African Travel Tips When Visiting the Maldives

By Gerald Crawford

The Maldives is a collection of 1190 Indian Ocean islands, consisting of 26 atoll (a word from Maldivian origin) formations. Only about 200 islands are inhabited and another 80 have been developed as exclusive tourist resorts.

The Maldives is a major diving destination due to its magnificent coral reefs and wealth of marine life with its atolls believed to have been formed about 65 to 200 million years ago. All resorts are fully geared for the active traveller, who can enjoy sailing or diving safaris, island hopping, whale and dolphin watching, big game fishing and photo flights.

However, the Maldives is also ideal for couples in search of a romantic getaway, those looking at rejuvenating body and mind by indulging in spa treatments, or those planning to elevate doing nothing to an art. 'Idyllic' is the word that comes to mind when you consider the palm-fringed white beaches, clear blue-green sea, bright tropical fish and flowers and picture-perfect sunsets...

CAPITAL:

Malé

CLIMATE:

The Maldives is Hot, tropical weather all year round with monsoons. Nov-Mar is mild and pleasant with northeast monsoons. Jun-Aug is rainy with violent storms and southwest monsoons. Daytime showers are usually short-lived, with most heavy downpours occurring at night. Temperatures vary very little.

CURRENCY:

1 Rufiyaa = 100 Larees. Payments to hotels and resorts must be made in foreign hard currencies - the USD (traveller's cheques or notes) is the most popular. Credit cards are also accepted at some hotels: Amex, Master, Visa and Diners Club. There is little need for Rufiyaa, except when shopping for souvenirs on local islands.

ELECTRICITY:

230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin round.

HEALTH:

A yellow fever certificate is an official requirement for travellers coming from infected areas. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival precautions against hepatitis, polio and typhoid. Other health concerns include cholera and other food- and water-borne diseases (bottled water is recommended and available at resorts); influenza (risk extends throughout the year); sunburn (can be severe); and limited medical facilities and medicines.

LANGUAGE:

The national language is Dhivehi, but English is widely used as a business language. In tourist areas, other languages are also spoken.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

New Year's Day (1 Jan); Hajj Day (1 Feb); Eid al Adha (2 Feb); Islamic New Year (22 Feb); National Day (21 Apr); Mouloud (2 May); Huravee Day (20 Jul); Independance Day (26 Jul); Martyr's Day (16 Sep); Start of Ramadan (15 Oct); Victory Day (3 Nov); Republic Day (11 Nov); Kuda Eid (14 Nov);

SHOPPING:

sea shells (must be bought, not picked up); lacquered wooden boxes; reed mats.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:

Religion is Sunni Muslim, so clothing requirements in town and other inhabited areas mean the minimum dress is shorts and a T-shirt for men and skirts or longer shorts and a T-shirt for women. At the resorts, clothes are very casual, there's no need for cocktail dresses, jackets or suits; swimwear is fine by day and shorts and T-shirts or blouses for night time. Take note that nudism is prohibited on all islands and alcohol is not available in town (locals don't drink, but there are bars on the resort islands).

TIME DIFFERENCE:

GMT +5

TIPPING:

Officially discouraged.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

Malé:

The capital where most Maldivians live; a number of sights to see as listed below; tourists normally stay on the island resorts and visit Malé for shopping and sightseeing.

Island resorts:

The major attraction in the Maldives, there are over 80 exclusive tourist resorts; some of the most popular include Meeru, Kuredu and Kurumathi, which attracts serious divers especially; Nakatchafushi is one of the most photographed and has the country's largest lagoon; resorts range from ultra-luxurious to simple; each resort has its own amenities and sport and leisure facilities; many have air-conditioning and desalination plants to provide tap water; different islands tend to attract different nationalities.

Fishing villages:

One of the main attractions in the Maldives, normally visited as part of an excursion; night fishing trips are also a possibility.

National Museum:

Sultan's Park in Malé is home to this museum that has a superb collection of artefacts including Sultanese thrones and palanquins; some of Thor Heyerdahl's archaeological discoveries can be found.

Mosques:

Over 20 mosques are scattered around Malé; Hukuru (Friday) mosque dates back to the 17th century and is famed for its intricate stone carvings ; Grand Mosque ********.

Diving sites:

In Moroni, elaborate 2-storey buildings with arcades, balustrades and meticulously carved wooden latticework doors and shutters; easy to get around.

Uninhabited islands:

Most of the islands in the country are uninhabited and you can take an excursion to visit them, either as part of an island-hopping tour group or privately by hired traditional or speed boat; in tours, a beach barbecue is often served; options include to spend one day and one night alone on an uninhabited island; Kudahuvadhoo has a hawitta which is probably the ruins of a Buddhist temple and an old mosque.

Islamic Centre:

In Malé, imposing white building with a magnificent golden dome.

Mulee-aage:

A former palace in Malé.

Markets:

Fish, fruit and vegetable markets; mostly in Malé; the Singapore Bazaar is a collection of stores selling handicrafts and a selection of traditional and imported tourist knick-knacks; Baa Atoll is famous for its handicrafts, incl. lacquer work and finely woven cotton 'felis' (traditional sarongs).

Exciting Holidays in Benidorm Spain

By Rob Carlton

Your next vacation to Europe must include holidays in Benidorm Spain. Benidorm is perfectly situated along the Costa Blana, just north of the Alicante Airport and a short distance south of Altea. It is also within driving distance of other Costa Blanca attractions a little further north in Calpe, Javea, and Denia. The largest neighbouring city is of course Alicante to the south that contains all a big city has to offer. The best however, can also be found right in Benidorm with its high rise buildings giving way to generous beaches and a temperate climate year round.

Attractions in Benidorm Spain

Benidorm Spain is well known in the region for its night life. It has more than 30 discos and literally hundreds of restaurants just steps for the beaches. So after a day in the sun, you can dance and eat the night away and then sleep to your heart’s content on the warm white sand beaches the next day. Does a vacation get any better than that?

If you like a blend of different activities on your holidays, then Benidorm can also offer many culturally enriching outings.

The old city centre of Benidorm referred to as Casco Antiguo, has historically significant buildings along the San Lorenzo, San Vicente and Santa Fez streets.

Golf courses dot the Alicante region just a short distance from Benidorm. There is the Bonalba Golf Club in Mutxamel, Alicante Golf Club in San Juan beach, and the Bosque Golf and Country Club in Chiva. This is just a very short list. There are actually more than a dozen nearby.

Belidorm is also central to various theme parks, perfect for families. The three largest and most popular are the Terra Mitica, Mundomar and Aqualalndia (water park).

Beach Holidays in Benidorm Spain

The beach in Benidrom is always the perfect vacation spot. The mountains surrounding the area control winds and temperatures all year long, so it’s always the perfect beach day, winter or summer. The two main beaches in Benidorm are the Playa de Poniente and the Play de Levante. They offer miles of sun and sand. The quieter and more serene of the two is the Levante since the traffic to get to these beaches can be heavy.

Getting There

The entry point to your holiday in Benidorm Spain is most likely going to be the Alicante Airport. This is the largest and closest major airport. From there you can travel to your hotel by car or bus. There are at least 20 different car rental agencies in the area, making it easy to hire one for your vacation. You will probably need to take a taxi or bus from the airport to the car rental. From there you will have the freedom and flexibility to take your car all along the Costa Blanca to enjoy golf, other beaches, and the historical sites of Spain.

The train can be an adventure and convenient way to travel the coast. You will enjoy breathtaking views and get where you need to go without having to drive it yourself. This is great if you want to walk around different cities without having to worry about parking or how to get there. There is a train from Benidorm to Denia and back that provides reliable transportation between two of the Alicante region’s most popular destinations.

Finally, at the end of a busy (or not so busy) day, you can relax at one of the cities 5-star hotels. The prices range from $100-$200 per night and most are located about 8 miles outside the city centre to the west. Accommodations include swimming pools and continental breakfasts, and if you really must, high speed Internet connections.

London- The #1 Travel City of the World

by Lamika Zuberi

London enjoys a swarm of travelers each year because of the rich and unforgettable experience it offers. The once conservative London now enjoys a sense of modernity and is regarded as one of the coolest cities in the world. So be wise, plan your trip ahead of time.

You will be amazed with the large variety of hotels, from London 5 star hotels to 2 star hotels... from chic and pricey London boutique hotels to budget bed and breakfast hotels. Make sure to choose a hotel according to the purpose of your visit keeping proximity and cost in mind.

A few good examples are the Langham Hotel London, located at the West End of the city and ideally situated near Regents Park. It's only a short walk from the best shopping areas like Regent Street, Bond Street and Oxford Street. If you are looking for budget accomodations in London, try the London House Hotel. Business travelers will not go wrong in the upscale Jumeirah Carlton Tower.

There are many modes of transportation in London. If you like to travel in style, renting a chauffeured vehicle is quite common in London. You can take the fast underground trains, commonly known as the tube, for shopping or to visit any of London's famous attractions. Get a single day or multiple day discounted travel pass.

It's not a bad idea to start the day by taking a bus or underground to St. Paul's station off the Central Line to see the St. Paul's Cathedral which is quite an architectural wonder, and an awesome historical breathtaking beauty. Stop in at Vinopolis, if you want to experience worldclass wine tasting. Here, you can learn everything about winemaking.

Of all the other sights, the Thames offers the most famous one in London and you can get an impressive view of the city from the Tower Bridge. From there when you reach the north bank, don't miss out the Tower of London. It's a very historical and a must see sight.

A lot happens in London each day, events like concerts, shows, sports, festivals and plays are very popular. When you are ready for some fascination...you would enjoy the excitement of witnessing live show rehearsals at the Royal Albert Hall. History of this stunning building is sure to fascinate you.

After a tiring day, you may want to reward yourself with a sumptuous and succulent meal. London has scores of restaurants that offer dozens of cuisines from various parts of the world. It's a good idea to join Henry the VIII and his special guests who will perform a festive show at The Medieval Banquet located at Ivory House, St Katharine's Dock.