Istanbul is a mega city which offers a smorgasbord of activities for travellers with a taste for the exotic tempered with modern conveniences. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to sightseeing in Istanbul as there are many historic sites, religious buildings and museums that will delight a lively mind. Holiday flats in Istanbul are easily reserved in the proximity of main attractions.

Tokapi Palace

Already visited the Blue Mosque? Tokapi Palace is ideal for an early morning visit before queues begin to form. This beautiful palace with its harem rooms, gardens and treasury is very popular and busy but braving the queues is highly recommended. The palace walkways offer views of the Bosphorus and passing ships. Visiting during the off season will allow you to truly enjoy and appreciate the opulence and history of the palace, but if this isn’t possible, take plenty of photographs to study later.

Hagia Sofia Museum (Ayasofya)

In existence since 540 AD, the Hagia Sofia Museum is on most travel itineraries when visiting Istanbul and with good reason. The mosaics and other religious artifacts are a marvel and the architecture of the building is an engineering achievement. The Ottoman history represented at the museum will delight anyone interested in this period. Many visitors recommend avoiding guided tours as they are expensive and guides do not always remain true to their quoted price.

Basilica Cistern

Visitors to the Basilica Cistern or Yerebatan Saray Sarnici might be forgiven for thinking they’ve stepped into a fairy tale paradise. This remnant from Byzantine “Constantinople” as Istanbul was once known was built by the Romans. The Basilica Cistern is a labyrinth of underground passageways and stately marble columns which are dimly lit as they must have been many hundreds of years ago. The Cistern features pools of fish and an opportunity to dress up for photo opportunities which if somewhat “touristy” is nonetheless enjoyable. Try to ignore the bustle of tourists by visiting early in the morning. The Basilica is located close to a number of holiday flats in Istanbul so is easily accessible from the main centres.

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French Culinary History

The hallmark of traditional French cuisines is its great diversity, variety, quality and use of renowned culinary techniques. A staple of French menus are top quality cheeses and wines which have remained a part of life for generations. Original haute cuisine excluded an entire spectrum of traditional recipes and food traditions of the rural French.
As decades went by these rural cuisines began to be incorporated into French menus. French cuisines are still regional in nature with dishes being peculiar to certain areas of France. This is influenced in large part by the climate, culture and agriculture practised in these provinces.

In northeast Lorraine, beer and sauerkraut appear among more traditional French cuisines due to German cultural influences on this region. Of course tomatoes, olive oil and herbal accompaniments feature widely in French Mediterranean recipes and locally grown apples, crème fraiche and butter based dishes are more common in northwestern France. Cookery in southern France makes use of the fruits and vegetables which are more abundant in the area.

Seafood is common on French menus, especially along the Atlantic coastline and Mediterranean regions. In central areas, lake or river caught fish are popular choices.

French Culinary Styles

The three main culinary styles of cuisine bourgeoise (traditional peasant cooking), haute cuisine and cuisine nouvelle are very disparate with the more traditional and sophisticated haute cuisine having being replaced by the lighter nouvelle style of cookery in some circles.

Of course we must not forget the Frenchman’s adoration of coffee (usually in the form of espresso) baguettes and desserts. While these are not usually very heavy, a meal is generally not considered complete without a cake or fruit dessert and we wholeheartedly support that fine tradition.

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Madrid way of life

Madrid’s nightlife usually starts quite late, kicking off with dinner and drinks in tapas bars or restaurants and evolving into tavern or “cuevas” crawling or clubbing until dawn. Some venues are opened well after 3am and “Madrileños” are famous for roaming the streets at all hours of the night, often going back home just in time to see the sun rise. During summer, outdoor cafés called “terrazas” are full of locals who enjoy the sun with a drink in hand and relax with their friends. It is not rare to head there for dinner and stay after the place is turned into an outdoor club.

Main nightlife districts

Madrid offers an extensive range of places and venues to eat, drink and party, but some districts have been favourites for many years. For tourists who are not yet familiar with the city and culture, the centre of the capital is usually a first step, with Puerta del Sol specifically. If it can seem slighty too touristy to some, it welcomes many foreigners and constitutes a good introduction. Gran Via counts many cinemas and theatres, but the small streets that surround it are famous for their nightclubs that attract huge crowds all weekend. La Latina is a very laid-back and welcoming area, where visitors can enjoy tapas and drinks or simply a leisurely evening at a terrace. Finally Chueca, the gay district, is a very modern area full of bars and nightclubs, as well as affordable restaurants.

IMG from: Matej Kastelic – Fotolia

1. Great Blue Hole, Belize

This sinkhole was formed when the roof of an underground cave collapsed and is today one of the world’s most sought after dive destinations. Limestone stalactites and fascinating wall morphology abound in this most attractive of diving options.

2. Red Sea, Egypt

Surrounded by a desert and its creatures, this spectacular dive location is found within the Ras Mohammed National Park on the Sinai Peninsula. Cave diving and coral reef exploration can be experienced here, making this one of the world’s most requested diving locations. It is considered to be a dive site devoid of pollution from sewage; a rarity in our modern world.

3. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

This is a Brazilian archipelago of 21 volcanic islands. Serene and peaceful, the islands offer a remote feeling that make it a perfect diving location. The many shipwrecks in the area ensure a variety of diving trips. With a stunning visibility of 45 meters it is the perfect area for whale, turtle, fish and dolphin viewing. The area forms part of Brazil’s first marine park.

4. Andaman Sea, Thailand

The fourteen remote islands of the Andaman Sea are endowed with excellent visibility and pristine coral reefs. Manta rays and turtles are also very popular with tourist boats. Whale shark viewing is very popular around Richelieu Rock.

5. Molokini Crater, Hawaii

Located close to central Maui, this islet forms part of a submerged volcano. A combination of deep and shallow dives make it perfect for all diving skill levels. A hard coral reef is a main attraction and dolphins, manta rays and eels abound to make this a diving treasure.

Picture: Olga Khoroshunova – Fotolia

New York

New York’s bustling city streets and glitzy billboards are certainly a wonderful yuletide option if quiet solitude isn’t your fancy. A visit to the city isn’t complete without witnessing the lighting of the Rockefeller centre Christmas tree and although it sounds a little cornball, a carriage ride through Central Park can be a beautiful experience.

Lapland

A Lapland holiday remains a popular choice for those who want to revel in traditional Christmas fare. But it’s not only Lapland that delivers. All the northern countries offer a picture postcard Christmas that feels and looks very authentic, because it is.

The Grand Canary Islands

The Grand Canary islands, including the quieter Fuerteventura and Tenerife islands are another great option for the December traveller who likes their festive holiday sunny. Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas are evergreen holiday resorts that are perfect year round but a special aura surrounds them over the Christmas holiday.

South Africa

A South African Christmas is a very popular choice among those who want a sunny Christmas holiday with a safari option and the region has beaches to rival the Caribbean. The Garden Route, Cape Town or Tanzania won’t disappoint the traveller with a taste for unique adventure holidays

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A Marine Paradise

Surfing, kayaking, white water excursions and waterfalls, lakes and riverine areas make the region a marine adventurer’s paradise. The Philippines is considered one of the world’s most challenging surfing regions and here you’ll find the big waves of Cemento, Majestic, Cloud 9 and Tuason Point. The Philippine islands abound with marine life and are very often referred to as Asia’s diving capital. Many of the Philippine islands haven’t been explored in great depth so there is plenty of room for discovery while on holiday in the Philippines.

City Life in the Philippines

For the city conscious adventurer the capital city of Manila in the south east offers sophisticated hotels, dining and entertainment and a holiday in the Philippines really won’t be complete without a few days spent in the city. Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines and its cool climate makes it the perfect holiday destination. Burnham Park and the City Market are always a popular destination in Baguio City. Mines View Park and Dominican Hill offer weary tourists amazing views and the Baguio Botanical Park is definitely worth a visit.
Quezon City is another great choice for those who want to experience Filipino city living and are interested in learning about its history. Quezon Memorial Shrine and Circle were erected in honour of the city’s founder President Manuel Luis Quezon and are one of the main tourist attractions in the city. La Loma, Quezon City Hall, and the birth site of Tang Dang Sora also known as the heroine of Quezon City are also worth visiting when in Quezon City.
Wherever you travel on your holiday in the Philippines you’ll be sure to notice the great array of cultural and ethnic influences that make this a unique travel destination. From natural areas to cityscapes the Filipino culture offers colour, sophisticated living and wonderful history.

IMG from: Alekzis – Fotolia

Get out in the islands for a secluded get away

Like Thailand, Cambodia has plenty of wonderful islands to explore, and with regular boat rides from major ports, it is relatively easy to do so. Some of the best beaches around are on the island of Koh Rong Samloem, with its “lazy beach” and bungalow development, which thankfully does not detract from the relaxed atmosphere. For those with a more active side, snorkeling and diving is available, making Koh Rong Samloem a fantastic example of island beaches in Cambodia, but there are plenty of others to explore.

Live like a prince in Sihanoukville

Named after the ex-King of Cambodia, Sihanoukville is the nation’s tourist centre, with fine beaches and equally fine night life. There are lots of good, cheap hotels and resorts in the area, while the city is a perfect jumping off point for the many islands just off the coast. So if you are seeking a base, try Sihanoukville, which combines the attractions of the city with the lure of the beach.

A whole nation to uncover

In truth though, there is much more to Cambodia than a couple of beaches. There are many other beaches in Cambodia which also offer great value and service, such as Kep – which used to be the resort of choice for the Cambodian royal family. Being on the mainland, Kep is a bus journey from Phnom Penh, while there are other island paradises like Koh Kong to choose from as well. So explore the beaches in Cambodia and enjoy a slightly less beaten path in South East Asia. The sand is warm and white, the diving is great. Give it a try.

Picture: Khoroshunova – Fotolia