Sightseeing. There are plenty of museums around Cyprus to visit, full of Byzantine art. Visit the Tombs of the kings in Paphos or take a trip 25 miles out of Paphos to the Palaeokastro Settlement, a fascinating place where the fortification walls protected the land and seas. Just along the coast in Paphos is the magnificent legendary rock of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. There is a wealth of History and culture to explore on this fascinating Island. Cyprus is well known for its Mythology of Gods and Goddesses, enjoy a walk along the nature trails to settlements and historical sites dating back to 12BC there is plenty for all the family to enjoy. Nothing is too far from the luxury hotels that stand out along its coastline. Limassol is one of the larger cities that has a lovely walk along the coast line where you will reach the castle to take a tour around

Beaches
Cyprus, where east meets west, a beautiful country full of colour, sunshine and culture against the back drop of fabulous mountains. There is plenty to see and do in Cyprus. The beaches are breathtaking white sands and clear seas in the eastern areas and grey sands in the southern areas. After you have trailed along the historical route take a step back and enjoy the wonderful beaches all around the coastline. Relax on the famous Phinikoudes Beach or the golden sands of Kapparis beach

Shopping
Shopping in Cyprus isn’t the best place, but there are plenty of markets and craft shops throughout the Island. The Troodos mountains are a good example for all your quality craft and pottery items as there are numerous shops. If you like more traditional stores selling everything you would find in your local high street stores then Nicosia which is not too far from Paphos is the place to go. It has covered markets to shade you from the baking sun, and every Sunday they have large open markets in Larnaca, the place for local crafts and souvenirs. Lefkara lace can be found in most places. These are beautiful handmade lace items created by the women of Cyprus for centuries.

Eating
There are plenty of quality restaurants serving local and international cuisine to suit all your family needs from fast food and English breakfasts to fine dining. Traditional Cypriot food is seasoned Lamb and fish but this can be quite expensive. Do as the locals do and eat traditional meze consisting of up to 20 small dishes of well seasoned food served one after another. It’s all about taste not size.

Nightlife
The main nightlife in Paphos revolves around the aptly named ‘bar street’ which consists of clubs, bars and restaurants. There is also entertainment in the evening at the various hotels. However, if you are looking for a very lively buzz there is plenty of nightlife in Agia Napa boasting over 20 nightclubs for the party lovers wanting to stay out all night. If you want it a little more toned down Nicosia has plenty of cosmopolitan clubs, but around the beach resorts you will find many of the hotels have regular entertainment for family fun. You will find more than enough of clubs, discos and entertainment in all the resorts to enjoy a good traditional Cypriot night out.

Happy Holidays

Sightseeing

From the Monkey Park, where you can see the bird and plant life of the area, to a mini cruise at sunset along the Gambian river, there are plenty of excursions in the Gambia. Travel along its narrow but beautiful countryside with colour and sunshine all year round. Take a trip out to see the baobab tree; every part of this tree is useful from the fruit, seeds and leaves that are used as ingredients in sauces, beverages and medicines and also for making ropes. Parks and reserves are dotted all around the Gambia. The most famous reserve is in Abuko, approximately 25 kilometres drive from Banjul. The park has been protected since 1916 because it supplies the capital with its drinking water. Have a trip out to some of the local schools and leave a donation so they can prosper in their education.

You could travel to Gambia National Park which is also known as Baboon Island. Unfortunately the river boats are not allowed to stop for you to enter the Island, this is so the monkeys can be left undisturbed, but it is still a great day out and very photographic. Abuko is a paradise for those of you who are bird watchers with over 300 species in this tropical forest. It is a must for all the family to experience its sights and sounds. If you would like to see a diverse variety of cultural items visit the National Museum in Banjul. You will need several hours to see everything but it is well worth a trip there. If you’re quite daring and would like a great experience visit Bakau crocodile park where you can walk among the crocodiles, some are even friendly enough you can have your photo taken stroking one, if you dare.

Eating

Gambia is well known for its fresh sea fish dishes using Barracuda, Atlantic prawns and butter fish. Fish are cooked with vegetable and rice. Try Domoda one of the islands typical dishes. This is meat stewed in peanut puree and served with rice. Chicken Yassa is cooked with lime and rice a delicious tangy dish. Gambia does provide cuisine from all around the world. These are served in luxury hotels and many restaurants in the towns. Fast food is available but not as accessible as most other countries. Outdoor shacks do sell fast food but be careful you may be taking a trip to the hospital afterwards pretty fast too.

Nightlife

In Banjul there is little or no nightlife, if any it will be hotel based, but a short taxi ride will take you to the town of Sennagambia where you can find all the nightlife you would possibly want. The music is varied from place to place playing all types from pop to Reggae and R&B. There are lots of restaurants too, some playing local live music. You can have a good night out if that is what you are looking for on your holiday in the Gambia.

Shopping

There are no designer stores or supermarkets in the Gambia and there is very little shopping in Banjul. There are local markets, selling crafts and beads and some bargains can be had with silver items and beautiful material. Leather belts, hand crafted jewellery and tourist souvenirs are about all you can really purchase in the Gambia.

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Situated between Ethiopia (to the north) and Tanzania (to the south) lies the unspoilt Kenya with world famous safari parks and glorious sandy beaches.

Kenya is split up into eight provinces which can further be split down into districts. There were sixty nine in total according to the last census in 1999. The eight provinces are: Central, Coastal, Nairobi, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western. As well as having the provinces to explore, Kenya also has several busy cities if you would prefer to escape and indulge in a spot of retail therapy. Kenyan markets and shopping are things that may rarely be considered when thinking about the country, but in actual fact it is a veritable smorgasbord out there, with many fine shops and markets to cater for everyone’s taste. Start off with a trip to the capital city, Nairobi, and think about the kind of items you may want to acquire. One thing that Kenya is known for is the beautiful cloth that comes out of the country. Head down to Biashara Street and have a look at the range of fabric shops available, so you can choose a lovely piece to take home.

If you are someone who prefers markets or going to see a range of different shops though, then definitely just wander around the city and make the most of the open air markets there every day. The City Market itself is great and has a variety of items that you could buy, for yourself or as gifts to take home for friends and family as a token of Africa. Haggling is perfectly acceptable, and encouraged, at these markets, so you can easily get bargains. However, be careful when haggling over goods such as ornaments as often these can be handmade and are of a high quality. It can be offensive to name too low a price, so make sure you inspect items and see how well crafted they seem before you put in your initial offer. Bargaining is fun in the culture, but if you are someone who has little time or get frustrated, then just make a clear ‘final price’ and ask for the stall owners own. Make a compromise and pay up or leave without the item. Nairobi also hosts the Sarit Centre, a large shopping zone that can be found by heading for the Westlands area if you want to make the most of every shopping district.

Travelling out into the lesser know cities of Eldoret and Machakos can be good for shopping if you do not like the busier environments as much. Real bargains can be found out in the smaller towns though. Often there will be markets selling many goods which are handmade and very well crafted: wood carvings, cloths, jewellery and baskets are treasures to look out for. If you are prepared to travel, the coastal town of Lamu is perfect for shopping for good quality items. Renowned as one of the best areas in terms of craftsmanship, it is worth going to see, or maybe even being the destination you choose to stop in.

Kenya is well known for excellent shopping, but make sure you take advantage of other wonders too. There are beautiful sandy beaches in the coastal regions which, although very hot, will allow you beautiful sea views and a chance to paddle. Consider The Gedi Ruins, Mount Kenya, Maasai Mara and Kakamega forest reserves (to name a few) if you are in Kenya and make the most of this beautiful country.

Happy Holidays!

Sightseeing

New York New York one of the most popular places to be visited with its magnificent and world’s largest cathedral, St Johns the Divine. Central park stretches over two and a half miles, full of restaurants, playgrounds, zoos and the Metropolitan museum. There is so much to do and see in New York. Visit the empire state building – it has an observatory on the 86th floor that enables you to see over 80 miles away when the weather is clear. It once was the world’s tallest building standing 1454 ft tall. It was built it 1931 during the Art Deco period. Take a visit to the Hudson River and Riverside Park where you will see the Grant memorabilia and Civil War artefacts on display. It houses the largest mausoleum where president Ulysses Grant and his wife rest. There are plenty of museums of art and history in New York to keep you busy as well as the zoos and Aquariums city wide. Don’t forget the Statue of Liberty, you can take a short boat ride to view her standing on Liberty Island. You will never be short of something to do in this great city.

Shopping

Make sure you have plenty of money because Ney York offers so much opportunity to spend all your money in the hundreds of fantastic stores. Take a day or two in the Rockefeller building where there are over 300 shops and 35 restaurants. You will be shopping until you drop, well you could drop into the famous rainbow room if you have not run out of money by then. This place is marvellous and all good shoppers should not miss shopping in the Rockefeller building.

Eating

Food in New York is so varied it has every cultural restaurant you could possibly think of then more. You will perhaps leave NY a lot heavier than you arrived as there are so many eating outlets from fine cuisine to fast and unhealthy burger bars, sea food and steaks. Whatever you palate fancies you will find it with over 18000 restaurants in New York to choose from.

Nightlife

New York’s evening entertainment has a wealth of variety to choose from including bars, nightclubs, comedy shows, jazz clubs, bowling alleys and pool halls. There is something for all the family. Watch a fabulous show on Broadway which runs the full length of Manhattan right down to the Bronx. Daily and evening shows are available 7 days a week. Have a laugh with some of the best comedians in the comedy rooms. Try a day out watching an American Football match and watch how the Americans do it. Or be a spectator at a fast and furious ice hockey game. There is always something to keep you entertained whether you are a solo traveller, family or a couple on a romantic break. There is entertainment everywhere in New York.

Beaches

There are a few summertime beaches in New York in Long Island, Brooklyn and Southampton with beautiful soft white sands and they are very family friendly and life guards are on duty. There are plenty of water activities and beach games to enjoy all along these long beautiful summertime beaches. You will also come across a few topless ones in Brooklyn, but this isn’t the norm for America, though it is usual of the European countries. There are plenty of hotels, bars, and restaurants along the shore fronts.

Happy Holidays!

Sightseeing

Bulgaria has many archaeological Museums dotted around its towns, with beautiful churches and ruined fortresses dating back to the 14th Century. There are over 150 decorated monasteries to see in the towns, villages and scenic areas. Varna is the capital of Bulgaria with baroque, turn-of-the-century and contemporary architecture blended with shady promenades with a pleasant seaside garden. Varna is said to have the oldest gold ever found in Europe that dates back to 4500BC. It is a very modern city with the imposing Varna Cathedral. The Cathedral has many unusual stained glass windows and a bell tour with around 132 steps, but what a magnificent view once you have reached the top, a journey well worth doing. You will also find the ruins of the Roman baths dating back to the second century.

The archaeological museum is the place to go to see extremely valuable exhibits linked with the ancient Thracian culture, Slav and Proto-Bulgarian pottery and jewellery from the Middle Ages. Down by the sea gardens you have a wonderful dolphinarium where you can take all the family to see one of its 40 minute shows. Back in 1992 a baby dolphin was born to the aquarium. The national maritime museum has a fabulous display of marine guns and mine sweepers but the most valuable exhibit there is the Drazki torpedo boat, which earned its fame by sinking the Turkish cruiser Hamidie during the First Balkan War in 1912. It is said to be the only ship of its kind to be preserved till the present day. You will have plenty to see in Varna and its surrounding villages and towns; it is also a wonderful place for scenic hikes or bike tours.

Shopping

Varna has the one of the biggest shopping centres in Bulgaria, it was officially opened in 2008. It also houses an ice rink and cinema. It is the most modern building in Bulgaria. There are plenty of shopping facilities in Varna for your modern requirements and souvenirs. Outside of the main town and into the villages you will find more of the local art and crafts for the area.

Beaches

Bulgaria’s oldest beach resort is St Constantine and Helana which is approx 8 km from Varna. It is a very quiet place to relax and great for underwater diving. The most popular beach is Golden Sands, they call it the pearl as it has golden clean sand and a has a rich forest park to the back of it which keeps it cool in the sweltering heat during May to October. There are a lot of water sports and other entertainment to experience along the 3.5 mile long beach. It is a stunning area with plenty of photo opportunities.

Eating

There is a wide choice of dining in Bulgaria from Indian, Chinese, Mexican and fast food bars. There are also plenty of opportunities to taste the local more traditional foods. Among these you will find some are cooked with feta cheese, yogurt, vegetables and meat like a rich hearty stew called Gyuvech Kavarma. Another favourite is spicy meat rolled into balls and served with vegetables. There are plenty of fine dining restaurants and places to suit a family budget all around Bulgaria.

Nightlife

There are more than enough nightclubs and bars in Varna some near the beach front others into the town, where you will find a place to suit most tastes in music. You will also find a traditional English pub called Taifun that serves liver and onions with fries, salads and pizza and more than 16 different beers to try out. You’ll never be short of a night out in Varna and its surrounding areas.

Happy Holidays!