Fun and Vacations

VISIT EGYPT

Egypt is the world's premier tourist destination for historical sightseeing. From the mysterious and awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, to the Nile's West Bank, to the 3,000-year-old temples of Abu Simbel and the beguilingly beautiful Coptic Cairo, those with an interest in ancient civilisation will find themselves in seventh heaven while on holiday in Egypt.

However, tourists who take a less highbrow approach to holiday-making will not be disappointed by the Land of the Pharaohs, either. Egypt abounds with fun activities - such as diving and snorkelling coral reefs, cruising along the Nile, and camel treks into the Sahara - and often, as is the case with the magnificent Sinai Peninsula, tourists can combine these adventures with experiences of real cultural significance.

Egypt also has a world-class array of holiday resorts. From the bohemian charm of Dahab, to the glitzy elegance of El Gouna (known as the 'Venice of the Red Sea') and the creaturely kicks offered by Sharm el-Sheikh, those looking for a top-quality holiday resort in Egypt will find themselves spoilt for choice.
With an astounding amount of things to see and do, great weather, a healthy and delicious national diet, and wonderful souk (open-air market) shopping opportunities, it is plain to see why Egypt is one of the world's favourite holiday destinations.

Best time to visit

Egypt experiences hot and dry weather all year round - although things are marginally cooler and wetter in areas adjacent to the coastline. The sun can get uncomfortably fierce during summer (May to October), and so tourists to Egypt are advised to travel between November and April. You are also strongly advised to assess the political situation in Egypt before you finalise your travel plans, as the region has been volatile in recent times. Read more on Egypt's Climate and Weather.

What to see in Egypt

-Be awe-struck by the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last remaining ancient wonder of the world.-Don't miss the 3,000-year-old temples of Abu Simbel: mind-blowing structures carved into the surrounding sandstone cliffs.
-Do a little souvenir shopping at the Asfour Crystal Factory.
-Explore the wonders of the beautifully located Saladin Citadel built in the 12th century. Read more about Egypt Attractions.
What to do in Egypt

-Take a cruise down the Nile, and savour the incredible sights, including the Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
-Get lost in the narrow streets of Coptic Cairo, the oldest part of the city, once known as the Roman stronghold of Babylon.
-Go scuba diving in the Red Sea to explore the coral reefs and shipwrecks.
-Send your senses into overdrive shopping at Khan al-Khalili, one of the largest, most vibrant markets in the world. Read more about Egypt Activities.

What to pack

Lightweight (but not overly-revealing) clothing, plenty of sunscreen, good walking shoes as well as sandals, and a swimming costume or two. Cairo is also a famously noisy city, and many travellers recommend taking a pair of ear-plugs.

Did you know?

-Beer was invented in Ancient Egypt.
-Africa's only subway is found in Cairo.
-Egyptians invented the 365 day calendar.

VISIT SPAIN....

If you ask avid travellers to draw up a list of their top 10 dream holiday destinations, it would be a safe bet that Spain would feature prominently. Welcoming nearly 53 million visitors a year, Spain is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Home to an unbelievable 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (only Italy has more), Spain also boasts a glorious array of sun-soaked beaches and resorts.
Tourists looking to enjoy a beach holiday in Spain will be spoiled for choice: the country boasts 5,000 miles (8,000km) of beaches, and many of the most popular areas - Ibiza, the Costa Blanca, Alicante, the Costa Brava and the Costa del Sol - are deservedly world-famous. An idyllic climate, friendly locals, a famously vibrant nightlife, and world-class shopping opportunities only add to the incredible attraction that is Spain.
With so much to see and do in Spain, visitors will have a delightful time drawing up their holiday itineraries. Whether they head straight to gorgeous Barcelona to admire the architectural feats of Gehry and Gaudi, or to the capital Madrid to check out the cultural treasures of the Prado Gallery; whether they wish to go high into the Sierra Nevada mountains to do some skiing or wish to sunbathe on the warm sands of the Canary Islands, visitors to Spain are ensured a holiday that they will treasure in memory for the rest of their lives.

Best time to visit Spain

Featuring the warmest climate on mainland Europe, there is no 'bad time' to visit Spain. The peak tourist season is summer (June to August), when an amazing amount of foreign visitors flock to Spain's famed beaches. The best time to visit Spain is any time between May and October, when the weather is warm and sunny. Read more on Spain's Climate and Weather.

What to see in Spain

-The architecture of Antoni Gaudi draws thousands of visitors to Barcelona every year to buildings like the La Sagrada Familia.
-The Prado Gallery in Madrid is home to one of Europe's finest art collections, displaying works by Goya, Rubens and Murillo.
-The Moorish fortress of Alhambra, located in Granada, is a beautiful site, and an important record of Spain's multicultural history.
-A World Heritage City, Segovia is a historical sightseer's delight, featuring a gorgeous cathedral and a wonderfully preserved Roman-built aqueduct. Read more about Spain Attractions.

What to do in Spain

-'Going for tapas' in Spain is not merely an opportunity to have a drink and enjoy a delicious selection of finger-food, but an important part of the everyday rhythms of Spanish life.
-Test your speed and your fitness by taking part in the Running of the Bulls at Pamplona.
-Catch an exciting match in one of Spain's grand football stadiums.
-Take a trip to the Costa del Sol and soak up the glorious sunshine before cooling off with a cocktail at a chic beachside restaurant. Read more about Spain Activities.

What to pack

Pack plenty of sunscreen and a hat if travelling in summer, and a good coat if travelling in winter. Even though Spain's climate is wonderfully temperate, it can get very cold at times during winter (especially in Madrid).

What's on in Spain

The San Fermin Festival (July), better known as the Running of the Bulls at Pamplona, draws huge crowds of participating tourists every year. Head to Bunol, just outside Valencia, for the annual Tomatina Tomato Fight in August, a fun and irreverent festival. Valencia's Las Fallas Festival (March), where local communities build giant puppets and then set them ablaze, provides a bonfire that will dwarf any you've seen in your life before. More information on Events in Spain.

Did you know?

-Spain is home to over 5,000 miles of beaches.
-Spain is said to have more bars than any other country in the EU.
-Same s*x marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005.

VISIT CANADA

Canada Travel Guide

The vast country of Canada is a land of windswept prairies, towering mountains, fields of glaciers, pristine lakes and rocky coastlines. Filled with diverse wildlife and equally diverse wilderness landscapes, the Canadian great outdoors is its greatest draw card as a travel destination. Canada's wild allure is magnetic for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, with ample opportunity for activities like hiking, canoeing, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and even dog sledding.
While the image of Canada in most people's minds is one of untouched wilderness, Canada's cities are also extremely worthwhile, and the country's urban destinations are attracting ever more attention. Whether you'd like to attend a rodeo in Calgary, marvel at the museums in Ottawa, browse the restaurants and art galleries of Toronto's Distillery District, or have a picnic in Vancouver's Stanley Park, the cosmopolitan cities spread across Canada offer a high quality of life and a range of sightseeing attractions that will please any traveller.
Much like the US, Canada is vast, and each province or territory has developed a distinct cultural character. Some travellers will be enthralled by the French charm and historic fortifications of Quebec, while others will rave about the Scottish flavour and rich seafaring history of Nova Scotia. Canada could fill a lifetime of holidays.

Best time to visit Canada

The weather in Canada is extreme, ranging from frigidly cold in winter to uncomfortably hot in the peak of summer. The size of the country and the vast variability of terrain also means that the climate ranges quite drastically between regions. Canada is a year-round destination, attracting winter sports enthusiasts in the snowy months, and nature lovers in autumn with glorious fall foliage; however, the best time to visit Canada is generally summer (June to August), when it is hot and lush. May and September are the best times to go for smaller crowds, as few American and Canadian families travel at these times. Read more on Canada's Climate and Weather.

What to see in Canada

- Stroll the cobblestone streets of Vancouver's historic Gastown district.
- Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
- See the enormous collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
- Take in the panoramic view of Toronto from the top of the CN Tower.

What to do in Canada

- Ride the Maid of the Mist to get a close view of the famous Niagara Falls.
- Get a taste of French-Canadian culture in Winnipeg's St. Boniface district.
- Hike on the Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park.
- Go skiing at Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies.

What to Pack

The warmest clothes possible (when travelling in winter).

What's on in Canada

The biggest rodeo in the world takes place each summer when Calgary hosts the famous Calgary Stampede.

Did you know?

Ninety percent of Canada's population lives within 100 miles (160km) of the US border.

Visit Greece


Greece Travel Guide
Greece has captured the world's imagination with its ancient culture and fantastical myths. Visions of vengeful gods and goddesses, massive armies led by generals riding in chariots, and great philosophers discussing ground-breaking ideas dance in the heads of the millions of tourists who flock to the country each year to visit world-famous sites like the Parthenon in Athens, the Acropolis of Rhodes, the churches of Thessaloniki, and the Oracle of Delphi.
A holiday in Greece isn't all about the past, however, as the region's warm weather gives it an ideal climate for a holiday on the beach. Greek islands like Santorini, Crete, Mykonos and Corfu are popular cruise destinations in the Mediterranean, taking advantage of the roughly 200 days of sunshine each year for tourists to enjoy their pebbled beaches, seaside tavernas and lively nightlife.
Tourists can venture beyond the basic Greek salad to enjoy meze staples like saganaki (fried haloumi cheese), kleftiko (lamb slow-baked on the bone), and souvlaki (shaved pork wrapped in a pita). No holiday in Greece is complete without a taste of the local spirits, and the friendly and voluble locals are always ready to welcome visitors for an unforgettable experience in the 'birthplace of civilisation'.
Best time to visit Greece
The most popular time to visit Greece is the summer (June to August) when the weather is beautiful and sun is guaranteed. Late spring (April and May) and early autumn (late August through September) are also lovely times to holiday in Greece, when the crowds are thinner and the sun is less merciless.
Read more on Greece's Climate and Weather.
What to see in Greece
-Spend a few days marvelling at the ruins of the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Athens, and wandering through the archaeological museums nearby.
-Visit the site of the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, where there are still ruins of arenas, gymnasiums and changing rooms.
-See the tomb of King Leonidas in Sparta, along with other relics of the famous warriors of the Peloponnese Peninsula.
-Explore the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos, where the Apostle John is said to have written the Book of Revelation. Read more about Greece Attractions.
What to do in Greece
-Take a cruise to Crete and lounge on the beaches in Hania, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos.
-Follow the trail of Homer's Odyssey with a visit to Ithaca, and enjoy the lively village of Vathy.
-Let loose in the trendy tavernas and nightclubs of Mykonos.
-Watch a stunning sunset off the coast of Santorini.
Holiday resorts in Greece
Greece has many popular resorts for sun-seekers looking for the perfect beach holiday. Each resort has its own character, varying from lively nightlife, to laid-back and secluded; from single's heaven to family friendly holiday. Find your perfect Greece holiday resort here.
What to buy
Greek wine and products made from olive oil or olive wood. Ouzo and Metaxxa brandy. Remember that it is illegal to take historical artefacts out of Greece!
What to pack
A swimming costume for the islands, sturdy hiking shoes for the ruins, and plenty of sunblock no matter where you go.
What's on in Greece
The capital is the hub for Greek festivities: the best in Greek music and culture is showcased each August at the Athens Festival; the Lycabettus Hill Festival hosts contemporary music and dance all summer long in Athens; and the traditional Greek Dance Festival is held in Athens each year for a weekend in July.
More information on Events in Greece.

Did you know?
-Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world.
-More than 16 million tourists visit Greece annually - more than the country's whole population.
-Nearly 80 percent of Greece is mountainous.