Category Archives: Travel Globe

The White Isle

Ibiza, Spain beach

The White Isle, also known as Ibiza, makes for a fantastic holiday destination for holidaymakers from all walks of life. Far from its image of nightclubs and DJs, Ibiza is not just an island for clubbers and party animals. Yes, the resorts of San Antonio and Ibiza Town are certainly crammed with clubbers during the summer months, but as for the rest of the island, it's a different story. 

Famed for their family-friendly appeal, the Balearic Islands serve up a wide range of holiday retreats boasting a wonderfully warm summer climate and that classic holiday combo of sun, sea and sand. Whether you're after a cheap holiday to Ibiza or an exclusive escape, there are plenty of choices on offer on the beautiful White Isle.

If you've got the kids in tow, try the low-key resort of Portinatx. Based in the far north of the island, this attractive little Ibizan town boasts a beautiful sheltered bay, flanked by rocky outcrops and boasting clear, shallow waters that makes it ideal for little paddling feet. There's a smattering of hotels and entertainment venues here so, come nightfall, you can take the kids for some tasty Spanish cuisine or dine at your hotel for a more varied choice.

If you're after a cheap holiday to Ibiza, you'll find a range of special offers and deals for resorts all over the island. Try a tour operator like Thomas Cook and search online for holiday discounts. This might come in the form of last-minute departures, or early bird deals on next summer's departures. Booking early is a great way to save money because, not only can you benefit from early booking deals, you will also have longer to pay off the cost of your booking and enjoy extra time to save some spending money too. 

So whether you want a cheap holiday to Ibiza or a lavish summer retreat, the White Isle is the place to be.

London Transport Museum in Covent Garden Flower Market

Covent Garden Market - London

Covent Garden is home to many historic structures and little pieces of history are scattered across this patch of London.  Covent Garden is also home to the London Transport Museum, a museum celebrating and explaining the transport in Britain’s capital city.  Famous for double decker red buses and its underground network, the city of London’s history is intertwined with its transport.  Visit the London Transport Museum and stay in one of Travelodge's hotels near Covent Garden, with many food, drink and entertainment options, it’s one of the best places to visit in central London.

The London Transport Museum is a favourite amongst history enthusiasts and those with a real and passionate interest in transportation and its history.  The Museum itself is the product of a collection started in the 1920s with just two horse buses and an early motorbus.  This collection was then moved between venues as it grew and is now split between the Covent Garden site and a depot in Acton.  The Covent Garden museum has now been a feature for 33 years and is still well visited and kept up to date.  Built of cast iron and glass, the building that now houses the London Transport Museum was designed as the central flower market of the district. 

 It’s not only train and bus mad historians that love London Transport Museum.  It seems there’s something inbuilt in little boys about trains and anything with wheels.  They love all things transport and for those with an inquisitive mind the museum offers the perfect source of new questions.  Not to leave out the little girls who of course may be more into trains than the boys - there is so much to see and discover at the transport museum that everyone will be enthralled.  Even as an adult it’s difficult to get your head around the fact that in just over 90 years transport has evolved from horse drawn carts to cars that can break the sound barrier.  Also discover how the underground was created and why, and imagine being one of the first to ride on it.  It must have been pretty scary trusting a train below the surface back then. 

The future of London’s transportation networks is a topic of debate with sustainability being at its heart.  The 2012 London Olympic Games meant a huge overhaul of the transport networks in the city to cater for all the extra visitors, this meant big investment in the future of the city, breathing new life back into parts of the tube and a revamp of the bus system.  The mayor, Boris Johnston, has famously also installed pay-per-use bikes, or “Boris bikes” all over inner London as an alternative for those who would ordinarily turn to taxis, cars or public transport to get around the city.

London Transport Museum is at the heart of Covent Garden, and is a great place to discover a little segment of history.  Take your children for free and watch them be amazed by how far technology has come over time - and be a little bit amazed yourself!

The Best of the UK

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The United Kingdom boasts a wealth of attractions for every member of the family. So many in fact, it’s hard to choose just a few to highlight. But if you’re debating how to spend your vacation dollars, you can’t go wrong with any of the following:

National Space Centre

For weekend breaks that don't cost the earth, head into space. The National Space Centre that is. The word “space” doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think of the UK, but the award-winning National Space Centre in Leicester is excellent choice if you’re looking for a quick weekend break. The UK's attraction dedicated entirely to space, the National Space Centre offers hours of interactive fun and self-discovery. There’s even a nifty planetarium to keep you (and the kids) occupied for hours. 

The Royal Opera House Tea Dance

Named by Lonely Planet as one of Best UK Attractions for 2013, the tea dances offer an unparalleled “back-in-time” experience where you can waltz, tango, cha cha cha and quickstep to the Royal Opera Dance Band at this London landmark. Check their website for dates and times throughout the year.

British Museum

The most visited site in all the United Kingdom for 2012, London’s British Museum never fails to impress. From the inspired design of the building to the rotating exhibits, there is no doubt that every family member will find something that appeals to them here. And good news for the budget-conscious – admission is free.

National Football Museum

If you find yourself keen on cheap short breaks out of the city of London, head to Manchester where you can find no better attraction than the National Football Museum. The museum houses the world’s greatest football collection with over 140,000 items, and explores everything related to the “world’s greatest sport.” Five floors of interactive exhibits dedicated to football past and present are open to the public. And again, like the British Museum in London, admission if free.

The Coast

A visit to the UK would not be complete without a visit to the coast. Did you know that there's a stellar beach only 43 miles from London? It's in the town of Skegness -- there's even a Butlin's resort here with a stellar waterpark if you're hesitant to dip your toes in the sometimes chilly ocean.

Edinburgh Castle

Dominating the skyline of Edinburgh in Scotland, the massive Edinburgh Castle is not only one of the largest, it’s also the city’s oldest building. The Crown Jewels are on display here, including the Crown, Sceptre, and Sword of State which are the oldest Crown Jewels in the United Kingdom. Coveted by kings, the historical Stone of Destiny – built into a throne by King Edward I --  is also on view within the castle walls.

New Zealand: Home of Middle Earth

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New Zealand is a spectacular country, and because of its diverse beauty and natural wonders, millions of tourists flock here every year. Known as the home of middle earth, the island offers a fantasy landscape like no other in the Pacific Ocean, and from lush pastures to mysterious caves, there is so much to see and do here.

As the snow-capped mountains look over the hidden lagoons and alpine lakes, the island of New Zealand is certainly one of the best destinations to experience in the world. Let’s take a look at some of the top attractions in New Zealand, no matter what your budget or the length of your stay.

Tongariro National Park and Te Wahipounamu

Tongariro National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning it has an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. Composed of three mountains, colourful lakes situated at the bottom of the craters have been providing fresh water to the island’s inhabitants for thousands of years. This has allows the lush green forests of Tongariro to stretch for hundreds of miles, offering a tropical landscape that is home to millions of wildlife species. This national park is of the upmost cultural importance to New Zealand, and is a must see location if you’re ever traveling to the island.

Te Wahipounamu

Te Wahipounamu offers some of the most stunning forests in all of New Zealand, and at 26,000 square km, there’s a lot to see. The glaciers in Te Wahipounamu are very popular with local hikers, and they also hold spiritual significance for the local villages that surround the bottom of the mountains. The site can be found towards the south of the island, and it encompasses a variety of National Parks, as well as protected lakes and animal sanctuaries. If you’re looking for the ultimate New Zealand experience, then this is certainly the place to visit.

Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland

This is one of the only remaining active geothermal locations in New Zealand, with the volcanic crater producing small amounts of molten lava, mud pools and steam geysers. If you’re a budding photographer, then you’ll be able to get some great snaps at the Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland. Furthermore, it’s also a great place for couples and people who love adventure. If you’re thinking about taking a trip to the Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, make sure you head online to search for cheap flights to New Zealand.

Subantarctic Islands

These small islands are another World Heritage Site protected by UNESCO, and they are home to over 120 species of exotic bird. Because the government of New Zealand controls the amount of people that are able to visit the island, it’s always an amazing opportunity if you do get the chance to visit from the mainland.

The Waitomo Caves

These amazing caves are located towards the north of the island, and consist of underground rivers and labyrinth caverns home to bats, rare fish, and a number of other forms of natural wildlife. Some of the caves major attractions include stalactites and stalagmites, and they’re also great for rock climbing too.

Things for families to do in Las Vegas

New York, New York in Las Vegas Nevada

For a family looking for a fun-filled vacation, Las Vegas can fit the bill. While it is well known for its casino games, Vegas has also grown up to include family activities to attract families. One tourist attraction within Las Vegas is the replicas of world landmarks which are free to visit. These would include the Pyramid and Sphinx at the Luxor. The Grand Canal and gondola rides are also a popular choice for families. The Statue of Liberty at New York New York is also a sight to behold.

For families with older children, there are various locations around the city that offer some exhilarating rides such as one would find in an amusement park. Circus Circus is the home of the Adventuredome Theme Park. Here, families can find many rides which provide for an action filled day. Two casinos also offer roller coasters for visitors. The Sahara features the Speed the Ride roller coaster for riders who measure at least 54” in height. Another roller coaster is found at New York New York. The Manhattan Express, like the Speed the Ride, also has a height requirement of 54”. The Stratosphere is home to three rides that are definitely to elicit some screams: Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity.

When traveling with older children, parents often can find the time to enjoy some casino games while in Vegas. It doesn’t matter if they have experience playing in a land casino or simply an online casino like OnlineCasinoAustralia.com.au it is simple to enjoy a game. Even though it appears difficult, the game of roulette actually is not. This game often attracts a crowd which makes it easy to spend some time simply observing how the bets are place before actually cashing in for your own chips. A family Vegas vacation should include some casino gaming for mom and dad.

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