Booking a holiday abroad has never been easier. Thanks to the advent of the Internet, which to a large extent has rendered travel agents redundant. With tourists now able to book breaks to holidays hot spots such as Lanzarote direct online.
Lanzrote forms part of the Canary Island group. Which is part of Spain and the EU but which is located close to the coast of West Africa. During the 1980´s these islands briefly became a byword for package holidays – but today there are just as many upmarket luxury accommodation options as there are good value choices. With Lanzarote for example boasting no less than six 5 star hotels.
Lanzarote, the fourth largest of the islands and one of the most unspoiled, boasts no less than six 5 star hotels. Including the sumptuous Gran Melia Volcan, which is located right at the southern tip of the island in the fast growing resort of Playa Blanca. The Volcan forms part of the stylish Rubicon Marina development which is home to loads of luxury yachts. And along with sister establishment the Gran Melia Salinas in Costa Teguise is regarded as one of the best Lanzarote hotels.
Arguably the best known hotel on the island though is the Arrecife Gran. As this occupies a building which was a notorious landmark on Lanzarote during the 1990´s. As it was originally built by flouting local planning laws – which prohibited high rise constructions taller than a Canarian palm tree. So for many years this building lay burnt out and derelict right on the seafront. Eventually though the island government took the pragmatic approach and granted permission for creation of a luxury hotel. Which spans 17 floors and is the tallest edifice on the island.
The Gran Melia hotel is owned by Spain´s Sol hotel chain, who also have another 5 star establishment in the southern resort of Playa Blanca. The Gran Melia Volcan is situated right next to the upmarket Rubicon Marina development, which provides an atmospheric environment for dining out or strolling around the shops. The Volcan also has a unique entrance hall atrium which is designed to echo the islands most famous landmark – the volcanoes of the Timanfaya National Park which are located just a short drive away from the resort.
Around half of all visitors to Lanzarote prefer self-catering accommodation to hotels and there’s a wide selection of Lanzarote villas for them to choose from across the island. Apartments in Lanzarote also provide a good value alternative for these seeking to book a break in the sun on a budget.
You can find details of Lanzarote 4 star hotels and further Lanzarote villas here.
Germany is really strong in reinventing itself. It has done it many times during the history, and it has done it again after the reunification in 1990. Germany, like the phoenix bird, has born again from its ashes: in Hamburg they build an entire quarter on the ruins of a harbor, the dome of Frauenkirch is dominating again the skyline of Dresden and Berlin is more open-minded and creative than ever before.
Greece is a country everybody will find charming. Those who are looking for cultural relaxation can visit museums and ruins, while hedonists who only care about their tan can sunbathe at the beach. Light and air are clear, floral aromas are carried by the wind, and the best thing about all is the combination of ouzo and octopus.
El Salvador doesn’t get the attention it deserves: travelers usually choose Guatemala and Costa Rica, but overlook El Salvador, frightened by stories about civil war and gang violence. However, the civil war ended 20 years ago, and while there is still serious gang violence, it is played exclusively by rival gangs, and tourists never get involved. El Salvador doesn’t have as many natural reservations as its neighbors, but if you get there, you will have all the picturesque forests, volcanoes and alpine lakes all for yourself.
Malaysia is an island of peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia. There are no floods or political turmoil, roads are excellent, transportation is good and hotels are of international standard. The best thing in Malaysia that it lets you explore problem free the exciting culture of Southeast Asia. And it is not a very expensive country, either.
Morocco is a melting pot of the Muslim and secular, Berber and Arab, Mediterranean and African world. Morocco is a very modern country with many links to the western world. Moroccans are just as concerned about radical islam as Westerners are. Moroccans live simple lives, hoping that tourism will bring a better future for their country and themselves.
Nepal had a lot of troubles in the last decade, but in 2008 it seems everything came to a resting point: the rebels started to govern, the kingdom became a republic and the king became a civilian. The fall of monarchy means peace for Nepal. This is really good news for tourists.
New Zealand makes it in the top every year for quite some time. The two islands in the middle of nowhere have everything a tourist dreams about, and even more. There are rainforests and glaciers, geothermal springs and volcanic plains. Wildlife is unique, the maori culture is as vibrant as ever, and nobody will have any complaints about the food and drink either.
Portugal is made of two totally different worlds. The country has rich Christian traditions, medieval villages and ancient vineyards. However, modernity also marked the country: suburban lifestyle becomes more and more popular, and old city centers are crowded with trendy cafes, art galleries and boutiques.
Suriname is undoubtedly the smallest, most diverse and most interesting country in South America. Inhabitants are descendants of Chinese, Javanese and Indian workers, West African slaves, indigenous Amerindians and Lebanese, Jewish and Dutch settlers. This may sound as the perfect recipe of civil war: wrong, all these people live together peacefully.
Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including many European countries by car. Tolearn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit www.zencarhire.com