My work takes me to Amsterdam frequently. In fact, in the last 6 months, I have been to Amsterdam seventeen times and counting. So I figured I should write a special post on the hotels I have stayed in Amsterdam.

When booking a hotel for work, especially in a city like Amsterdam, I consider the following factors:

1. Location – I like to wind down after work by going out for a quick bite or having a drink at a wine bar or even catching a Champions League match on TV at a local pub. So the hotel needs to be close to some good night life.
2. Price – I want a hotel that doesn’t break the bank. So all the hotels below were less than €175 per night when I booked my stay there, although the Radisson, Grand Amrath, Doubletree, Movenpick and Crowne Plaza are very close to that mark, while the Inntel, Park Plaza Victoria and JL No 76 are closer to the €120 mark.
3. Amenities – Free wifi in your room is a must (not just free wifi in public areas). Only two hotels on this list did not have free wifi and I never went back to them.
4. Gym/Fitness Center – I prefer hotels to have a fitness center, especially when I am travelling for work.

The hotels below are all those that I have stayed at for business. Unless otherwise mentioned, they all have free in-room coffee facilities and large flat panel televisions. In parenthesis, I have included the number of times I have stayed there so far and the score at the end is on a scale of 5.

Crowne Plaza

I stayed here during my first business trip to Amsterdam. It is a very conveniently located hotel, within a 10 minute walk from Centraal station and offers all the modern amenities you can expect from Crowne Plaza. They give you a free bottle of water in your room, which is a rare touch. Rooms are large and clean as is the bathroom. The decor is modern and beds as comfortable as they can be. My only gripe – there is no free wifi in the room. This is exactly why my first stay here was also my last stay, but if you can get past that, I recommend this hotel.

Be warned that this is not the cheapest hotel in the area. Inntel hotels which is next door to it is about GBP 50 cheaper and has free wifi.

Bottom line: For lack of free wifi and high price tag, I give it a score of 3.5 (out of 5).

Park Plaza Victoria Hotel

I have stayed the most number of times at this hotel. But that is not because it is my favourite hotel in Amsterdam. Rather, it is because twice, I had a special offer that included free breakfast and complementary wine and fruit in my room. Also, the hotel is part of Club Carlson, which is a points program I like very much.

Formerly known as the Victoria Hotel, this hotel stands right across from Centraal Station in the heart of Amsterdam. The building is a historic building, which also means it is a bit dated. They have two distinct styles of rooms, the regular and the urban. I prefer the urban rooms with their modern, decor, red accents, dark furniture and fresh feel, despite the smaller space. By contrast, the regular rooms are larger, with dated furniture, creaking floor boards and a more traditional look.

Service at the hotel is average, probably because they are always busy. So if you are looking for personal attention, this place is not for you.

A big plus staying at this hotel is the free high speed wifi. For some reason, you have to “buy” high speed internet from your room and then they take it off your bill at checkout. I find this to be odd and bothersome. During one of my stays here, they forgot to take off the internet from the bill, and I had to call to get it adjusted.

There is a nice swimming pool that guests can use, but access to sauna or fitness center costs extra.

Finally, room service is rather expensive. But this is the case in most hotels in Amsterdam. I ordered a meal that cost €23 at retail price, but they added room charge of €7.50 and another €6.00 in service fee. Before I knew it, my bill was €36.

Bottom line: For the high cost of room service, dated rooms (the non-urban rooms) and lack of fitness facilities, I give it a score of 3.5.

Doubletree Hotel

I must say, that out of the ten or so hotels I have stayed in Amsterdam, this one by far is the most impressive. It used to be the Mint hotel until a few months ago when it became the Doubletree.

A few minute’s walk from Central Station, and Dam Square, the hotel is a little more difficult to reach than some of the other hotels here. But it is worth it to take the extra steps to get here.

You are greeted with a traditional warm chocolate chip cookie at the reception when you check in. If you have a sweet tooth, be warned, that these are some of the most amazing cookies you will ever have. Every Doubletree hotel in the world offers these cookies and they are consistently delicious anywhere in the world.

The rooms are fresh and immaculately appointed with modern fixtures and have a clean layout. The use of space is admirable. I can’t commend Hilton enough for maintaining this hotel and its standards since taking over. Bathrooms are small as well, but well set up with White Company brand of soap and shampoo products.

But the best part about this hotel is that every room comes with your very own iMac! I enjoyed not having to hook up and connect my laptop to browse the web. This is the only hotel I’ve seen this in, so kudos to Mint/Doubletree folks for this awesome feature. Wifi of course, is also free here and room service is round the clock.

Also, the fitness center is perhaps the best I have seen in Amsterdam. Weight benches, presses, yoga balls and cardio machines are generously placed in a well set up fitness room that puts other hotels to shame.

Finally, there is a sky lounge on the top floor with sweeping views of the city while you sip on fancy cocktails.

Bottom line: This hotel really has everything. I think I’ve found my home away from home. I give it a score of 5.

NH Schiller

For some reason NH hotels adorn the city of Amsterdam. Along with Barbizon, Kuprowsky and Carlton, NH hotels are all ideally located, either in the heart of Dam Square or in Rembrandt Square. And for some reason, these hotels are listed as five stars on most sites, but please be aware, these are nowhere near five stars.

NH Schiller is smack in the middle of Rembrandt square. You are a few steps away from great restaurants and some great attractions.

The hotel looks good from the outside and walking in, you get a feeling of the old dutch grandeur. The rooms are quite roomy as well, with great views of the square.

However, there is no air-conditioning in the hotel, so it might not be comfortable in summer. I was there in March and it was hot in my room; hot enough to keep me up at night. The bed is not very comfortable either, so my nights here were quite horrible.  Moreover, my bathroom smelled really bad. I was there for two nights, but I didn’t want to bother changing rooms. I did regret it on the second night, but what is amazing is that the cleaning staff didn’t smell it and address it.

You have to pay for internet wifi at this hotel and a lot. It is 18 euros for one day of internet. Mobile internet (iPad included) is 8 euros. In this day and age, I don’t get how high end hotels continue to charge for internet. This hotel should be even more ashamed of this practice considering that even the TV they have in the room is a small screen TV. I believe it might have been 17” or 19” at best.

While I didn’t order room service (you don’t need to with the Burger Bar, and Wok to Walk a few meters away), the menu didn’t have anything to tingle my taste buds.

I was forced to book this hotel because there was a convention in Amsterdam during this particular visit and all my regular hotels were priced too high. Staying here reminded me of why I prefer not to stay in any of the NH hotels in Amsterdam. Great location, but that is about it. So I advise passing on this hotel. In my opinion, it was not worth it. There are cheaper, better alternatives around.

Bottom line: No free wifi. Lack lustre room service menu. Dated, smelly rooms and no air-conditioning and a small TV, leave me no choice but to give this hotel a score of 1.

Inntel Hotel

Inntel Hotel is a hip looking hotel, standing next to the Crowne Plaza, a few minute’s walk from the Centraal Station. The lobby is a hub of activity and has a 1950’s Hollywood feel to it.

The bar and lounge feels like a cozy watering hole for business colleagues and fellow travellers.

The rooms are standard though, lacking the personality that the lobby offers. However, they are quite comfortable, and provide a welcome sanctuary from your busy day. This hotel has free internet but there is no gym or pool, although there are some happy hour specials in the bar.

Bottom line: Decent, comfortable hotel in a great location and ambience and free wifi and a much lower price than others in this post. That is why I give it a score of 3.5.

Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu is a nice hotel on a quiet corner about 7 minutes walk from both Dam Square and Rembrandt Square. This hotel, like Park Plaza Victoria, is part of my preferred Club Carlson rewards program, hence my frequent stay here.

While it is a good overall hotel with all the amenities one would expect from a five star, it is more of a four star hotel in my opinion. Rooms are a bit dated, and frankly they are a little too dark. If you pick the more expensive rooms, they have Nespresso machines and more TV channels, but for the price you pay, it doesn’t make sense to upgrade. If you really like your coffee (and I do), there is a Nespresso machine in the lobby for guests.

Bathrooms are large and nice, with heated floors. This was a pleasant surprise on every one of my trips and was a welcome feature in winter.

Room service menu is a little plain at this hotel. But again, with its location, you can walk a few minutes to satisfy your senses. Meanwhile, wifi in the room is free and fast, and bathrobes and slippers are standard in every room.

Finally, the fitness room is quite decent here, and the sauna is a nice touch, but small and can get crowded with two people.

Bottom line: This is the most expensive hotel on my list, and the free wifi, heated floors and Nespresso in the lobby don’t make up for the price. I give it a score of 3.5

Grand Amrath

A classically and decidedly maritime looking hotel, The Grand Amrath has a very distinct feel to it. The building is an old remnant of the Dutch maritime culture. In random corners of the hotel, you will see paintings, sculptures and glass work that remind you that you are indeed in the Netherlands.

I stayed at this hotel once, and the aspects I loved were the Nespresso machines in every room, the extremely large bathroom, free wifi and the free mini-bar, something I have not seen anywhere else. Even the curtains could be drawn with the click of a button.

The down side, was that my room was not cleaned, which was the first time it has ever happened in all my travels. When I asked the front desk about this, they said I didn’t put the sign on the door to clean the room. But I would argue that a clean room is what we expect, so we don’t think to ask for it. In any case, this was a bit of a turn off, and despite my complaint, they didn’t send anyone to clean. I am certain this was a fluke and one should not expect this to happen again.

The fitness center downstairs is hardly a fitness center. An old treadmill and a couple of other machines do not qualify it as such. However, the pool, although small, was nice, and the sauna and steam room were very impressive.

Bottom line: This is a great hotel, with extravagant amenities and traditional Dutch ambience and luxury. But it does come at a price. I give it a score of 4

Movenpick Hotel

I didn’t know what to expect from this hotel. One of the more expensive choices around Amsterdam, I figured I should give the Swiss chain a try.

The location of the hotel is not the best. While not too far from Centraal station, it is hard to get to and you definitely need a car. I cannot imagine walking from this hotel to Dam Square would be less than 30 minutes, if not more.

The hotel is a typical of a chain hotel. Rooms are comfortable with nice views of the canals, there is a good room service menu and service is quick and courteous.

Some notable things about the Movenpick: they have the largest selection of TV channels and the most number of English language TV channels that I have seen in my travels to Amsterdam. Second, the flat panel TV’s have ambience lighting, a feature associated with the more expensive models. Finally, the room service food, while average, has excellent presentation, almost like a gourmet restaurant. Moreover, their food prices are slightly lower than some of the other hotels. And if you order ice-cream, of course, the Movenpick Hotel serves the delectable Movenpick ice-cream.

Fitness center is better than most, although I still prefer the Doubletree hotel’s fitness center. I believe the main feature is the sauna, the ice shower room and relaxation rooms, which are rare in business hotels.

Bottom line: This is a good hotel for business travellers looking for comfort, luxury and service. It lacks some personality but packs a few pleasant surprises. I give it a score of 4

Hotel JL No76

A boutique hotel in the museum quarter of Amsterdam, this hotel lies almost hidden, on a quiet, unassuming, residential street. This is a small hotel, with personalized service and a treat for the whimsical. So do not expect a fitness room or a swimming pool here.

The decor is minimalist, with white being the central focus. There are Nespresso machines in every room, as well as free internet.

Beds are very comfy and the rooms are larger than they would normally be in a boutique hotel. The hotel lobby has snacks available by the honour system. You eat what you want, and let them know what you took.

If you are looking to stay in a run-of-the-mill 4 star hotel, this is not for you, but if you want something different, exciting, with a more personalized feel to it, look no further than Hotel JL 76.

Bottom line: If this were closer to central Amsterdam, I would be staying here all the time. For its great value, personal touches and decor, I give it a score of 4.5.

Albus Hotel

Steps from the Rembrandt square and the Floating Flower market, Albus hotel is a boutique hotel that might have at one point in time been cool. Now, it begs for maintenance, and a reality check. Not by any means cheap, the hotel’s entrance is nice enough. The lobby and lounge area boast of gentle but flaming light through decorative motifs.

My room was in the basement. A rule of thumb to you hotel operators. Please don’t assume that a guest is ok to be in the basement. At least have the decency to ask. As you can guess, I wasn’t asked. I was told my room was in the basement and that I had been upgraded. So I went down the aging elevator to my room. The furniture had an almost plastic feeling to it. The room was so crowded that I found it difficult to walk. It had three twin beds, so clearly this was a larger room, but with no natural light, bumping into walls and furniture became all the more likely.

The bathroom was dingy as was the wall paper in the room and the carpet. It really was a depressing room and I was happy it was just for one night. The only pleasant thing about the room was the Nespresso machine. Even the free internet was disappointing. It was low speed and you had to pay more to get high speed – a sham in this day and age.

The room service menu lacked variety, and in any case, the appearance of the room did not inspire much appetite so I ate out.

Bottom line: Great location, but dated and crowded rooms and slow internet for the high price tag means you have much better options elsewhere. I give this hotel a score of 3.

To book any of these hotels, get the best Amsterdam Hotel rates here!

As London gears for the Olympics (visit official London 2012 site here) this summer, visitors coming to London to soak up the atmosphere and the grandeur of the Olympics, will need all the help you can get to navigate the grid that is London. Below, I have outlined options and recommendations for travelling to London, travelling within London and hotel options.

Sometimes the best way to get relaxed and release stress is to get away from it all. And with all the amazing sights around the world, there are many places to go and relax. But travelling alone can be dangerous in the world that we live in today. What are you to do when you cannot find a travel companion? Travel groups have a stigma of including pasty-faced tourists with large cameras hanging around their necks. But the travel packages today have evolved into cool groups of people that have interests in common.

Pairing the Right People

Travel companies have found the demand to create packages that best suit the needs of the individual. That is why they have started creating adventure itineraries based on the activities that are unique and uncommon compared with traditional bus tours. This means that if you want to go on a vacation and dig up fossils, it’s a simple Google search away! A company out there (probably a handful) will design a travel package that takes you and a group of other people to an archeological dig.

Find the Perfect Roommate

There is nothing worse than having to bunk with someone that you have nothing in common with. The awkward silences and disagreements can make a long trip unbearable. Travel clubs have come up with a solution to this problem. They now pair people with a roommate who will be compatible. This means that the people who share a room can have common interests & living habits. Often they form bonds and friendships and may even plan trips with one another in the future. Instead of being stuck with someone that you do not like, you may make a friend for life.

Custom Itineraries

One of the hardest parts of travel is deciding what to do. There are so many interesting things to see at each location that it’s sometimes hard to choose from all the fun activities. But taking a vacation with a group will eliminate this problem all together. The travel organization takes the time to create an itinerary for the duration of your stay. This means that all the stress of planning a trip is gone. All you need to do is check the schedule for the day and have a great time!

Traveling solo used to be a lonely experience for people who like to see the world. They would have to see amazing sights alone and endure the stress of planning the vacation (of course this can be fun too but it always comes with baggage (no pun intended!). This is no longer the case. Gone are the days of group tours that only offer cookie cutter bus tours and suck the culture and adventure from the most exciting countries. Travel clubs have made it possible to fly around the world with a small group that has similar interests. This may be the most exciting way to travel the globe. Check it out!

Groupon has reinvigorated the online coupon and deals business with its savvy approach. As consumers, we all like the appeal of saving 80% or 90% on things we wouldn’t normally do if it weren’t for the discount. And for the most part, it works out really well. I’ve often purchased a gourmet dinner, a massage and even an expensive hair cut for a fraction of what I would normally pay and been quite satisfied.

But when it comes to travel, I seriously question any deal that flashes across on my screen, be it from Groupon, Living Social or KGB Deals.

More often than not, if you price out their offering on your favorite travel site, you will find that you could get the deal at the same price or sometimes even cheaper if you price it yourself. Don’t believe me? I will prove it.

Today, I got an email with a KGB deal offering a trip to Budapest for £199 per person including return flights from London (Luton) and a 3-night stay at Lion’s Gate Hotel. You have to buy two vouchers since the price is based on double occupancy. So, this deal costs £398 for two people.

Now, if I price this out using Hotels.com, I get a rate of £144 for 3 nights (double bedroom) from Feb 10-13 (which is within the dates the coupon must be used).

Now, if I price the tickets from Luton using Easyjet, I find that two tickets for a direct flight from Luton to Budapest cost £236. In fact, if I prefer British airways (which I do), the fare is £322 for two round-trip tickets. See screen shots below:

So you see, if you go with Easyjet, you can get the entire package of hotel plus airfare for two for £380 which is cheaper than the price of two KGB Deals vouchers, while the more expensive British Airways option is £466, which while higher than the £398 KGB Deal, is still only 15% more than the KGB option. This is no where near the “up to 50%” discount they claim to be providing. Also, while this is just one example, I have done this calculation on many travel deals over the last few weeks, and have noticed a pattern, which then prompted me to write this post.

Keep in mind, the “deal” comes with restrictions and you might not even get the dates/times you want once you buy the deal. So please be aware that while these travel deals from sites like Groupon et al look attractive, they really are not.

Safe travels!

People usually link travel and vacations with summertime. Winter travel is usually reserved for those who go to the tropics during the cold months. But did you know that winter travel can be as fun and refreshing as spending a week in a Mexican resort? Well, yes, there is always the possibility of getting a cheap hostel in Sydney (because their summer happens during the North American winter), but there is also fun to be had in cold places too!

Québec Winter Carnival, Québec City

This winter carnival is the most famous in North America. Beyond being one of the most historically fascinating cities in North America, Québec has a traditional winter carnival with a ton of fun winter activities. There are snow and ice sculpture competitions, a race across the St-Lawrence river in traditional canoes, and a fun street parade where the Queen of the Carnival appears with the mascot, the Bonhomme Carnaval. You will want to stop by the Ice Hotel, the only one in North America and rebuilt every year out of pure ice and snow. You can also take advantage of the great skiing and snowboarding around the Québec region.

Pacific Northwest

It might always rain in Seattle, but it has among the nicest winter temperature in the northern part of the United States. It rarely gets below freezing, and the locals know how to handle the constant rain and drizzle. There are a ton of museums to visit, from the Experience Music Project to the Sci-Fi Museum. And nothing really compares to sitting down with your friends with a hot cup of coffee in Pike Place Market on a foggy morning. Winter in Seattle is perfect to absorb the unique, indie vibe of this underestimated city.

The Alps

If you’re a ski afficionado, you know that winter rhymes with skiing in the Swiss or French Alps. Of course, these resorts might be expensive, but saving up for them is well worth the while. And there are a ton of youth hostels throughout Europe to help you with housing costs. In any case, a ski trip in Europe is always a good thing to do during the winter. And given how small it is, if you get tired of the snow, you can drive for only a few hours and be on the beach in the Mediterranean. Talk about the best of both worlds!

These are all suggestions for people who don’t mind a little cold in their life. Of course, you are always free to go to the tropics or the southern hemisphere; Sydney hostels are always a welcoming place to stay if you decide to go down under. But for those who like to cozy up near a fireplace or go to the after-ski parties, then staying north of the Equator can definitely be fun.

Sydney is lucky to have so many interesting and attractive regions within close proximity for a weekend trip. You’ll surely want to visit them all. A dream trip away usually goes according to plan, but at least there’s travel insurance should something unfortunate occur. 

The following great locations are all different, but similar in their ability to be easily reached for a short trip away from Sydney.  

Blue Mountains

While Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth succeeded in crossing the Blue Mountains in 1813, after many other white explorers had failed, today the trip to the Blue Mountains is a much easier one. Acknowledgement of these early pioneers, however, is seen in the naming of Blue Mountains suburbs, namely Blaxland, Lawson, and Wentworth Falls. Loads of bushwalking options make the Blue Mountains a great escape, although the Katoomba Scenic Railway, Zig Zag railway, Jenolan Caves and panoramic Edge Cinema ensure that there’s plenty of attractions to fill out a weekend. The natural beauty of the Blue Mountains has led to the region being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Area. 

Hunter Valley 

Australia produces many world class wines, and the Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine growing regions. How fortunate is Sydney to have such a place, right on her doorstep? Naturally, this proximity lends itself favourably to weekends away amongst the vineyards. Indeed, around two and a half million people visit the area annually. Most wineries open their doors for wine tastings, with some wine varieties available exclusively here at the source. There are also cheese tastings, and for those looking to add a sporting slant to their weekend away, great golf courses and accompanying resorts.

 Newcastle 

A pleasant city break away without the Sydney crowds, Newcastle has grown out of its former image as an industrial city, however its colourful past may enthuse this history buffs. The steelworks may have closed, but Newcastle remains the biggest coal exporting port in the world. Newcastle, however, is much more than this, with beautiful beaches, good dining, a jazz festival and a solid live music scene that has spawned popular acts like Silverchair and the Screaming Jets. Sports fans may want to take in the strong feelings of local pride at a Newcastle Knights rugby league game. Take the train up from Sydney, for a pleasant journey that crosses the Hawkesbury river and winds along next to the water for part of the trip. 

Central Coast

Wedged between Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Sydney is the Central Coast. The main town in the region is Gosford, a pleasant spot for a lunch on the attractive lake. Boat cruises also run on certain days, including weekends. The Central Coast also has magnificent beaches. Avoca beach has long been a popular getaway for Sydneysiders. Reasonable surf and a pleasant family atmosphere make it a good choice. Further north, The Entrance also has a lovely beach. Not only this, but behind the beach is a large lagoon, home to scores and scores of pelicans. Don’t miss the daily feeding times, when staff from the fish shop across the road bring across plenty of tucker for the eagerly awaiting birds.

The word that matches perfectly when describing the city of Venice is “unique”. Positioned in northern Italy, the city is a key tourist destination famous for the fact that it is the only car-free city in the entire world and is thus very pleasant to be explored on foot and with a boat or gondola. Often Venice is named “the city of bridges”, “the city of canals” and the “city of masks” and even “queen of Adriatic”, but whatever the expression, this is definitely the most beautiful settlement ever constructed by people and still one of the most romantic holiday destinations on earth. Venice is positioned on total of 117 small islands set in a lagoon and used to be an important trade center, art zone and maritime power during the Middle Ages and after that during the Renaissance.

Nowadays, Venice remains an intriguing destination for vacationers, romantics and honeymooners alike. It is separated into six main districts including San Marco, Santa Groce, Castello and Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio, each of which features unique and  interesting sites. In addition, there are two main districts Giudecca and Lido di Venezia, as well as several islands like Murano and Burano, Torcello, etc. The city of Venice is a fantastic place to stay at as it features appealing serviced apartments often meters away from the major sites.

Among the major sites that deserve the attention are to be mentioned the main square San Marco with the marvelous basilica bearing the same name with the four horses above the main entrance. Next to it is set the bell tower; where from its top visitors could enjoy delightful panoramic view over Venice and the lagoon. Close to these are set the Correr Museum with its collection of globes and the Doge’s Palace with the Bridge of Sighs. Other places to visit include the Theatre La Fenice, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

Accommodations in Venice are ample, but look for furnished and equipped vacation apartments to make your stay reasonable and memorable.

The best advice I can give when heading to Venice is that you allow yourself to be charmed – try to find your way without a map, go on an evening trip with gondola, ride the Vaporetti boats and of course, try the local food and wines.

Bali is one of the few places on Earth where you can see a lot and do a lot without using up your holiday traveling forever to get there. The Top Ten are a good indication of how well laid out Bali is for tourists.

Kuta

Kuta is is the famous surfing area, and around Kuta’s fabulous beach is a host of different things to see and do. If you’re new to Bali, this is a good place to see a lot of the best of Bali in one place, and acclimatize. For a quick wind down when you’re just off the plane, there’s nothing like it.

Ubud

Ubud is a region of Bali situated in the mountains to the north of Denpasar. This is a truly beautiful, ancient place, with Sumatran elephants, and traditional villages. It’s a whole new world, and one of the best chances to see the unspoiled old culture. It’s also the home of the Balinese royal family. Not to be missed.

Bali Barat National Park

Did you know Bali has its own leopards? How about the barking deer? This is yet another of Bali’s unique features, the wildlife which Bali has been protecting in the face of the last century of development.

Kintamani

Kintamani was once Bali’s biggest city. It’s now a smallish town in the north, right next to a lake with created by a volcanic crater. With typical Balinese understatement, the town has a mountain range and jungle around it, like a lost world. It also has beaches, and hot springs.

Denpasar

Denpasar is the best area for Bali accommodation and a good place to check out the shopping, find the good souvenirs, and do some pricing. You may find yourself sending a few shipping containers home, but the actual merchandise is pretty good, particularly the Balinese craftwork.

Amlapura

North east of Denpasar is Amlapura. This is a mix of the very modern, the not so modern, and the ancient. Amlapura includes the fabulous Water Palace, with a lot of Hindu images, and beautiful gardens. For the culture tourists, a must-see.

Mount Agung

Mount Agung is a holy site. It’s also the biggest mountain on Bali, and you can get a trekking tour. When you get to the top, you’re above the clouds. This is one of Bali’s gems, and if you’re fit, you’ll love it.

The Bali offshore islands

Bali’s satellite islands are like Bali; mysterious, fun, and there’s a lot to do. The Balinese islands are also famous scuba diving and windsurfing places. These are worth a whole day, so plan ahead and enjoy.

Singaraja

If you want beaches, waterfalls, hot springs and a place that doesn’t get too much attention on the tourist maps, Singaraja on the north coast is definitely it. This used to be the old colonial capital of Bali, and it’s a dream.

Negara

In the west is the real wild Bali, much less highly developed. This is a really fascinating place, with tours. It includes a 2400 metre mountain, a volcano, wildlife, and some really nice beaches.

The honeymoon is the perfect time for a new couple to relax and enjoy each other’s company, especially after months spent planning the wedding. There is no longer any planning to worry about and you can use this vacation as way to unwind from stress of planning the wedding celebration. Honeymoons are usually spent in a secluded destination at a private resort. If you are unfamiliar with any destinations that you are considering, it may be best to speak with a travel agent. There are many excellent travel agencies, which include Liberty Travel, Expedia, and AAA. A honeymoon can be enjoyed almost anywhere, but below are five destinations that I enjoy the most.

Mexico

Cancun is an excellent choice with many beautiful beaches. The town of Cancun also offers activities such as horseback riding, scuba diving and para-sailing. It is a popular honeymoon destination with many resorts to choose from. There are many hotel chains available along with lodging unique to Cancun. Along with the beaches, you can experience Mayan culture by visiting the archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba.

Jamaica

Jamaica is a wonderful honeymoon destination because of its sunsets, white beaches, green mountains, and stunning waterfalls. There are a variety of hotels and resorts available, but some hotels are more for families rather than couples on their honeymoon. The Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio Golf Resort and Spa or Sandals Montego Bay are two excellent hotel choices that are perfect for a honeymoon. Another excellent hotel is The Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort, which has over 110 acres of property along with championship golf and scuba diving. You could also choose a classic Jamaican hotel by staying at the Jamaica Inn, which has a 700-foot private beach, and every suite has a view of the ocean.

Maui

Hawaii is an amazing location for couples on their honeymoon. Maui is a large island with many sightseeing opportunities like snorkeling, helicopter tours, and you can even tour a volcano. The Four Seasons Maui Resort is the only 5-Star Resort in Hawaii and it provides couples with an amazing experience. If you want to get even farther away, then check out Hotel Hana Maui and Honua Spa. Another interesting choice is the ka’anapali beach hotel, which stays true to Hawaiian culture.

St. Lucia

St Lucia is located in the Lesser Antilles and it is perfect for couples who want to relax in a secluded location that is not overcrowded with tourists. This island is known for its hiking and cycling trails, gardens, and fishing. St. Lucia is rich is French culture and it is a small, lush island that remains less developed when compared to other Islands in the Caribbean.

Bahamas

If you are interested in diving and snorkeling in clear blue water or relaxing in the sun, the Bahamas may be the destination for you. It is in close proximity to the United States and the flight would not be very long. The two largest resorts are The Reef Atlantis and the Cove Atlantis, but there are also more private resorts like Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island.

Guest authored by Josh Brown

While idly wandering the cobbles of Alicante’s Explanada de Espana, it struck me how perfect the city is for weekend breaks. Although it’s a firm favourite with European holidaymakers looking for relaxing sun holidays, Alicante seems to offer something special besides. You know – the type of qualities you encounter in much larger cities.   Not only is the old town friendly and charismatic, it has its very own international airport (I would be flying out of here), clothing shops galore and there are enough interesting attractions and curiosities to keep even the most world-weary traveler amused for a day or two should the sun go AWOL.

So how come it’s not up there with Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona?

Believe me, it’s getting there.  A new Maritime station was constructed here just 5 years ago to encourage cruise tourism and with the Old Town just a 10 minute walk from the port, tourist numbers have been steadily increasing over the past few years.

Alicante is fortunate in terms of its location.  Set on the east coast of Spain in the heart of the Costa Blanca, it may find itself on the Mediterranean coast but there is definitely an air of the exotic about the town. On the waterfront and esplanades there’s a distinctly African feel.  Street traders selling hand carved African masks hustle for your attention, while women dressed in vibrant kaftans preside over colorful jewelry and craft stalls.

At the center of Alicante is the historic heart of the city.  If you stand around here long enough, you can almost hear the aged Baroque buildings whispering swashbuckling tales of seafaring adventures. Not really, but if the walls could indeed talk, they’d tell you all about Alicante’s rich maritime history.  Unfortunately they can’t so instead, visitors must make do with the exhibits in the cool, air-conditioned surrounds of the Municipal Archeological Museum and the Bullfighting Museum.

Not all of the city’s sights are locked away behind glass cases.  Keep your eyes peeled and you won’t be disappointed in the old town.  Close to the middle, you’ll find the impressive Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, which is encircled by the narrow streets of the old quarter known as El Barro.  This is the place to find the best nightlife and cheapest accommodation if you’re on a budget. Heading a little further along here, you’ll come to Calle de Italia, the main tourist information center where you’ll see post offices as well as bus and trains which lead into and out of Alicante city.

Like fashionable Barcelona, Alicante has its very own colourful thoroughfare called Las Rambla. It is lined with palm trees, sunny pavement cafés and cute little ice-cream parlours.  If you have time to spare around here, I’d recommend you try the local horchata, a traditional drink made from almonds.  There are plenty of places to stroll and explore in the vicinity.  You can basically take your pick from lush gardens and parks, marble paved plazas and the wide Explanada d’Espanya that surrounds the yacht harbour. Wooden benches are dotted all around, making it tempting to take the weight off your feet and watch the world go by for an hour or so.

Should you choose to walk a little further, you’ll be rewarded by the view of the Mediterranean which looks so inviting that it’s easy to see why so many people visit Alicante for its beaches alone.

The beach at San Juan is worth the trek, even if you’re not into sunbathing, you’ll find a fine selection of restaurants and cafés where you can try local favorite, Mandeditas.  Similar to tapas, the waiter calculates your bill based on the number of cocktail sticks on your plate.  Sobrasada and cream cheese, herring and tomato, red pepper, anchovy, egg mayonnaise, black pudding and goats cheese are just some of tasty snacks waiting to tempt you.

Unfortunately, I got home just before the whole town erupted for the traditional San Juan celebrations of June 23^rd. I was sorry I didn’t stay longer.  If you’re not familiar, San Juan is the festival of St John.  It is a celebration of change.  It is about night turning to day, fire turning to water. Although it has religious connotations today, its origins can be traced back to pagan times when people believed that fire purified while water refreshed and rejuvenated.

I would have loved to have witnessed all the weird and wonderful traditions that go along with San Juan.  It must be quite something to witness the haze of bonfires and fireworks on the beaches while thousands of people wade through the water after midnight.

Oh well, there’s always next time!

About the Author:

Fiona Hilliard usually writes about Alicante car hire for award-winning site ArgusCarHire.com.  On a recent trip to Spain, she stopped off in the old town of Alicante for a spot of sight-seeing.  Here she shares her impressions of the tourist hotspot.