Egypt holidays - great winter sun destination for all the family

Egypt is renowned for its pyramids, the great Sphinx of Giza, pharoahs and a preserved existence of ancient civilisations. Egypt is a fantastic winter sun destination and the popular holiday resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada provide a great base for visiting all of the attractions the African country has to offer.

A holiday to Egypt would not be complete without a trip to the famous pyramids of Giza, along with the great Sphinx. The three pyramids which were built over 4000 years ago are the last of the seven wonders of the world. Visit them early in the morning before the sun becomes too intense. Also, visit the famous necropolis, resting place of many ancient rulers of the kingdon of the Nile, including the most renowned of pharaohs, Tutankhamun.

Egypt offers fantastic weather, the sun shining all year round. However; the best time to visit the country is during the winter months before the climate rises to over 33 degrees in the summer. The holiday resorts, Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada, offer luxury accommodation and restaurants, white sandy beaches and beautiful clear seas perfect for diving in. Cheap flights to Egypt are available from many UK airports, and the flight is relatively short at just 5 hours. Travellers therefore visit Egypt during the winter as an alternative to long-haul destinations which offer the same climate at that time of the year.

For more information about the land of the pharaohs, visit the Egypt Tourism Office website.

Madeira Wine Festival

Every September, Funchal and Câmara de Lobos host the Madeira Wine Festival, in which the locals of Madeira celebrate the harvest of their world-famous wine. The festival starts at Câmara de Lobos, with a 'live harvest' show, where the locals adopt traditional harvest methods. The grapes are collected and sqaushed by foot in front of the Festival's crowd. The celebrations of the Wine Festival also take place in Funchal, where light and sounds shows are hosted.

The Madeira Wine Festival provides great entertainment and gives a fantastic opportunity to sample some of the locally produced wine. For more information visit the Madeira Islands Official Tourism website.

Madeira is only a short flight from the UK and is a great holiday destination; you can choose from holidays on the black sand beaches, in the mountains or in the city. The island has warm, comfortable summers and mild winters, which make Madeira a perfect year-round destination.

Madeira is a beautiful island with stunning scenery; it has been described as a 'floating garden'. The island blooms with with colourful masses of orchids, bougainvillea, frangipani, wisteria and geraniums. Fruit and herbs grow in profusion on the hillsides and in ravines, and the mountain slopes are terraced with orchards and vineyards. The most enjoyable way to explore the island is to follow the course of the levadas (irrigation channels). Madeira's stunning scenery is compimented by the island's rich cultural and historical heritage. Funchal is home to the majority of Madeira's built heritage, there are plenty of historical monuments, squares and streets to explore.

Make sure you make time to visit the Funchal Botanical Garden, the volcanic caves, the Orchid Garden, Madeira Story Centre and Cabo Girão (one of the world's highest ocean cliffs). Madeira is also great for golf, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

For more information visit the Madeira Islands Tourism website.

Celebrities are booking their travel deals and flocking to Sardinia

This summer Sardinia has seen an influx in celebrity visitors for relaxing breaks in the sun. Stars that have taken a holiday on the Italian island recently include Jamie and Louise Redknapp, Flavio Briatore and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The island of Sardinia is a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy a short haul beach holiday. It is a tranquil, picturesque holiday destination that offers great water sports including diving and fishing, along with mountain activities such as trekking and cycling.

For more information on travel deals to Sardinia please visit www.Traveonly.co.uk
Cagliari is a great base to explore the rest of Sardinia. Cagliari is Sardinia's capital and biggest town, but, despite its size, Cagliari is a charming city. Highlights include; the National Archaeological Museum, the impressive cathedral and numerous Roman ruins.

For more information on Cagliari travel deals please visit www.Travelonly.co.uk.
Sardinia's attractions include; beautiful beaches, Alghero's old-world harbour, Costa Smeralda's marinas home to multi-million dollar yachts and the abundant wildlife including flamingos.

If you want to find out what travel deals are available in Sardinia please visit www.Travelonly.co.uk for more information.

Travel deals to Greece soar after success of film Mamma Mia

It has been reported that 'Mamma Mia! The Movie' has put Greece on the map, and since the success of the film, bookings to destinations across Greece and its islands have increased sharply.
Mamma Mia! The Movie bought an all star cast together in Greece, including Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. The film was shot in numerous locations in Greece, both on the mainland and on some of its islands incuding Skiathos and Skopelos.

Greece is renowned for its beautiful weather, charming little villages, shaded olive groves and traditional tavernas. It is a popular holiday destination with families, couples and groups alike, as mainland Greece and its islands have something for everyone.Tourists flock to the Greek islands each year for relaxed summer holidays. Family-friendly beach resorts can be found on all of the Greek islands including Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Kos and Zante. Tourist resorts tend not to be over developed in Greece, although they still have a variety of fantastic restaurants, bars and souvenir shops.

Skiathos is one of the smallest Greek islands, yet has its own airport and more than 60 beaches. It is a great option for couples and families who want a relaxing sunny beach holiday, but with plenty of facilities and activities. The island has a lively marina, bars, seafood and traditional restaurants and excellent watersports.

For travel deals to Skiathos please visit www.travelonly.co.uk the uk's fastest growing travel comparison site.

Skopelos is situated just off Skiathos and is not much larger than its neighbouring island. Skopelos is a very quiet island and therefore is the perfect place for a laid back holiday. It is charming with its traditional whitewash buildings and is surprisingly lush with pine forests and ollive groves.

There are a number of livelier resorts in Greece, particularly attractive to young groups. These include Faliraki in Rhodes, Kavos in Corfu and Malia in Crete. The resorts are quiet beach resorts in the day, which come alive late at night and stay lively until very late in the morning. There is an abundance of bars and nightclubs in these resorts, amongst many hotels designed specifically for young groups.

For more information on travel deals to Greece and its islands, visit www.Travelonly.co.uk

Miami Carnival

The Miami Carnival is one of the biggest street carnivals in the USA and the highlight of which is the carnival parade. The carnival parade if held on the final day of the festival at Bicentennial Park, with over 25 steel bands and live entertainment from Miami DJs and Soca stars. The two weeks prior to the carnival parade are also filled with exciting events, with the Mini-Carnival and Jump-up parade on Key Biscayne, there is also a mini-parade with costumed participants as well as caribbean food, drink and arts & crafts.

Miami, Florida, is a cosmopolitan hotspot, and although it is the retirement capital of the United States, it is also playground to the young, rich and famous. It is a fun beach resort, with fantastic warm weather, clean beaches, preserved art deco architecture and a lively, varied nightscene. Nightlife is sophisticated, with bars and clubs offering varied entertainment, perfect for after a taste of Florida in one of the many restaurants. Eating out ranges from 24 hour fast food stands to five star sensational restaurants.

Miami lives outdoors. Sunbathing is a popular past-time, but for the more energetic visitors, there's watersports, golf, sunset cruises and great shopping malls to stroll around.

The city of Miami is the perfect base for Florida holiday, and gives easy access to the top attractions in the area, including Disney World, the Gold Coast and the naturally beautiful everglades.

For more information please visit the Miami Carnival Website

Amsterdam Canal Parade

The Amsterdam Canal Parade is the highlight of Amsterdam's Pride celebrations and this spectacular event attracts around 350,000 spectators as it passes through the city's main canals. Colourful decorated flat-bottom boats, barges and 'floating clogs' all pass through Amsterdam's waterways carrying costumed dancers and partygoers. The best places to watch the Amsterdam Canal Parade are from the bridges over the Prinsengracht and the Amstel, or from the quaysides by the Muziektheater. The next annual Amsterdam Canal Parade will be held on 7th August 2010.

For more information please visit The Amsterdam Gay Pride Website Amsterdam is a popular city break destination with couples, families and groups alike. Amsterdam is a compact city making it easy to explore on foot, or a popular choice of transport with the locals is the bicycle. The 17th century houses, cobbled streets, art museums and minimalist cafes make Amsterdam feel quintessentially Dutch. The city draws visitors to its beautiful canal network, unique culture and relaxed atmosphere.

There are plenty of sights and attractions for types of visitors; Amsterdam has various historical buildings, churches and monuments, as well as numerous windmills and musuems. Visitors can also enjoy shopping or take advantage of Amsterdam's waterways by taking a canal cruise or hiring a boat. Amsterdam, although popular with visitors looking for a cultural city break, is home to many stag and hen parties. The lively nightlife of the city attracts groups for weekend city breaks, and includes trendy bars, fashionable clubs and the infamous red light district.

Cheap flights can be found from many airports across the UK, and as Amsterdam is a short flight away it makes an excellent choice for a weekend city break. (To book cheap fights to Amsterdam visit Flydeals.co.uk) There is a range of accommodation in the city, ranging from budget guest houses to luxury hotels. The closer you stay to the centre of the city the more you will expect to pay for your stay in Amsterdam.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

One of the largest arts festivals in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, will take place 4 - 31 August 2010. The Edinburgh Fringe has grown immensely since it first started in 1947, and is made up of a variety of stand up comedy shows, theatrical performances, music and exhibitions.

The show is in its 64th year this year and will be the largest of them all. There will be over 40,000 performances of over 2400 shows in 259 different venues across Edinburgh. An estimated 21,148 performers will take to the stage at the 2010 festival, compared to 18,901 in 2009 and 18,792 performers in 2008.

Virtually anybody who can afford a stand at the festival is welcome to take part, which results in the Edinburgh Fringe being a massively popular event. The events take place in hundreds of different venues across the city, and performers come from all over the world. The festival is great for all the family, as there are many childrens' events to enjoy also.

For more information about the festival, visit the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010 website.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a popular European city break destination with tourists from all over the world. It has one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world with an amazing mix of galleries and museums, restaurants and bars, and all the shopping you could wish for. The Medieval splendour, streets steeped in history, captivating culture, exciting entertainment and traditional Scottish restaurants all appeal to families, couples and groups alike. Discover world-class museums and galleries, take a tour on an open-top bus or even visit the city's own zoo. There really is something for everyone in Edinburgh.

Accommodation is in abundance in Edinburgh, from stylish hotels in the centre of the city to rural retreats in the Scottish highlands. There are also guesthouses and self catering properties. Spa breaks are also popular with visitors to the city. The city has an excellent nighlife scene, suitable for all ages. There are lively bars and clubs, theatres, cinemas and opera houses.

Edinburgh is not just for city break visitors. The city has a number of fantastic golf courses, bike tracks amongst the mountains and beautiful botanical gardens with thousands of species of plants.

Copenhagen Night of Culture

Every year in October, Copenhagen hosts the 'Night of Culture'. Museums, galleries, churches and theatres, libraries, exhibitions halls and the Rosenborg Palace all open their doors during the night so that visitors can explore the city's attractions after dark.

During the Night of Culture there are street parties, music, dancing and food stalls throughout the city. You will need a pass to get into all of the venues, but this will also give you access to the free shuttle transport around the city.

For more information visit the Night of Culture guide.

Copenhagen is a fascinating city in Denmark, and is home to popular events all year round. Copenhagen hosts cultural celebrations, sporting events, open-air operas and film festivals. It is also a great city destination for taking tours and excursions. You will soon discover that one of the great joys of Copenhagen is its compact size, which means that most of its main sights and attractions can be seen on foot. The sheer density of attractions within the city means that organised tours are often a good way to make the most of a short visit and there are plenty of walking, boat, bicycle and bus tours to choose from.

As with many European cities, Copenhagen has an abundance of bars and restaurants. Copenhagen; however, has a beautiful harbour with waterfront cafes making it a popular focal point in the evenings. The cafes are trendy meeting places, and at weekends many transform into bars and mini nightclubs.

Copenhagen is a year round city break destination. To avoid the crowds, the best time to visit would be in spring or autumn. Summers are warm and ideal for enjoying the outdoor entertainment and activities. Winters in Copenhagen are extremely cold and many of the lakes freeze; however the Christmas markets are worth a visit and draw tourists from all over the world.

Copenhagen makes a great city break destination because of its proximily to the UK. Cheap flights are available from UK airports and there is a vast range of accommodation in the city. The capital has a variety of places to stay, ranging from small cosy guesthouses on the outskirts of the city, to luxury 5* hotels in the centre of the action.

For more information on Copenhagen, visit the Copenhagen Tourism website.

Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival 2010

The Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival which is being held 18th september 2010 was first held in 1991 to celebrate the Mexican Independence and is now a popular annual event. The mariachis convene in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino dressed in wide-brimmed hats and studded charro suits. The mariachis play songs which speak about machismo, love, betrayal, death, politics and revolutionary heroes using instruments such as the bass guitaron, guitar, violin and trumpet.

Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment City of the World, it is home to a vast selection of casinos & hotels, great shopping, exciting rides, lavish shows and a huge selection of restaurants. The strip, is the heart of Las Vegas, and has been the setting for many movies and tv shows. Most entertainment is provided on the Strip - gambling, shows and bars & restaurants. Within Las Vegas, you should make time to see the Bellagio fountains, MGM Grand lion habitat, shark reef at Mandalay Bay, Stratosphere Tower, Grand Canal shopping centre at the Venetian Hotel, Fremont Street and take a helicopter tour at night. There are also major sights just outside Las Vegas, including the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley and the Great Basin National Park.

For more information please visit the Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival Website

Direct flights to Las Vegas are available from the UK; to book Cheap Flights go to http://www.travelonly.co.uk/ Las Vegas offers a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets, which range from basic hotels to high-end luxury hotels.