Dubai, U.A.E: Man Made Geology Holidays

March 30th, 2009

Dubai is the place for a fun packed holiday and geared for the tourist. Along with lots of shops, some that you will recognise from the UK, there are designer stores galore.Tax Free Shopping all day long, and a visit to the Gold Souk is a must. Although it is a very modern place, history and culture are also prevalent, somewhere to visit is the Dubai Museum which is housed in the oldest building, built in 1787 and has lots of interesting artefacts including a souk peopled by waxworks, and some wildlife from the desert. The old mixes with the new, from camel racing and the famous Dubai Cup at the Nad al Sheba racetrack, to the old boats and cruise liners. Dubai has something to offer everyone, beaches, desert activities, golf, shopping, and is friendly, safe and virtually crime-free. Dubai’s latest phenomenon, The Atlantis Hotel on the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah, has over 1500 rooms, the Palm is said to be the 8th wonder of the world. Blue skies can be expected for most of the year.

The people of Dubai have altered the Geology of the region by building massive structures off the coast. They are not only extending the coast line out into the water, but they could potentially mess with the tidal system. The structures and developments are incredibly impressive though, and it just goes to show what a few diggers and a load of sand can achieve!





Korcula Island, Croatia: Coastal Holidays

March 30th, 2009

From Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast to Zagreb in the North and the Istrian peninsula, Croatia has something to offer every tourist. The climate is Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast, which means warm dry summers and mild winters and it is one of the sunniest coastlines in Europe.  Sailing holidays are an option visiting some of the many islands off the coast, some uninhabited, Cruising, chartering a boat with or without a skipper or taking a sailing course for the beginner to the more advanced sailor among you. The former Yugoslavia offers fabulous, reasonably priced food some with an Italian influence and other local specialities such as a palacinke which is a crepe-like dessert often stuffed with walnuts or chocolate and sometimes served with ice cream.

Korcula Island belongs to the central Dalmatian archipelago and is a stunning Island known well for it’s nudist beaches! If that doesn’t float your boat but rocks do, check out the hidden coves and bays dotted along the coast of the Island. Secluded beaches and scattered boulders from cliffs that once stood are just some of the incredible geological sites you will see here.





Riga, Latvia: Beach and Sea Holidays

March 30th, 2009

Latvia ‘The Land That Sings’.  Whether you’re interested in museums, medieval castles or nature reserves Latvia offers them all. Latvian craftsmen have kept traditions alive which have been passed down from their ancestors, these can be seen in workshops and museums all over the country and include woodcarvers, potters, carpenters, stonemasons, weavers and tailors. Hunting and fishing are popular as there are many lakes as is boating and accommodation can be found in campsites, farmhouses or guesthouses. Watch out if you go hiking as you may see wildlife such as elk, deer, brown bears and wolves in the national parks. Latvia is a country with beautiful nature, wonderful people and great history.

Riga sits not too far away from the coast of the Baltic Sea. A Sea famed for once being a massive river bed. As the Earth shifted around, so the sea was formed. It is one of the largest inland seas and has a very low salinity. The Baltic Sea coast offers a varied coastline with white sandy beaches and rock formations, at certain times of the year even Baltic Amber can be found.





Cape Verde:

March 30th, 2009

Currently travel times to Cape Verde from London are approx 5.5 hours and the best time to visit is from October to June.Good things about Cape Verde are the food, people, beaches, the lagoon, salt mine, charm, scuba diving, wind surfing, surfing, and golf courses. Music plays a huge part in Cape Verdean culture and it really is quite unique. Varied landscapes, beautiful beaches and clear waters of the Atlantic ocean appeal to all. Hiking the hills, turtle or bird watching, enjoying the culture or island hopping there is something for everyone.

The Archipelago is volcanic in origin and there are 10 islands that you can hop to each offering different regions, from the flat, barren and windswept Islands of Sal, Boa Vista and Maio, to spectacular mountainous scenery, white sandy beaches and lush plantations filled with banana, sugar cane, papaya. The climate is wonderful all year round. Enjoy great cuisine (especially if you enjoy fish) mainly Portuguese and Creole influenced, while overlooking a spell binding and tantalising country.

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Black Sea, Sunny Beach - Bulgaria: Sea Holidays

March 30th, 2009

Bulgaria has clean air, a healthy climate, forests, history, mountains, culture… Actually you name it, Bulgaria has it! The Bulgarian coast  faces east and extends over 378 km, there are lots of vast fine golden sandy beaches and the majority of Bulgaria beaches have been awarded the EU Blue Flag for their environmental excellence.
For wine lovers Bulgaria boasts of a long history of grape growing and wine production, there are five wine regions which are scattered all over the country that grow international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sunny Beach sits on the coast of the Black Sea which is a geological mish mash of events, from volcanoes erupting to mountains rising and sinking, the Black Sea is very interesting! Then take into account the interesting features the Sea itself has to hold, for example it is less than half the salinity of normal sea’s, so now salty taste in your mouth should you swallow some whilst swimming!





Lisbon, Portugal: Dinosaur Holidays

March 19th, 2009
Lisbon is the Capital and is well worth a visit for the culture and architecture. Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate that is strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream, giving it one of the mildest climates in Europe. The city is sunny throughout the year. Every June there are 5 days of popular street celebrations in memory of Saint Anthony a saint born in Lisbon. Portugal is a fish heaven where you can find fresh bass, cockles, mussels, red mullets, clams and oysters, swordfish and shellfish. Other specialities of Portugal include goat and sheep cheeses. Oporto is famous for port wine, which became a major trade following a 1703 agreement with the United Kingdom. The whole of Portugal is renowned for its championship golf courses and offers plenty for the novice and the professional.A place to visit in the west are the dinosaur remains, visitors can see the fossilised remains of the eggs of 180 carnivorous dinosaurs making it the largest such nest in the world and uniquely the eggs contain embryos. Check out the Museum of Natural History to see some dinosaur bones. It’s also worth checking out the 2nd biggest aquarium in the world the Oceanario de Lisboa.

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Phuket Kata Beach,Thailand: Beach Holidays

March 18th, 2009
Thailand is a place of splendour. Only 11 hours away by plane from the UK, it is a diverse country that will suit all travellers with it’s enchanting culture, picturesque scenery and idyllic beaches.  Thai beaches, such as those of Phuket and Krabi are world famous, there are literally thousands of miles of beaches, and of every conceivable variety with every backdrop from caves to mountains with wonderful palm trees. Get the freshest fruit and veg from the street markets along with handicrafts and try bartering which is expected and you could get up to a 40% reduction. The best time to visit most of Thailand is between November and February, mostly because it rains the least and is not so hot during this time, it  is also the main season for both national and regional festivals.

Not only does Phuket have incredible geology inland with it’s awesome mountain ranges, it also has stunning beaches. The Phuket Kata beach is one of the more famous beaches because it is truly stunning. Each grain of sand tells a story of  Thailands past and you can learn alot as you stroll along the magnificent beaches.

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Aruba: Underwater Geology Holidays

March 18th, 2009
The Caribbean island of Aruba has many attractions whether on land or under the sea there are beaches, museums, and markets. It is in the southern Caribbean just l5 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Bonbini, in the native language of Papiamento, means “Welcome”, and a welcome is what you will get from the people. The divi-divi trees and the watapana trees are  permanently bent at a 45-degree angle by constant trade winds and a trademark of Aruba. Along with the cheaper options Aruba is renowned for fine dining and most of the hotels have specialty restaurants which serve everything from elegant international cuisine to native Aruban dishes. Don’t miss Carnival that is 2 months of parties and celebrating!

Aruba has incredible dive spots for both scuba diving and snorkelling. The waters surrounding Aruba are filled with stunning coral formations and shipwrecks including the Caribbeans largest ship wreck, the Antilla. Snorkel one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean, the visibility can be hundreds of feet in the clear waters or just soak up the warm sun.

Aruban Carnaval
California Lighthouse 1. Taken 2005-06-29 in California, Aruba by traveler andreas.

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Johannesburg, South Africa: Gold and Diamond Holidays

March 8th, 2009

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and is home to a massive gold and diamond trade as it sits near mineral rich hill ranges. It is a metropolitan city with great weather and loads of places to see and visit. From sports to opera’s Johannesburg has it all. Find world famous wines and wildlife and culture at every turn.

The Witwatersrand is a small range of sedimentary hills which is usually overlooked until you delve into the rocks to discover that over 40% of the World’s gold comes from these hills. The hills themselves are geologically complex, containing a mixture of rock types including shales and conglomerates.

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Paphos, Cyprus: Mountain Holidays

March 8th, 2009

Paphos was once the capital of Cyprus and so is home to a plethora of cultures. Bars, cafes and restaurants mixed with the history of the ancient Greeks and their Gods. There are clubs and plush hotels or traditional eateries and friendly faces. Sit on the port of Kato Pafos and watch the sunset as you eat great food, talk about the good times and watch the sunset or rise. Truly magical.

Mount Olympos is at the heart of the Troodos Mountains and stands at an impressive 6,402 feet. Although it is home to a military base in the winter it turns into a small ski area. It has an old temple to Aphrodite on it as well as an abandoned chromite mine in Hadjipavlou.

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