http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/ Articles at Travel Articles Express en-us http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel/2010-vacations-gran-canaria-spain.html http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel/2010-vacations-gran-canaria-spain.html Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:30:31 -0600
Located in the Canary Islands and often referred to as a miniature continent, Gran Canaria offers a lot to the visitor. The natural beauty is a mix of tropical landforms and amazing seascapes found in both tropical and cooler climates. Accommodation is available for every pocket.

While the southern part of the island remains the most popular, there are things to see and do while holidaying in Gran Canaria. One of the main attractions in the south is Little Venice or Puerto de Mogan. Little Venice is a photographer's dream, so do have your camera handy as you walk through the village.

Beaches

Some of the most popular are Anfi Beach, Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles and Las Canteras. Depending on where on Gran Canaria you are, the beaches have different views and sand. In some areas it is golden, while in others it has a grey-volcanic color.

All beaches on Gran Canaria allow free access to the public. Some close to upscale hotels may require a fee for using a lounge chair or beach umbrella. Visitors can opt to enjoy the water or just lie and enjoy the sea breezes. The beaches on Gran Canaria are one of the reasons visitors keep returning to the country.

Things to do

A tour of the breathtaking sand dunes of Maspalomas is one of those experiences that will last a lifetime. In addition there are theme and fun parks and water parks for everyone. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the reconstructed village depicting ancient Canary life. The Mundo Aborigen is a true reflection of how the now extinct Guanche people lived. There is also a Guanche Museum in the Park for those who want to know even more.

Tours

There are a number of towns and villages to meander through as you enjoy the island if you do visit for your 2010 Gran Canaria holidays - among these is Firgas, with its 30-meter man-made waterfall. The waterfall is part of Paseo de Gran Canaria where there are various interesting symbols of past Canarians life and culture.

If you love old churches and historic architecture, Arucas beckons. Here the visitors will find many old churches dating back centuries. Chief among these are the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista, Fabrica y Museo del Ron and Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas. The Fabrica y Museo del Ron is the island's main sugar factory, which was built in 1884. Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas, where the Water Board now calls home, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful buildings.

Activities

Water sports ranging from windsurfing to water skiing, as well as camel riding are also quite popular. Visitors can pay a small fee to trot across the sand on the humped-backed animal.

Golf lovers have their pick of courses on which to practice their swing. The island has the distinction of having the oldest golf course in Spain. The 18-hole Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas was built in 1891. Other golf courses in Gran Canaria worthy of mention include Campo de Golf de Maspalomas and Anfi Tauro Golf.

Unlike many other vacation hotspots, Gran Canaria caters to members of the gay community. There are bars and exciting nightlife. Most of the activities for gays can be found in Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles. There are even special accommodations if they want to stay close to the entertainment spots.

Measures to Slow Tourism Decline

Like everywhere else, Gran Canaria is feeling the impact of the global economic slide. The powers that be are not sitting idly by while tourism dies. One measure implemented by the government of Gran Canaria is a 30 percent discount offered to wellness tourists. Combined with the discount is a drive towards painting the island as the ideal place to relax and unwind.

While visitors from the UK have declined over the last couple of years, there has been an increase of visitors from other European countries. To save tourism in the area, the Spanish and the Canarian governments are working on a project to improve the industry. This move should result in major development in Playa del Ingles. There was also an injection of six million euros to push start the project.

Gran Canaria continues to be a popular location for European travelers. The diversity of activities makes the island perfect for families, couples or singles. There is something for those just wanting to relax and for others who want to do as much as possible. Whatever your vacation needs, Gran Canaria could be a good trip next year. ]]> http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel/crete-vacations-for-2010.html http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel/crete-vacations-for-2010.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:34:24 -0600
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and covers more than 3,000 square miles. So you can vacation in Crete multiple times and still stay in an area that you have never visited before. Moreover, the island is 160 miles long and varies from 8 to 35 miles in width. No matter where you stay, you are not far from ocean. Most people take their holidays within walking distance of the endless sandy beaches.

Crete is, of course, steeped in a rich and varied culture and history. With little effort on your part, some of that history and culture will be absorbed during your holiday. It is a delightful bonus of spending time on the island. But frankly speaking, most people who are contemplating where to spend their holidays are primarily interested in the accommodations, the beaches and the food. For exactly those reasons, you should take a close look at Crete.

For those who act quickly, the entire range of accommodations can be reserved at good discounts. From hostels to high end hotels to villas, discounts are available. Hostels, which appeal to young tourists and the more adventurous older tourists, can be reserved with a 5 to 7 euros per night discount. Most hotels in the moderate price range are offering 7 to 10 percent per night discounts. At some establishments, you can stay seven nights for the price of six. The high end hotels are offering as much as 12.5 percent discounts per night. With a little intensive investigation, you may even find better deals than these mentioned.

Villas are also being offered at discounts of about 10 to 12 percent per night. This is where you can see some really interesting savings, particularly if you have a large group and are planning on sharing expenses. Many five and six bedroom villas are available in different parts of the island when you look at a Crete map

Villas are quite attractive because many of them are in prime locations: close to towns and sandy beaches. They also feature lovely pools and stunning patio views.

Virtually every town in which you find yourself, taverns and restaurants abound with delicious local fare. Obviously there is a distinct Mediterranean influence in most of the local cuisine. But like the rest of the world, other cultural cuisines can be found as well.

If sunshiny, lazy days by the seashore appeals to you, give Crete a good look and take advantage of the discounts that can be had. The only caveat is that you must act quickly to reserve your dream holiday. As you get closer to the holiday, fewer discounts will be available, and can Crete really wait another year? ]]> http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel-destinations/gran-canaria-hotel-best-in-europe.html http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel-destinations/gran-canaria-hotel-best-in-europe.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:18:06 -0500
But now there is one hotel in Gran Canaria that has been rated the third best in the world by people who have stayed there - and according to them it's the best in Europe.

Independent hotel reviews are a great way for people to see what others think, and when there are a good number a feel of what a hotel is really like can be gauged before making any booking.

And it can help hotels who fall below the standards expected of today's holidaymaker if they read the reviews to see what their guests think, to rectify matters and improve future comments and rankings to ensure they are as well thought of as their competitors.

The hotel gained this review from the company who did the survey:

The Grand Hotel Residencia is located in Maspalomas, the palm-rich resort on the south side of the island Gran Canaria. The luxury hotel with a Spanish colonial style design is situated in a breathtaking landscape: under the hot desert winds of Africa a single dune is formed, which resembles the Sahara - a unique beach experience.

The hotel's recognition by tourists and subsequent publicity is good news for holidays in Gran Canaria during the recession, and importantly publicises to potential visitors that the island can provide first class accommodation as well as the good weather.

Apart from relaxing on the beach and enjoy the hotel facilities, what else is there for people to do on their holidays in Gran Canaria should they want to do something a little adventurous or sporting?

The beaches are noted for their white sand and crystal clear waters, great for swimming. Especially notable is the massive Maspalomas beach with its sand dunes and the marvellous hidden beach of Guigui. Las Canteras beach is located in the capital of Las Palmas and tends to be much livelier, though still family friendly.

For the sports minded holidaymaker, many of the hotels offer a variety of sports activities conducive to the climate and weather in Gran Canaria - including golf, tennis, paddling, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you fancy a round or two of golf, the courses are open year round. Gran Canaria's golfing legacy goes back over a century to 1891 when her first golf course was opened. It was built in what is now the central zone of the capital city of Las Palmas. In 1957 the course was relocated to Bandama, but still retains the name of Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas. Gran Canaria really is a pioneer when it comes to golf and can claim to have introduced the sport to Spain. Today there are numerous golf courses and endless sunny days to enjoy them.

But if you just want to stay at your Gran Canaria hotel and enjoy the facilities, you can be sure that at least one of them can't be bettered in Europe! ]]> http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel/bargains-galore-for-late-2009-vacations.html http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com/travel/bargains-galore-for-late-2009-vacations.html Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:08:59 -0500
The current recession is due to the credit crunch, combined with the falling price of houses, although there are signs of some recovery. Britain hasn't experienced this kind of economic situation since the recession of 1991.

Despite trying times, they aren't willing to give up their holidays. Instead, British consumers are using the recession to get cheap deals on holidays.

Cheap Holidays for British Tourists

Spending the holidays taking in the sand and sun of beaches on the Mediterranean or taking in the history of a distant country has become second nature to British consumers. In the past, trips to Spain, Turkey, New York and Florida have been pricey. The Internet has helped holidaymakers create less expensive travel plans though. Holidays that used to break the bank are now becoming more affordable. Seventy-six percent of Brits who travelled overseas got a great deal on their last holiday.

Here are a few ways to ensure a good deal on your next trip:

* Check out package deals and all-inclusive plans. Booking your flight, hotel and meals together can usually save travellers time and money.

* Check for cheaper flights at odd times. Catching the red eye isn't part of an ideal holiday, but it is more affordable and allows holidaymakers to save money and still be able to travel.

* Compare currencies from one country to another to see which destinations are most economical to visit.

* Travel during off-peak months. June and July are peak travel months. Plan a holiday in the off-peak times to get a better deal.

* Look for special offers. Many travel websites offer a deal of the day with cheap fares.

* Book last minute deals on flights and hotels. If airlines and resorts aren't booked already, they offer better deals at the last minute to fill their empty spots.

* Look for red tag deals. These deals usually offer an extra incentive.

* Locate discount tickets to area attractions before you go. Theme parks and other attractions frequently offer discount coupons and tickets online. A quick search for these with holiday companies like Thompsons holidays can make an otherwise expensive family excursion more affordable.

Using the Internet to Find Cheaper Holidays

Things have changed in the travel industry since holidaymakers have access to the Internet. It relieves the need for a travel agent. You can save money by cutting out the middle man and searching for your own good deal. Now you can book holidays right from the comfort of your own home. You can compare prices of hotels, villas and flights from one site to another. Gaining access to pictures, reviews, prices, hours, maps and more allows consumers to make informed decision about where to book their next holiday.

Now British holidaymakers can compare prices on various travel expenses, decide where their money is best spent and figure out ways to save money. A quick search on the Internet provides a list of travel options that fit in a tight budget. The economic downturn that Britain is experiencing isn't expected to be long term. Next year is expected to be a year of recovery. Until then, Brits continue to find cheap deals for their holidays and get some good news from the recession at least. ]]>