World Travellers

Unexpected Surprises and Tips for Everyone Including Solo Travelers, Vegans, and Those Looking for a Bit of Magic Any Time of Year.

If you have your sights set on Ireland, or any exotic travel locale for that matter, then don’t be put off by mass opinions and appeal. Ireland, especially its magical west coast, is a must-see whether traveling en groupe or going it alone. And all you vegetarians and vegans out there will find Ireland to be surprisingly accommodating with interesting and fairly elaborate options available. You simply need to ask. This Emerald Isle offers a nice blend of down-to-earth goodness, ancient and exotic mystique, and lively pub night life. There’s something for everyone indeed.

Most sources will tell you that mid-Spring to mid-Fall, particularly April to October, is optimal travel time to Ireland. And sure, Spring is gorgeous with everything a-bloom, especially May, Autumn colors are bountiful in October, and July and August are peak, but not everyone enjoys the hustle and bustle of tourism at its height. What they fail to share with you is the fact that Winter is actually pretty amazing, especially if you catch the end of it right before Spring rolls in. Not only do you pretty much get the place to yourself, but you also get to capture some of the true magic and mysticism of this ancient land.

After yesterday’s exciting outing to Graz we were planning an even bigger outing today: an excursion to the so-called “Drei-Länderecke”, an area where Austria, Italy and Slovenia come together. So we left early in the morning to drive from my home province of Styria along the A2 Highway to the Austrian province of Carinthia. The drive across the mountains of Western Styria is extremely scenic and the pleasant panoramas continued into the picturesque province of Carinthia (”Kärnten” in German).

The province of Carinthia is the southernmost Austrian province; it is close to 280 km long, but in some areas only 45 to 50 km wide. The western part of the province is characterized by the Austrian High Alps while the eastern part features wider valleys and medium-altitude mountains. Carinthia is an extremely popular tourist destination, in particular the scenic lakes (e.g. Wörthersee, Ossiacher See, Millstätter See, Weißensee and many others) are a huge tourist draw in the summer, and in winter this province features several excellent ski areas for Alpine skiing enthusiasts.

Portugal boasts of long sunny summers that often extend to the autumn season. Winters tend to be moderately cool with numerous bouts of rain and thunder. Clothing requirements are adapted as per seasonal changes in Portugal. Most people prefer traditional dressing styles. Many people have incorporated modern dressing styles into their wardrobes, yet are not too fashionable.

Women have a natural tendency to wear traditional patterned dresses. Most women prefer to wear dresses, and men may choose to wear jackets and ties. The Portuguese are not fashion-conscious people. Most people prefer informal clothing, and this is evident in the minimal variance between work and social clothing. In case of business meetings, men may be seen dressed in formal, well-matched suits or sports coats. Women may also choose to wear suits or pantsuits at the work place.

It is advisable to keep windbreakers and jackets on hand even though the summer and autumn seasons are relatively warm. This is because evenings could turn cold and people may need to face cool Atlantic winds. Most day to day wear as well as Sunday wear reflect and keep alive traditional customs and preferences. Cotton turbans are commonly worn by workers as a protection from glaring sun rays.

With its cold climate and mountainous terrain, Austria is an ideal destination for a skiing holiday.

One part of the country that attracts many visitors each year is the Europa Ski Region, an area that is made up of Kaprun and Zell am See.

If you are looking for cheap ski deals to Austria, these resorts could provide the answer.

They also offer a variety of entertainment facilities, places to eat and other activities, which I’m sure you will agree are vital ingredients to embellish skiing holidays anywhere in the world.

Zell am See

Skiing in Austria is an exhilarating experience and the resort of Zell am See will not disappoint.

It is a beautiful town and is situated by a huge lake that at the height of winter becomes more than just the subject of tourists’ photographs.

When it is cold enough, the lake freezes over and provides a platform for curling, skating and other activities.

Additionally, some 61 ski slopes exist at Zell am See, which means there is plenty of choice, whatever your standard on the sticks.

When thinking of travelling to the Netherlands, probably the first location to come to mind is Amsterdam. With its canals, museums, a myriad of cafes and bars and even the option of the red light district, for the inquisitive, it is a fantastic location for a weekend of fun.

Whilst Amsterdam is the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the seat of government is Den Haag. Den Haag (The Hague) is situated in the province of South-Holland. It’s an appealing place to visit, with broad avenues, castles, shopping centres, tiny boutiques and, of course, the Dutch Parliament.

Situated near the North Sea, it offers wide beaches perfect for sunbathing and events are held several times a year at the nearby sea-side resort of Scheveningen. From fireworks to the North Sea Jazz Festival, and from tourists’ fishing trips to the Sea Life Center, there is something for everyone.

Den Haag features some thirty museums. The Mauritshuis’ collection consists of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by Vermeer, Potter and Rembrandt. The Gemeentemuseum exhibits an extensive collection of modern art. The Panorama Mesdag is a unique piece of art itself - a cylindrical painting more than 14 meters high and 120 meters in circumference.

Turkey is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches, gorgeous backdrops, hospitality and history. In fact, Turkey is home to many of the world’s ancient civilizations and cultures. If you have the opportunity, you should make plans to discover Turkey and all that it has to offer.

Turkey has a very rich history. You will find relics dating back to the Assyrian, Roman, Hittite, Byzantine and Biblical periods. Imagine traveling to the city of Ephesus and visiting the Temple of Artemis, one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Turkey also has an impressive and diverse geography. You will be able to enjoy the sunflower fields in Thrace, the beautiful beaches on the coasts, the vistas in Instanbul and the lunar landscapes of the Gerome Valley.

Turkey is a great place to holiday. The sunshine is out nearly every day of the year and the beaches provide a playground for many water sports. Imagine being able to windsurf, jet ski, snorkel and parasail to your heart’s content. If you are not a beach bum, you may want to consider going hiking, camping or hunting. If you like adventure, consider going hot air ballooning or parachuting. If you are a little more laid back and are holidaying in Turkey with a focus on resting and recuperating, you may desire to spend your days playing tennis or fishing.

The lady who wishes to see England but is married to a couch potato who doesn’t like to travel may be able to spring him off the couch and into an airplane seat if she researches and plans her trip around the extensive automobile attractions that England has to offer. As a quick surf on Google will reveal, England has a plethora of automobile museums. However, in England they are usually referred to as motor transport museums.

One very large museum with an extensive collection of over 400 cars is the Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford in Somerset. It houses the largest collection of the world’s greatest cars. And for traveling families, there is an adventure play area, Super Diggers, soft play bus, and a children’s activity center. The automotive display is spread over eleven themed halls including the famous Red Room in Hall Number 2. The Red Room showcases fifty red sports cars from all over the world, for example a 1981 Lamborghini Countach 400s and a 1965 AC Cobra.