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Wildlife is something that most people find particularly interesting, especially when they are abroad and the wildlife is different to the type they will find at home. For this reason taking a safari is a very popular experience abroad and in this article we are going to look at some of the best places to take a safari holiday.

The Kruger National Park is definitely one of the most famous safaris in the world and it is a very popular destination. Even if you are on a limited budget, there are plenty of other safaris in South Africa which will suit your needs.

Known for having some of the best game reserves in Africa, Kenya is a very popular place to come for safari. There is a great deal of land around the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi, and many safaris are organised through these noteworthy regions.

The Serengeti is something that almost everyone has heard of, especially if they are interested in wildlife. The area is also famous for being the home of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tourists who come here to see the wildlife will be introduced to elephants, ostriches, leopards, hyenas, giraffes as well as lions.

The Okavango Delta is located in Botswana and it is thought to be one of the most tranquil safaris in the world. The exotic wildlife is also amazing and not only will you be introduced animals, but other stunning natural wonders, such as waterfalls.

In Zambia there are numerous game reserves and wildlife parks where you can take a safari and one of the most popular would have to be Livingstone National Park. Another popular destination for Safari is the Lower Zambezi National Park, which can be found next to the Zambezi River. Some of the animals you can spot in this park include elephants, lions and leopards.

In Central Australia you will find the isolated town of Alice Springs, which is locally known as Alice. This town is located very close to the West and East McDonnell ranges and for this reason it is close to many of Australia’s greatest natural attractions. The town is often used by adventurous tourists as their base location before they head out to enjoy some of Australia’s fantastic nature.

Another great place to visit nearby is Kakadu National Park. The diversity of the wildlife here is quite incredible and visitors will find crocodiles and birds as well as numerous other types of animal. This national park is located just to the east of Darwin and also has some amazing wetlands.

There are also some incredible aboriginal art sites to entertain visitors and in case this isn’t enough, the scenery is absolutely incredible. If you are feeling adventurous, there are plenty of campgrounds throughout the area.

If you are interested in exploring the mountains nearby to Alice Springs and Darwin then you should consider staying in Katherine. This is the largest town between Alice Springs and Darwin and is a great place to stay before you set out on an adventure.

If you are interested in canoeing, this is one of the best places to stay as it is easy to access safe waterways nearby which do not have any crocodiles. There are also thermal pools about 100 kilometres outside of the town which can be a great place to relax. When you visit Katherine, you will be able to see why it is described as a beautiful oasis in the desert.

Of course, Darwin is one of the main attractions in the northern part of Australia. There are stunning sunsets on the beach to be enjoyed and plenty of markets in the town to explore.

The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi, is also the cultural capital and offers a wealth of entertainment for any visitor. With about 1,000 years of history dominated by the Chinese culture and more recently by the French occupation, the city is an eclectic mix of East and West, ancient and modern. Hanoi is Vietnam’s second largest city, but the pace of life is much less frenetic than in its big sister, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi is a good city for walking around, or if you’re more intrepid, hiring one of the ubiquitous motorbikes that most residents seem to prefer. Wide boulevards and French Colonial architecture make for pleasant strolling, or take a ramble through the Old Quarter, with its narrow streets named after the businesses that were thriving there 1,000 years ago.

While the city offers plenty of modern amenities in the form of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, a large part of its attraction is in the profusion of parks, museums, temples, pagodas and theatres. The Water Puppet theatre, for example, originated in the rice paddies of the 11th century and is unique to Northern Vietnam. In contrast, the Hanoi Opera House is a dazzling example of neo-classical French architecture, with impressive performances in a magnificent setting.

For a less ‘cultural’ experience you could visit Ho Tay Lake Water Park, right in the city. A great day out if you have kids, with huge water slides and other rides as well as in-park entertainment for the adults.

Kids and adults are also fascinated by such landmarks as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, the infamous prison used by the French for political offenders and so nicknamed by American POW’s during the Vietnam War.

Surely one of Hanoi’s most picturesque attractions is the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 as a university dedicated to Confucius and beautifully preserved. It is the epitome of Vietnamese architecture, as well as a revered institute of higher education, originally reserved for aristocrats and royalty but later open to the brightest of the general population.

If pagodas and temples attract you, Hanoi has more than 600 of them. One Pillar Pagoda, possibly the best known, is considered by many to be the symbol of Vietnam and the lotus flower it represents the symbol of enlightenment.

The city lies on the banks of the Red River, and is blessed with a number of lakes. The largest, West Lake, has a shoreline of 17km within the city, and many of Hanoi’s and Vietnam’s historic sites are situated on its borders.

Hanoi is not the first city that will pop up in a search for lively nightlife; compared to many popular tourist resorts the place is downright stodgy. However, that’s only relative to, say Benidorm or Phuket. If you check around, there are plenty of excellent spots for a casual beer or three, and quite a few good options for a memorable evening out.

There are cheap and lively beer bars scattered everywhere in the city, but the majority of the best entertainment will be found in the Old Quarter. To mingle with the ‘beautiful people’, try the Hanoi Press Club with its roof terrace, city views and very lively atmosphere, especially on a Friday night.

On the other end of the ‘ritzy’ spectrum, check out Seventeen Saloon for a Wild West theme that includes bar staff in ten-gallon hats and a Filipino band blasting out old favourites to a mostly tourist crowd. Then there’s Ho Gom Xanh that is islicker and more contemporary, with Parisian-style burlesque shows and a fairly steep price for Western-style booze.

A quieter venue can be found at Minh’s Jazz Club, where you can listen to live modern jazz played by outstanding local musicians, including the owner of the bar, Quyen Van Minh.

Arriving on the continent on a ferry gives you a feeling of freedom and adventure unlike any other. Britain is a great place to live but drive so far in any direction and you’ll hit the sea.

This is fine, but it perhaps engenders a sense of limitation. If it’s limitless possibilities you want then continental Europe has got them. Once you drive off the Ferry Europe is laid out in front of you. For thousands of miles you can drive across borders, through different regions and landscapes, with no end in sight.

There’s France and Spain in Western Europe, the Low Countries of Northern Europe, the central European powerhouses and the smaller Slavic states that literally burst with history. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary amongst others offer some really unique and fascinating holiday destinations.

However, if you’re planning on driving that far, you need to make sure your car can stand up to the test. It’s also crucial that you have adequate breakdown cover in case something does go wrong. Click here to find out more about the best breakdown cover you can get for your trip.

Limitless Possibilities

Europe is a melting pot of different cultures, languages, cuisines and landscapes. Because it’s all one land mass there is a tendency to think that it all looks the same. In reality, the landscape changes dramatically as you travel. From the wine growing regions of Austria and the Czech Republic, down the river valley of the mighty Danube, the sights are always changing.

Then, of course, there are the historic cities to take in. Berlin, Vienna, Budapest; all places of incredible architecture and historical significance, and all within reach by car. If you are feeling really brave, continue your drive into the Balkan nations, exploring the beautiful Serbia and find out why the Croatian coastline is considered one of the best in the world.

Shorter Trips

If that all seems like a bit too much driving, there is still loads to see within a few hours drive of the ferry port. Northern France, Belgium and Holland are still overflowing with historic towns and villages. In the summer time, the beaches of Northern Europe are very beautiful and offer plenty to do for tourists.

You might even decide to go in the other direction and catch the boat to one of the Scandinavian countries. The dramatic and imposing coastline of Norway is a very popular destination for tourists, and Sweden and Denmark’s respective capitals are the perfect models of modern and progressive cities (while still retaining the very best from their past).

Basically, we’re sure you get the idea. There’s so much more to Europe than a two-week beach holiday in Spain (although that too certainly has its place). Whatever you want to get from your summer holiday, in the car you’ll be sure to discover it in Europe. We should count ourselves very fortunate it’s only a short boat ride away.

If you ever see one of the numerous lists that appear declaring which are the top holiday resorts around the world, Orlando is always right up there, and with good reason. There is so much to see and do here that your statutory fortnight’s holiday can just zip past you in a flash. The best theme parks bar none, excellent shopping, wildlife, waterparks, gardens, glorious beaches just a few miles away, you name it, Orlando has it.

The big attractions are, of course, the theme parks, and the sheer size of these has to be seen to be believed. If you are a fan of theme parks and have visited the best ones that the UK has to offer, the ones will blow your mind. They stretch for miles, literally, so when you see tickets offered that say buy one week get one free, you will need all that time to explore them thoroughly.

Orlando holidays cater to all ages, even the older traveller who has no interest in hurtling around roller coasters at 60 mph or hanging upside down dong a loop the loop will enjoy just wandering around taking in all the sites and sounds, and marvelling at how something so vast can be so well managed and run like clockwork. The millions of visitors that flock through their gates every year is also a testament to this.

There are numerous events and festivals on throughout the year both in the theme parks and Orlando and its surrounding arts. Ranging from music to art to the outstanding Mardi Gras in February, this year round resort is constantly buzzing, and if you can tie in you visit with one of these then so much the better.

There is one theme park that stands head and shoulders above all the rest, and that is of course Disney World. Whereas as one time you would stay in Orlando and visit Disney World, you can now take Disney holidays, as this is effectively an enormous self contained resort, with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and everything else you can imagine.

Whichever way you want to do it, make sure you book as far in advance as possible to take advantage of the great early bird offers that are available online. Never be tempted to just pay at the gate, as you will pay top dollar, so get your tickets as early as possible.

Courtesy of completeorlando.co.uk

Guest Article

Disney World in Orlando is the stuff dreams are made of. You are never too young or too old to appreciate the magic that is contained within the boundaries of this theme park, and see the parades, meet your favourite characters, enjoy the thrill of the rides and just bask in the whole Disney experience that is like nothing else.

The problem is that unless you know where to look for your cheap Disney tickets, you can end up paying through the nose for your days out. Holidays to Florida aren’t cheap, nobody would pretend they were, and as the theme parks the main reasons for many going to Orlando in the first place, many unscrupulous vendors will charge the earth for tickets.

But if you go to the right sites and there are some great bargains to be had. 14 days for the price of 7 gives the ultimate flexible freedom to come and go as you please and see Disney over several days instead of trying to cram it all into 1 or 2. Another great offer is a free airboat trip with every ticket, which can add up to a significant saving for a family, and a trip that you really have to go on if you are in Florida.

For those who don’t want to take the long flight to Florida, and want to just get away for a short break Disneyland Paris, or Eurodisney, is just a couple of hours away, and in all fairness, those who haven’t been to Florida and have no concept of the size of Disney World will have the magical time that is associated with the Disney brand. Once again, you will find sites that offer cheap eurodisney tickets, and those that are a complete rip off.

As this is the ideal short break destination, buy one get one free, or BOGOF, is one of the best deals to look for. There are also hotel reductions with park tickets, and reduced prices for family tickets. There is still the parade, the chance to meet your favourite characters, and the obligatory sleeping beauty’s castle to enchant both adults and children alike.

With a fine shopping area and excellent restaurants, Disneyland Paris is the perfect place for a weekend or short break in Central Europe. The inception of the Channel Tunnel allowed those afraid of flying able to get to Paris in super quick time, and without the hassle of the self drive and ferry crossing.

Iguazu, or Iguacu, Falls as it is more commonly known, is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world making it a must see attraction if you happen to be on holiday in Brazil. Situated on the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, the waterfalls are enough to take your breath away. Surprisingly enough, there are also plenty of other activities throughout the region making it possible to spend a few days just in the Iguacu Falls area.

Iguacu Falls is actually made up of 275 different waterfalls and cascades that are all spread out on the edge of the cliff. As you might guess, this produces a great deal of noise and quite a bit of mist down at the bottom of the cliff. You can even choose to walk under the falls if you like, but be prepared to get wet because it will be pretty strong.

Due to its beauty, the area surrounding Iguacu Falls as well as the falls themselves, have been named a UNESCO globe heritage site, and it is officially known as one of the modern day wonders of the world. Therefore, it is now a very popular destination for many travellers, and once you see the waterfalls for yourself there will be little room for doubting the titles because it will take your breath away.

As mentioned earlier, you will want to make sure that you have a few days open in your schedule so that you can see all that the area has to offer.

Outside of the falls themselves there are two great amazing national parks that you will want to explore while in the region. On the Brazilian side of the border is the Iguacu National Park which is pristine and perfectly preserved making it a great way to see unspoiled nature up close and personal. Guided tours are also offered in different areas of the park so that you can make sure you see everything.

One of the best types of tours that you may want to look into is a helicopter tour due to the fact that being able to see the Falls from an aerial point of view is unforgettable.These tours are only offered from the Brazil side of the falls and allow you to really take in the magnitude of the falls.

Another great way to sightsee through the area is by jumping on the Ecological Jungle Train which will allow you to hear a bit about the history of the Iguacu Falls while you also get to see the area first hand for yourself.

The train will take you through the jungle and the guide will point out various forms of fauna and flora as well as some the native creatures that you come across on your journey. The highlight of the train ride is that it passes through both the lower and upper levels of the actual Falls so that you get the complete experience of the natural wonder.

These are just a few of the standout activities in the Iguacu Falls area, but there are plenty of others that you will have to see to believe. For this reason if you are able to spend any time in Brazil make sure to head towards the natural modern wonder for a life changing experience.

In Argentina, the city of Mendoza is a popular location for holidaymakers. It enjoys a varied climate and in winter, temperatures can reach as low as eight degrees Celsius.

There is very little rain in the region which means that exploring this city, even in the cooler months, can be an enjoyable experience. It is a city with a great deal of culture, commerce, as well as historic monuments and any visitor will not have a lack of things to do.

Plaza Espana is a popular location for walking in uptown and you will find numerous sculptures to admire in this part of town. Another enjoyable location to take a walk can be along the Avendia Las Heras where it is also possible to visit the Peoples Museum. This museum has a wide selection of exhibitions and items which give the visitor an idea of the history of the region.

If you are looking to complete a day’s walking then you should go and visit Independence Square. This location is particularly beautiful in the evening when the fountains are lit up with a wide array of lights. Located close to Independence Square is the modern art museum, which has a fantastic array of paintings.

There are many other fantastic sights to see in Mendoza including the Plaza del Castillo. This is the oldest part of the city and you will find here a museum with many fascinating archaeological samples. San Francisco is the name of an ancient monument in the city that was destroyed and its remains can be seen in this museum.

For those coming to visit this city in Argentina it would be well recommended to stay in one of the many hotels downtown. Being downtown will allow you to get to all of the main attractions in the city with ease.

In Argentina, the area of Bariloche is famous for its snowboarding and skiing, but this is not the only reason why people come to the area. If you are not so keen on skiing, or want a break from the slopes, there are plenty of other interesting activities you can enjoy in this part of South America.

Another sporting activity that is very popular is kayaking and there are numerous rivers running through the area that are perfect for both beginners, and more advanced, kayakers. Not only is this an opportunity for you to get some exercise, but it will give you a fantastic idea of the sheer beauty of this part of South America. It is also very likely that you will be able to see a wide variety of wildlife while kayaking and this is a wonderful experience in itself.

Mount Otto is nearby and you won’t have to climb up it as there is a convenient cable car that can take you to the top. From the highest point on the mountain you will be able to enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

At the top of the mountain you will also find a coffee shop where you can enjoy a drink and a small snack before heading back down. If you want to spend a bit more time on the mountain, there are plenty of hiking trails around it which can be enjoyed at your leisure, or you can hire a guide for a special tour.

Crossing to the Quetrihue Peninsula will give visitors the opportunity to see a spectacular forest which has an enormous range of different plants. This forest is ancient and many of the trees here are over two centuries old. One of the things that most strikes visitors who visit this forest is the enormous diversity of colours. The unique beauty of this place is something you won’t soon forget.

This part of Argentina has so much more to offer than just skiing. If you are heading here, you should make sure you leave some time aside for visiting the area’s other spectacular attractions.