Despite being thousands of miles away in the Canary Islands, the small island of Tenerife that nestles in the Atlantic Ocean is typically Spanish in both its culture and laid back attitude to life making Tenerife holidays a popular destination. The Hispanic culture came into being when Spain became the official ruler of this archipelago at the end of the 15^th century. The Spanish influence has been prevalent in customs, traditions and the general culture of the islands ever since.

If you are looking online for a cultural guide to Tenerife you will be invariably directed to Spanish sites, and while this may indeed help you to find what you are looking for, it is also important to remember the culture of Tenerife is a far cry from the bustling Spanish resorts on the Mediterranean, and their biggest influence is by far the Spain of old; the real Spain if you will.

When you visit Tenerife, you will find their rich and vibrant culture at every turn, whether you are exploring the art galleries and museums in the capital Santa Cruz, or exploring the ancient cobbled streets Puerto de la Cruz, located in the stunning Oratava Valley. The every day culture of the people in most prevalent in the tiny villages tucked away in the mountains, and exploring these is a must.

Traces of the ancient Gaucho culture can still be found, particularly amongst those communities who are proud of their heritage and who can trace their ancestry back to these first settlers, but they are now few and far between. These times are still part of the school curriculum, as while the Canarians are proud to call themselves Spanish; this was an important part of the islands’ history.

A good cultural guide to Tenerife will embrace all of the aforementioned and more. It will tell of the Spanish influenced gastronomy, the bank holidays and fiestas as well as the afternoon siestas when a break is taken through the hottest part of the day. This information will have you well prepared for your trip to Tenerife.

For your own royal experience find the Chesterfield Mayfair, which is very close to Buckingham Palace, so you know it won’t skimp you on service or quality. It’s also near other great tourist spots, such as the historic Royal Academy, Hyde Park and Berkeley Square. The dining establishment, called the Butler Restaurant, has that old world feel that every would be king or queen will enjoy, the toffee pudding hits the spot after a hot and seared red snapper, enjoy the food, enjoy the fun, and enjoy the old English feel of the Chesterfield Mayfair.

If you want more of a Buddhist/oriental type feel then you’ll love the Myhotel Chelsea. It seems small and hard to find, but once inside it opens up like one of the magical tents straight out of Harry Potter. The dark wood floors contrasted with the eggshell white walls and comforters makes these rooms some of the prettiest and best decorated in all of England. The rooms have all the latest in technology and electronics, the one down fall of the Myhotel Chelsea is the size of the bathrooms. They’re typically small of the oriental style homes, giving the customer the feeling of actually staying in an authentic oriental dwelling, while seeing bustling London out the window.

For the best boutique hotels in London you should look no further than the Chesterfield Mayfair and the Myhotel Chelsea.

The popularity of Krakow in Poland has seen a huge surge with a big increase in tourists over the past few years, and with much improved travel links from the UK, it is fast becoming a top European holiday destination. The one problem with all this is that numerous guides have popped up all over the internet, and they either cover the same things over and over again or completely contradict themselves, making it difficult to find your way around.

To get the best out of your trip to Krakow, there are some great insider tips to make your stay more enjoyable and take a lot of stress of planning your trip. This may seem like common sense but book your accommodation as far as advance as possible. While there are numerous hotels and hostels here, many are devoid of a lift and have enough stairs to test an Olympiad, so the better ones are snapped up quickly.

The weather here literally goes to extremes; freezing cold winters where the streets become ice rinks, and unbearably hot summers. So time your visit carefully and pack appropriately. Some people drink the water and are fine, others get upset stomachs, so bottled water is advised. There are numerous stalls scattered throughout the city selling water but the labels are virtually the same for flat and sparkling, so give the bottle a squeeze to ensure you have the right one.

As far as food goes, we have typically eastern European fare here of meat and potatoes, whilst the favourite meal is Perogies; meat or potato wrapped in a dough. If this kind of cuisine isn’t really your thing, check out online before you go what other restaurants are there, and whereabouts they are so you are not hunting around for them with a grumbling stomach. All the top fast food outlets are here too for those who prefer to stick with what they know.

There are few countries in the world that can match Austria for its natural, scenic beauty. The majestic snow capped mountains giving way to lush, green valleys dotted with Edelweiss and glittering lakes are the kind of scene that you expect to see on picture postcards. While there are many ways to see the best ofAustria, one of the best, and most comfortable, is to take the train.

It is difficult to say which are the most scenic rail holidays around Austria that are available as they  all have their own charm. The Semmering Railroad runs between Gloggnitz  and Semmering, and affords the passenger the most amazing views as they pass through the stunning mountain scenery. The route this rail takes you has been recognised as a feat of engineering and was designated a world heritage site in 1998.

Taking the Arlberg route sees you passing through all the top ski resorts in the east of Austria. As Arlberg is considered to be the home of modern skiing, you will get to see the breathtaking scenery from a totally new perspective as the train trundles through the mountain at a pace that demands you make the most of the photographic opportunities before you.

The Mariazell Railway is a narrow gauge in eastern Austria that runs from St Poelten and  Mariazell. This has been described in the past as one of the most scenic rail journeys around Austria and it is easy to see why. The 85km stretch winds its way through mountains and valleys, across bridges and through tunnels, giving you unprecedented access to some the best scenery in the world.

These are just a few of the best train journeys that you can take to explore the real Austria, and there are several others available that are equally as exciting.

Even after all this time the popularity of Vegas shows no sign of dissipating, but what is it that attracts so many people into the middle of nowhere? It’s a fact that there is not anywhere on earth quite like Vegas, where else could you find glitz and glamour as the unlikely soul-mates of cheap and tacky? The infamous strip gives you thrills, spills, excitement, disappointment but above all, one of the most unique experiences of your life.

Vegas is one of the most filmed towns in the US, and has appeared in numerous films and television show, most of which show it in its best light and wet the appetite of those looking for a real adrenaline rush without dangling upside down on a length of elastic. Anyone who comes here, whatever their background, is treated the same, and as you rub shoulders with the rich and famous you are one of them, for a short time at least, and this is one of the major attractions.

Even if you aren’t a gambler per se, the lure of the machines and tables are something that few can resist, and the thought of dropping a quarter in and coming away with thousands is the stuff that dreams are made of, and Vegas buys into this dream big style and the stories of the little guy who dropped in a coin and became a millionaire is well documented, giving everyone the feeling that it could be them next time.

Venice is known as a city of romance with gondolas taking star crossed lovers through the canals as scents float through the air and music plays all around of you.  Although this may seem too much like the movies to be true, in Venice this exact scenario is very likely.  With all of this romance in the air it is likely you will want to stop to treat your loved one and yourself to a beer or spirit, but if you are not careful the drink alone can bust your budget.  To this end, here are some great budget bars to check out while inVeniceso that you can afford that picture perfect gondola ride to end the night.

First off, be aware that food and drinks are much more expensive in Venice than most other tourist destinations, so choose to stand instead of sit most of the time for a better deal. For example if you take a few shots of red wine or white wine at the bar you can expect to pay about two euro, but if you sit down the price will go up by more than 500% in some cases.  Wine cocktails, campari, and sprtiz al bitter are all similar budget options.

The hotels throughout Venice are also great places to stop for a drink because their prices tend to be lower since most people do not drink in the hotels since they are out and about.  Therefore, if you want a low priced drink you may consider stopping into the hotel bar for a bit and then heading out to the clubs.

When it comes to booking trips, holidays or affordable short breaks, your accommodation is often the most thought about and time consuming part. With the prices of hotel rates across the globe constantly rising, but with less disposable income around than ever, finding good quality accommodation at affordable prices is becoming increasingly difficult to find. There are a few tips however, that will make this whole process a lot less stressful.

Don't be tempted to land in a country without any accommodation booked and  think you will pick up a great bargain by finding somewhere with vacancies and that they would rather give you a reduced price that let the room stay empty. Hotels have long since wised up to this and they know you desperately want somewhere to stay, don't want to keep lugging your cases around and can charge very much what they like, and you will invariably end up paying a lot more.

The internet has opened up a whole new world as far as finding holiday apartments available is concerned, and is the first place to look when seeking hotel accommodation. If you have a hotel in mind, you may be confused by the fact that if often costs more by dealing with the hotel directly rather than by going via a travel website. This is the case with the majority of hotels now however, so check out some of the reputable accommodation websites and compare the prices.

Price comparison sites do what they say on the tin; you simply input when and where you want to go, and for how long, and a list of results will appear with the prices offered by different sites. This can save a lot of time, especially if you are set on where you want to go, and the difference in the prices for the same hotel at the same time is shocking.

Always read the small print before you book any hotel accommodation. Some rooms that seem a great deal aren't so much when you see the price they charge for air conditioning, and remember that if you book a cheap hotel that is away from a resort, you will find  yourself staying there most nights, and the price of the food and the drinks will be expensive as they know, unless you are prepared to spend money on taxis, which can be very expensive abroad, they have you virtually captive.

All inclusive holidays are the biggest sellers at the moment, and for many families they are the most cost effective way of going on holiday. Before you book all inclusive, however, do some sums. Are you really going to eat and drink enough to warrant the extra money you are spending? This is another way that you will be tied to your hotel as you will be loathe to spend money elsewhere, but one of the great things about holidays is going out at night, and you can lose this freedom by going all inclusive.

Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden and therefore one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scandinavia. It started out as an industrial town but today has become more of a university town that is incredibly cultured and offers a wide array of activities to visitors.

The Malmohus Castle is one of the must see attractions in town, found in the old city district of Malmo on the western side. Originally built in 1437, it was a prison up until 1914 but since then has been completely remodelled and now serves as an art and history museum as well as a terrarium and aquarium, making it a one stop delight.

For a unique taste of the culture of Malmo make sure to stop by Mollevangstorget Square to the south of the city centre, where you will find weekend open air markets and street performers.  The Square simply comes alive during the weekends offering an array of delights that will vary by the day, keeping it fresh and vibrant for all visitors to enjoy.

One of the newest landmarks in Malmo is the Turning Turso, which is a 190m tall building that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The building is a sight in itself, but more beautiful scenic attractions are available behind it along the waterfront promenade. Skaters will also enjoy the top notch skate park that sits behind it as well.

Finally, the live music scene in Malmo is inspired by plenty of rock and dub, and many modern musicians call it home, so stopping to take in a concert or two in a nightclub or pub is a great way to spend an evening while in town.

Get Pure Luxury

Ever heard of the Burj Al Arab Hotel? If you haven’t you should definitely book a room there ASAP. Equipped with personal butlers, marble staircases and the like, you certainly won’t want for personal attention during your stay. Employees generally greet you by name as you make your way through the hotel’s maze of guest-only bars, spas, restaurants and beaches. And should you find yourself a little parched at the beach? Yes, there’s a dedicated water bottle spray person for that.

See the Best and Biggest of Everything

Dubai prides itself on offering the biggest and best of everything, so it’s imperative you see it all there. This city boasts the word’s largest indoor ski resort, the biggest mall and the world’s tallest building. If excess is on your agenda, then you certainly must see them all. After all, luxury and indulgence are the bywords of success aren’t they?

Get Pampered

In a city filled with beaches and other “natural” paradises, getting a little time away from the hustle and bustle of other starry eyed tourists should top your agenda. Why not head to one of the many spas or spa hotels such Le Royal Meridian that Dubai has on offer? You’ll find that these pampering spots are wholeheartedly dedicated to your relaxation and enjoyment. Sit back and enjoy fine massages, facials, manicures and the like. And you’d better believe their will be a bar on hand!

Venice is a stunning city filled with plenty of canals, ancient buildings, sidewalk cafes, shops and bridges to keep any tourist busy for days. Due to this fact, one of the simplest and most popular attractions of the city is exploring it by foot. Instead of grabbing a guidebook, venture out of your hotel and see what the city has to offer and you will not be disappointed.

One of the most confusing parts of Venice is that the entire city seems to be immense because of its winding canals and streets. In reality, the city is pretty compact and you could easily cross most areas in about an hour, making it easy to tour the city of foot.

Of course, at least once or twice you will want to jump on the vaporetto (water bus) and simply ride down the Grand Canal, because not only is this a great way to see Venice, but it is a thrill just to head down the canal for those who have never done so. The gondolas are also a  wonderful experience, especially at night when the Grand Canal is lit up, but you will have to pay more for a ride.

While in town, may sure to drop into a few shops and bakeries as the Venetians are extremely friendly and whether you are looking for the perfect dress or the perfect pastry, you will not be disappointed anywhere in town.