Europe Holidays Travel Guide

Dubai is located within the Gulf States and is the second largest of the United Arab Emirates. Despite being right in the centre of this oil rich area, Dubai’s revenue from oil accounts for only 6% of its gross domestic product. However, Dubai is hugely innovative and successful in construction and development in various industries and is a great example of progress. Dubai has developed itself into a worldwide attraction in that it has burgeoned into a spectacular modern city from what was once a small desert port.
 
Transport Options to Dubai
 
As far as getting to Dubai, the vast majority of visitors from afar fly. Dubai is located in the centre of the desert among the Gulf States. Therefore, it is highly recommended that flying is the chosen option for getting there.
 
Accommodation Options
 
Dubai is a very luxurious city and that is reflected in the hotels there. One of the most impressive is the landmark Sails hotel that stands proud at the waterfront and is a dominant and striking sight. Dubai also has a range of standard hotels to accommodate for all needs and budgets.
 
Dubai History
 
As far as history and cities are concerned, Dubai was a late developer and didn’t establish itself as a large fishing port until the early nineteenth century. However, the city really started to grow tremendously during the seventies.  Due to the interest from foreigner traders, Dubai has successfully established itself with the international commerce market and  now relies less on oil.
 
Sights and attractions
 
The buildings are the most spectacular features to see in Dubai. Also, check out The Dubai museum as it provides a great introductory knowledge on the Emirates. The recently developed Palm Island is a man made complex that from the air appears as a palm tree. Another outstanding project that is currently being developed in Dubai is The World. This is a series of man made islands that are specifically shaped and sized to form and resemble the World from an aerial view.
 
Eating and Drinking
 
The city of Dubai is renowned for its impressive range of international cuisine. Restaurants are the most common option of dining choice although the prices are a bit high. There are plenty of pubs, bars and entertainment areas for those looking for some late night fun.
 
Shopping
 
If you like shopping and are heading for Dubai then you are going to the right place. Shopping is one of the most common excuses to visit this desert city. You can buy just about anything in Dubai and much of it is at bargain prices. Author:Dan Oldfield

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Spain’s capital has enjoyed a serious boom as a city break
destination on the last decade. The proliferation of cheap
flights has made more and more European cities accessible to
weekend travellers. Often overshadowed by the Catalan capital,
Barcelona , Madrid is now showing what it has to offer and,
more importantly, sharing it with foreign visitors.
 
“Los Austrias” is as good a place as any to start; the oldest
part of the city and still bearing the stamp of the Hapsburg
dynasty that had such a dominating influence on Madrid until
1700. The “Plaza Mayor” is the focal point of the area; built
by Phillip III between 1617 and 1619, it’s an elegant square
with a rich and varied history. This is where the great
festivals and celebrations of imperial Madrid took place.
Visitors these days won’t see quite so much excitement but the
square hosts a coin and stamp collectors market on Sundays and
hosts live bands and performers during festivals. Expect to pay
through the nose in the cafés and restaurants which line the
square; some however, will be willing to part with a little
extra cash just to be able to soak up the atmosphere of one of
Madrid’s most famous sites.
 
Next stop is the “Palacio Real”; Madrid ’s royal palace is a
monument to the classical Italian baroque style. Charles III
was the first king to take residence here in 1714. The grand
building has a, seemingly absurd, count of 3,000 rooms. The
most famous of these is the Throne Room with its sumptuous
decorations. Visitors should also pay heed to the gardens, in
particular the “Jardine de Sabatini”, which was added to the
Palace complex in the 1930’s and can provide a bit of peaceful
seclusion away from the bustle of the city centre.
 
Another one of the city’s most celebrated landmarks is the
“Puerto Del Sol” – originally the location for one of the gates
marking the eastern entrance to the city. The gate is reported
to have been erected around 1440 to control the comings and
goings of merchandise in the Spanish capital. These days the
gate is long gone but the square behind it has taken on the
name. It’s a lively place, equivalent to Times Square and
Trafalgar Square in the US and England respectively, as on new
year’s eve Madrilenos come here in their thousands to hear the
clock chime midnight and see in the new year. It is also the
centre point of Spain , kilometre zero is in the centre of the
square and the six main highways of Spain radiate from this
point.
 
For a bit of greenery and a shaded stroll then there’s no
better place than the magnificent “Parque del Buen Retiro”;
Madrid’s most central park. This verdant expanse covers 350
acres and includes formal gardens, fountains, playgrounds and
cafes. There is even a lake where locals and tourists can clash
oars on the water. All in all, the perfect place for a picnic or
for the kids to let off some steam – bear in mind that the park
closes at 10.30pm every evening.
 
The “Panteon de Goya” is a small chapel that serves as the
final resting place to the celebrated artist. The man himself
decorated the intricate dome and cupola depicting the miracles
of St Anthony and it is certainly one of the city’s lesser
known attractions that is well worth a visit.
 
One final stop on our tour takes us a little way out of Madrid
’s centre to the home of one of the world’s most famous
football teams. The Santiago Bernabeu stadium has been home to
Real Madrid CF since 1947 and the 80,000 seater stadium is an
impressive site whether you’re a fan of football or not. The
stadium houses and excellent museum and is open most days for
tours where you get the chance to see the stadium from the main
stand and entrance into the playing tunnel and even the changing
rooms. Author - Mike McDougall

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History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people and stunning views an Italy cruise has it all! You can visit the main sites of Italy on a European cruise or a Mediterranean cruise, but to really experience Italy - to really taste it - you need to immerse yourself in everything that Italy has to offer by taking an Italy cruise. Italy cruises depart from several ports around the country. Many depart from Civitavecchia - the gateway port to Rome. However, to get the full Italy experience it is recommended that an Italy cruise be embarked upon from the ports of Savona or Genoa on the Ligurian Peninsula and taken all the way round to Venice, or vice-versa. This way, you will discover that there is a lot more to Italy than a cruise departing from Civitavecchia would be able to show you!

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Rome is an enchanting place that has been attracting tourists
for its rich cultural heritage and brilliant historic
monuments. In the ratings of Conde Nast Traveler’s 2004
Reader’s Choice Awards, Rome grabbed the coveted second spot on
the list of top ten European cities.

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