Travel and holiday guide

Australia is a huge country, covering 5 different time zones. It boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, stunning and unusual landscapes, vibrant cities and also vast expanses of baking hot outback.

Most of the major cities are situated around the edge of Australia, with most of the population clustered into the South East corner and along the coast of Queensland. The capital Sydney is one of the most exciting cities in the world, with the world famous opera house and harbour bridge, great nightlife and superb beaches. Queensland is known for its great weather, beaches and surfing. Further north in Queensland is the Great Barrier Reef, one of the wonders of the world.

Further south is Melbourne, with a slightly milder climate and a fantastic reputation for shopping. In the heart of Australia lies Alice Springs, gateway to nearby Uluru or Ayer’s rock, a striking rock red formation rising high into the sky.



Why take a holiday or vacation in Australia?
You will find a warm and friendly welcome in Australia, and the warm weather guarantees an outdoor lifestyle and lots of opportunities for sports and activities such as walking, running, swimming and surfing.

Australia is a superb travel destination, with its stunning natural beauty, warm climate and great beaches. Australia is a vast country, and many travellers choose to join organised tours in order to get around and to appreciate its diversity. The national airline is Qantas, and there are many international airports, including Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.



The 'outback' may be hard to define, but you'll know it when you see it. The outback is mythical Australia - red dust, empty tracks, unique wildlife, tall tales and big characters. It's not just about lifeless desert. With its awesome sense of space and few people, the Northern Territory is the real outback. There are vast open skies, wildlife abounds, the pubs are quirky and the characters you'll meet here are authentic and larger than life.

If you're looking for a really special destination where you can indulge your love of top-quality hotels, great shopping, fine dining, world-class golf and state-of-the-art spas, Dubai holiday guide is for you. Add to this a fascinating Middle-Eastern heritage to explore, and a range of exciting activities, and you have a destination with just about everything.

With year-round sunshine and miles of lovely beaches, Dubai is THE new destination, waiting to be discovered.

Dubai is just one of 7 Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The others are quieter, but still have great beaches and resorts offering excellent value for money. At Ras al Khaimah, relaxing maybe the only thing on your mind, but there are plenty of distractions including a fantastic floodlit golf course, a great array of water sports and the khat (hot springs) to visit. The museum has archaeological material dating back as early as 5,000BC!

The only Emirate on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah has lovely clean beaches with mountain views. It's a haven for water sports, especially snorkelling and diving. Deep-sea fishing is popular.

Getting there

Flying Time
Approx 7 hours to Dubai

Currency
UAE Dirham (Dh)

Visa Requirements
British Citizens do not require a visa.

Language
The official language is Arabic.Though English is widely spoken.

Important Dates to Remember
01 Jan-02 Feb - Dubai Winter Shopping Festival
Feb - Dubai Desert Classic - golf
31 Mar - Dubai Gold Cup horse racing
Jul/Aug - Dubai Summer Shopping Festival
12 Sep-13 Oct - Ramadan
13 Oct - Eid - end of Ramadan

Development in Dubai
Dubai is emerging as one of the world's leading holiday destinations. Development of new hotels, shopping malls and attractions is ongoing throughout Dubai.



Ramadan
In Muslim countries there may be restrictions on alcohol consumption, restaurant facilities and entertainment during the month of Ramadan.

Extravagant Shopping
Shopping is such a huge pastime in Dubai, there's even a yearly festival dedicated to it (Jan/Feb). Finding the time to visit Dubai's 45 shopping malls won't be a problem. Many of their enormous air-conditioned complexes are open till midnight on various days. So don't forget your plastic because there are some fantastic tax-free bargains to be found. In the famous souks (marketplaces) you'll find everything from beautiful jewellery to fantastic local spices to exquisite silks. In the world's largest gold souk there are some great bargains to be had, so get your bartering skills in order.

Exciting Excursions
In the city, take a tour to discover Dubai's spectacular landmarks. Cruise the creek in a traditional wooden dhow, either in the sunshine or by moonlight. Out of town, hit the sand dunes on a 4-wheel drive adventure, journeying to a Bedouin-style camp where you'll enjoy a traditional Arab feast with entertainment from a belly dancer.

No-expense-spared courses designed by world-famous golfers, golf buggies with global positioning systems.

State-of-the-Art Family Fun
Dubai is a great place for kids. Many hotels have state-of-the-art sporting facilities and well-organised kids' clubs. Lots of properties are on Jumeirah Beach with its calm, shallow, warm waters (most hotels that aren't on the beach have shuttles to it). Cool off at the fantastic Wild Wadi water park with its 23 adrenalin-pumping rides.

Heritage and Culture
Explore the narrow lanes of 'Old Dubai' in the Bastakiya district and view the works of local potters and weavers at Heritage Village. The restored 400-year-old architecture of Hatta mountain village is a fascinating sight, as is the residence of the former Sheikh. Visit the Jumeirah mosque, and in Dubai's oldest building, Al Fahidi fort, wander around Dubai National Museum.

Fine Dining and Spas
If pure indulgence is your thing, then you've come to the right place. In those fabulous Dubai hotels, you'll find some of the world's best restaurants where world-class chefs have been wooed over to bring their culinary magic. Dubai is also home to some startlingly beautiful spas. In plush surrounds, you'll enjoy the latest treatments at the hands of qualified experts.



Action and Adventure
Like to live life to the max? How about riding a camel, or driving over sand dunes? You can try 'wadi bashing', take a 4-wheel-drive into the dry riverbeds that snake down from the mountains, and how about sand skiing down those dunes? You can even go 'real' skiing in the new snow dome. And don't forget the fabulous water sports.

Caribbean holiday guide are everything you want them to be...from luxury sunshine paradise to unforgettable rainforest adventure
From diving to honeymoons, cruising to golf, wedding to eco-adventure, music to history, Caribbean holidays has it all


The men, women and children who arrived from Europe, Africa and Asia have also contributed to the creation of humanity’s richest melting pot. The renowned Caribbean culture of peace and aversion to war is the result of our mutual understanding of others' beliefs, lifestyles and ability to adapt. The Caribbean today is one of the few places free from internal agression.

The results of this unique meld of history and culture can be seen in our faces, our buildings, our languages, our food, our museums and our monuments.

At the highest levels of achievement, there are Nobel prize winners including St Lucians Derek Walcott, the poet, and economist Sir Arthur Lewis, along with Mexicans Octavio Paz, the writer, and economist Alfonso Garcia Robles.

The Caribbean has also produced some of the world's most renowned artists, musicians and novelists, such as Trinidad's V S Naipaul.

Travellers to the Caribbean made a further contribution by finding inspiration and insight here. Famous incomers include Gaugin, Hemingway, Graham Greene and Nöel Coward. You can see their retreats today.

Wherever you are in the Caribbean you are likely to find something or somewhere that will remind you of your homeland – and always something more to expand your horizons.

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Destination-skipping or “island-hopping” is easy within the Caribbean as the islands lie close together. There are inter-island ferries, ranging from old-fashioned schooners where visitors rub shoulders with islanders, fresh produce and crates, to modern hydrofoils that whisk you between islands in air-conditioned ease.

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Holidays are a time for relaxation – but they are also the best opportunity to get a little adventure into your life. The Caribbean offers an extraordinary range of exciting activities on foot, on horseback, by boat or land transport.

Bring some sturdy walking shoes and hike through the stunning scenery. In many Caribbean countries, you can join a free organised hike, follow one of the many marked trails or hire a guide. Trails vary in difficulty from leisurely 20-minute walks to a full day’s journey up steep and difficult terrain.

Hiking or walking brings you closest to the unique beauty of our region. Go on a flamingo watch or join a birdwatching hike and thrill to the sight of some of the most colourful and rare birds in the world. Ask your guide about the exotic plants and animals. Then, after a hard descent, cool off in a whirlpool at the foot of a cascading waterfall.



If exploring by boat is more your style, take your pick from kayaking upriver, through a mangrove swamp or in the sea. Join an expedition in dugout canoes that will take you through wild rapids and falls – and allows time for fishing, camping or mountaineering.



Take the opportunity to explore labyrinthine underground caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, bat colonies, rock paintings and underground waterfalls. You may even be able to swim – we have some of the world’s longest subterranean waterways.

Caribbean Holiday Guide

The scent of citrus blossoms fills the air, the hills and valleys are green with vegetation and the cool, sunny days are ideal for hiking and sightseeing. The bustle of the boatyards launching yachts is a fascinating attraction and even Children’s Day festivities are creative, worthy of this cosmopolitan town.