Wolfgang Busch

We've all been there. We scrape our hard-earned cash together to book a holiday and then kick back and wait for that special day to come around, putting a few pennies on the side for souvenirs, ice creams, and the odd cold beer in the evening.

But if you're one of those people (like me) who never takes enough spending money and who can never be bothered to calculate exchange rates, you'll probably find a large hole in your pocket and a hefty credit card bill by the end of your trip. If I had a penny (a Euro, or even a Kuna) for every time I'd overspent on meals or day trips, I'd probably have enough to book an extra holiday this year.

However, there is hope yet. I recently came across Thomas Cook’s Holiday Budget Calculator. It's a handy little tool that's available on the website. It works out the amount of spending money you'll need based on your destination, local exchange rates, and what sort of costs you're likely to incur while you're away.

Start by selecting your holiday destination and choosing a holiday (don't worry, you don't have to go through the whole booking process). Then based on your choice of destination, you can find out the average cost of holiday essentials like a bottle of beer, souvenirs and day trips, along with how many times you intend to buy them.

The end result is based on various eventualities like the average local cost of living and exchange rates, and should give you a fair idea of how much spending money you'll need in popular tourist locations.

It's easy to use and it's pretty intuitive too. It's not just designed for people who intend to book through Thomas Cook, anyone can use it, plus there's a link to order Travel Money. This is another handy tool that offers instant exchange rates based on how much you want to convert. It's commission-free and over 50 different currencies are available, so even if you're not booking a Thomas Cook holiday you can still make the most of their currency exchange tool.

I think they're both useful and in today's economy, the calculator app is bound to be a hit with budget-conscious holidaymakers. I'll certainly use it when I'm planning my next trip and, who knows, with those savings perhaps I can book an extra holiday this year after all...

In 1492, a new discovery was added to the globe by the famous explorer Christopher Columbus - a discovery that would be later described as one of the most luxurious destinations for holidays and a place that is enriched with beauty, culture and the all important sun, sea and sand.

The Caribbean offers bright white beaches, kissed by deep blue oceans, rum cocktails, which are sipped by the side of a pool and exotic foods, which excite your taste buds. There are plenty of locations you can choose to visit, but where to go first is a question that forms on the lips of most Caribbean travellers.

If you choose Royal Caribbean Cruises deals you can explore a variety of Caribbean islands during a single trip. Sail through the Bahamas, top up your tan in Puerto Rico, hit the shops in St Martin – however you want to spend your days, they’re sure to have the perfect option.

If the Western Caribbean is more your style, grab a snorkel to go lobster hunting in Playa del Carmen and swim alongside stingrays, before visiting the stunning waterfalls of Jamaica and taking a trip into the wondrous rainforests of Costa Rica. You certainly won’t be short of anything to do.

On board the cruise, the fun doesn’t stop; you can take part in many of the on board activities, including wave surfing, slides and other water activities. You can also opt for a relaxing massage, a swim in the inviting pool or a quiet afternoon cocktail by the bar. Your evenings will be filled with glamour, excitement and variety, with entertainment covering everything from Broadway musicals to aqua-theatres. Some of the cruise ships even have 3D theatres for the kids, plus a whole host of children’s day and evening activities, aimed at various age groups.

If you are hoping for something to tickle your taste buds, dining on board a Royal Caribbean ship will not disappoint; you can dine with the family, or for those travelling without children, you can choose to eat in an ‘adults only’ section, where you’ll be undisturbed by other families. The food is prepared on board by a team of talented chefs, who will ensure every morsel is exquisite, offering you a range of tastes from around the world - the perfect way to summarise a cruise holiday with Royal Caribbean!

Holidays are the thing that we often look forward to the most during the year, counting the days until we are lounging on that gorgeous sunny beach, scuba diving in the beautiful blue sea or partying with friends.

When it comes to booking a holiday, planning in advance can be good fun, but sometimes you just want to throw caution to the wind and book that last minute holiday. But just what are the three main benefits of booking your holiday at the last minute?

Often you will find that booking last minute holidays can bring serious savings. Holding out for that perfect location can be a risk, admittedly, but if you are prepared to wait, you could just bag yourself a brilliant bargain.

It may be a saving of a few pounds or a couple of hundred, but last minute bookings can certainly offer some of the most competitive rates on the holiday market.

You may worry that booking last minute may severely limit the choices you have but this is rarely the case. With such a huge variety of holidays on offer these days, you may find that there are many options with last minute holidays that you may not have realised even existed.

You may find yourself choosing a location that you wouldn’t ordinarily have thought of, and have a fantastic time. A last minute holiday could open up a world of amazing choices and opportunities – literally.

Booking a last minute holiday could be the best idea to determine when the ideal conditions will be present. For example, booking last minute skiing holidays can be the perfect way to catch suitable skiing conditions.

When it comes to sunny holidays, booking last minute can also mean that you can get a better idea of what the weather will be like. It can always be a bit risky as there may be lots of people who also have the same idea, so even when booking last minute, you should try getting in quickly.

Overall, there are many benefits to booking a holiday at the last minute and you may find yourself going off on an adventure that you would never have dreamt of. Why not take a look at the wide range of last minute holiday options available online and see if you can get the holiday of a lifetime for a lot less?

Bangkok gets more lively and fun as the day passes by. By night, the city really turns alive, with district after district lighting up to accommodate the throngs of night owls who are looking for places to party, dine, and shop in. Though Bangkok's nightlife used to have a reputation for sleaziness and rowdiness, its image has drastically improved over the years.

Book your flights at Momondo site and prepare yourself to embrace the intense nightlife at the streets and districts of this wonderful city. Below some recommended venues to party in Bangkok:

With its space-themed interiors and edgy house music, Bed Supperclub is the most popular, if not the best, nightclub in Bangkok. Aside from being one of the most hip and happening dance clubs in the city (internationally-renowned DJs like Sven Vath and and Drum n' Bass DJ Pendulum have already graced its dance floors), Bed Supperclub also boasts a unique dining environment where customers are served their food while lounging on white beds in the restaurant area.

Nothing can beat the 360-degree view of the Bangkok skyline from the Octave Rooftop Lounge and Bar. This rooftop bar, a favorite haunt of tourists and guests at the Marriot Hotel Sukhumvit, is the perfect place to watch the sunset or to just chill around with friends and loved ones. Its open-air layout offers a refreshing take for people who are tired of crowded and noisy bars. Also the views from Amari Watergate Bangkok Hotel, and especially from the executive lounge are pretty amazing too.

Bangkok's nightlife is not all about drinking and partying. The Patpong Night Market in the Silom area offers great deals on knick-knacks, branded items, and souvenirs. Be warned though, some sellers will rip off unsuspecting tourists by charging exorbitant prices on their goods. Make sure you know what the average prices of most goods are, and that you can haggle your way around the market on your own. The Patpong Night Market, which is a few minutes walk away from the Sala Daeng train station, is open from 6PM to around 1AM.

For those who want to experience the best of Thai culture and cuisine, the Loy Nava Dinner Cruise is the best option. Visitors can experience riding a teakwood rice barge in style along the great Chao Praya river. This romantic cruise has excellent dining (local Thai cuisine is served on board), while offering some spectacular views of the city's riverside. Traditional Thai dancers also provide entertainment for guests. Though the price can be quite steep ($200 for the entire cruise package), the trip and experience are all worth it.

Unlike other "ladyboy" shows in Bangkok, the shows from the Playhouse Theater and Cabaret is wholesome and has none of the risque content that other sleazy attractions offer. Everything is Broadway-styled, which means the focus is on the impressive dancers, showmanship, set, costumes, and music. The theater offers great views of the stage, while the staff ensures that you get the best dining and entertainment service as possible. The Cabaret is located in Asia Hotel, along Phayathai Road.

By any stretch of the imagination, Oman is a unique destination. Go ask the Brits about this 'undiscovered' land bathed by waters of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. For the British have been trading with the country for quite a number of centuries, longer even than the United States has existed as a nation! 

The good news is visitors from around the world are now beginning to wake up to the possibilities of this land of incredible contrasts. If you're the sort of person who loves the great outdoors then Oman is certainly for you with its wild mountain peaks, wadis and thousands of miles of rugged empty coastline to explore. Dune bashing in a 4x4 in the incredible Wahiba Sands is an experience not to be missed! The amazing desert region in the north-east of the country is also home to thousands of friendly and welcoming Bedouin tribesmen. 

It has to be said a credit card in Oman is a rather handy accessory for the visitor intent on making the most out of their stay. Visitors looking for a more genteel experience should certainly stick to Muscat, the capital of Oman, which has everything you would expect from a modern city. If air conditioned shopping malls instead of jagged mountain peaks are more your style then you've got them. If fine dining in chic restaurants is more to your taste than downing lunch alfresco-style at some remote and extremely hot desert location then you've also got plenty of choice there too.

From the sublime architecture and friendly staff at the Royal Opera House to nearby public beaches and several stunning 18-hole golf courses, Muscat has everything you can think of to make any visit a truly memorable experience. There's even a children's museum with lots of hands-on exhibits to keep the most restless of youngsters completely enthralled. Mums and dads are also encouraged to relive their childhoods, too. A visit to the Oman Children's Museum certainly adds up to a great day out for all the family!

You may remember last year's nine-day official tour of the Middle East by Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, which included a visit to Oman. The high-profile visit certainly helped put Oman on the tourist map. The British royal couple even spent some time at the 12th century Nizwa Fort, one of the oldest forts in the country and the most visited national monument. The fort is located in Oman's A'Dakhiliyah Governorate and is about 90 miles from Muscat. 

Anyone interested in military history will surely find the fort fascinating with its defences designed to obstruct and defeat the most determined and aggressive of attackers. The majority of what can be seen today was in fact built by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Ya'arubi in 1668 and although it is the largest fort in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula, Nizwa Fort is not the only such defensive structure in the country, far from it. There are no less than 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman, all built to protect the 1,000 miles of coastline from foreign invasion. 

Although warlike foreign invaders may be a thing of the past, the Omani government is certainly keen on attracting peaceful invasions of the tourist variety! So click here for more on what to see and do in this beautiful and unforgettable country.

Photos via Flickr Creative Commons

For those with a passion for history, Cuba is a fascinating country to visit. Thankfully for keen travellers, as Cuba becomes a more popular package holiday destination, it’s easier than ever to take advantage of cheap holidays in Cuba to discover the Caribbean island’s unique culture and past.

The first Spanish villages in Cuba were established not long after Christopher Columbus discovered the Cuban archipelago in the 16th century. During the era of conquistador Diego Velázquez, between 1510 and 1524, seven villages were created which are now major historic centres. Indeed, four of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a tour of the seven villages is a quirky way to travel across Cuba and across the centuries: 

The first of these villages was created in 1511, called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa – now known simply as Baracoa. This settlement on Guantánamo’s southern coast is often called Cuba’s most interesting city – it developed in relative isolation from the rest of the country until the opening of the La Farola road in 1964, giving it a unique style. 

In 1513, Bayamo was created as the Spaniards advanced to the west. As the provincial capital of Granma, this is a peaceful place with a deep sense of history. 

The third village to be founded was Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe (now Camagüey). It played a prominent role as the urban centre of a cattle breeding and sugar-growing region. The irregular urban pattern of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains winding streets, squares, alleys and urban blocks, is exceptional for Latin American colonial towns. 

Fellow World Heritage Site Santiago de Cuba was established in 1514 and replaced Baracoa as the island’s capital in 1607, thanks to its location on the Caribbean Sea. Its complex of forts, magazines, bastions and batteries is the world’s best-preserved and most complete example of Spanish-American military architecture based on Italian and Renaissance design principles, according to UNESCO.

The fifth village to be created was Holy Trinity, or Santísima Trinidad. Thanks to its blend of architectural styles from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, UNESCO declared the city Humankind’s Heritage. According to the organisation, it is an “outstanding example of a colonial city”. 

In 1514, the Villa del Espíritu Santo (today Sancti Spiritus) was founded and, following this, San Cristóbal de La Habana (now Havana, Cuba’s capital) came into being in 1519. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is globally famous for its interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments and the surreal stuck-in-time feeling caused by the imposition of a trade embargo in 1960. The metropolis of two million inhabitants also features four large historic squares, and visiting history buffs shouldn’t miss the palaces of Segundo Cabo and Los Capitanes Generales while on holiday in this beautiful, beguiling island nation. 

Author bio: Jenny Cho was born in New Zealand, but is lucky to have a job that takes her all over the world. As an engineer, she works with rural communities to set up sustainable water treatment systems to make sure everybody has access to clean and safe water – and she writes about her travel experiences on the side.

If you are planning a trip to Santa Monica, California, you should take time out of your busy schedule to enjoy the Santa Monica Mountains. By visiting the mountains, you will give yourself a breath of fresh air and relief from everyday stresses. In fact, to best benefit from the great outdoors, here are 4 activities to enjoy while at the Santa Monica Mountains:

If you want to get away from everything for your trip, you can take advantage of everything that the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has to offer. In fact, there are a number of campgrounds you can take advantage of from Point Mugu State Park to Topanga State Park.

When you use the campgrounds, you should know that dogs are typically allowed on National Park campgrounds and trials, but only if they are on leashes that are 6 feet or less. However, at state parks, dogs are only allowed in picnic areas, campgrounds, and specific beaches.

It should also be known that fires may be prohibited depending on where you stay. While fires are not allowed at NPS sites, California State Parks may be more lenient. However, California State Parks will restrict fires depending on environmental conditions and fire danger level.

For people that love to rock climb, the Santa Monica Mountains will not disappoint. In fact, due to its close proximity to Los Angeles, rock climbing sites such as the Malibu Creek State Park to Echo Cliffs are increasing in popularity. To best ensure everyone's safety and protect the park's natural resources, rock climbers have to work together with the National Park Service to keep things running smoothly.

In order to make the most of your experience, you need to plan your routes, bring the necessary gear, and use good climbing techniques.

If you own a horse, you can go horseback riding through the Santa Monica Mountains. Whether you want to take a quick ride or stay overnight, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers over 500 miles of trails. However, you will need to make sure that you can get your horse trailer to the final destination, so learn the condition of the access road beforehand.

There are many trials through the Santa Monica Mountains to take advantage of for mountain bikers of all ages. With a diverse terrain, you will be able to challenge yourself like never before. However, you will need to make sure that your bike is in good condition and that you are protected in order to bike safely. Additionally, you will need to practice safe biking habits in order to reduce your impact on the environment.

Although camping may be more ideal when mountain biking, you can still look into Santa Monica hotels for your vacation. All you will need to do is comparison shop to find the best rates and services that match your budget and preferences.

For adventurers that cannot get enough of the great outdoors, visiting the Santa Monica Mountains is a must for your next vacation.

If what you are looking for is a relaxing, friendly atmosphere and breathtaking views, than Hotel Il Perlo Panorama in Bellagio might be just perfect for you. A family owned hotel, providing all the comforts of a home, Il Perlo is run by two of the most lovely people on Earth - Carlo and his beloved mother. The two of them welcomed us into their hotel with opened arms and never shied away from going the extra mile to keep us happy.

Built on top of the hill overlooking Bellagio and the fairy-tale like Lake Como with its perfectly manicured gardens and luxurious villas, Il Perlo is the perfect point to start exploring the lake. For me personally, if there is a heaven it can only be fond in the Alps, therefore, in my opinion, Hotel Il Perlo is located in one of the most breathtaking locations in Europe. And when a hotel offers the best panoramic views over heaven, I cannot help it but fall in love with it. So here is my love story. 

Due to its location up the hill, and the lack of public transportation, Carlo drives the guests to and from Bellagio in a black Opel. He runs the shuttle service three times a day, but if you need a pick up in between, all you need to do is call the reception and they will send the car for you in no time.

Il Perlo Panorama is a 2-star hotel, but you would never guess that. The service, design, friendliness with which the guests are welcomed, are bringing this family owned hotel close to 4-stars. We stayed in one of the corner rooms facing the lake and loved everything about it. 

Starting with the artwork decorating the walls (which by the way, guests could purchase and take home as a souvenir), the private balcony from where we could admire Bellagio and the snow caped mountains in the distance, the large and comfy bed, beautiful wood furniture, and the generous size of the room, and finishing with the overall decor, so homey, and welcoming, this place inspired us a tremendous joie de vivre.   

Oh, the views! There are many hotels in Bellagio and around Lake Como, but none of them has quite this breathtaking views. Waking up, having breakfast and going to bed with this show nature puts up every day here, believe me, it's priceless. I could have stayed here, caught in this perfect state of bliss, forever, letting the gentle May sun caress my face, while watching the mountains reflecting in the mirror of the lake disturbed by nothing but the boats and ferries operating between the villages sprinkled around it. It's not only that we could see the whole Bellagio at our feet, but also at the tip of the peninsula we could spot the famous Villa Serbelloni and its gardens.

We finish just in time to take the shuttle to Bellagio where we would visit our favorite gardens on the lake - The Gardens of Villa Melzi. We would romantically walk the cobbled streets of Bellagio, discover its secret corners, admire the boats dozing near the shores, take a ferry to Villa del Balbianello to see where Casino Royale and Star Wars movies were shot, stop by Villa Carlotta on the way back...

But even knowing all the marvelous sight we are about to see, doesn't make it any easier to leave the Il Perlo's terrace.

So in the afternoon we come back, our souls drunk with all the beauty seen during the day, take our seat on the terrace again, order an aperitivo and enjoy life. The four days we spent at Il Perlo were some of the best of our life. And the fact that every guest of the hotel we've met had a sparkle in their eyes, tells us we were not the only ones enjoying this hotel to the max.