Many hotel rooms include breakfast, so if you prefer to dine out, price conscious tourists might like to negotiate an even larger discount.  Unless you really like the first room, ask to see more rooms as many hotels have a variety of sizes, configurations and noise levels.

If your stay, however, falls upon a date of one of Vietnam’s public holidays, especially TET, then pre-booking is definitely recommended.  If staying at any of the nearby popular beach resorts such as Vung Tau, on a weekend or during a public holiday, book well in advance.

Those wanting to save money should head for the areas around Pham Ngu Lao (the backpacker district) or Ben Thanh Market, whereas people seeking more comfort will be happier around Dong Khoi Street.  All three areas are close to many of the key tourist attractions.

Unique Airport

The small airport in Gunung Mulu National Park is carved out of the Borneo jungle and is located just outside the national park boundary.  It is the gateway to the Gunung Mulu National Park. There is resort accommodation in the national park, but since there are no roads to the airport, most tour operators pick up passengers and bring them to their respective destinations. Independent travellers can take a boat ride to the park headquarters.

Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu is famous for its spectacular limestone caves.  The Deer Cave is the world’s largest cave passage, which is so huge it can contain London’s St Paul’s Cathedral five times.  A 50-meter high mini waterfall cascading from the roof near the place called “Garden of Eden” is one of the most spectacular destinations in the cave. The world’s largest natural rock chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, could house a 40 Boeing 747 aircraft.

Many of the cave systems are accessible only to professional spelunkers but visitors can enter four well-lit caves that are open daily. A longboat trip takes tourists to Clearwater Cave, the longest cave system in Southeast Asia.  A plank walk leads to Deer Cave, where the magnificent sight of three million bats coming out of the caves for their nocturnal forage can be witnessed daily at sunset.

Riga is a thoroughly modern city which has managed nevertheless to embrace and celebrate the glories of its past.  Riga possesses the 13th tallest television tower in the world; this structure is one of the tallest buildings in the European Union. 

At the same time, Riga maintains ties to its historic past and serves as a repository of much European culture from outside its borders as well.  The Latvian National Opera, for example, was founded in 1918 and is still in operation today; the theatre’s repertoire includes opera masterpieces from across the continent of Europe.  The National Opera also houses the nation’s most significant ballet troupe.

The Latvian National Theatre, founded in 1919, is one of the biggest theatres in the nation.  It specialises in preserving the theatrical traditions to be found in the Latvian school of drama.  The Riga Russian Theatre, established in 1883, features classical plays and includes works from Russian playwrights and experimental works from other foreign playwrights.

Visitors who prefer a bit more humour will enjoy the Latvian State Puppet Theatre in Riga, which has been presenting shows for children and adults since 1944.  Modern plays are performed in the New Riga Theatre, which opened in 1992.

The small runway is perfect for private executive charter jets.  Once here, a luxurious accommodation option in this small paradise is the Malliouhana Hotel and Spa, a luxury resort overlooking cliffs.  Haitian art fills the rooms and jungle themes grace the terraces and common areas in this elegantly decorated resort.  Its posh new suites and pool areas add relaxation, while its spa, one of the best in the Caribbean, offers supreme pampering.

Anguilla also has a collection of super luxurious villas, featuring enormous rooms and classy minimalist interior filled with luxury amenities for a short home away from home stay.  Personal chefs, 45 foot swimming pools, private gyms, concierge and butlers are part of these masterfully architected villa rentals.

Portugal is well known for its many ancient wonders and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These ancient wonders are scattered throughout the lands of Portugal but can be easily found.

The town of Porto is a beautiful place filled with picturesque neighbourhoods, large plazas and old world trams that still run through the streets. For a special treat, enjoy a cruise in a Douro, which are traditional boats once used to transport wine. 

If you climb the town’s main hill you will come to the Porto Cathedral. This is one of the best places in Porto to take scenic photos, which can be done after you’ve taken a few of the beautiful 12th century cathedral that adorns the hilltop. For more beautiful views, head to the towns of Avenida dos Aliados, Praca de Riberia, and Torre dos Clerigos that has a water tower, allowing more great views.

Beijing

Since the 2008 Olympics truly put Beijing on the world stage, the city has been a magnet for visitors from Britain and Europe, the Antipodes, the USA and Canada.

The so-called Forbidden City is located in the heart of the metropolis. This is China’s best-preserved imperial palace. Covering 74 hectares, it is also the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. From Beijing visitors can also book a tour along the fabled Great Wall.

Shanghai

Tourists are traditionally drawn to Shanghai’s main attractions, although the more intrepid love exploring places of interest, which are well off the beaten track. English language tours will take visitors to interesting destinations such as Yu Garden, with its ancient trees and pagodas. Another popular option is cycle tours.

Nanjing Road boasts China’s ‘number one shopping street’, offering a huge variety of tempting merchandise. The Bund (quay), headquarters of European, American and Japanese trading houses, is a stretch of neo-classical buildings that have recently been renovated. The skyline is particularly impressive at night.

Guangzhou

Located on the southern coastline, Guangzhou offers visitor attractions, including the Five Ram Statue in Yuexiu Park and White Cloud Mountain.

Guangzhou by night

Picture courtesy of micmac9a

Spend a few hours among relics of history and learn about the cowboy background of the area at the Glenbow Museum. To continue your historical tour, visit Fort Calgary, a national historic site where the town first sprung to life. You might also visit Lougheed House, a mansion and gardens built in 1881 and spread over a 2.8acre estate. There is also Heritage Park Historical Village, a re-creation of the original ‘wild-west’ town.

For a more contemporary day of exploring, stroll around the shops, boutiques and restaurants of Stephen Avenue in the downtown area or take in some live music at Olympic Plaza, the site of the medal ceremonies during the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Calgary Tower offers a 360° view of the city and surrounding area; it even has a glass floor looking 190m down to the city streets.

There are numerous museums in the area, including the Aerospace Museum and Telus World of Science. Visit both exotic and local wildlife at Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park. Calgary’s world-famous Stampede takes place in July each year and offers ten days of cowboy excitement. There is a rodeo with bull riding and bucking broncos, chuck-wagon races and a funfair area that thrills with spinning rides, gooey candyfloss and carnival games.

Flights from many international airports, including London, arrive daily at Calgary International Airport.

Fort Calgary and Area

Picture courtesy of MMDA 325-INGLEWOOD

You may think finding a great deal is easy, but a cheap break offered by a travel agent may not be all it’s cracked up to be and searching the internet may unearth some brilliant deals but you need to be aware of extra charges.

Speaking to different people about their holidays may also bring up conflicting advice: Some suggest getting in early when brochures are first launched to make the most of the first few early cheap rates, giving you time to save up. Others suggest last minute deals to get the best prices but that does mean you have to have money there which normally means a credit card.

You could cut out travel agents, whether it’s in shop or online, because they act as the middle man their prices can be more inflated, however doing it yourself and booking separately can also be more expensive that you may have considered.

Finally travel comparison sites can be quite useful however some of those prices that seem too good to be true normally are, with extra costs added nearer the end! So make sure and check that what you get is still a good deal!

Its most famous city is the walled citadel of Carcassonne, its history stretching back to medieval times, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with the ruins of castles and keeps which are a remnant of the bitter war fought between the Cathars, a religious sect, and the Roman Catholic Church. The Cathars lost and the castle ruins form a fascinating historical trail for visitors to follow.

The Aude, as part of the Languedoc-Rouissillon region, is blessed with vineyards, which produce wines to rival those from Bordeaux and Burgundy, with names such as Corbières, Minervois and Fitou becoming more and more well-known outside the region.

Castelnaudry is in the north-west of the area, west of Carcassonne, and its claim to fame is cassoulet, a hearty and filling stew with its main ingredients being beans and various meats. Favourite meats for cassoulet include duck and sausage, and when teamed with local olives and cheeses it makes for a very substantial dining experience.

There are many opportunities for outdoor sports, with sailing on the Canal du Midi and skiing in the Pyrenees very popular. As the region has a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea there is plenty of opportunity for beach holidays and a wide range of water sports.

The landscape in this area is unbelievably gorgeous.  Soaring vegetation-covered white limestone cliffs emerge from impossibly blue waters; this is the archetypal image many people have of Thailand thanks to the film The Beach and, indeed, these surroundings form the backbone of activities here.  Either you are soaking up the rays and soaking up the ambience and beauty around you, or you are getting your climbing gear on and scaling these enormous rocks.  Hat Ton Sai is a climbing Mecca, and offers some of the most challenging climbs in the world.

For those who aren’t adrenaline junkies, there are alternatives to risking your life.  Kayaking in and out of the inlets formed by these giant rocks is a perfect – and safe – way to spend an afternoon, as is taking an island hopping snorkelling tour, during which you will enjoy the stunning beauty of the surrounding marine parks. 

Rai Leh is a real Thai island paradise – and not just for backpackers anymore