Cyprus, California, the Great Lakes of America ... with Barrhead Travel!

Still trying to decide on your next holiday destination? We at Barrhead Travel are here to help. Here's the hot destinations that we're recommending this week:

Cyprus

While accommodation in some European countries doesn’t always live up to UK standards, Cyprus is a class act. Luxury spa resorts, boutique properties and upmarket villas with pools have replaced a glut of mid market hotels.

The island was recently awarded its highest ever number of Blue Flag beaches – 53 in total – and rated top spot in Europe for bathing in water by the European Commission and European Environmental Agency Commission.

Cyprus has always offered a quality product. In recent years, the choice of upmarket hotels has increased, both in the five-star category and with new boutique hotels. There is a continual programme of investment by hotels to improve their facilities, particularly with the introduction of state-of-the-art spas.

Cyprus is the home of meze, which means visitors can try a bit of everything in one meal. Dish after dish of tasty morsels will appear on the table – sometimes up to 30 of them – and then it’s time to start feasting.

Olives, salad and fresh bread are first to arrive, with dips such as taramasalata and garlicky skordalia. Then expect octopus in red wine, snails in tomato sauce, and pork delicacy zalatina, accompanied by pickled cauliflower and lemon-dressed greens. Leave room for kalamari, sardines, grilled halloumi cheese and meatballs, smoked sausage and moussaka. It’s not over – there are still souvlakia, kleftiko and grilled chicken to come. For anyone who miraculously still has room dessert is generally some fresh fruit and syrup-soaked pastries.

You can find meze in any local taverna, but for a whole holiday filled with typical Cypriot flavour, book into a traditional stone house.

There are few more distinctive backdrops than Paphos Castle. This imposing building sits at the edge of the harbour, its stout walls descending into the bay. Built, captured and rebuilt many times throughout history, it’s been used as a fortress, a prison and even as a salt warehouse during the British occupation. These days one of its more decorative purposes is as the backdrop to the annual open-air cultural festival.

This year, the Aphrodite Festival runs from September 4-6 and visitors can sit outside as dusk falls and listen to an opera. The National Opera of Sofia will perform Lakme by French composer Leo Delibes, which tells the story of the doomed 19th century love affair between and English army officer and the daughter of an Indian Brahmin. British listeners may recognise the melody of one of the most famous arias from British Airways’ advertisements.

Stretching across much of the southwest of inland Cyprus, the Troodos Mountains are a stunning range of peaks. Pine-scented paths meander through river valleys and past quiet villages. A trek along one of the many well-marked routes is a peaceful respite from the lively tourist areas on the coast, and the chance to visit some of the many Byzantine churches and monasteries that nestle on the mountains. Some are tiny, no more than four walls and a dome; others are large structures with ornate frescoes, glowing with gold leaf.

Four main trails cover the area: one following the slopes of Mount Olympus, the highest peak, another circling the Chionistra summit, the last two leading to a series of waterfalls, and the fourth up to a spectacular viewpoint.

Even those with no equestrian experience will enjoy a day at a donkey farm. Donkey rides are widely available across the island, but the tours bookable through Argonaftis come highly recommended. These are designed to be fun for all the family and operate out of two locations, one near Paphos, the other not far from Ayia Napa. The donkeys are well treated, so kids won’t be upset by skeletal creatures covered in mange.

The day begins with a few snacks and a tour of the animal park to meet the donkeys, alongside the other waifs and strays who’ve been taken in, including goats, pigs, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, turtles, ostriches, and monkeys. Then it’s time to saddle up and get riding. There’s a demonstration first, before everyone is allocated a donkey according to their size. Donkey’s have strong personalities, and the slow, sometimes tangential journey past countryside and churches is often full of hilarity.

Afterwards, adults can relax with a glass of wine as the kids rush off excitedly to groom the donkeys and put them to bed. After a boozy barbecue, it’s time for some traditional dancing – a real taste of Cypriot village life.

Archaeological evidence suggests the Cypriots have been making wine for the last 6,000 year, so they’ve had plenty of time to get it right. Vineyards are everywhere in the southwest, sitting on the sunny lower slopes of the Troodos massif. The island’s main red varieties are Ofthalmo, Maratheftiko and Mavro, plus a white grape called Xynisteri. The two latter are combined to make the famous Commandaria, a sweet wine that is one of the oldest in the world.

There are plenty of opportunities to sample Cypriot wines, from village shops where staff are happy to offer tastes, to wineries and the vineyards themselves. The Cypriot tourist board publishes a guide to wine routes, so visitors can hire a car and explore, with groups of wine villages easily accessible from the Paphos and Limassol areas. There’s a wine museum in Erimi, and visitors to the villages of Omodos and Laneia can see vast ancient wine presses, which fill entire rooms of the old stone houses.

For a really wine-soaked experience, travel during the annual Limassol wine festival. Staged in the municipal gardens along the seafront there are stalls, tavernas, fountains, music – and let’s not forget the free wine. This years’ festival runs from August 28 to September 6.

With 485 miles of coastline, the sea is never far away when you’re on the island of Cyprus. For those who want action and adventure, it’s possible to waterski, windsurf, snorkel, canoe, jet-ski and sail – or simply swim. Sea temperatures are in the 20Cs from April right through to November. For paddling with a panorama, swim off the coast by Aphrodite’s Rock where, legend has it, the goddess of love rose out of the sea.

The sea is central to more relaxing pursuits, too. Cyprus is noted for its luxury hotels, many of which have extensive spas. In among the wide range of treatments on offer, most offer thalassotherapy options, where mineral-rich seawater and seaweed are used to tone and revitalise body and skin, often improving circulation. From mud baths to hydro-massage and aromatherapy to algae wraps, there are sea-related treatments to suit just about anyone.

Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort features the only indoor / outdoor thalassotherapy spa in Europe. The spa at Aphrodite Hills offers Greco-Roman style thermae bathing rituals and a whole host of signature packages, from short, two-hour options up to five day programmes for spa-obsessives. At Ayii Anargyri Spa Resort, a mineral-rich spring running down the hillside is channelled into the spa and used for treatments.


The Great Lakes

North America is a perennial chart-topper with the British market. While first-timers may head straight to the tourist hot spots, for those who want to explore further afield the Great Lakes region is a rewarding alternative.

Clustered around lakes Superior, Erie, Michigan and Huron in the northeast of the country, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are home to some of the US's most iconic attractions. The gateway to the region is Chicago's O'Hare Airport, which is serviced by daily.

There are also plenty of fun ways to get around. The region is well connected to the Amtrak rail network, or clients can opt for an RV motorhome, rent a Harley or go for a classic fly-drive package.

Here's a guide to some of the best attractions the region has to offer:

Cleveland, Ohio

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Arguably the best music attraction in the world, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is more like going to a party than visiting a museum. The floors of this visually spectacular building are an extravaganza of memorabilia, movies, music and interactive exhibits.

Watch a home game
Cleveland's Downtown area is awash with stadiums, making it a mecca for sports enthusiasts. Whatever time of year you visit, there's bound to be either a baseball, ice hockey, basketball or football match that you can pre-book tickets for.

Playhouse Square
Cleveland's theatre district is second only to New York in the number of productions staged each year. Seats, however, cost a fraction of what they would in the Big Apple.

Where to stay
The recently renovated Ritz-Carlton is contemporary, elegant and the des res of Downtown.

Sandusky, Ohio

This area is Lake Erie's waterfront playground, where the white-sand beach is backed by thrill rides.

Cedar Point
With 17 roller coasters - that's more than any other amusement park in the world - Cedar Point is the place for adrenaline junkies to get their fix. Dragster is the scariest. It launches you 420ft, reaching a speed of 120mph in just four seconds. There are rides and playgrounds for tots and little kids, too, with the new Planet Snoopy proving a big hit.

Where to stay:
Castaway Bay, a hotel resort with its own water park, or Lighthouse Point, which offers luxury cabins on the shorefront next to Cedar Point, and has an RV camper village.

Detroit, Michigan

Known as motor city because it was where car-manufacturing moguls such as Henry Ford founded their empires, Detroit also lends its nickname to one of the most successful record labels of all-time: Motown. In recent years, the city has made huge strides in shedding its gritty reputation with a major facelift for the Downtown area and the addition of a pedestrianised waterfront. However, it's still advisable to drive or take a cab rather than walk when exploring at night.

The Henry Ford Museum
Feast your eyes on an enviable display of auto eye-candy, which includes the last Model T Ford ever built and the first Mustang to come off the production line. Henry was also an avid collector of vintage Americana, also displayed.

The Motown Museum
This pint-sized building produced big names such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Gladys Knight. A tour takes you behind the scenes and then into Studio A where all the hits were recorded - and where visitors get a chance to take the mic.

MotorCity Casino
Retro-style neon, glitz and glamour - this is the place to see and be seen. Listen to the Motown-style bands on stage and the chink of quarter coins being dropped into the slot machines at an alarming rate.

Where to stay
The Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Centre is right on the waterfront with sweeping views across to Canada.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
This museum, right next to the track, charts the rise of the Indy 500 race - held here each May - alongside a collection of early sports cars. At certain times of the year, you can do three laps of the circuit behind the wheel of a genuine Indy car.

Eiteljorg Museum
A collection of Native American and Western art interspersed with historical artefacts that tell the tale of the Wild West era.

Where to stay
The Hampton Inn is comfortable and convenient.

Chicago, Illinois

The ultimate metropolis of the Great Lakes region and the home of Blues music, Chicago is a walkable city bursting with energy.

Millennium Park
Take a stroll around its contemporary sculptures and fountains, shop at the exclusive boutiques and department stores on the Magnificent Mile, and board a river cruise to marvel at the city's skyscrapers. At the end of the day head for a bird's-eye view of it all from the Sears Tower.

Where to stay
Park Hyatt Chicago has luxury rooms, pool, spa and gym overlooking the cityscape and is within walking distance of the major attractions. Essex Inn has floor-to-ceiling windows and a swimming pool in a glass atrium.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Harley-Davidson Museum
Visitors get to swoon at the racing, business and pleasure incarnations of these sought-after 'iron horses'. Just as much fun is admiring those parked outside by the Harley-Davidson fans who see visiting the museum, which opened last year, as a pilgrimage.

Milwaukee Art Museum
Looks good on the outside and is filled with treasures on the inside. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava's design has wings that flap at noon.

Festivals Park
Nicknamed the City of Festivals, there are back-to-back events held at Milwaukee's open-air exhibition space on the shores of Lake Michigan throughout the summer. These include Pride and Summerfest - the largest music festival on the planet, with 11 stages and 700 entertainers.

On the waterfront
Walk or cycle along the lake, through the parks and to the beach where you can watch volleyball matches or top up your tan.

Where to stay
The Iron Horse is a newly opened, luxury, minimalist, boutique property with a motorbike theme, a fantastic restaurant and a lively bar.


California

The coastal drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of the most thrilling in the US. The 485-mile Pacific Coast Highway is full of contrasts, with frenetic cities and sleepy villages, long stretches of open road and twisting turns, and rugged cliffs and white sandy beaches.

And while the words 'green' and 'road trip' don't usually go together, in California, where green consciousness takes centre stage, it is possible to blend the two, from travelling in a hybrid car to staying in the wide range of eco-friendly hotels on offer.

Days 1-3: Santa Monica, Los Angeles

Why?
Just five miles from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica feels like a world away from the smog-filled air and frenzied traffic in the city.

Where to stay
The Hotel Shangri-la Santa Monica, right opposite the beach and a two-minute walk from the lively Third Street Promenade, has just reopened after a $30 million refurbishment. This striking art deco property has a South Beach-style party vibe, and its monochrome cabanas are drawing in all kinds of LA luvvies.

Another feature of the hotel's new look is a raft of green practices. For example, the hotel only uses organic cleaning products, and toiletries come in recycled packaging.

What to do
Spend a day shopping on the pedestrianised Third Street Promenade, and stroll among well-heeled Angelenos up Montana Avenue, or hit the beach.

Days 3-5: Santa Barbara

Why?
An easy 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, this chilled-out beach town is a great spot to wind down from the big city. With perpetually blue skies, days are well spent relaxing on the beach or exploring the trendy boutiques on State Street. For something more upscale, admire the seven-figure mansions at nearby Montecito, home to Oprah Winfrey.

Where to stay
The Four Seasons Resort, the Biltmore, offers elegant luxury with a conscience. Behind the Biltmore's perfectly manicured grounds and Spanish-style cottages are a host of stringent green policies enforced by a dedicated 'green team' of staff.

Everything from glass to paper is recycled, old towels and sheets are donated to a homeless shelter, and the resort tracks its energy usage each week. Guests also use the Coral Casino Club, a 1930s-style beach club where it is easy to imagine golden-age Hollywood starlets sipping cocktails.

What to do
Leave the car behind and embark on the Red Tile walking tour, which takes in the County Courthouse, Stearns Wharf and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Or hop on the open-air electric shuttle on State Street for just 25c.

Days 6-7: The 17-mile drive from Carmel to Monterey

Why?
The famous 17-mile drive from the coastal village of Carmel to Monterey offers breathtaking ocean views and passes through exclusive neighbourhoods, sea lion viewing spots and golf courses.

Where to stay
The nautical-themed Captain's Inn is a friendly bed and breakfast near Monterey with a strong green ethos. As well as all the basics, the hotel staff have been helping to clean up a two-mile stretch of highway.

What to do
Take some time to wander aimlessly around Carmel's impossibly cute shops to see if you can catch sight of Clint Eastwood, who was mayor here from 1986-88.

Days 7-8: Big Sur

Why?
Located 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur is well worth the hair-raising drive around narrow bends and steep cliffs. Without any village centre, Big Sur consists of luxury hotels, art galleries and restaurants dotted among the trees, just off the road.

Where to stay?
The exclusive Post Ranch Inn offers guests the chance to feel close to nature without leaving luxury behind. The Inn, which produces its own pollution-free electricity thanks to recently installed solar panels, consists of a string of wood-and-glass lodges built into the cliffside with spectacular views.

What to do
A first port of call should be the Big Sur Bakery, an informal alternative to the Post Ranch Inn's Sierra Mar. The place is known for its woodfired pizza, but make sure you save room for its gooey chocolate chip cookies. For great views with your food, check out the Nepenthe restaurant.

Days 8-10: San Francisco

Why?
With its wonderful mishmash of cultures, San Francisco has a distinctive character and charm that makes it an exhilarating final stop on a US road trip.

Where to stay
The iconic Fairmont San Francisco is located on the top of Nob Hill, the highest peak in the city. Dating back to 1906, the hotel is steeped in history, and photographs of celebrity and royal guests line the walls.

The hotel is embracing eco-conscious travellers by offering an 'eco-chic' suite. Designed by eco-designer Kelly LaPlante, the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite has been created with organic and recyclable materials, and guests are offered a green specialist tour guide and complimentary use of a hybrid Lexus car.

What to do
A visit to San Francisco isn't complete without a boat trip to the imposing Alcatraz prison. For an overview of the city, try Mr Toad’s Tours in eco-friendly propane- powered 1930s cars

We reckon that you'll have a few more holiday ideas now! To book travel to any one of these tempting destinations, find out more information or for any assistance with your travel needs contact Barrhead Travel today on 0871 226 2673 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk