred the treasures of Constantinople, the island of Corfu was occupied by Genoese, Venetians and Neapolitans. They ruled over from 1401 to 1797 and they gave the Italian name of the island Corfu. After the Venetians, came the French, after that the Russians and the English, which stayed here until 1864. The Turkish did not succeed to capture this remarkable place despite the fact that the island had been 4 times under siege. Because of the different influences over the years, the native population of the island is different from the other Greeks - here until the second half of the 20th century many spoke with Venetian dialect. The cuisine is also different from the Greek - it is more common with the Italian.
Corfu attracts many visitors each year with its remarkable nature, the climate is warm and there are nearly 9 hours of sun each day. The winter is soft and this is one of the reasons for the unique flora of the island. It is hard to find other place where you can see over 40 kinds of wild orchids and other unique plants like the strawberry tree. There is a rich historical background and while you are wondering around the city you can find yourself in different places - once you have the feeling you are in Venice, once you have the feeling you are in France or in the Victorian Age in England. One of the main attractions is the castle Ahileon, built by the Austrian empress Sisi, but bought in 1907 by the German Kaiser Wilhelm the Second. Last but not least, this place is a magnet for the tourists with its wonderful beaches and many hotels, taverns offering special salads like the one with orange and artichoke, shrimps with sauce of garlic and metaxa, many fish dishes and more. Corfu is a great place to spend your vacation.
To find out more about some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, follow this link. Search Amazon.com for vino con vista
Image via WikipediaSkiathos isn't as well know as Mykonos or Santorini, but with lovely beaches, hot nightlife, and cute coastal villages, it has a lot going for it. First developed in the 1970s, it's turned into a popular vacation spot for Europeans looking for some fun in the sun.
By M Ottersen
The main town on the island is also named Skiathos, and it has a pretty waterfront that's jammed packed with shops, cafes, and bars. From most of them, you can watch the boats bobbing in the brilliant blue sea.
You can reach Skiathos by plane from Athens, ferry, or hydrofoil from Piraeus. In summer, there's also service from Avios Konstandinos and Volos, but that's a very busy time of year.
From a 13th-century fortress to poet Alexandros Papadiamantis's home, there's more to see here than on many Greek Islands. Two historic monasteries and an old castle round out the sightseeing. And the natural beauty is breathtaking.
Most of the island is covered with pine and orange groves, and more than sixty white-sand beaches compete for travelers' attention. Banana, Koukounaries, and Vromolimnos are some of the most beautiful in Greece, and sunbed, umbrella, and water sports rentals are available at several.
The waters surrounding Skiathos are heaven for sailors, and the island's sea caves are worth taking a boat to see.
Most Skiathos hotels make the most of the stunning scenery with ocean-view terraces and restaurants.
The Atrium Hotel revolves around a swimming pool and terrace that look out over Agia Paraskevi Bay. The dramatic architecture utilizes natural materials such as wood and stone, and all 75 rooms have a terrace or balcony. You can rent equipment for enjoying the water, work out in the fitness center, or enjoy the beautiful restaurants and incredible views.
Aegean Suites, one of the Small Luxury Hotels, is next to Magali Ammos Beach, a short distance from Skiathos town. With private patios or teak decks, Jacuzzis with views of the sea, and mini bars, the suites here are some of the nicest on the island. The four buildings housing the rooms are surrounded by olive groves, and in addition to two restaurants, there's also a Champagne bar.
The Kassandra Bay is a five star hotel overlooking Vasilias Bay. There are three outdoor pools, a sandy beach on the property, and a good fitness center. Surrounded by olive groves and gardens, the property has earned several environmental awards, so it's a green choice too.
If you want to stay in town so you can walk to shops and restaurants, the Bourtzi Hotel is a good choice. Many of the 38 rooms have private terraces or balconies, and all have a personal safe, small refrigerator, and air conditioning. The outdoor swimming pool and bar are popular.
Find more Skiathos hotels. Or find Piraeus hotels.
Greece and Cyprus earned a reputation of cheap holiday destinations for UK holidaymakers decades ago. Booking a package holiday to Greece or Cyprus is often the smartest and most cost effective way of gaining some valuable time off in the sunshine. Greece offers inexpensive packages based on self-catering accommodation, bed and breakfast hotels, as well as value luxury accommodation in all inclusive holiday complexes or boutique style properties. Both Greek mainland and the islands are associated with long hours of sunshine, thus making for equally long summer holiday season, usually starting in May and finishing in late October. Cyprus, on the other hand welcomes year-round visitors with its hot summers and mild winters. For many, it has become a place for long-stay holidays, even a second home.
Whether you are staying in your own holiday home or your accommodation is part of your holiday package inclusive of flights and airport transfers, there are usually other expenses associated with your stay in Greece or Cyprus. These can be anything from car rental to excursions, entertainment, meals and drinks or food purchased outside your holiday complex. Although these two countries have been labelled as 'expensive' after entering the Eurozone and the euro currency, current research based on consumer demands to show more transparency in the general cost of holidays shows that both Greece and Cyprus are actually ranked amongst the cheapest holiday destinations when it comes to the actual package holiday cost, as well as all associated expenses. Surprisingly enough, Greece is at the moment cheaper than Turkey, often perceived as the most economical holiday destination.
Usually holidays booked outside high season tend to be cheaper as opposed to travel during the peak months of July, August or late December. Holidays to Greece and Cyprus are no exception, therefore planning your trip in less busy time can benefit with even more holiday bargains. Greece and Cyprus are also ideal last-minute destinations when the tour operators and their local business partners tend to release the flight seats and last available rooms for a quick sale at bargain prices. Current unfavourable economic climate in Greece also means that the local hoteliers, transportation companies, restaurant and tourist facility owners have slashed their prices to a minimum to draw more visitors this year. This makes Greece even more attractive on the package holiday market.
When comparing the two destinations, current research shows that based on average cost of a holiday, Cyprus is slightly cheaper than Greece. The island boasts great accommodation capacities and fantastic beaches both on its southern and northern, the less commercialised coastline. Overall, both destinations provide enough attractions and beaches to satisfy every taste and budget and are traditionally a great option for all types of holidaymaker - the young and lively as well as families with children and the more mature customers. Choosing to holiday in Greece and Cyprus this year could mean enjoying a quality holiday for less money.
Booking a cheap holiday is not always easy - you need to know where to begin! At packyourbags we specialise in finding the very best cheap holidays from around the world, to suit any budget.
