arrhead Travel wishes all our friends and customers a very Merry Christmas!Remember to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call for all your travel needs in 2010! Happy Travels!
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Barrhead Travel Christmas Greetings.
arrhead Travel wishes all our friends and customers a very Merry Christmas!Remember to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call for all your travel needs in 2010! Happy Travels!
Thursday 17 December 2009
Barrhead Travel FlyGlobespan Customers
Any Barrhead Travel customers who are booked to travel with flyglobespan should contact our dedicated telephone helpline on 0141 242 1396.
We will be endeavouring to assist our own customers and those who now need alternative travel arrangements as best we can. Our thoughts go to all the flyglobespan employees and to those whose travel arrangements have been affected.
We will be endeavouring to assist our own customers and those who now need alternative travel arrangements as best we can. Our thoughts go to all the flyglobespan employees and to those whose travel arrangements have been affected.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Barrhead Travel Destination of the Week: Tunisia
This week's featured destination is in sunny North Africa.
Sands of Time – Tunisia
On the map it’s just a nugget of a country clinging to a crag at the top of a vast continent, but on the ground the reality turns out to be something quite different.
It’s certainly Africa, but the architecture has overtones of Moorish Spain, the history has associations with ancient Italy, the language originates from the Middle East and the flavours are redolent of France, along with groves of olives, yards of vines, miles of beaches and swathes of Sahara. Yes, Tunisia packs a surprisingly big punch for a tiny country.
In fact, this little slice of North Africa is far more bewitchingly exotic than most other winter sun destinations, despite being closer to the UK than many at under three hours’ flying time.
A factor which, when combined with the increasing desire among travellers to avoid the eurozone, means Tunisia has done steady business of late, attracting holidaymakers who might otherwise have been tempted by the likes of the Canaries or Cyprus. Tunisia represents particularly good value, especially if you’ve an interest in thalassotherapy, history, desert landscapes, empty beaches and/or golf.
Summer visitors tend to be on two-week family holidays and stick to popular resorts like Hammamet, Port el Kantaoui and Djerba. Winter visitors typically go for a shorter duration and will favour more cultural experiences, sampling the desert oases and ancient cities, and are becoming increasingly interested in the country’s growing stock of boutique hotels.
The shoulder season, particularly autumn, can be very busy while the sea is still warm.
The big news in recent years has been the completion of upscale resort Yasmine Hammamet and the opening of a golf course attached to The Residence, Tunisia’s top hotel. Golf is earmarked for further development, with the present 10 courses expected to double within the next decade.
There is also the imminent opening of Enfidha Airport, 50 miles south of Tunis in Tunisia’s main tourist resort area, built in expectance of a substantial increase in visitors.
Sousse
The Tunisian equivalent of Barcelona comfortably combines business and tourism, with a port and a promenade at the heart of the city. There are bright lights as well as a 1,000 year old medina protecting a maze of narrow pedestrian-only streets. From the tower of the Ribat, a fortified monastery built in 827, you look across a townscape of tiny coloured pieces like thousands of carefully arranged eggshells. Proximity to the giant mosque at Kairouan and the amphitheatre at El Jem make this a good focal point for culture. If you don’t want to stay in town – and there’s a spanking new Moevenepick hotel to encourage you to do so – then the purpose built marina resort of Port el Kantaoui is only six miles north. Developed in 1979 in traditional Tunisian style, the resort is made up of brilliant white buildings, cobbled streets and narrow walkways.
Hammamet
There’s a variety of beach resorts to choose from up and down Tunisia’s coast, but Hammamet remains a perennial favourite. Its beaches are, of course, excellent, particularly south of the old town, and have all the usual watersports on offer. Hammamet also boasts a medina of its own, with an old fortress now largely populated by funky cafes and surrounded by craft and souvenir shops. The town is a well-balanced mix of traditional Tunisian style and international resort, and the proximity to Tunis 40 miles away makes the big city easily accessible for a day trip. Southern Hammamet has been recently rebranded as Yasmine Hammamet, named after the jasmine that grows in profusion and the resort now hosts a range of five-star hotels and upmarket shopping centres. The town’s location at the food of Cap Bon gives access to a small peninsula with miles of unblemished sand and unspoiled coastline. There are caves full of bats at the falconer’s village of El Haouaria, a Spanish castle and fishing port at Kelibia, and a hinterland covered in vines and wild flowers.
Tunis
Tunis is where Paris meets Tales from the Arabian Nights. The centre is charming and traffic-free and you can buy a baguette or café au lait with the aid of your schoolboy French in the wider, post-colonial city. In the intricate maze of narrow lanes of the 1300 year old walled medina, the ancient centre where a lot of people live out their lives, you won’t want to do much more than wander through the souks, rich with smells of leather and perfume. The variety of merchandise and haggling is the norm. While in the medina, pop you head into the Great Mosque, sip mint tea in a café and try the wonderfully named brik a l’ouef, effectively an egg fried in pastry.
Carthage
Back around 200BC, the Carthaginians dominated the Mediterranean. The remains of their capital city is now part of the northern Tunis suburbs and there’s an extensive museum both on the site and in the Bardo a short drive away. Equally interesting at Carthage is the Punic Port, where a secret lagoon was excavated and a massive circular hangar erected, large enough for 250 warships. Here there’s a nifty Oceanographic Museum and a scale model of what it all must have once looked like. If you’re heading to Carthage on the metro – as most visitors do – then it would be foolish not to continue a couple of stops afterwards to Sidi Bou Said, the charismatic village suburb on a hill overlooking the sea, where Tunisian and international celebrities live.
Djerba
In summer it’s a popular beach destination and in winter it’s far enough south to have a better climate than the majority of Tunisia’s beach resorts, but the island of Djerba – connected to the mainland by a causeway – also has its own distinctive cultural appeal. For a start, it’s low-slung architecture is indicative of the varied ethnicities living here and it has several charismatic funduqs in Homt Souk, its main town ,which were once caravanserais (roadside inns) offering food and shelter to itinerant merchants. All are reminders of Djerba’s long history as a key meeting and trading place on the Med. The island is also far enough south to give access to some of the extraordinary landscapes of the Ksour, including the surreal village of Matmata, where many people still live in cave houses under the ground.
The Sahara
The southernmost third of Tunisia is mainly desert, but desert with great variety. Beside the dunes, there are arid mountains, salt lakes and oases, and all have something to offer tourists. Most choose to base themselves at Tozeur, an oasis with an airport and a labyrinthine old quarter, with walls of delicately patterned brickwork. In the palmeraie itself, the filtered light under the canopy of palms, twitters and rustles, distant voices argue over irrigation and old men lurch down foot-hardened paths, seeking fresh grass for their donkeys. The second most popular oasis, Douz, compensates for its lack on intrinsic charm by providing all sorts of desert activities, from go-karting to ballooning and camel trekking. The nomadic Adhara camelteers gather at the village of Zaafrane, from where, if you wish, you can negotiate a five-day desert crossing to Ksar Ghilane.
Thalassotherapy
The Carthaginians knew about the benefits of bathing in warm seawater even before the Romans built their thermal baths in the Cap Bon region. Today, seawater cures and treatments that maximise the therapeutic effects of marine minerals are huge in Tunisia and second only to France – but at a lower price. Mostly they take place in the larger hotels and especially in purpose-built recent resorts like Yasmine Hammamet. Typically they will offer a proper medical assessment followed by a course of treatments which are particularly good for joints, muscles and skin. Most will have a seawater pool and offer the likes of seaweed wraps, massage and even traditional hammam, Turkish baths.
For all of your Tunisia travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Phone one of our friendly consultants today on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and start planning your holiday to Tunisia today!
Sands of Time – Tunisia
On the map it’s just a nugget of a country clinging to a crag at the top of a vast continent, but on the ground the reality turns out to be something quite different.
It’s certainly Africa, but the architecture has overtones of Moorish Spain, the history has associations with ancient Italy, the language originates from the Middle East and the flavours are redolent of France, along with groves of olives, yards of vines, miles of beaches and swathes of Sahara. Yes, Tunisia packs a surprisingly big punch for a tiny country.
In fact, this little slice of North Africa is far more bewitchingly exotic than most other winter sun destinations, despite being closer to the UK than many at under three hours’ flying time.
A factor which, when combined with the increasing desire among travellers to avoid the eurozone, means Tunisia has done steady business of late, attracting holidaymakers who might otherwise have been tempted by the likes of the Canaries or Cyprus. Tunisia represents particularly good value, especially if you’ve an interest in thalassotherapy, history, desert landscapes, empty beaches and/or golf.
Summer visitors tend to be on two-week family holidays and stick to popular resorts like Hammamet, Port el Kantaoui and Djerba. Winter visitors typically go for a shorter duration and will favour more cultural experiences, sampling the desert oases and ancient cities, and are becoming increasingly interested in the country’s growing stock of boutique hotels.
The shoulder season, particularly autumn, can be very busy while the sea is still warm.
The big news in recent years has been the completion of upscale resort Yasmine Hammamet and the opening of a golf course attached to The Residence, Tunisia’s top hotel. Golf is earmarked for further development, with the present 10 courses expected to double within the next decade.
There is also the imminent opening of Enfidha Airport, 50 miles south of Tunis in Tunisia’s main tourist resort area, built in expectance of a substantial increase in visitors.
Sousse
The Tunisian equivalent of Barcelona comfortably combines business and tourism, with a port and a promenade at the heart of the city. There are bright lights as well as a 1,000 year old medina protecting a maze of narrow pedestrian-only streets. From the tower of the Ribat, a fortified monastery built in 827, you look across a townscape of tiny coloured pieces like thousands of carefully arranged eggshells. Proximity to the giant mosque at Kairouan and the amphitheatre at El Jem make this a good focal point for culture. If you don’t want to stay in town – and there’s a spanking new Moevenepick hotel to encourage you to do so – then the purpose built marina resort of Port el Kantaoui is only six miles north. Developed in 1979 in traditional Tunisian style, the resort is made up of brilliant white buildings, cobbled streets and narrow walkways.
Hammamet
There’s a variety of beach resorts to choose from up and down Tunisia’s coast, but Hammamet remains a perennial favourite. Its beaches are, of course, excellent, particularly south of the old town, and have all the usual watersports on offer. Hammamet also boasts a medina of its own, with an old fortress now largely populated by funky cafes and surrounded by craft and souvenir shops. The town is a well-balanced mix of traditional Tunisian style and international resort, and the proximity to Tunis 40 miles away makes the big city easily accessible for a day trip. Southern Hammamet has been recently rebranded as Yasmine Hammamet, named after the jasmine that grows in profusion and the resort now hosts a range of five-star hotels and upmarket shopping centres. The town’s location at the food of Cap Bon gives access to a small peninsula with miles of unblemished sand and unspoiled coastline. There are caves full of bats at the falconer’s village of El Haouaria, a Spanish castle and fishing port at Kelibia, and a hinterland covered in vines and wild flowers.
Tunis
Tunis is where Paris meets Tales from the Arabian Nights. The centre is charming and traffic-free and you can buy a baguette or café au lait with the aid of your schoolboy French in the wider, post-colonial city. In the intricate maze of narrow lanes of the 1300 year old walled medina, the ancient centre where a lot of people live out their lives, you won’t want to do much more than wander through the souks, rich with smells of leather and perfume. The variety of merchandise and haggling is the norm. While in the medina, pop you head into the Great Mosque, sip mint tea in a café and try the wonderfully named brik a l’ouef, effectively an egg fried in pastry.
Carthage
Back around 200BC, the Carthaginians dominated the Mediterranean. The remains of their capital city is now part of the northern Tunis suburbs and there’s an extensive museum both on the site and in the Bardo a short drive away. Equally interesting at Carthage is the Punic Port, where a secret lagoon was excavated and a massive circular hangar erected, large enough for 250 warships. Here there’s a nifty Oceanographic Museum and a scale model of what it all must have once looked like. If you’re heading to Carthage on the metro – as most visitors do – then it would be foolish not to continue a couple of stops afterwards to Sidi Bou Said, the charismatic village suburb on a hill overlooking the sea, where Tunisian and international celebrities live.
Djerba
In summer it’s a popular beach destination and in winter it’s far enough south to have a better climate than the majority of Tunisia’s beach resorts, but the island of Djerba – connected to the mainland by a causeway – also has its own distinctive cultural appeal. For a start, it’s low-slung architecture is indicative of the varied ethnicities living here and it has several charismatic funduqs in Homt Souk, its main town ,which were once caravanserais (roadside inns) offering food and shelter to itinerant merchants. All are reminders of Djerba’s long history as a key meeting and trading place on the Med. The island is also far enough south to give access to some of the extraordinary landscapes of the Ksour, including the surreal village of Matmata, where many people still live in cave houses under the ground.
The Sahara
The southernmost third of Tunisia is mainly desert, but desert with great variety. Beside the dunes, there are arid mountains, salt lakes and oases, and all have something to offer tourists. Most choose to base themselves at Tozeur, an oasis with an airport and a labyrinthine old quarter, with walls of delicately patterned brickwork. In the palmeraie itself, the filtered light under the canopy of palms, twitters and rustles, distant voices argue over irrigation and old men lurch down foot-hardened paths, seeking fresh grass for their donkeys. The second most popular oasis, Douz, compensates for its lack on intrinsic charm by providing all sorts of desert activities, from go-karting to ballooning and camel trekking. The nomadic Adhara camelteers gather at the village of Zaafrane, from where, if you wish, you can negotiate a five-day desert crossing to Ksar Ghilane.
Thalassotherapy
The Carthaginians knew about the benefits of bathing in warm seawater even before the Romans built their thermal baths in the Cap Bon region. Today, seawater cures and treatments that maximise the therapeutic effects of marine minerals are huge in Tunisia and second only to France – but at a lower price. Mostly they take place in the larger hotels and especially in purpose-built recent resorts like Yasmine Hammamet. Typically they will offer a proper medical assessment followed by a course of treatments which are particularly good for joints, muscles and skin. Most will have a seawater pool and offer the likes of seaweed wraps, massage and even traditional hammam, Turkish baths.
For all of your Tunisia travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Phone one of our friendly consultants today on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and start planning your holiday to Tunisia today!
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Barrhead Travel Destinations of the Week: New Orleans and Colorado
This week's top destinations are Stateside:
New Orleans
Many cities try to lay claim to the title 'America's most haunted', but New Orleans can give any of them a run for their money. Beyond the incomparable cuisine, historical must-sees, musical high notes and never-ending nightlife, the Big Easy also has plenty to send a delicious shiver running down any visitor's spine.
A ghost tour around the beautifully picturesque French Quarter conjures up local legends of gruesome ghouls and weaves the fascinating history of the city into the plot.
The dead are pretty visible in New Orleans - they have to be, or they'd float away. In the 18th century, when the inhabitants tried to inter their loved ones beneath the ground, the high water table meant they simple rose back up again. So the graves are built above ground, forming real cities of the dead. Visitors can pace these streets on a cemetery tour.
St Louis Cemetery No 1 on Rampart Street is the oldest existing example, dating back to 1789. The architecture of the graves illustrates the cultural melting pot of the city, with French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese styles evident. One of the graves belongs to the famed voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
The tour ends with a visit to a voodoo temple to meet a voodoo priestess, which is far less intimidating than one might expect. Priestess Miriam looked like any other middle-aged lady and rambles vaguely, but kindly before showing off the temple.
If you are expecting heaps of bones and lashings of chicken blood you’ll be disappointed - instead you’re lead into a dim room filled with a mish-mash of objects and artefacts, many related to religions from all over the world. There's even a gift shop.
For a real supernatural thrill, visit New Orleans during Halloween. Second only to Carnival in the party time pecking order, you wouldn't be surprised if the dead really did come out to join the fun.
Spooky floats parade along the streets and many revellers dress the part in elaborate costumes, with local bars offering prizes for the best. As well as balls and parties, there are also family events where kids can have a go at cookie decorating and pumpkin painting. The Voodoo Experience music festival also falls around Halloween - this year, acts included Lenny Kravitz and Eminem.
Other Reasons to Visit New Orleans
Carnival
The world's biggest street party lasts for nearly a week, with different 'krews' organising parades of elaborate floats through the city. Outside Mardi Gras season, visitors should go to Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. It's surreal and exciting to wander through this huge workshop where floats are made and stored. Visitors can try on costumes and sample a slice of traditional king cake.
Food and drink
Not just a cultural but also a culinary melting pot, New Orleans cuisine brings together influences as broad as French, Spanish, African and the Deep South itself.
For the best of Creole and Cajun cooking - with a musical accompaniment – try a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters.
You can sit out on the picturesque terrace, trying specialities such as gumbo, jambalaya and turtle soup. Local desserts are mouth-watering too, from Bananas Foster to beignets, the local doughnuts dusted with sugar that are best enjoyed with a cafe au lait.
Music
Home to legends such as Louis Armstrong, New Orleans is called the birthplace of jazz. Music is everywhere, from the raucous bars of Bourbon Street and trendy clubs on Frenchmen Street to historic venues such as Preservation Hall. Perhaps take a jazz dinner cruise on a traditional paddle steamer such as the Natchez.
Colorado
You're never far away from nature in Colorado. The state is awash with National and State Parks protecting a landscape that ranges from vast prairies to the Rockies, to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Even in the state capital, Denver, the Rockies can be seen lingering on the horizon, luring travellers away from the city.
Despite its heavy winters, Colorado is a real year-round destination and the locals often boast of the 300 days of sunshine each year. Colorado is a fantastic state that takes in the 'real America', offering the best in western adventure, Native American history, four National Parks, great shopping and delicious cuisine.
Denver
The so-called 'mile-high city' or 'gateway to the Rockies' will be most visitors' first point of call. Both United Airlines and British Airways fly direct from the UK.
Denver's a very clean and cosmopolitan city with a lively arts scene. It's home to a wide range of museums and galleries, including the striking Daniel Libeskind-designed Denver Art Museum, which houses a modern art collection and an interesting Native Indian history exhibition. Music venues attracting big acts include the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside of town.
The locals are a healthy bunch and unlike many US cities, Denver is well-geared for pedestrians, and hundreds of miles of bike trails ring the city. Walking tours are a great way to get to grips with its rich past.
Shops are clustered around Larimer Square, while wannabe cowboys and cowgirls should mosey on down to Rockmount Ranchwear in the LoDo district, which along with Larimer Square is home to much of the city's nightlife.
Accommodation comes from big names such as Hilton and Sheraton, as well as smart boutique offerings such as Hotel Teatro and The Curtis with its funky modernism. For a stately historic hotel, then stay at the Oxford or the Brown Palace.
Active
White-water rafting is popular between May and late August, with lots of options across the state. A good spot near Denver is the Poudre River near Fort Collins, about a 45-minute drive. If overnighting, the quaint, centrally-located Armstrong is the pick of the hotels.
Colorado is well known for its excellent skiing and 'champagne powder' snow. Aspen may be the best-known resort, but there are 26 ski areas in the state. Most are easily reachable from Denver, such as the Crested Butte, Breckenridge and the relatively new resort of Silverton.
A good base for year-round activities is the resort town of Steamboat Springs, a short connecting flight or a three-hour drive from Denver.
Steamboat's excellent ski runs (and intimidating looking ski jumps) loom over the town, and in the summer it's a great base for hiking and mountain biking. Staying options include a Sheraton and the Grand Hotel, which has a spa and outside pool area. The massive five-bedroom penthouses go for about $3,000 in the peak season, but can be had can be had for as little as $500 out of season.
The area around Steamboat is also home to a number of guest ranches, which are pre-bookable, where guests can stay for a week and learn about ranching and help out with tasks. A good option for a short visit is Dutch Creek Guest Ranch, where activities include horse riding in the stunning scenery, or sledding in the winter.
There's also a restaurant and a bunch of simple, but sweet wooden cabins to stay in. And at the nearby Dig This! Attraction, visitors can act like big kids while making the earth move in bulldozers and diggers - great fun.
Hot Springs
After a tough day of outdoor action the state's many hot springs offer some cheap and cheerful welcome relief. The rustic and scenic Strawberry Springs is a popular option, and great for a soak beneath the stars, while Steamboat's Old Town Hot Springs boasts water slides.
Colorado also features the world's largest natural springs at Glenwood Springs, where visitors can also go rafting and check out the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Fly-Drives
A fly-drive holiday is a great way for visitors to explore the state's parks, highways and byways. The drive through the Rocky Mountains National Park is stunning and takes in the highest continuous paved road in North America. Visitors can stop off at the stately Stanley Hotel, in the town of Estes Park.
The reputedly haunted hotel is where Stephen King got his inspiration for his book The Shining, although the famous movie starring Jack Nicholson was filmed elsewhere. Pre-bookable ghost tours are a popular option.
Another good option is to head for the Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City, the highest suspension bridge in the US. A fly-drive is also a great way to check out major attractions in the neighbouring states like Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park.
Colorado By Train
Colorado's historic railroads offer a great way to explore the state and get a handle on its rich past, from the Wild West to mining towns dating from the boom times of the Gold Rush.
The historic mining town of Durango in the southwest, for example, is served by the narrow gauge Durango to Silverton line. Durango is also a good base for exploring the Mesa Verde National Park, where visitors can find the spot where four states meet and explore the area's cave dwellings.
Other great options include the Royal Gorge Route and the Cumbres and Toltec line, which offers a steam train experience in the Southern Rockies. Visitors can also take a very scenic, three-hour train ride up the side of Pikes Peak. The cog railway, the highest in the US, offers dramatic views.
And if you fancy finding out if there is still any gold in them thar hills, you can visit one of the old mining towns such as Central City or Cripple Creek where you can tour an operating gold mine or have a go at panning for gold.
For all of your travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port-of-call. Contact one of our friendly sales consultants now by calling 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and start planning your US holiday today!
New Orleans
Many cities try to lay claim to the title 'America's most haunted', but New Orleans can give any of them a run for their money. Beyond the incomparable cuisine, historical must-sees, musical high notes and never-ending nightlife, the Big Easy also has plenty to send a delicious shiver running down any visitor's spine.
A ghost tour around the beautifully picturesque French Quarter conjures up local legends of gruesome ghouls and weaves the fascinating history of the city into the plot.
The dead are pretty visible in New Orleans - they have to be, or they'd float away. In the 18th century, when the inhabitants tried to inter their loved ones beneath the ground, the high water table meant they simple rose back up again. So the graves are built above ground, forming real cities of the dead. Visitors can pace these streets on a cemetery tour.
St Louis Cemetery No 1 on Rampart Street is the oldest existing example, dating back to 1789. The architecture of the graves illustrates the cultural melting pot of the city, with French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese styles evident. One of the graves belongs to the famed voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
The tour ends with a visit to a voodoo temple to meet a voodoo priestess, which is far less intimidating than one might expect. Priestess Miriam looked like any other middle-aged lady and rambles vaguely, but kindly before showing off the temple.
If you are expecting heaps of bones and lashings of chicken blood you’ll be disappointed - instead you’re lead into a dim room filled with a mish-mash of objects and artefacts, many related to religions from all over the world. There's even a gift shop.
For a real supernatural thrill, visit New Orleans during Halloween. Second only to Carnival in the party time pecking order, you wouldn't be surprised if the dead really did come out to join the fun.
Spooky floats parade along the streets and many revellers dress the part in elaborate costumes, with local bars offering prizes for the best. As well as balls and parties, there are also family events where kids can have a go at cookie decorating and pumpkin painting. The Voodoo Experience music festival also falls around Halloween - this year, acts included Lenny Kravitz and Eminem.
Other Reasons to Visit New Orleans
Carnival
The world's biggest street party lasts for nearly a week, with different 'krews' organising parades of elaborate floats through the city. Outside Mardi Gras season, visitors should go to Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. It's surreal and exciting to wander through this huge workshop where floats are made and stored. Visitors can try on costumes and sample a slice of traditional king cake.
Food and drink
Not just a cultural but also a culinary melting pot, New Orleans cuisine brings together influences as broad as French, Spanish, African and the Deep South itself.
For the best of Creole and Cajun cooking - with a musical accompaniment – try a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters.
You can sit out on the picturesque terrace, trying specialities such as gumbo, jambalaya and turtle soup. Local desserts are mouth-watering too, from Bananas Foster to beignets, the local doughnuts dusted with sugar that are best enjoyed with a cafe au lait.
Music
Home to legends such as Louis Armstrong, New Orleans is called the birthplace of jazz. Music is everywhere, from the raucous bars of Bourbon Street and trendy clubs on Frenchmen Street to historic venues such as Preservation Hall. Perhaps take a jazz dinner cruise on a traditional paddle steamer such as the Natchez.
Colorado
You're never far away from nature in Colorado. The state is awash with National and State Parks protecting a landscape that ranges from vast prairies to the Rockies, to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Even in the state capital, Denver, the Rockies can be seen lingering on the horizon, luring travellers away from the city.
Despite its heavy winters, Colorado is a real year-round destination and the locals often boast of the 300 days of sunshine each year. Colorado is a fantastic state that takes in the 'real America', offering the best in western adventure, Native American history, four National Parks, great shopping and delicious cuisine.
Denver
The so-called 'mile-high city' or 'gateway to the Rockies' will be most visitors' first point of call. Both United Airlines and British Airways fly direct from the UK.
Denver's a very clean and cosmopolitan city with a lively arts scene. It's home to a wide range of museums and galleries, including the striking Daniel Libeskind-designed Denver Art Museum, which houses a modern art collection and an interesting Native Indian history exhibition. Music venues attracting big acts include the Red Rocks Amphitheatre just outside of town.
The locals are a healthy bunch and unlike many US cities, Denver is well-geared for pedestrians, and hundreds of miles of bike trails ring the city. Walking tours are a great way to get to grips with its rich past.
Shops are clustered around Larimer Square, while wannabe cowboys and cowgirls should mosey on down to Rockmount Ranchwear in the LoDo district, which along with Larimer Square is home to much of the city's nightlife.
Accommodation comes from big names such as Hilton and Sheraton, as well as smart boutique offerings such as Hotel Teatro and The Curtis with its funky modernism. For a stately historic hotel, then stay at the Oxford or the Brown Palace.
Active
White-water rafting is popular between May and late August, with lots of options across the state. A good spot near Denver is the Poudre River near Fort Collins, about a 45-minute drive. If overnighting, the quaint, centrally-located Armstrong is the pick of the hotels.
Colorado is well known for its excellent skiing and 'champagne powder' snow. Aspen may be the best-known resort, but there are 26 ski areas in the state. Most are easily reachable from Denver, such as the Crested Butte, Breckenridge and the relatively new resort of Silverton.
A good base for year-round activities is the resort town of Steamboat Springs, a short connecting flight or a three-hour drive from Denver.
Steamboat's excellent ski runs (and intimidating looking ski jumps) loom over the town, and in the summer it's a great base for hiking and mountain biking. Staying options include a Sheraton and the Grand Hotel, which has a spa and outside pool area. The massive five-bedroom penthouses go for about $3,000 in the peak season, but can be had can be had for as little as $500 out of season.
The area around Steamboat is also home to a number of guest ranches, which are pre-bookable, where guests can stay for a week and learn about ranching and help out with tasks. A good option for a short visit is Dutch Creek Guest Ranch, where activities include horse riding in the stunning scenery, or sledding in the winter.
There's also a restaurant and a bunch of simple, but sweet wooden cabins to stay in. And at the nearby Dig This! Attraction, visitors can act like big kids while making the earth move in bulldozers and diggers - great fun.
Hot Springs
After a tough day of outdoor action the state's many hot springs offer some cheap and cheerful welcome relief. The rustic and scenic Strawberry Springs is a popular option, and great for a soak beneath the stars, while Steamboat's Old Town Hot Springs boasts water slides.
Colorado also features the world's largest natural springs at Glenwood Springs, where visitors can also go rafting and check out the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Fly-Drives
A fly-drive holiday is a great way for visitors to explore the state's parks, highways and byways. The drive through the Rocky Mountains National Park is stunning and takes in the highest continuous paved road in North America. Visitors can stop off at the stately Stanley Hotel, in the town of Estes Park.
The reputedly haunted hotel is where Stephen King got his inspiration for his book The Shining, although the famous movie starring Jack Nicholson was filmed elsewhere. Pre-bookable ghost tours are a popular option.
Another good option is to head for the Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City, the highest suspension bridge in the US. A fly-drive is also a great way to check out major attractions in the neighbouring states like Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park.
Colorado By Train
Colorado's historic railroads offer a great way to explore the state and get a handle on its rich past, from the Wild West to mining towns dating from the boom times of the Gold Rush.
The historic mining town of Durango in the southwest, for example, is served by the narrow gauge Durango to Silverton line. Durango is also a good base for exploring the Mesa Verde National Park, where visitors can find the spot where four states meet and explore the area's cave dwellings.
Other great options include the Royal Gorge Route and the Cumbres and Toltec line, which offers a steam train experience in the Southern Rockies. Visitors can also take a very scenic, three-hour train ride up the side of Pikes Peak. The cog railway, the highest in the US, offers dramatic views.
And if you fancy finding out if there is still any gold in them thar hills, you can visit one of the old mining towns such as Central City or Cripple Creek where you can tour an operating gold mine or have a go at panning for gold.
For all of your travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port-of-call. Contact one of our friendly sales consultants now by calling 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and start planning your US holiday today!
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Barrhead Travel Destination of the Week: Israel Spa Breaks.
Israel Spa Breaks
At 417 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and 10 times as salty as the Mediterranean – making it impossible for even non-swimmers to sink.
It is also a natural spa destination in every sense of the word, as the water and gooey black mud used in spa treatments are packed with feel-good minerals, including 12 that are not found in any other sea or ocean in the world.
In the past British visitors went for a dip in the Dead Sea as a novel addition to their holiday, but operators report that visitors are becoming more aware of Israel as a spa destination in its own right, with some booking dedicated spa packages of up to four nights.
Almost every hotel in Israel that now opens, or is renovated, includes a spa. Even some of the more economical three-star properties are now including some spa facilities.
Israel is a relatively small country - it takes only seven hours to drive north to south and only one hour from east to west at its shortest point - so it's easy for visitors to go on excursions to the Dead Sea, which can be pre-booked. Day trips are offered from Tel Aviv, a three-hour drive away, Jerusalem, just two hours away, and from the country's Red Sea resort, Eilat.
Public spas such as the one at Ein Gedi are popular; the last decade has seen huge growth in spas at mid to high-end hotels.
Many can be found at Ein Bekok, a good base for those who want to stay in the region for a relaxing spa break coupled with some sightseeing.
In addition to traditional spas with Dead Sea water pools, there are Asian-themed spas, offering holistic therapies for the mind, body and soul, and sporty spas that provide a combination of treatments and exercise. Spa menus range from indulgent beauty treatments, such as honey aroma moisture treatments and milk baths, to Dead Sea mud facials and body wraps.
Other notable spas include the Mineralia spa at Le Méridien Dead Sea in Ein Bekok. The extensive spa is said to be the largest in the Middle East, with 25 treatment rooms, two Dead Sea water pools and two large swimming pools. It offers a variety of dedicated packages, ranging from one to 11 days.
Currently, British visitors holidaying in Eilat have to connect in Tel Aviv but this winter Isrotel is launching charter return flights from Luton to Eilat between December 13 and April 12, 2010. The new Isrotel Sun Express flights can be combined with seven or 15 night stays at any Isrotel property in Eilat and clients wanting to visit the Dead Sea can book a seven-day package at its newest hotel, the Isrotel Dead Sea Resort and Spa on a half-board basis, including transfers to and from Eilat.
Page and Moy and singles holiday specialist Just You include a visit to the Dead Sea as part of their Holyland tour packages and other operators, including Superstar and Longwood, offer Dead Sea excursions. Superstar has a trip to the Dead Sea from Eilat for £70 per person and from Tel Aviv for £55. Longwood has a weekly day trip from Eilat to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spa from £70 and daily excursions from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from around £43.
Israel is being featured for the first time in Kirker Holidays' latest North Africa and Middle East brochure. The brochure dedicates a double page to Israel and includes Dead Sea packages. Kirker can also tailor-make short breaks to the Dead Sea.
For spa breaks to Israel and for all of your travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Speak to one of our friendly experts now by calling 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and start planning your Israel Spa Break holiday today!
At 417 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and 10 times as salty as the Mediterranean – making it impossible for even non-swimmers to sink.
It is also a natural spa destination in every sense of the word, as the water and gooey black mud used in spa treatments are packed with feel-good minerals, including 12 that are not found in any other sea or ocean in the world.
In the past British visitors went for a dip in the Dead Sea as a novel addition to their holiday, but operators report that visitors are becoming more aware of Israel as a spa destination in its own right, with some booking dedicated spa packages of up to four nights.
Almost every hotel in Israel that now opens, or is renovated, includes a spa. Even some of the more economical three-star properties are now including some spa facilities.
Israel is a relatively small country - it takes only seven hours to drive north to south and only one hour from east to west at its shortest point - so it's easy for visitors to go on excursions to the Dead Sea, which can be pre-booked. Day trips are offered from Tel Aviv, a three-hour drive away, Jerusalem, just two hours away, and from the country's Red Sea resort, Eilat.
Public spas such as the one at Ein Gedi are popular; the last decade has seen huge growth in spas at mid to high-end hotels.
Many can be found at Ein Bekok, a good base for those who want to stay in the region for a relaxing spa break coupled with some sightseeing.
In addition to traditional spas with Dead Sea water pools, there are Asian-themed spas, offering holistic therapies for the mind, body and soul, and sporty spas that provide a combination of treatments and exercise. Spa menus range from indulgent beauty treatments, such as honey aroma moisture treatments and milk baths, to Dead Sea mud facials and body wraps.
Other notable spas include the Mineralia spa at Le Méridien Dead Sea in Ein Bekok. The extensive spa is said to be the largest in the Middle East, with 25 treatment rooms, two Dead Sea water pools and two large swimming pools. It offers a variety of dedicated packages, ranging from one to 11 days.
Currently, British visitors holidaying in Eilat have to connect in Tel Aviv but this winter Isrotel is launching charter return flights from Luton to Eilat between December 13 and April 12, 2010. The new Isrotel Sun Express flights can be combined with seven or 15 night stays at any Isrotel property in Eilat and clients wanting to visit the Dead Sea can book a seven-day package at its newest hotel, the Isrotel Dead Sea Resort and Spa on a half-board basis, including transfers to and from Eilat.
Page and Moy and singles holiday specialist Just You include a visit to the Dead Sea as part of their Holyland tour packages and other operators, including Superstar and Longwood, offer Dead Sea excursions. Superstar has a trip to the Dead Sea from Eilat for £70 per person and from Tel Aviv for £55. Longwood has a weekly day trip from Eilat to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spa from £70 and daily excursions from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from around £43.
Israel is being featured for the first time in Kirker Holidays' latest North Africa and Middle East brochure. The brochure dedicates a double page to Israel and includes Dead Sea packages. Kirker can also tailor-make short breaks to the Dead Sea.
For spa breaks to Israel and for all of your travel needs be sure to make Barrhead Travel your first port of call. Speak to one of our friendly experts now by calling 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk and start planning your Israel Spa Break holiday today!
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