Destinations

All the signs pointed towards Antigua. The island had warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbors, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef. It would make a perfect place to hide a fleet. And so in 1784 the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain's most important Caribbean base. Little did he know that over 200 years later the same unique characteristics that attracted the Royal Navy would transform Antigua and Barbuda into one of the Caribbean's premier tourist destinations.

Antigua BeachThe signs are still there, they just point to different things. The Trade Winds that once blew British men-of-war safely into English Harbour now fuel one of the world's foremost maritime events, Sailing Week. The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for outsiders to navigate is where today's trekkers encounter a tremendous wealth of secluded, powdery soft beaches. The coral reefs, once the bane of marauding enemy ships, now attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating little island of Barbuda -- once a scavenger's paradise because so many ships wrecked on its reefs -- is now home to one of the region's most significant bird sanctuaries.

Location:

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.
Size:

Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Mount Obama (1319 ft., 402 metres), formerly known as Boggy Peak, located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.

Climate:

Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Low humidity year-round.

Whether you’re after a laid-back retreat or a fast-paced action holiday, Austria certainly ticks a lot of boxes.

In the Tirol you’ll be surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks, green valleys and mountain streams. The Salzburgerland provides you with unspoilt mountain villages, cascading waterfalls such as Krimml, and lively lake resorts, while the Salzkammergut is a feast for your eyes, with pretty towns dotted along scenic lake shores. Make time to visit at least one of the wonderful cities of Austria - choose from the imperial capital, Vienna with its famous café culture, the musical city of Salzburg and its impressive fortress or, surrounded by mountain peaks, the Olympic city of Innsbruck.

If you love walking, Austria should definitely be one destination to cross off your list. As one of Europe’s premiere walking destinations there’s an extensive range of trails covering mountain terrain, lake shores, valleys and woods. Walking is not the only activity you can get stuck into though – take a dip in crystal clear lakes, spend a day mountain biking, tame the wild waters on a rafting trip or even try out summer glacial skiing. Golf also features highly on the radar, with over 20 courses to choose from in the Tirol alone.

You’d be missing out if you didn’t capture some of Austria’s wonderful local culture too. Music, arts and traditional festivals are held all over throughout the summer months. Tuck in at St Johann’s annual Dumpling Festival or perhaps sit out at a street café and admire local lederhosen-adorned troupes performing live music and dancing in the picturesque town squares.

Don’t forget to sample some of the national dishes either. For the sweet-toothed there’s a fine range of mouth-watering pastries – such as kaiserschmarren, strudel and creamy gateaux. Alternatively if you prefer something more savoury - try out Tiroler gröstl, Wiener schnitzel and käsespätzl. Local breweries produce some of Europe’s finest beers - and wine lovers, you’re covered too. The native wines, mostly from the East, are also really yummy. And you can’t leave without sampling, Austria’s finest export – schnapps.

A tropical island with a surprisingly British feel‚ where cricket and afternoon tea are as popular as sunbathing and watersports. With rugged beauty on the east coast‚ calm beaches in the west and lively resorts in the south‚ plus colonial towns and plantations‚ holidays to Barbados are ideal for sightseeing. Picture yourself on a white coral beach and start planning your idyllic Barbados holiday.

China, home to more than 5,000 years of culture and history, is a fascinating destination. Forever linked to its ancient civilization, friendly people, and many of the world’s most revered treasures – such as The Great Wall, Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses and the Yangtze River – China also offers a glimpse of the future. From the spectacular architecture and towering skylines in Shanghai (site of the 2010 World Expo) and Beijing (site of the 2008 Summer Olympics), to a wealth of luxury accommodations and exquisite cuisine, China will amaze you with both its vastness and variety of experiences both old and new. Come and see why China is drawing millions of visitors from all over the world, and why each of them returns home smiling. The time is now to visit China, like never before.

Unspoilt and undisturbed, Cuba is home to salsa dancing, rum, and wonderful beaches with stunning white sands and warm, turquoise waters. Take time to visit characterful Havana, a unique city that's rich in culture. You’ll get to try lots of traditional local food and drink on your holiday to Cuba, too. Sip cocktails made from world-class Cuban rum, and enjoy a hit of intense Cuban coffee. You’ll be ready to indulge in a Caribbean getaway with a difference.

Hungary is the land locked kidney-shaped country at the very heart of Europe which holds a unique place in the continent's soul. Standing as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, it's easy to see why with the jaw dropping capital (Budapest) is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Doubters are easily swayed by the romance of the Danube River as it elegantly splits Budapest in two with the back drop of the iconic Parliament building. You can see that the old communist regime spared no expense in all intricate detailed streets which makes this a city an absolute must see!

Feel the sand between your toes and the fresh sea breeze in your hair on Jersey’s beautiful beaches. Head for the north and east coast for rock pools teeming with marine life, or south and west for glorious golden sands, washed by the tides each day.

With its unspoiled landscape and unique blend of British and French influences, Jersey really is a place where you can get away from it all.

Located some 100 miles (160 kms) south of mainland Britain, Jersey is the most southerly island of the British Isles. In fact, it's much closer to France, lying just 14 miles (22 kms) from its coast.

Despite its compact size - just 9 miles by 5 miles (14 kms by 8 kms) - Jersey possesses a rich and varied landscape which sends visitors into sensory overload.

Exploring Jersey

You might think that an area of 45 square miles (116 square kms), with a permanent population of over 97,857, would have little but buildings to explore. But approach the Island by air and you'll see lush valleys, well-kept fields and an unspoilt coastline.

Arrive by sea and the rocky grandeur of La Corbière, the sweep of St Aubin's Bay and picturesque Elizabeth Castle merely hint at Jersey's wealth of history and sheer beauty. The scale of both means it easily rivals much larger and perhaps better-known destinations.

Some 450 miles (720 kms) of roadway (a mix of fast routes and quiet rural lanes) create endless opportunities to discover the unexpected and impressive. There's also a 45-mile (72 km) network of narrow country roads known as 'Green Lanes', with a speed limit of 15 mph (24 kph) and priority given to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

From awe-inspiring history to jaw-dropping experiences, a holiday in North Cyprus can certainly raise the heart rate. North Cyprus may be a sleepy backwater, but it is packed full of exciting holiday adventures.

From swimming with turtles, to paragliding off the mountains, some 2500 feet above sea level, a North Cyprus holiday certainly punches well above its weight. Keen ramblers can enjoy hiking in the Five Finger Mountains above Kyrenia, discovering rare indigenous orchids, or exploring the rugged Karpaz Peninsula, where wild donkeys roam free.

Scuba divers will delight in discovering the world under the sea. The clear, warm waters around North Cyprus are home to many different, often rare, species of fish and other sea-life. An exhilarating dive safari will allow you to explore reefs, strange rock formations and even a wrecked plane.

Sri Lanka’s reputation as the gem of the Indian Ocean is not unfounded, and a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka really is everything you’d hope it would be. An exotic paradise with an abundance of things to see and do, this is land of impeccable beaches, lush mountain terrain and magnificent wildlife and is also home to no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s this, combined with a well established tourist infrastructure and abundance of first-class hotel resorts, that makes it a destination perfect for those who want to explore, relax, feast and marvel during their 5 star holiday.

Just two and a half hours from London, Tunisia is a country where you will find your fill of blue sky and sunshine, extraordinary heritage and original traditions.

Home to the ancient city of Carthage with thousands of years of history, the magnificent Sahara desert and beautiful Mediterranean beaches, Tunisia offers a range of activities and sights.

As descendants of indigenous Berbers and a colourful mix of umpteen civilizations, modern Tunisians are a mix of ethnicities that have invaded, migrated to, and been absorbed into the population over three millennia.

As a result, Tunisians are truly Mediterranean, being a "bridge" of peoples between Africa, Europe and the Levant for over 3,000 years. Recorded history commences with the arrival of Phoenicians, who founded Carthage and other North African settlements in the 8th century B.C. Over time, the Romans, Arabs, Ottoman Turks and French realised its strategic importance, claiming it as a hub for regional control and gain. As a major power, Carthage was at the heart of Mediterranean sea-trade, situated close to vital shipping routes. The Roman decline and fall in the 5th century and the capture of Carthage by Vandals in 439 prompted a Berber uprising but the Byzantines defeated both groups in 533. The Muslim conquest in the 7th century dramatically transformed Tunisia’s ethnic make-up, sparking migration from around the Arab world.

Tunisia was a French protectorate from 1881 until independence in 1956 – a 75 year era that further shaped its cultural fusion. Post-liberation Tunisia was led for three decades by Habib Bourguiba. A progressive who furthered secular ideas, Bourguiba introduced some of the most advanced women’s rights in the Arab world. Reluctant to relinquish power he was eventually ousted in a 1987 bloodless coup. Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali took over the reins but stepped aside during the Arab Spring unrest of 2011. Tunisia’s first democratic elections since independence followed 10 months later, prompting large numbers to turn out to vote for Ennahda, a moderate Islamic party. Hamadi Jebali was appointed Prime Minister. Tunisia retains strong political and economic ties with the European Union. The EU accounts for over 65 per cent of Tunisian imports and more than 74 per cent of exports. Holidaymakers from Europe also represent around 80 per cent of Tunisia’s visitors each year.
ARCHAEOLOGY

Tunisia’s landscape is liberally peppered with historical monuments. These pertain to diverse civilizations spanning 3,000 years, from entire ancient settlements to shrines, amphitheatres, bathing houses, churches and cenotaphs. Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Spaniards, Turks, and the French have each left an imprint on the nation’s storied terrain with well-preserved sites and intriguing age-old ruins at every turn. Growing numbers of Tunisia’s multitude of archaeological sites are now open to visitors. Seven sites have UNESCO World Heritage Site status with 46 new additions slated for UNESCO inscription – amongst them the hill-sunk Roman ruins in Oudhna which are smaller than those at El Djem, the site of the largest Roman amphitheatre in North Africa, but are nothing short of jaw-dropping nonetheless.

The sites most visited are those with the easiest access, such as:

    Tunis
    Carthage
    Dougga
    Chemtou
    El Kef
    Sebeitla
    El Djem
    Sousse
    Kairouan
    Kerkouane

Once one of the Islamic world’s greatest and wealthiest cities (12th-16th century) Tunis is easily explored on foot and has 700 monuments including madrasas, palaces, grand residential quarters, crypts, mosques and fountains that testify to its remarkable past. Covering over 250 hectares, the UNESCO-listed portion of Tunis is a fine example of an Arabo-Muslim city with its 8th century central medina, 13th century suburbs and imposing military barracks. It is also possible to visit the world’s largest collection of Roman polychrome mosaics at Tunisia’s national museum and archaeological repository, The Bardo Museum.

At the height of their empire, the Romans had at least 200 cities in Tunisia as their first colony south of the Mediterranean. A legacy of this civilisation is over 26,000 listed sites – many in a remarkable state of preservation with more yet to be unearthed. People flock from all over the world to visit the city of Carthage, a great Phoenician trading empire during the 6th century given its strategic location at the mouth of the Gulf. During the lengthy Punic wars, Carthage occupied the territories that belonged to Rome, which then destroyed its rival in 146 AD.  The town was rebuilt by the Romans on the ruins of the ancient city and visitors can stroll around an extensive archaeological site that dominates a hillside and the surrounding plains. Highlights include the acropolis of Byrsa, the Punic ports, the Punic tophet, the necropolises, theatre, amphitheatre, circus, residential area, basilicas and the opulent Antonine baths.

The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment.