Top 6 Breath-taking Breaks For 2012

January 30th, 2012

Are you still trying to choose your annual holiday location for 2012? Being bombarded with so many stunning locations can make an already challenging task, nigh on impossible! If you are constrained by a budget or simply want some inspiration, consider our list of the top 6 holiday hotspots:

Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National ParkCited as an up and coming location for a few years now, Croatia has the benefit of a gorgeous climate and breath-taking scenery. Suitable for those seeking a beach break, or those wishing to tour the sights, Croatia should whet everyone’s holiday appetite. Zadar is packed full of culture and contains a number of Romanesque features. Sun worshippers will easily find the perfect spot along the Dalamatia Coast. The vast array of flora and fauna, coupled with the truly spectacular views also make the Plitvice Lakes a must see.

Cyprus

Albeit Cyprus is becoming incredibly popular, especially with families, this wondrous island should also have wider appeal. Coral Bay, which lies just outside of Paphos is filled with long stretches of golden sand, great for those who love water sports and considerably quieter that its close neighbour. Travel to Polis and Latchi which both border the Akamas National Park. Packed full of hiking opportunities, connect with the great outdoors here.

Menorca

Smaller and more tranquil than its fellow Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, this petite gem offers a fantastic alternative to the usual break in Spain. Mahon is home to some wondrous gothic architecture and fabulous local cuisine. Santo Tomas is at the foot of Mount Toro and is packed with small town charm; make sure that you explore this picture-perfect location.

Malta

The Island of GozoPrimarily known for its historical prominence, many people visit here for the museums and monuments. The nearby island of Gozo is full of rocky coves, and endless sandy beaches, ideal for swimming, snorkelling or just plain relaxing. Back on the island of Malta, Valletta offers a mixture of shopping and never-ending expanses of coastline.

Madeira

The winning combination of a striking mountainous backdrop, coupled with a lush panorama already puts Madeira at the top of many peoples wish list. Ribeiro Frio, which is surrounded by the Ribeiro Frio Natural Park is littered with plentiful walking and hiking opportunities. The compact nature of the island makes it easy to navigate your way to a beach, or to the bustling town of Funchal.

Turkey

Growing in popularity due to the endless beaches and sunny climate coupled with Asian and European influences, Turkey should be on your travel to do list. Dalyan, whilst being home to many sea turtles, ancient tombs, thermal springs and mud baths also has a plethora of other sights to add to its appeal. The ever-popular Turtle Beach is nearby and offers fresh water one side and sea water on the other, certainly a little different. Izmir, home to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey, exists alongside a vast array of city based attractions such as The Agora and more.

We hope that this list has given you some great holiday ideas, half the battle when you are set on getting away to sunnier climbs. All that remains now is to hunt down the best deal, why not read our other blog for some top tips to help you secure the best price for your break.

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Ryanair Sets up at Paphos Airport

January 13th, 2012

From April 2012 Ryanair will start to operate 80 more flights and base 2 planes at Paphos Airport.

Routes between Paphos Airport and 14 other locations have been announced, to include London Stansted Airport. These flights are on sale now.

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The Highlights of a Winter Sun Holiday in Cyprus

October 19th, 2011

Watching the nights drawing in, followed by the inevitable travelling home from work in the dark, always provides a great incentive to look at heading off to some European hotspots. Escape from the dull and increasingly chilly weather and hop on a flight to Cyprus. Whether you simply wish to get away from it all, or want to immerse yourself in culture, Cyprus is perfect for all ages …

Akamas Peninsula

Still relatively untouched by tourism, arrange to stay in this area of Cyprus and you can’t fail to be charmed. If you get the chance, organise a jeep safari, so that you can be guided through the rugged terrain here. You could also don the hiking boots and view the marvellous flora and fauna on foot, an equally fantastic way to absorb the scenery. Stop off at Neo Chorio village and observe the workings of a traditional Cypriot village. Both Polis and Latchi are particularly stunning and a trip to the harbour area, alongside a call for some fresh seafood will complete your journey.
Photo by: Eugene Windsor

Coral Bay

Laze on the white sand at this family friendly resort, and while away a few hours watching the world go by. Zenobia WreckThere is more to Coral Bay than this, so don’t rest on your laurels, get up and investigate! If you are feeling like a challenge, engage in some scuba diving. St Georges Harbour and Island are perfect for a spot of sea-life spotting, along with the well-known Zenobia wreck. Take a boat trip to the Baths of Adonis and view the freshwater pools here.
Photo by: deepdiverb

Nicosia

Too much sand in your shoes? If you would prefer something away from the beach, head inland to the centre of the island. Wander around the periphery of the Venetian star shaped city walls, and relax in the park. As Europe’s last remaining militarily divided city, you will find plenty of curious sights. A trip to the ‘Green Line’ that splits the city may be of interest. The Old City is littered with wondrous examples of Ottoman and Gothic architecture, accompanied by a splattering of monuments. Stop by at a local café and enjoy a coffee along with the wonders of the area. To end your trip in a relaxing manner, head to the Hamam Baths and enjoy a traditional Turkish bath.

Larnaca

Journey to Larnaca and take your pick from a plethora of exciting places. Kamares, a Roman style aqueduct built in the mid-18th century provides a fascinating day out. Traverse to the Neolithic site of Choirokoitia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which it is believed to have been occupied from 7th to the 4th century B.C. The Mosque of Umm Haramid, can give you your fill of something a little different, surrounded by the stunning Larnaca Salt Lake. If you feel like you need something completely different, head off to Ayia Napa, and dance the night away.

Whether you intend to relax for a week or so, or you want to discover more of Cypriot culture, this picture- perfect escape from the cold, wintery weather back in the UK will certainly captivate you.

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The best reasons to holiday in…Cyprus

August 8th, 2011

Floating in the Mediterranean Ocean, Cyprus is known as the island of love thanks to the tale of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love who is said to have been born in the waves off the coast here. Cyprus is a popular holiday destination as it is but if you’re looking to book your summer holiday and haven’t considered Cyprus, this may inspire you…

Weather

Cyprus boasts an average of 326 sunny days per year so you’re practically guaranteed sunshine during your holiday, meaning there’s no excuse for you to return home un-tanned! The hottest months are June, July and August with average temperatures hitting 30°c but can occasionally max out at 50°c. If that’s too hot, you’ll be pleased to know that you can travel to Cyprus in March, April, May, October and November and it will still be warm enough to spend your days on the beach.

Activities

Cyprus is steeped in history and boasts plenty of archaeological sites, historic monuments, museums and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But not just that, there’s fantastic countryside to explore on foot, a diverse array of flora and fauna as well as abundant opportunities for golf, cycling, swimming, snorkelling, diving and much more! There is literally something to suit everyone.

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Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church, Paphos
By: Mr Po / www.flickr.com
License: Creative Commons License

Festivals & Events

Cypriots are renowned for their love of celebrations whatever the reason and there are plenty of festival and events, large and small, to choose from through the year. Food, film, music, wine, fashion, arts, culture and history are all celebrated in one form or another so whenever you visit there’ll be plenty of occasions to join the locals and indulge in merriment.

Beaches

The selection of beaches in Cyprus is second to none; stretches of golden sand are gently caressed as the waves loll onto the shore, sparkling invitingly in the heat, perfect for a spot of relaxation. On the contrary, there are also pebbly beaches and rocky coves waiting to be explored. Some deserted leaving you to enjoy the simplicity and some busy brimming with water sports opportunities and beach bars to attend to your needs. Whatever your ideal beach, Cyprus is sure to have it.

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We want to add some personality to our list of reasons, courtesy of you, our readers! Are you heading off on holiday there soon or just got back? What are your favourite parts and reasons that make Cyprus a fab place for a holiday? Please help us to expand the list and add your suggestions below.

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Branson Heads Travel Rich List

May 9th, 2011

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic leads the travel entrants on the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List. He has in fact increased his wealth by £488 million to £3.085 billion in the last year and currently sits in 19th position.

The Chief Executive of Ryanair, Michael O’ Leary has actually lost £38 million in the last 12 months, having now accumulated as estimated £338 million. The Walker family, who own a stake in the airline Flybe are now ranked as 128th richest in the UK.

A large number of big travel names appear to have increased their amassed fortunes, pointing to renewed buoyancy in the travel industry.

Have you booked your summer break yet? Do you intend to go on holiday this year or are you opting for a staycation? Whatever your plans, make sure you book your summer car hire now.

 

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Easyjet Increases Card Fees

April 21st, 2011

Easyjet has announced that it is increasing card processing fees with immediate effect for bookings made using credit and debit cards. The change means that Easyjet will charge customers £8 to pay with a debit card and £12.95 to book with a credit card.

Previous to this change, customers were charged £5.50 to pay on a debit card and £10.45 to pay with a credit card. Currently no fees are levied for using a Visa Electron card to pay on the company’s website, however only 10% of the UK’s population hold this type of card.

Easyjet are keen to stress that only one card fee is applied per transaction as opposed to Ryanair who apply a fee per flight and per person, even if they are on the same booking.

On a lighter note, Economy Car Hire wishes all of its customers a Happy Easter!

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Late Car Hire Booking Trend Continues

April 14th, 2011

Many car rental companies are giving early booking incentives as the trend for late bookings continues.

Last year, several of you were affected by the ash cloud incident or experienced delays due to strikes across the summer. This has discouraged many of you from booking too far in advance in 2011, in case you should be affected by similar occurrences.

This does however present our customers with a fantastic opportunity to secure summer car hire with no excess and free additional driver at very competitive rates. It is almost certain that prices will increase as the summer approaches. Make the most of this and book your summer car hire now!

 

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Avoid Car Hire Excess Charges – Book With Economy Car Hire!

February 24th, 2011

Research from Moneymaxim.co.uk has shown that many car rental firms have been increasing the level of excess applicable when hiring a car in a bid to keep headline prices down.

The worst hit destinations tend to be in Europe where excess charges are reaching the 1,500EUR mark. It is becoming increasingly common for the excess on a rental car to be in the region of a thousand pounds.

Our prices always include Full Collision Damage Waiver with zero insurance excess and a free additional driver. We compare prices on a daily basis to make sure we are the cheapest in the market.

Our prices may not always seem the lowest when you are merely looking at headline prices. Once you include the daily excess waiver to our competitors’ prices and the cost of an additional driver, it’s clear that we are the cheapest and offer the best value for money, which is why our customers keep coming back to us, 94% of you in fact! To book our all-inclusive car hire, click here.

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BA Strikes Won’t Hit Royal Wedding

January 11th, 2011

The head of UNITE has confirmed that British Airways are not expected to strike during the week of the Royal Wedding. More industrial action has not been ruled out in the spring, but there are no firm plans for strike action over the Easter holidays or at the end of April.

It has been reported that cabin crew may stop work for nine days over Easter and the weekend of Prince Williams’ Wedding. The ballot for new strike action ends on January 21st; the result of this will determine whether strike action is necessary.

If you are planning to hire a car over Easter (Friday April 22nd – Monday April 25th) or the weekend of the Royal Wedding (Friday 29th April), your travel plans should not be disrupted!

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Rise in Early Holiday Bookings

January 5th, 2011

A survey by Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance has found that many British holidaymakers will be making their travel plans early this year. The number of people looking to book a break between Christmas and February 2011 rose by 50% from the same period in 2009-10.

Almost half of the respondents are considering Europe as their destination of choice, with 29% focusing on the UK and 6% wanting to holiday in the USA. The average amount spent on a holiday will also remain about the same as in 2010, with a typical budget per person of £826.81, 1% less than the previous year.

The rise in early booking has largely been attributed to the poor weather in December and over Christmas as people want something to look forward to in 2011. So, if you have booked your getaway already, don’t forget to book your car hire now!

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