Guest Post: Thinking of Ecotourism? Come and Visit Bonito

Upon arriving in Bonito, you realize that it is no coincidence that this cityis considered as the best destinationfor Ecotourism in Brazil in 2013.This recognition was given by the magazine Viagem e Turismo. The city itself does not offer many tourist attractions. The highlight comes from its geographical location, ideal for those who like to stay in touch with nature. 

Situated on the Bodoquena Hills, the place is full of caves, sinkholes, places that are highly sought after for rappelling and hiking. Moreover, the transparent waters of the rivers that cross the region are an invitation to dive and know more about the aquatic life of the region.

Another much visited tourist spot is the Blue Lake Cave, the cave has in its interior a blue lake with dimensions that make it one of the largest flooded cavities in the planet. 

Inside the cave, you will be able to see a lake with intensely bluish water, whose depth can reach 90 meters. With its geological formations - not only the ceiling as the floor of the cave is filled with speleothems of various shapes and sizes - attracting the attention of tourists and researchers worldwide.

Nobody knows for sure where the water comes from, although it is believedthat there is an underground river that feeds the lake. 

During the night the bars and restaurants of the city offer many different options for typical food of the region, the most requested dish is the baked fish, which is caught in the region itself.

The city offers a variety of hotels and farm lodges. In this site http://www.brazilnaturetours.com you can find some options of hotels.

The people of Bonito are very receptive and hospitable and are already accustomed to the presence of foreigners who come every year to experience the natural beauty of the city or to go to the Winter Festival, a concert with many Brazilian artists that always takes place between the months of July and August (this season is winter in Brazil).

Guest Post: Top Five Orlando Theme Parks

Is this year the year that you jet off on your dream Orlando, Florida trip? Maybe you managed to pick up one of the many cheap holidays to Florida that are available online? If so, you’re likely to be overflowing with excitement right about now, but contain yourself, you’ve still got some holiday prep to do!

This isn’t a holiday to ‘wing’ and go with the flow. There’s so much to do in Orlando that you really need to plan your time in order to make the most of your stay. Famous for its amazing theme parks, you’re likely to want to spend a lot of your Orlando holiday experiencing the thrills and spills that are on offer. Make sure that you pencil in visits to these fantastic five theme parks for the ultimate trip:

Universal Studios

Number one on the hit list is a bit of a cheat, as the Universal Orlando Resort actually encompassed the Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Highlights of Islands of Adventure include the Marvel Superhero Island and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. At Universal Studios Florida you can ride the brand new Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride and the amazing Twister coaster.

Walt Disney World

Even more of a cheat, Walt Disney World includes six parks – the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the two waterparks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Earmark a week at least if you want to hit them all!

SeaWorld

Enjoy a change of scene and a rest from the rollercoasters at SeaWorld. The killer whale show is a must see!

Busch Gardens

A combination zoo/themepark Busch Gardens is a good day out for the whole family. Out of Orlando, in the Tampa area, it’s worth the day trip.

Legoland Florida

Now, you might have been to Legoland Windsor, but the Americans have a tendency to do everything bigger and better, so it’s definitely worth checking out. Ideal for families with younger children (under 12).

If you’ve found low cost holiday deals to Orlando, Florida, make the most of the opportunity and be sure to hit the fantastic five theme parks above!

Guest Post: Advantages of Online Booking Airline Tickets

Gone are the days when travelers needed to visit their travel agents for getting their tickets done or get their reservation only at the airport or via the phone.  Today the growth of internet has made things much easier and all kinds of bookings and billing can be done via the Internet. The advantages range from comparing prices and getting the boarding passes by printing them at home. If you are traveling with any of the top rated airlines like United Airlines, Turkish Airlines or US Airways, you tend to get great deals on many of the online booking sites and also facilities like early check-in and easy cancelation methods. Here are a few of advantages that one can get while booking online.

·         Convenience – The biggest advantage of being able to book an airline ticket online is that you don’t have to schedule your day according to that, you can choose any time of the day to get your bookings done. You also don’t have to worry about the time that gets wasted when you go to a travel agent and you are also pressure free of making on spot booking, instead you can think through it first and then make your choice.

·         Competitive Prices – Choosing to book online gives you many advantages and what can be best than saving well on your ticket. While booking online you have the freedom to shop around for the best price and before making your final choice you can check out many airlines operating on the route you are looking for.

·         Early Check-in – The biggest tension while traveling is check-in and if you get delayed doing that it might cause big problems. By booking online you will be able to save to a lot of time by checking in online and you can do it in advance as 24 hours and as late as one hour before the flight.

·         Cost Benefits – we all know it that travel agents charge commission per booking and some of the airlines also charge for telephone booking, thus making online reservation is much cheaper as now third party operators don’t charge any fees for making online reservation.

·         Easy Changes and Cancelations- If you have booked online, all you need to do is go directly to the airlines website and get the desired changes done hassle free.  You can change the flight to a later date, upgrade your class or even cancel your booking. 

Guest Post: Kos Holidays: Hot or Not?

If Kardamena in Kos is on your ‘maybe’ list for your 2013 clubbing holiday, you’ll want to gather as much info as you can to decide whether it’s a do-er or a don’t-er. Read on for the low down about what’s hot about clubbing holidays in Kos – it won’t take more than 5 mins, promise!

What’s Hot?

The Prices

Kos is mega cheap by clubbing holiday standards, with prices comparable to the UK. Expect to pay £3.50 for a pint, £7 for a bottle of wine and £9 for club entry – it’s brilliant for clubbers on a budget.

The Weather

With thermometers nudging 30 degrees through July and August, one thing you’re guaranteed in Kos is a good tan! Don’t forget the suncream though, the lobster look aint in for S/S 2013.

The Beach

As you’d expect from Greece, the white sand beach is stunning and a great place for sunning yourself with a cocktail in hand. Who knows, maybe you’ll dip your toe in the water every now and again.

If you don’t mind getting your perfectly gelled/straightened/curled hair wet, the watersports will be a-calling. You’ll find the usual suspects – jet skis, banana boats et al down at Kardamena beach. All you need to do is persuade your mates to take a break from the bronzing.

The Nightlife

While it might not have the big name clubs of Ibiza, Kardamena has more than its fair share of after-dark spots. Add Vibe and Lush to your must-do bar list, before hitting the dancefloor at your choice of superclub, Status or Starlight. There’s more than enough to fill a week without getting bored of the same scene.

Kos holidays are a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable summer clubbing break. Forget scrimping and saving all year for your week of fun in the sun. Get more bang for your buck at Kardamena. 

Guest Post: Soldeu: A Resort Guide

When it comes to ski holidays that are perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers, Soldeu ski holidays are where it’s at. As a beginner with no experience on a pair of skis, you want to go to a resort that specialises in helping build your confidence on the pistes and, with their award winning ski school, you can’t go far wrong with Soldeu.

Nestled in the mountainous Pyrenees, between Spain and France, is a beautiful little municipality that provides perfect snow conditions year after year. Andorra offers something for everyone and its various resorts give people the convenience of being on the foot of the mountain ready to ski.

Soldeu offers some of the best accommodation in Andorra, to suit any budget. From inexpensive, simple apartments to all out luxury in 5 star hotels, whatever the size of your wallet, you’ll find somewhere that can accommodate you.

The main gondolas are within easy reach of most of the hotels and apartments in the centre, giving you easy access to the mountain itself. Whatever your capability on the slopes, Soldeu will have pistes to suit. While it’s excellent for beginners and intermediates, advanced and expert skiers can choose from a whole host of red, black and off-piste runs to ensure they get their dose of thrills.

Away from the slopes, there are many other activities to get stuck into – perfect if you’re holidaying with family but unable (or unwilling) to have a go yourself. The village itself is rustic and boasts some fabulous shops to browse, while there are plenty of pubs and bars in which to appreciate the après ski liveliness.

Perfect for families, Soldeu ski holidays could be a perfect option for your next winter break with the kids. Take a look at the fabulous offers online today and book early to benefit from some fabulous prices. 

Guest Post: Perfect Portugal

Portugal is one of those holiday destinations that's got a little bit of something for everyone. It's got vibrant cities in the form of capital Lisbon, with its soaring spires and charming cobbled streets. There's lovely rolling hillsides and lush green valleys. Vineyards producing hearty red wines and sweet rosŽ. Sprawling golf courses serving upknock-out views across coast and country. Talk about diversity!

And then of course there's the beach. Most sun-starved Brits make their way to this glorious corner of the Iberian Peninsular to soak up the rays in The Algarve, a popular holiday region on Portugal's south coast. It's a lovely holiday destination characterised by steep honey-coloured cliffs and vast rock formations that rise out of the golden sands, soaring into the cloudless blue above. Bubbly beach resorts flank beautiful bays and long sandy beaches, while lovely whitewashed villages cluster around bustling harbours and dusty trails lead to tiny secluded coves.

It's a heavenly place, but it doesn't demand sky-high prices. If you fancy an affordable getaway this year, you'll find plenty of cheap holidays to Algarve 2013 on offer. One of the best ways to grab a reasonably priced break is to opt for a package tour operator and look for late deals - especially those leaving within the next few weeks. This is traditionally when tour operators slash the prices of their remaining holidays to try and tempt in those last few bookings, so it's a great time to hunt for deals.

There are plenty of tour operators out there. You could choose one of the big names and opt for package holidays by Thomas Cook, or settle for a smaller and more local brand. You could also go your own way and book your flights and hotel independently, which means the onus is on you to organise everything but can often more flexible than a package.

Whatever you choose, Portugal is a wonderful place that's bound to give you a perfect holiday...

Guest Post: Cruise Holidays: Spotlight on P&O Ventura

If you're looking for a cruise holiday, there's one thing you'll never be short of - and that's choice. The cruise holiday industry is packed with quality liners and cruise operators, each striving to be the best and ensure you have a truly unforgettable holiday. Whether you're taking your first tentative steps into the world of cruise holidays, or you religiously book cruises each and every year, there's no denying that with so many itineraries, liners and destinations to choose from, you'll never find yourself running short of ideas or facing the same holiday from one year to the next.

One stalwart of the cruise industry is P&O, and the sublime Ventura is a magnificent vessel that has to be seen to be believed.

One of the largest ships in the P&O fleet, the Ventura serves up a cracking range of facilities and things to do. There's a sports court with a fitness centre that's packed to the rafters with equipment,four pools (one with a retractable roof) and a spa - perfect for easing those aches and pains after a hard day's sightseeing. There are also classes designed to help exercise your mind as well as your body - ranging from yoga and pilates to salsa, art lessons and even port lectures - a useful way to get to know more about your next destination.

When it comes to dining, Ventura is in a class of its own. The White Room is the ship's signature restaurant, created by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White - who personally oversees the running of the restaurant on selected sailings. In addition there are 11 other restaurants serving up a mouthwatering array of flavours, ranging from Spanish tapas to spice-infused Asian creations. And to top it off there's a fantastic choice of evening entertainment with theatres, bars, a cinema, cabaret, tribute bands, comedy and plenty of dancing.

Despite its luxury appeal, a holiday on the Ventura doesn’t have to come with the luxury price tag. P&O Ventura offers are widely available - particularly on last-minute sailings - which means that there's really no reason to miss out on the Ventura experience. But be warned - one cruise on this outstanding liner is never enough...