Destinations

A historic country in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic boasts everything from fairytale castles to medieval towns, elegant spa resorts to scenic national parks. And let’s not forget this is also the birthplace of some of the world's finest beer! The Czech Republic’s capital is the culture-filled Prague, with the iconic castle as its centre piece. If you find yourself on a cheap holiday to Prague there is plenty to see including the spa resort of Karlovy Vary, Karlštejn and Konopište castles, and the historic towns of Melník and Kutná Hora all a stones throw away.

An elite holiday destination

In the race for the title of the world’s top holiday destination, Egypt runs with the elite – more than 12 million tourists flock here every year. But the country has had an advantage. It’s been in training for the best part of 25 centuries. The ancient Greeks and Romans started holidaying here as far back as the 4th century BC.

Sun, sea and sand

Today, tourists fall into two camps. On one side of the coin you’ve got the visitors who come for the sun, sea and sand. The resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada dip their toes in the clear waters of the Red Sea. Expect white beaches that stretch out like party streamers, some of the world’s best scuba diving sites, and every watersport you can think of.

Ancient history

On the other side of the penny, you’ve got the history enthusiasts, who turn up here to retrace the footsteps of the pharaohs and ancient gods. In Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, you can see Tutankhamun’s death mask and the mummified remains of ancient kings. Then, just outside the city, you can stand in the shadow of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx. In Luxor, meanwhile, you can explore the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak, which is the largest ancient religious site in the world.

We can take you wherever you want to go in Mauritius, including amazing resorts like Bain Boeuf, Trou aux Biches, Grand Gaube, Grand Baie, Point aux Piment, Belle Mare, Le Morne, Blue Bay, and Wolmar. And no matter which one you choose, you can rest assured that you're in for a treat when it comes to cultural quirks - there's just so much to see and do on Mauritius holidays that you could find it difficult to fit it all in!

You may be heading to Mauritius to celebrate your honeymoon, on a romantic getaway, a winter escape or a fun family holiday - but you can be sure that there's plenty to do to suit all tastes. Explore Mauritius' exotic culture, marvel at city architecture, learn to scuba dive, sail, and snorkel or simply enjoy a relaxing holiday on the beach - all of this and more await you on your Mauritius holiday.

It's always a good time to travel to Spain. That's because this country in southern Europe has all the ingredients to make your visit an unforgettable experience. Cities which bear the marks of a rich mixture of cultures, monuments and natural spaces awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO, some of the world's most important museums, beaches to suit everybody, a pleasant climate all year round, the healthy Mediterranean diet, typically Spanish traditions such as flamenco and bullfighting... You'll find it very easy to get here thanks to the multitude of international connections available in Spain. Let yourself be captivated by the Mediterranean character and by the openness and friendliness of its people. Surrender to the magic of its streets. This is a place where life is always enjoyed to the utmost.

Before you come
Most of the territory of Spain (over 47 million inhabitants and with its capital in Madrid) is located on the Iberian Peninsula, although the country also has two archipelagos (the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands) and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, on the coast of Africa. All these areas are perfectly connected by means of a wide-ranging and comprehensive transport network (you can reach Spain and move around once there by plane, train, boat, car…) which means that in very little time you can get to major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Zaragoza, Santiago de Compostela, Valencia… Spain is one of the warmest countries in Europe, and has over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. The Canary Islands, due to their geographic location, have an annual temperature of 22°C along the coastline. Exceptional art and culture
Centuries of history have left behind a spectacular array of monuments. It's no coincidence that Spain is the country with the second greatest number of UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites. What's more, in its over 1,400 museums you'll find masterpieces by great artists such as Goya, Picasso and Velázquez, genuine symbols of Spanish culture. There are numerous cultural sites in all the major cities which no visitors should miss. In Madrid, visitors should make a point of heading for what is known as the 'Paseo del Arte' or 'art avenue', an itinerary which starts at one of the world's most important galleries: the Prado Museum. Barcelona (in the northeast of the country) is another key site – this city is a paradise of Modernism thanks to some of the works created here by the famous architect Gaudí, including the Sagrada Familia cathedral and Güell Park. In southern Spain you'll be captivated by the great Mosque of Cordoba, considered the most important Islamic work in the Western world, and by the gardens and palaces of the Alhambra in Granada, one of the most visited monuments in Spain. Seville and its cathedral, Valencia and its City of Arts and Sciences, Bilbao and its Guggenheim Museum… these are just a few other examples of places to take your breath away. And if you enjoy attending top-flight cultural events, then don't miss key occasions such as the theatre festivals held in Mérida and Almagro, and film festivals such as the one in San Sebastián.

Round-the-clock entertainment
If there's one thing Spain is famous for, it's for the lively atmosphere to be found in its streets at any time of the day or night. During the day you can choose between enjoying a drink or snack at any of the numerous open-air cafes and bars, going shopping… The major shopping centres are open all day between approximately 10 am and 10 pm at night, and department stores and shopping centres are also open on certain Sundays throughout the year. What's more, in coastal areas in the high season, most establishments usually remain open until after 10 pm. And remember, the official currency in Spain is the euro. In this Mediterranean country, and particularly in the cities from Thursday to Sunday, the nightlife is particularly intense. The pubs and discos are open until three in the morning, and in some cases through till dawn. There are also numerous other options available, such as taking in a flamenco show or a musical… And all year round, if you enjoy being part of traditional events and experiencing typical celebrations, Spain is the place to be: the carnival celebrations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Cadiz (in February), Easter week (in March-April), the Fallas bonfire festival (in March) and the bull-running in San Fermín (in July) are just a few of the festivities which are famous throughout the world. Spectacular landscapes
Here you'll find almost 8,000 kilometres of coastline with some of the best beaches imaginable. You'll be able to bathe in transparent waters, the quality of which is closely monitored and recognised all over the world. The coast will surprise you with its variety: from the peaceful sands of Andalusia and the Mediterranean, including the coves of the Balearic and Canary Islands, and the natural landscapes and cliffs surrounding the beaches in the north. Spain is also one of the countries with the greatest number of spaces holding the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation, and is home to areas of great beauty and ecological value like its 14 national parks, all containing a wealth of treasures such as marshes, volcanoes… Yes to sports
Spain as a country is completely dedicated to sports, and this is the reason it hosts several international sporting competitions such as the Madrid Tennis Open, the Grand Prix motorcycle racing events in Jerez (Andalusia), Catalonia, Region of Valencia and Aragon, and the Formula 1 prizes held in Catalonia and Region of Valencia. Spain's football league is known as the 'league of stars'. What's more, Spain is the birthplace of some world's top sportsmen, such as Rafa Nadal, Fernando Alonso, Jorge Lorenzo, Alberto Contador...
Thanks to its love of sports, Spain offers a whole range of spaces where you can enjoy indulging your favourite sport: nautical activities, golf (it has over 400 golf courses), skiing (Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe), hiking…

Gastronomy
Eating in Spain is a genuine privilege, as it's home to products of unbeatable quality, many of which have been awarded their own designation of origin. This country is also the cradle of prestigious chefs such as Ferrán Adriá, Arzak and Berasategui, so you can be sure to have no shortage of restaurants to choose from. You can also visit wineries and learn all about wine tasting as you sample some of Spain's best-known wines. Remember that lunch is usually served between 1 pm and 3:30 pm, and dinner between 8:30 pm and midnight, although many establishments offer service all day long. When ordering, you can either opt for innovative new dishes or for typical dishes such as paella, gazpacho, Spanish omelette, octopus a feira, cocido (chickpea stew) or the famous tapas or pintxos. In fact 'going out tapas' is a very common custom in Spain, and involves strolling from bar to bar sampling delicious canapés and the house specialities in each place. A country steeped in sensations
Spain is all this and much more. A country known for its friendliness, luminosity and its good-natured high spirits. This is a country which knows how to combine tradition with modernity. For this reason numerous film stars and major royal figures have made their residence here. And that's the reason that famous directors such as Woody Allen choose Spain as the setting for their films. That's also why thousands of pilgrims come here every year to set out on the famous pilgrim route known as the Way of Saint James. Because Spain is the place to be.

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.