Located in close proximity to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, Sharjah is the capital city of the UAE and happens to be an exotic holiday destination for thousands of tourists from all over the world. Sharjah is an extremely popular tourist destination as it offers a combined experience of desert dunes and sea beaches. Further, you can indulge in an endless shopping spree – this place known as a shopper’s paradise. Sharjah will certainly be an unlimited source of fun and entertainment for your entire family. Let us have a closer look at some of the things you can do or see in this small desert country.

Sharjah Aquarium:

The Sharjah Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions of this flourishing Middle East country. This amazing underwater world is located only a whisker away from the city’s iconic observation-wheel known as “Eye of the Emirates.” The aquarium educates the visitors about the marine life of gulf region. You get a spectacular sight of the rich marine life of Sharjah’s eastern as well as western seas. You can view the wonderful sea creatures such as turtles, lion-fish, reef sharks, sea horses, clown fish, stingrays, and moray eels. You can have a wonderful experience of coral reefs, mangroves, and lagoons. A visit to the aquarium is a fulfilling experience and you gain a better understanding of how to conserve the environment.

A Desert Safari:

A desert safari could be your best bet if you are looking for an unforgettable experience of fun and entertainment. You can easily hire a special four-wheeler (4WD) that takes you though the desert sands at a blazing-fast speed. You get a rush of excitement when the vehicle crashes against hot sand dunes. The fun is overwhelming when the vehicle bounces over rocks and passes through small water streams. Locally this is known as “Wadi Bashing” and it concludes an hour before the sunset. So you get a chance to capture the beautiful sunset in the backdrop of the desert. Just take out your camera shoot as many pictures as you like. This is followed by a dinner on the desert sands. You get to enjoy the mouthwatering local barbecue dishes. Of course, the experience ends in the night after you enjoy a local song along with the famous belly-dance inside a desert tent.

Enjoy the Beach:

The eastern coast offers the best scenic beaches in UAE. The yellowish sands and the foams created by waves breaking on gentle rocks make a perfect sight for beach lovers. Khorfakkan is the most popular beach. This place is also known as the “creek of two jaws” as it surrounds the Bay of Khor-Fakkan from two sides. There is a beautiful walkway along the long beach. You can have a comfortable walk along this path. You can also enjoy the exotic local foods sold on the beach. Of course, you can visit the nearby fishing village.

Indulge in Shopping:

Your holiday experience in Sharjah is never complete without indulging in a shopping spree. The Central Market is the most popular place for shopping in this little desert country. You can also check out the marketplace on Khaled Lagoon. There are more than six hundred shops selling a diverse range of items. You get it all – from electronic gadgets to precious stones. You find a marvelous display of local handicrafts as well.

When you land in Sharjah, you will be surprised to find many beautiful beaches scattered around this desert like landscape. You can easily find good hotels in Sharjah near these exotic beaches. The hotels are affordable and offer a magnificent view of the seemingly endless coastal belt. So, pack your bags and visit this wonderful place soon!

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To put it simply, even though ice hotels look rather extravagant and lavish, they basically function like oversized igloos. While solid blocks of ice are used to create the exteriors of these formidable, larger-than-life structures, intricately designed, petite pieces are used to create the interiors. Colourful lighting inside ice hotels transforms a frigid arctic dwelling into a palace where everything glitters, and this is bound to make your stay magical. The ice bar, ice chapel, ice utensils and ice furniture that you have access to inside an ice hotel, will offer you a feel that no other kind of accommodation in Lapland can match. TheWhiteCircle.com, in particular, has a wealth of amazing igloo-like options.

Most ice hotels in Lapland are situated near rivers where workers draw water, freeze the water into ice, cut the ice into large blocks before trucking them into place. Extensively built ice hotels that have a large capacity require approximately five to six weeks for construction. As spring approaches around April, all this work melts away and the hoteliers have to wait till September to start reconstruction.

Even though earlier, ice hotels intended to cater to only those tourists who took a keen interest in novelties and unusual environments, today they have acquired the status of destination hotels, and they have done so in their own right. Travelers no longer want to stay in lodgings close to tourist attractions; they want to be in the midst of it all. People who have already had the privilege of staying at an ice hotel often describe the experience as exhilarating. So if you plan to visit Lapland for your next vacation, make sure to stay at an ice or snow hotel.

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The South of France, often known as le Midi, covers an extensive amount of geography. For this reason and more, the region offers up a number of pleasant surprises for all who visit the area. For those planning a visit to the southern part of France (accommodation abound on this website), deciding on exactly which attractions to see may be challenging. Below are the 5 best historical attractions in the South of France.

Castle of Carcassone

Regarded as being among the most impressive castles within Europe, Castle of Carcassone, along with its encompassing walled city was nearly destroyed during the 19th Century. Luckily, total destruction was avoided and French architect, Viollet-de-Duc took charged of rebuilding. Carcassone served as an important trading region and was utilized as a stronghold during the middle ages. There is no cost to enter, and visitors are free to walk the grounds and streets.

Font de Gaume

Font de Gaume is a cave painting area which is located near Les Eyzies. The site dates back to 14,000BC, and was known about by locals long before the paintings were actually identified in 1901. The cave system contains over 230 total images, with new images being exposed as the caves are cleaned. The images offer a glimpse into life during prehistoric times. Font de Gaume tours can be booked online. Advance booking is wise, as the site tends to be extremely busy.

Villefranche Beach

Another option for relaxation would be a visit to the village of Villefranche. This sea-side village was voted among the very best beaches within Europe. Being located near Nice, Villefranche and its bay are often used as movie settings. Visitors are free to go sailing, peruse the beautiful coastline, and enjoy some of the best seafood restaurants to be found anywhere.

Canal du Midi

Possibly more attractive than historical, the Canal du Midi is perfect for those who wish to cycle through the countryside. The footpaths extend from Toulouse to Agde, offering 250km of canal area for exploration. Although cycling is a favorite activity of this area, tours are also available by boat for those who would prefer a more relaxing experience.

Accrobranche

Accrobranche, located in Motagnac, is an excellent area for active individuals. The fascinating woodland centered destination offer plenty of safe and stimulating activities. Although many of the activities here are geared towards children, adults will also be able to participate. Of course there is also the option to simply explore the gorgeous surroundings which are a part of so many of the areas within the South of France.

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Many people associate vacations with summer time. With the kids out of school, a family can plan a trip to the beach, their favorite amusement park, or other outdoor activities. What many families are discovering, however, is that winter vacations can be a unique, memorable way to share time together. In fact, winter activity holidays are great for all the family, which is why you should see trips here and get overseas as soon as possible.

A vacation to Lapland can be a great time for everyone, with activities that the whole family can enjoy. For those who love adventure and love the outdoors, they can go on a cross country skiing exhibition or a sled ride driven by huskies. The majesty of the Finnish countryside in the winter is a sight to be seen. The crisp, clean air and being surrounded by a blanket of pure snow will provide an exhilarating experience. For those who want this experience but worry it may be too much physical activity, a snow mobile ride can provide the same experience without proving too taxing on the individual.

Another exhilarating outdoor experience is Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. This fantastic light show from mother nature is truly a stunning, once in a lifetime experience. Because Lapland lies mostly in the Arctic Circle, it provides some of the best views of the Northern Lights with minimal light pollution. This will allow the lights to shine through unimpeded and letting you get the full effect of this majestic marvel. While there is no guarantee that the lights will be on display, by minimizing light pollution you can be sure you have the best chance possible of seeing these lights.

When you’re done for the day, you can retire to your own private log cabin, giving you a chance to live in the wilderness, away from it all. Maybe you want to relax in the sauna, or maybe you just want to sit in silence away from the noise of the big city. Either way, there will be plenty to do in the cabin even after a full day of activities. There is also a pool in the facility which children will love.

No matter what you enjoy doing, there is no doubt that winter activity holidays are great for all the family. By taking an adventure holiday to Lapland, you will find a winter vacation will prove even more exiting and even more memorable than the traditional summer excursions. To start creating memories that will last a lifetime, plan your winter vacation to Lapland today!

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It’s easy to think that all destinations are best seen in the summer, but if you ask me, that’s not necessarily the case. That said, there are some cities that are absolutely at their best when the sun is shining; below, you’ll find my list of the ultimate European capitals to visit in summer 2013.

1) Stockholm

First on my list is the Swedish capital, Stockholm. As it’s located on 14 islands, it is often likened to Venice – and it’s certainly scenic! What I particularly like about Stockholm is that despite its beauty and brilliant range of attractions, it tends to have fewer tourists than other European capitals, which is always a bonus if you don’t fancy spending your summer holiday battling with crowds.

Alongside the simple fact that it’s a pretty city, Stockholm sees an impressive 18 hours of sunshine a day in the summer months, which is one of the main reasons to visit during the season. The chance to explore one of the planet’s loveliest capitals while being bathed in sunshine for hours on end is too good to miss.

One thing I think everyone should do while here is take a canal tour, since this is a wonderful way to explore the city and see it at its best. You should visit sites like the Royal Palace and the Royal City National Park too, while Stockholm is also home to the country’s oldest theme park, Grona Lund.

2) Budapest

The capital of Hungary is my next suggestion for anyone looking for cheap holiday deals this summer, and one that I think is perfect for anyone hoping to get away from the usual tourist trail. This gorgeous city is located on the shores of the River Danube and has a great combination of attractions for a summer break.

For instance, there are lots of public baths that are fed by hot springs. While the indoor options are, of course, great for relaxing, you can’t beat the outdoor baths when it comes to making the most of the summer.

There are also some brilliant parks to unwind in, including the City Park, which is home to a glorious fairytale-like castle. But perhaps one of the best things to do in summer is attend the seven-day Sziget festival, which takes place on Obudai Island from August 5th to 12th this year.

Giving you a chance to party pretty much 24 hours a day, this festival has a great line-up that includes acts like Biffy Clyro. Plus, you can see a host of other shows, including circus performances.

3) Copenhagen

The last destination on my list is Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, which is home to an excellent variety of things to do and see. This city is pretty at any time of the year, but is a particularly exciting place to explore in the summer, when you can make the most of its many outdoor attractions.

On your list of places to see should definitely be the famous bronze statue The Little Mermaid, as well as the Tivoli Gardens. While you might assume from its name that it is just a place where you can see beautiful blooms, the Tivoli Gardens has much more to offer than that (though it’s certainly a decent place to enjoy some colourful flowers!).

In fact, come here and you can enjoy a host of theme park rides, alongside things like live music and, on Saturdays during the peak season, amazing firework displays. Other places not to miss include the Stroget shopping district and Copenhagen Zoo.

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If you travel to the very south of Croatia and hit the coastline of the Adriatic Sea, you’ll probably find the old town of Dubrovnik. This is Croatia’s top tourist destination and one of the Mediterraneans finest places. It can be found smack-down the middle of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. This places was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO back in the 1790s and is now called the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. Dubrovnik has a wonderful and rich history as it was one of the most prominent cities during the 15th Century. It was the only city-state that rivaled Venice at that time. If you do decide to head over to Croatia and visit this wonderful city, it is best that you look for nice holiday apartments in Dubrovnik.

When planning a trip, you need to cover all your bases. Make sure that you have everything you need from clean clothes to extra cash. It is also best to look for accommodation ahead of time. Short-term rentals or holiday apartments are a better alternative to hotels. These are for travelers who want to feel at home during their vacation. There are many benefits to renting a holiday apartment. Doing this can make your stay a whole lot better.

Many people think that booking a hotel room is the most convenient option when traveling to Europe. However, room rates may be too expensive for those who are staying for a week or longer. When traveling with a group of four or more, hotel rooms do not offer privacy. Chances are, one or two people will end up sleeping on the floor instead of having their own bed. Families who travel with children will not have enough space in a cramped hotel room. Getting a luxury room or a nice suite will also be of no use if you do not intend to spend most of your time inside the hotel.

Luckily, travelers can choose to rent an apartment for one week or longer if they wish to visit Dubrovnik. There are many short-term apartments available for those who want a nice city-break. You can choose from lavishly furnished, private-owned flats to small studio units with working kitchenettes. The best thing about renting an apartment for your holiday is the lease rate. You’ll end up saving a lot of money that you can use on your vacation by choosing to rent an apartment room instead of booking a place at a hotel.

Searching for holiday apartments in Dubrovnik is not difficult at all. You can find the perfect place over the internet by conducting an online search. There are flats available with two or more bedrooms for those who want a bit of privacy or more room during their stay. Parents who are traveling with their toddlers can benefit from the working kitchens available at holiday apartments. You will be able to feel more relaxed and at home in Dubrovnik by renting a holiday apartment instead of going to a bed and breakfast or booking a hotel room.

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