Many people affected by the economic crisis will be willing to bid what will probably in a few decades become known as the year of the recession goodbye, with a hope for a brighter tomorrow. While a great many of the world’s cities have fantastic New Year’s parties, we’re focusing on specifically the best ones in Europe. Enjoy!

1. London

There are multiple ways to have a great New Year’s in London this year, with something to suit all ages. The London Parade is held on New Year’s day, full-on with circus performers and marching bands and much more, and on the Eve there will be an epic fireworks display over the Thames to properly usher in the new year. However, it’s likely the viewing areas by the waterfront will fill up fast (often by as early as 9pm), so it’s probably worth getting there early. Also worth mentioning is the famous Ministry of Sound Nightclub and Record Label hosting a massive party at the O2 Arena (Formerly known as the Millennium Dome). The tickets aren’t too expensive either but book as soon as possible as they will sell out!

Top London Hotel for a New Year Break : Hotel Club Quarters Grace Church

2. Paris

Paris’s shortage of accommodation can grow particularly acute during the New Year, so book well in advance. Some of the most notable celebrations include the Fireworks Display most visible from the Champs- Elysees. A quieter place to visit on the Eve is the Sacre Coeur Cathedral Plaza in Montmartre (close to where Amélie lived in the 2001 hit Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain ,film buffs!). A highly expensive but also extremely romantic way to while away the final hours of 2009 is a dinner cruise on the Seine which sets off from the Eiffel Tower at 8pm, with a menu featuring Champagne Cocktail and Duck foie gras, among other delicacies. Not to niggle about the ticket price, but let’s just say that you shouldn’t expect much change from €500 a table!

Top Paris Hotel for a New Year Break:  Hôtel Résidence Lord Byron

3. Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s really jazzing it up this year with countless parties and events. The Dutch are famous for their love of partying and DJ’s, so there’s no exception this year at the amount of clubs and bars holding celebrations. Firework displays are promised all over the city, particularly in areas such as Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square. The quietest places to view them are said to be the bridges overlooking the Amstel River. Also, look out for strangers hurling firecrackers around to shock the more gullible bystanders!

Top Amsterdam Hotel for a New Year Break: Rho Hotel

4. Rome

The former capital of what was arguably the greatest Empire ever seen has got entertaining events happening this year, with many of the New Year’s activities taking place in the traditional squares. The Piazza del Popolo will feature attractions such as a firework display and musical concerts. Rome is a particularly attractive destination for families, as on New Year’s Day the attractions shift more to suit children. It goes without saying that Rome’s also a great city for those on “gastro holidays” as there are a great deal of restaurants serving New Year feasts.

Top Rome Hotel for a New Year Break: BB Corso 22

5. Vienna

Long established as one of the worlds’s most cultured cities, Vienna has no shortage of things to do, particularly around the New Year. On December 30th there is a tour, dinner, and concert at the Schloss Schönbrunn, which can only be described as totally majestic. The Palace has a fascinating history, from the reign of the early Habsburg Monarchs (the last of which died in 1922), to Franz Josef’s I occupation and death in Schönbrunn. The evening concludes with the dinner and the concert featuring classical works from the likes of Mozart and Strauss. Additionally, from midday onwards, there are a massive series of street parties, with tents and marquees lining the street and passageways of the old city, hosting parties with DJ’s and other live music where hedonists can dance from New Year’s Eve through to the dawn of New Year’s Day. Exciting, eh?

Top Vienna Hotel for a New Year Break: Hotel Kaiserpark Schönbrunn

Bram Stoker who wrote Dracula hailed from here and the Irish people have been celebrating All Hallows’ Eve in various forms since the days of the Celts and it is thought that the Jack o’ Lantern originates from Ireland. Enough about the history! –you might be saying. What can you actually do here during the Halloween season?

Here are a few of the best activities for the year 2009:

• Halloween Festival and Parade

The Halloween Festival and Parade is a carnival-style parade arranged by the Dublin City Council which starts at 7:00pm and consists of people dressing up with a spectacular conclusion of lights and sounds. Also (very) suitable for children – but they’ll have to be on their feet for quite some time so rest up well beforehand.

• Lillie’s Bordello Halloween Night

Lillie’s Bordello is one of Dublin’s most well-known and well-to-do nightclub (scrap that, it is Dublin’s most well-known and well-to-do nightclub), and their annual themed Halloween is well worth going to, with the guests expected to don Halloween costumes. With Bordello’s exquisite decor and stellar reputation, it should be a night to remember. Particularly attractive even to those who hate Halloween is the vast drink menu, which contains a wide range of Cocktails, Wines, and Beers.

• Hidden Dublin Halloween Walks

You’ll be transported from the City Centre of Dublin in a bus to the site of the Hellfire Club, a largely gutted old ruin where a clique of 18th Century big-wigs decided to form a society where all sorts of pagan, blasphemous rituals were said to have took place. Many people have reported a sense of unease and strange things are said to have been seen there – including, by old accounts, an actual visitation of the devil himself. The package is complete with a guide who’ll provide information and historical snippets about the history behind the Club. It’s strictly for adults only, of course.

• The Pavilion Theatre -The Old Dark House

Showing from the 29th and 30th of October, at the Pavilion Theatre near the Harbour, is a dark comedy titled “The Old Dark House” where five travellers seek refuge in a lonely part of Wales and get taken in by a rather bizarre family. The initial running of this was so successful that it was completely sold-out. It’ll likely equate to a fun evening out. Discretion is advised though as it’s not particularly suitable for the nippers.

Top 5 Dublin Hotels to stay during the Halloween Season

• Hotel Merrion Hall – 4-star hotel in the Embassy District – €109
• Shelton Park Hotel – 3-star hotel 15 min away from the city center – €55
• Hotel Lansdowne – 3-star hotel in the heart of Georgian Dublin – €69
• The Castle Hotel – 3-star hotel in Dublin city center – €99
• Schoolhouse Hotel – 4-star hotel housed in a former parochial school – €134

Photo of Halloween celebrations in Smithfield Square, Dublin, Ireland, by djcult

London shortly before the turn of the 20th Century must have been a frightening place to be, and even to this day there are some fairly eerie attractions for people who take delight in horrific thrills. Here are some of the best:

1.  Halloween at the London Dungeon

For the Children, the most recommended event would be the brand-new Halloween at the London Dungeon, which features a “Halloween Forest” complete with cackling witches. There is also a certain amount of educational value in this attraction, as there is also a 17th Century Courtroom, which retells courtroom dramas of the time where many men and women were executed for being witches, often innocently– thank goodness our legal system is a bit more fair today! It’s suitable for all ages except the really young ones.

2. Imagining the Impossible

Held by the British Library on October 31st, Imagining the Impossible is an Illustrated Talk by Gordon Rutter, Head of the Charles Fort Institute who will be presenting Images of Spirit Photography taken between the 1860’s and 1930’s, which was apparently all the rage back then, capturing the minds of the (gullible?) public and even the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle. Were all the photographs and recorded paranormal experiences phony? You decide.

3. The Halloween of Cross Bones XI

Now in its 11th iteration, The Halloween of Cross Bones XI is a series of (often humorous) poems and songs penned by local writer John Constable which became so popular that beginning in 1998 there a yearly is festival held in the cellars of the Hop Exchange Building. After the main performance, the event concludes with a procession to the Cross Bones Graveyard (where prostitutes and all sorts of outcasts in London’s society were buried) held in candle light.

4. Medieval Banquet

Wait, a Halloween Horror Themed feast? That’s right. Taking place on the 31st October at the Historic Cellars of the St. Katharine Dock, is a Halloween Themed night with a full gourmet meal and a ghostly and unique re-enactment of the life of King Henry VIII, a man most famous for having six wives, two of which he had executed. Participators are welcome to come in costumes to get into the mood. The night concludes with, rather bizarrely, a disco. Tickets are rather expensive at €60 per head, but it should be well-worth going to.

5.  Silent Cinema

No, it’s not a place where movies are played on mute. The concept is simple: Viewers are given noise-cancelling, wireless headphones so that they aren’t disrupted by popcorn, ringtones, and other whispering cinema-goers. Even if you visit the toilet during the showing, you’ll still be able to hear what’s going on. Right now the scheme is on a trial basis, with the first showing being a (predictably) scary movie on October 31st at the five-star Andaz Hotel. Why wasn’t this thought of years ago?

Haunted Hotels in London

• Hotel London Elizabeth – 3-Star Hotel in Bayswater
• Georgian House Hotel – 3-Star Hotel near Victoria Station
• The Langham Hotel – 5-star Hotel near Regent’s Park

Photo of  The London Dungeons Halloween Festival MuLan

Well, this list relates to nations that take the problem of a warming planet very seriously, rather than just their Politicians moaning about it at Global Summits and never taking any practical action. For “Greenies” out there who really do want to save the planet and yet don’t want to forsake their well-earned holidays, here are a few countries worth considering.

1.  Switzerland

You’d be hard pressed to find a nation that isn’t more internationally envied than Switzerland. Their economic policies, political system, and landscape are absolutely world beating, with a wealthy populace still able to support their traditional way of life. While it is possibly the most expensive country in the world bar none, there are an enormous variety of green resorts and hotels as well as a power system which is around 95% derived from hydroelectricity and nuclear power- impressive considering most countries can’t even seem to get 5% of their energy from sources that aren’t directly from filthy fossil fuels.

2. New Zealand

With the great wealth of natural beauty that New Zealand has as its greatest asset, you can see why the government has put quite a lot of effort in protecting it all. While many of New Zealand’s fascinating creatures such as the Flightless Moa, a 12ft high bird hunted to extinction by the Maori Tribes, have already become extinct, there’s still plenty left to see and discover. Eco-friendly travel options include Wildlife Tours on the South Island at Dunedin, where Penguins, Seals, and Albatross, among others, can be seen and learned about, and just off the coast of the North Island is the idyllic little Waiheke Island, where the Crescent Valley Eco Lodge offers eco-friendly accommodation and restaurants serving locally-grown organic produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer Mountain Biking, Kayaking, and Snorkelling as activities.

3.  Japan

Konnichiwa! Whilst the vast majority of Japan’s population are crammed into incredibly dense, often quite polluted cities, they have consistently led the way internationally for action to combat climate change (for instance, launching the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, at a time where the thought of a warming planet was relatively unheard of and when SUV’s were more fashionable than Beatles haircuts in the 1960s, if that were even possible), and some of their largest super-corporations, have led the way with a real interest in saving the environment, putting massive research into carbon-neutral technologies. But how does that translate into an eco-friendly holiday? Well, Japan, with its complicated language and culture, can seem inaccessible for the non-Japanese tourist, with information hard to come by. There aren’t a large amount of eco-friendly resorts or hotels advertised per se, but if you visit around mid-March to early April, you’ll be able to see the beautiful cherry blossoms that Japan is so famous for, as well as tours of Japan’s mountains and many of its fascinating shrines and temples.

Photo of recycling logo by Pylon757

Spain, with its culture, beaches and favourable climate has been for years an almost ubiquitous tourist trap. But all is not rosy in the land of España. Much of the southern parts of the country are at considerable risk of desertification, from Almeria all the way to Tarragona. Excessive irrigation, inadequate rainfall, and overgrazing are resulting in an ever larger growing area of sandy wasteland. It’s already got so bad that it’s not even cold enough for birds to migrate to Africa for their summer break, and they’re instead choosing to stay in Spain (really). On a rather miserable plus side, it means that in the future, tourists won’t have to travel as far as North Africa to experience the tranquil charms of the desert.

2. Canada

Canada’s amazing forests and natural parks have long been considered incredible destinations by gap year students and experienced hikers alike. However, the Boreal Forest (a scientific term for forest between temperate forest and tundra) has been disappearing at an alarming rate. The Boreal Forest teems with amazing wildlife, such as the Woodland Caribou, Wolf, Moose, Bald Eagle, and Black Bear, to name a few. Of course, all this will disappear with the forests – additionally, disappearance of the forests will add to more CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, as less CO2 photosynthesis can take place, giving Canada’s environmental problem possibly global consequences.

3. Iceland

Iceland’s melting glaciers are a testament to the fact that beauty in its purest form just doesn’t last. Geysers, Waterfalls, Volcanoes, and nearly every form of fierce natural beauty can be found here, although Global Warming appears to be catching up. That’s not to mock Icelandic efforts at combating it though – major attempts are under way here to study and analyse the causes of climate change and how to control it. One plan several years ago was as ambitious as containing CO2 deposits in basalt rocks which are commonly found in numerous parts of the world, a possible ray of hope. What the more long-term plans are remains to be seen. While it’s an expensive holiday destination, it’s surely worth it while everything’s still relatively unspoilt (don’t forget Reykjavik’s famous nightlife, either).

4. Cuba

The Caribbean Island of Cuba shows little sign of political change, with the communist system still having an iron grip on the country. However, the Obama Presidency’s new foreign policy could well shine through some of the ideological feud that has been going on for half a century, and there have been whispers of dropping America’s long standing trade embargo with Cuba. Of course, while American Influence will probably work wonders for Cuba’s pint-sized economy, it’s probably not going to be very good for their ecology, with Cuba’s history of pristine, sparkling beaches and very low traffic density (due to a desperate lack of refined oil) something that is likely to vanish in the wake of increased greenhouse gases which will inevitably accompany their modernization.

Photo of Almeria, Andalusia, Spain, by Cuellar

If you’re one of those types who goes to the expense of buying a ticket, and booking a hotel, just so you can see your idol who’s now probably ageing faster than light and languishing in a small villa by a lake, waiting to die, then this guide might be for you.

Celebrity stalking, and in particular the visiting of celebrity death places, is a more common activity than you might think. Graceland, Memphis,  the place where Elvis Presley unceremoniously kicked the bucket whilst a-seated on the toilet, receives well over half a million adoring fans each year.

So let’s start with locations. If you didn’t already know, Europe is simply drenched in stardom, with some of the prime spots being Marbella, London, Paris, Rome, and Monaco.

Get the right apparel.

So once you’ve got your location sorted, it’s important to have the right apparel. If you intend to stand outside their estate hoping to catch a glimpse, it’s probably OK to remain as you are, but, if you intend to get close to them in say, a nightclub, you might have to buy some smart clothes as a dress code – and no, crocodile skin shoes and a sparkly gold jacket probably classify as a little too smart. But of course, if you’re travelling then you’ll have to find a source of information as to where exactly all the celebrity hang-out spots are. Good ways to do this generally include a) a hotel porter b) a tourist information bureau representative with “behind the counter” knowledge or c) the good old internet.

You’ll have to think about gadgets too.

Binoculars would be useful for sneaking views of them at home or in their garden, but you might want a concealable camera if you intend to track your prey down in the nightclub – they won’t usually let “journalists” inside. Small cameras can be purchased online at a relatively low cost that can fit in a lapel, wristwatch, or even inside a mock-zippo lighter – technology just makes things easier and easier nowadays, doesn’t it?

Turn your break into something real

Now comes the point where you can recoup your loss and turn your break into something real. But be warned, the risks for this stunt are very high – so are the returns. Here’s the rundown: Tabloid newspapers love nothing more than a star caught in a “compromising” position, such as bending down or falling over. So here’s what you must do: shortly before you see then coming, casually chuck a banana skin you’ve been holding onto the pavement or ground they’re about to walk on. If you play it just right and they’re inattentive enough, they’ll slip over, giving you a quick opportunity to steady your (concealed or otherwise) camera and shoot away. Think of what an article it’ll make! Although not to mention, that Failure may lead to imprisonment. Spending the rest of your holiday behind bars awaiting extradition is seldom the best way to end a holiday, unless of course you’re writing The Guide to Europe’s Finest Prisons.

Celebrity Resorts on Venere.com:

• Celebrity Resorts Brigantine Beach, Atlantic City – Double Room from  $93
• Celebrity Resorts Palm Coast – Double Room from  $107
• Celebrity Resorts Reno – Double Room from  $78
• Celebrity Resorts Orlando – Double Room from  $95
• Celebrity Resorts Lake Buena Vista, Orlando – Double Room from $108

Photo of paparazzi statue in Bratislava, Slovakia, by jaime.silva

Yet as the years go by, more and more of the icons are taken off the streets, mostly because of vandalism and lack of profitability, in an era where mobile phones are used more and more because of the portable convenience they are.

In the early 1900’s, the telephone started to become more of a commonplace piece of technology, and was available at many shops and places where often it would be operated by an attendant.

There was no standard centralised designed, with each town having its own type of kiosk.

In 1921 the United Kingdom Post Office produced and distributed the K1, (which stood for Kiosk No.1), a rather elegant red and white booth with highlighted brackets around the window panes and a Elizabethan looking metal decoration on top.

However, the London Metropolitan Boroughs resisted the design and efforts by the Post Office to place them on the streets, so in 1924 a competition was set up with an objective to find a design that the fussy London Boroughs (meaning areas of a city) would permit. The Royal Fine Art Commission, after some fuss about building materials and various other design and architectural issues, decide to limit the competition so that only three respected architects could submit designs. The eventual selected design was from Giles Gilbert Scott, which the Post Office decided (against his wishes) to make it out of Cast Iron and paint it Red for visibility. It was a success and 1200 were produced.

Over the years, later attempts were made at phone boxes, including an effort to integrate the phone box and a letter box, and a move back to creamy-white boxes. The most popular design, called the K6, had over 70,000 produced and resembles closest the original K2, only less expensive and less prone to vandals.

Nowadays, however, with over 95% of households in the UK having a built-in landline, there seems little point economically in having phone boxes anywhere, what with their cost, size and expense of maintenance. Most of the surviving old fashioned boxes are in London and other touristy and traditional parts of Britain, but are vastly out-ranked by the ugly standardised “glass and steel” BT boxes, called the KX range, often with a numerical classification (such as KX-100). Even the name sounds horrible. However they still come in handy for study-abroad exchange students and people with family abroad, because international calls from them are cheaper than using a mobile phone, although even that trend seems set to die with the recent surge of internet telephony, such as Skype, which can be utilized without the need for having to step outside.

Nowadays I find they’re most often missed when it’s raining like only it can rain in England, and you’ve forgotten your umbrella.

Photo of London phone boxes by Spoungeworthy Redux

• Flights to Vancouver

So to start off, how can you get there cheaply? Economy Class goes without saying in this case – try to book flights at less peak times – flying on a Monday for instance could prove significantly cheaper. Getting a flight with a stopover could be an idea as it may lower the price further. Another fact to consider is that Seattle is only a two-hour drive away from Vancouver, so landing there and then travelling to Vancouver will give you the added benefit of being able to see two truly fantastic cities at once. Crossing the border into Canada isn’t as difficult as it once was, either, especially if you have a European Passport.

• Accommodation in Vancouver

A great place to stay in the Downtown area of the city is the Victorian Hotel which is ideal in terms of location and cost. There are also many other great places to stay around this area if you look around in advance.

• Getting Around Vancouver

Vancouver has quite a modern infrastructure, with an extensive modern metro network called the SkyTrain which runs four lines covering most of the city, making getting around cheaply an easy one here. There is also a ferry called the SeaBus, which travels from main Vancouver over water to the North part of the city. Renting a car is costly in Vancouver and probably not worth it, as well as being hardly necessary. Cycle hire is common and, depending on the weather, is a very viable and fun option. Increasingly more and more cycle lanes have been built, making the city quite cycle-friendly. Most public transport is also equipped with cycle racks, including many buses.

• Having fun in Vancouver

Couples or individuals travelling without children will enjoy the Public Art Walk, a 13 kilometre route through Downtown Vancouver. Here are many interesting buildings, sculptures, and gardens, many of which are of unique historical and cultural interest. This is a great way to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. There is also Robson Street, an area chock-full of expensive boutiques, but they’re also intermingled with budget stores and many cafes in restaurants where you can have a snack or a drink and watch the world go by. The Vancouver Flea Market (for those unfamiliar with the term, a flea market is a market where very cheap, often used goods are sold) is a fun, little known place to visit, which may provide some cheap thrills. Additionally, entry is less than one Canadian Dollar.

• Eating out in Vancouver

Recommended is the Cassis Bistro serving inexpensive French food in the downtown area. The Shao Lin Noodle house is also very popular. Also worth visiting is the unique “Japa dog” stand, which serves Hot Dogs with Japanese favourites such as Teriyaki Sauce. There’s always the obligatory McDonalds and Burger King for those who don’t like variety!

Photo of Japa Dog stand in Vancouver, Canada by Tequila Partners

Sort out your visa

Probably the first thing you’ll want to look at getting done is to sort out your visa. For people with Western European Residency, getting into Canada will not be a problem – however, people living in Eastern Europe and countries such as Russia and Romania may have to apply for a visit visa.

Book your flight to Vancouver

For those of us who are living in Europe, Canada can be quite an expensive place, particularly the air tickets which are always costly; no matter what time of the year you’re travelling. The most advisable European Airlines which fly directly to Vancouver International Airport are British Airways and KLM.

Pack warm clothing

While Vancouver has one of the mildest climates of any City in Canada, it’s worth bringing reasonably warm clothing, as you’ll probably be sitting inert for large amounts of time in-between events. Remember particularly to take a firm pair of boots or shoes as you may spend some of your time standing in snow, and of course a woolly hat and gloves.

Book your Vancouver accommodation in advance

Winter Olympics or not, Vancouver is a popular destination so it’s probably worth your time booking accommodation well in advance. A good location to stay is in the Downtown Area, otherwise known as Vancouver’s Central Business District, which contains some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the city.

Pack  your camera gears

As far as equipment goes, it’s probably worth investing in a pair of binoculars in order to get a better view of the events – sitting at the very back of the crowd as to only see a little colourful speck skiing far off in the distance is unlikely to be particularly thrilling without magnification. For those who enjoy taking photographs, you’ll likewise want to purchase a big zoom lens just in case. Remember also to stock up on memory sticks for the camera – nothing’s worse than running out of space halfway through the event and having to just stand there helplessly watching everyone else snap away. Be careful though as flash photography is prohibited, as well as video recording. Some events may not allow photography altogether.

Research the rules and current news of winter sports

The amount of events happening at the Winter Olympics is quite extensive. These include Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Speed Skating, Snowboarding, Bobsleighing, and many others. It’s probably worth taking the time researching the rules and current news of these sports, as viewing the game before knowing how it works properly is seldom interesting. You’ll likely find that each of the Eighty-Six events taking place is a world within themselves.

Hope you enjoy your time at the Winter Olympics! Thanks for reading and enjoy your travels!

2010 Winter Olympics Accommodation recommended by Venere.com:

• Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort – A cozy 4-star hotel in Whistler ski resort, venue for alpine skiing, bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions.
• North Vancouver Hotel – A budget hotel in Vancouver offering easy access to both Whistler and Downtown Vancouver
• The Westin Grand Vancouver – A modern 4-star hotel in Downtown Vancouver

Photo of Inukshuk ice sculpture (Vancouver Winter Olympic’s symbol) by Tim in Sydney

Even those who hate sport so much that even talk of the Winter Olympics sends a dull glaze over their eyes will find plenty to enjoy about this huge cosmopolitan city. There’s a wealth of festivals, restaurants, parks and museums which will keep most occupied for weeks. Here are a few attractions which I would especially recommend:

1. Visit Gastown

Gastown is part of the more historic part of Vancouver, and comprises the original town centre. It’s now relatively quaint in comparison the skyscrapers that dominate many other parts of the city, although it’s known to have some of the best nightclubs around. A popular tourist attraction in this area is one of the world’s only Steam Clocks, which makes a sound like an Victorian locomotive every hour with its steam-powered whistles.

2. Eat at one of Vancouver’s Unique Restaurants

The Blue Water Cafe serving fresh oysters and sushi is well known for being one of the best places in town, and there’s also the Banana Leaf Restaurant with its Thai and Malaysian Cuisine. For the Vegetarians among us, the Annapurna serves Indian Vegetarian food with a well-rounded menu. Steak lovers will appreciate the New York-themed Gotham Steakhouse, which has become a hangout for executives who come here to be noticed.

3. See the Vancouver Museum

One of Canada’s largest Museums and one that contains all sorts of items and documents obtained by Vancouver’s residents over the years, as well as numerous themed galleries, covering topics such as the Great Depression, and Vancouver’s early history and economic boom in the 1900’s, among others.

4. Explore the Duncan Farmer’s Market

A huge market in downtown Vancouver selling fresh produce such as organic meats, free range eggs, all kinds of home-made jams, and even clothing and furniture. It’s quite an unusual feature in the middle of a city, but it’s all quite charming and is a good place to scout for gifts.

5. Walk round Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park

This Traditional Chinese Garden is a peaceful part of an otherwise very bustling city. The Park (and the Garden where you have to pay for admission) was built in the 1980’s using traditional Chinese Philosophy such as Feng Shui. Additionally, it’s the largest Chinese-style garden built outside China. Often special cultural performances take place here, so it’s worth checking in advance the best time to visit.

Top 5 Hotels in Vancouver, Canada

• Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver – 4-star Hotel – Double from  CAD $170
• Hotel Comfort Inn Downtown – 3-star Hotel – Double from  CAD $139
• Hotel Terminal City Tower – 4-star Hotel -  Double from  CAD $209
• Victorian Hotel – 4-star Hotel -  Double from  CAD $69
• Hotel Accent Inns Vancouver Airport – 3-star Hotel -  Double from  CAD $119

Photo of Vancouver in winter by Maziarh

and is wealthy and cultured, and is considered to be an extremely family friendly place.

The temperate climate during the summer months is very well suited for children. Keep in mind though that Vancouver is a fairly expensive place to stay and visit, so it’s worth planning an itinerary in advance so that possibly costly last minute decisions are avoided. So with that in mind, here are some of the best things to do with kids:

• Splashdown Park

Splashdown Park is a Water Park located between Tsawwassen and Vancouver, a reasonably short distance by ferry. The Park is only open during the summer months, (June to September) but if you’re in Vancouver at this time it’s highly recommended. Admission for a family of four stands at $72.95 Canadian Dollars, but you really get your money’s worth with a large variety of slides for all ages of children and an area for picnics and sports as well as an arcade with all kinds of video games. Fun for all the family and you can easily spend the whole day there as there really is something for everyone.

• Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is a skiing area overlooking the entire city of Vancouver, which is great for families with slightly older children. During the winter there’s every kind of activity imaginable, such as Helicopter tours, Zip lines, a Cable car, Sleigh Rides, and Ice Skating, and during summer a whole new range of activities including Hiking, Paragliding, and even Lumberjack and Bird Shows. There is also a wildlife conservation centre for parents who want their kids to actually learn something on holiday!

• Stanley Park

Seldom will you find a guide of Vancouver which doesn’t talk about Stanley Park at some length. It’s situated on a little peninsula north of Downtown, and has all sorts of activities for all ages, as well as just being a relative abode of peace to the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan Vancouver. Things that the kids will definitely love are Horse-drawn carriage tours, a beach pool, an aquarium, a little water park with water cannons and very shallow water that also boasts free admission, and even a driving school for kids featuring pedal cars, traffic signs, and stop lights. As a kid, I personally couldn’t have found anything more exciting than the thought of driving a small pedal car around a tarmac circuit –I had to make do with my sister’s tricycle!

• Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates and Patisserie

The Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates and Patisserie, is a Chocolate and Bakery shop located in North Vancouver and is a great place for parents who like to indulge their little ones (at least on holiday) with things that kids of all ages just can’t seem to get enough of. Whoever had a child that didn’t like chocolate, after all? Everything is handmade here, from sweets to wedding cakes. Children will probably want to spend a lot more time that you might have originally envisaged, so you had better be prepared to get your wallet out if you don’t want a riot on your hands. There is a Cafe and Patisserie where you and the kids can sample many of the delights and watch chocolate works of art being made before their eyes.

Family-friendly Hotels in Vancouver:

• Holiday Inn North Vancouver – Double room from CAD $170.
• Hotel The Pan Pacific Vancouver – Double room from CAD $269.
• Hotel Accent Inns Vancouver Airport – Double room from CAD $100.

Photo of Stanley Park, Vancouver, by Chang’r

Dubai, a wealthy desert playground in the Middle East and home to some of the world’s most exclusive hotels and shopping malls contains perhaps the most diverse and eclectic variety of restaurants that any city has ever known.

From Cuban cuisine to even Mongolian, there truly is something for everyone. But of course, we’re not looking for humble backstreet fodder to ward off starvation here, but only the tastiest and (justifiably) expensive eateries that Dubai has to offer.

5. Verre – The Hilton, Dubai Creek

Dining at this large French Restaurant which is owned by Gordon Ramsay, the chef who’s more famous for professional swearing than professional cooking, will prove expensive, with meal costs stretching well into the triple digits. While the interior leaves something to be desired and the restaurant is somewhat antique compared to the new restaurants even now springing up like daisies all over Dubai, the fabulous minestrone with langoustines and minty crème brulee are sure to make it worth a visit.

4. Spectrum on one – The Fairmont Hotel

This ambitious multi-cuisine dining hangout popular with Dubai’s multicultural (and wealthy) crowd has food cooked before your very eyes from China, India, Japan, Europe, Thailand and the Middle East. The service is super polite and the servers like to add a forced personal touch to compliment their strained smiles. The only things which should be avoided are the somewhat mediocre desserts. Champagne brunch, with unlimited European bubbly, is offered at a shade over €100.

3. India Palace – Garhoud

With a slogan like “Dine like a Maharaja”, you know this sort of establishment has a lot to live up to. It’s also the cheapest restaurant on this list, with a three-course meal costing around €30 – all accompanied by live music and a terrific ambience. Items on the menu include Biryani and kormas, as well as extremely tasty Chicken Kebabs. Vegetarians may also prefer India Palace, as there is a Vegetarian emphasis here not known in many of Dubai’s other restaurants.

2. Beachcombers – The Jumeirah Beach Hotel

The emphasis on this restaurant serving Japanese, Indian, Thai, and even Malaysian cuisines is primarily on the family, with low tables and even PlayStations. Adults will enjoy knowing that their children are being well entertained whilst soaking up views of the magnificent Burj al Arab, the world’s only (self-proclaimed) seven star Hotel. It’s classy without being childish and the food is top quality. It’s an award winning, and of course correspondingly costly place to take your family, with prices for a meal at around €70-90.

1. JW’s Steakhouse – JW Marriot Dubai

Dubai’s most well known (and considered to be best) steakhouse, resplendent with classy designer interior, leather armchairs, deliciously soft steaks, and even just-off-the-boat seafood and lobster is considered among the be-all-and-end-all of culinary experiences in the city. However far the human race goes in gourmet sophistication, there’s hardly anything that appeals to the caveman instinct as much as simple, unadulterated prized animal matter. No, there is no “modern twist on old classics” or any of the boring old restaurant critic stock-phrases here, just pure meat and baked potatoes, delivered just right and screaming of classic quality. Marlon Brando. Frank Sinatra. James Dean. I contest that they all would have eaten here were they still alive. Isn’t that a good enough reason to justify the €100 and above for some meat and potatoes?

Popular Dubai Hotels & Restaurants on Venere.com

• Hotel Al Khaalej – 3-star hotel featuring a pizza restaurant
• Metropolitan Hotel Dubai – 4-star hotel with Indian restaurant, seafood restaurant, Italian restaurant and International restaurant.
• Flora Creek Hotel Apartments – 5-star hotel offering the Olive Tree Restaurant (Arabic and Asian cuisine)
• Al Manzil Hotel – 4-star hotel with sports grill restaurant, gourmet restaurant, Arabic restaurant and coffee shop
• Al Murooj Rotana Hotel – 5-star hotel with Indian restaurant, Lebanese restaurant, Latino restaurant and all-day dining International restaurant.

Photo of Towers Rotana Hotel, Dubai by Jessamyn

For “road warriors” who find it essential and convenient to use a laptop on the move, durability is quite an important factor when it comes to your purchase – either that or a durable laptop case which for some reason are all very expensive.

The heavier the laptop is, usually the less equipped it will be to survive drops and the like. If durability is absolutely required, a laptop to consider might be the Panasonic ToughBook, which is built basically like an armoured vehicle, and while it’s expensive and has unremarkable specs, it could prove invaluable – it can survive having water poured directly on it and can even withstand being run over by a car practically unscathed.

Battery life is always an issue with many laptops as very few can practically last more than four hours, a figure that rapidly decreases as the battery gets older – the practical lifespan of laptop batteries is often barely one year. It may be worth purchasing a travel battery but these generally occupy a larger space and stick out of the back of the laptop. They can also be expensive and will suffer the same problems with age and frequent use.

The actual brand of laptop is becoming less and less important in recent years as many parts are shared between manufacturers in order to lower cost – a fact that few know. Build quality is still something to look out for though – check for squeaks and rattles when you press the keys and fold the top. Some models of laptop tend to be excessively hot to the touch even on standby. These usually suggest bad system architecture and/or a faulty processor.

A feature that many manufacturers often try to push is the idea of having multimedia controls on the laptop. In my experience, these are often unresponsive, and will probably not work without downloading additional drivers if you ever want to upgrade or downgrade your operating system so are often best avoided. They also drive the price up substantially as well.

Another consideration can be the hardware level and the old tech-shop question which has probably been asked trillions of times – should I choose a laptop with integrated graphics or dedicated graphics? It depends. Are you going to be playing video games or dealing with intensive designing and 3D imaging software? If not, there’s probably no point in choosing a machine with dedicated graphics as they will most probably drain the batteries faster and will increase the bulk and cost of the laptop substantially. As a side note, simpler programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator will usually run sufficiently on a machine with only integrated graphics.

Overall, remember to keep in mind the old warning: “Buy in haste, repent at Leisure!”

Thanks for reading and enjoy your travels!

Photo of traveler at Minneapolis Airport by “Today is a Good Day“

But with increasing reliance on computers for many professions, and with many spending more and more time away from the office, means that a much cheaper and faster desktop no longer seems as relevant anymore. More and more people need something that can, if needs be, be toted out of the office and onto a plane, train, or cafe. To choose a suitable laptop, it is important to understand that despite everyone giving you impossibly varying advice on which brands of laptop are good and which are bad, more emphasis should be placed on the reputation on the individual model than the brand of it – some manufacturers have been known for churning out machines of very differing quality.

But before we start, if you’re going to be traveling, it’s important to choose the laptop with the right kind of operating system. Serious computing enthusiasts might want to choose one with Linux. Trendy people and graphic designers may want to consider the more elite, expensive Macs. But for the thrifty or casual/office user, Windows will probably be sufficient.

Windows and Linux users will have to concern themselves with two additional options: There are two main processor manufacturers and these are Intel and AMD.

AMD processors are a little cheaper and may be better for certain types of PC users, but they tend to drain the laptop’s battery more than they should, so it may be best to choose Intel.

Also, as many readers will be aware, there are many different varieties of Intel processors, such as Celeron, Atom, Dual Core, Centrino, and so on.

It’s not massively important to know the difference between these processors, (although, as always, research doesn’t hurt!) but be warned from the start that the Celeron Processor is aimed at budget laptops and will sacrifice your battery life for performance – a balance, which, for travel, should be tilted the other way.

There are many stylish laptops out there that look absolutely amazing for their price, but look closer and you’ll discover that often all that glitz can often disguise how underpowered the laptop really is. It may sound rather extreme, but unless you only plan to buy a laptop or netbook (smaller laptops known for lower price and portability) to surf the internet, then it’s important to choose a laptop with a hard drive no smaller than 120 gigabytes. You’d be surprised at how fast all that space seems to go after you’ve got a few programs installed.

If it’s running Microsoft XP, make sure that the RAM is no smaller than 512 megabytes, and if Vista, 2 gigabytes. I trust the reader can detect a certain amount of regret from the tone of yours truly for not heeding his own advice!

Photo of laptop by Mark Wubben

As such, nightclubs have sprung like mushrooms and will probably continue to do so when you hear the eventual city plan is to have 20 million visitors a year.

Before we start, it’s important to realize that, like many world cities, Dubai is an expensive place, particularly the night club scene here. Drinks will probably cost about the same as they do in places like London and Paris, although there are often concessions for the ladies. Also it’s important to recognise before it’s too late that Dubai is a primarily Islamic country, with customs and regulations that must be obeyed and adhered to. For example, public drunkenness is a definite no-no which can land you in prison, so you must make sure to get a taxi from the club to the hotel. The drinking age here is 21, and ID must usually be shown.

Copacabana

Named possibly after the 70’s Barry Manilow hit, the Copa Cabbana has become popular among the increasingly large young and trendy crowd in Dubai. Sandy floors and Bamboo Railings give it quite an interesting look unique from many rivalling establishments. The club is also renowned for having fantastic snacks. The entry fee is 50 Dhs (€10) and you must be over 25 to enter in order to keep out those who are too “junior”.

Boudoir

With styling ripped off Parisian Nightclubs, Boudoir throws up a fancy dress code and a couple’s bias, and is definitely one of the most opulent and luxurious nightclubs in Dubai, resplendent with crystal chandeliers and royal red sofas. However, the place is a victim of its own success, as it’s too packed to breathe on some nights here.

Zinc

Located in the Prestigious Crowne Plaza Dubai, Zinc has become one of Dubai’s most popular nightclubs, with an incredibly cool glowing decor, RnB and Hip Hop nights, Famous DJ’s, and Endless variety. Nearly every week something new happens here. Ladies go free many nights.

Kasbar

Located in Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most upmarket beachfront neighbourhoods, and part of the One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel, built by one of South Africa’s most flamboyant millionaires, Sol Kerzner, this bar/club caters to all nationalities, with the DJ keeping the music pumping with English, Spanish, Arabic, and many other tunes to keep everyone happy. Don’t come if you’re expecting to dance the night away though – the crowd mostly consists of relaxed hotel guests soaking in the ambience.

Vu’s Bar

On the 51st floor of one of Dubai’s most recognisable monoliths, the Emirates Towers, Vu’s offers a selection of 200 cocktails to choose from (really). Extremely expensive, it tends to attract a decidedly upmarket crowd. It can also be considered quite a romantic place to take a loved one to enjoy the sunset view of Dubai before getting into the cocktails and chic sophistication of the place.

Top Rated Dubai Hotels on Venere.com

• Hotel Al Khaleej – Double room starting from €38 / $54.3 per night
• Star Metro Deira Hotel - Apartment starting from €76 / $108.6 per night
• Hotel Mayfair – Double room starting from €62 / $88.2 per night

Photo of Burj ar Arab at night, Dubai, UAE, by Lori Greig

The interesting things that there are to do, such as visiting Big Ben or doing a boat tour of the Thames, while undoubtedly being world class, often seem a little trite, and, for lack of a better phrase “done to death”. So here is a list of some of the best things to do in London a little off the beaten path.

1. Sir John Soane’s Museum

John Soane was a remarkable architect who designed the majestic Bank of England building which is famous for looking more like a Greek temple than a British bank – however, much of his magnificent work was demolished to make way for a bigger, different rendition, in a move that was once described by an architectural historian to be “the greatest architectural crime, in the City of London, of the twentieth century”. Oh well. Soane was so proud of his construction work on his own home and the priceless exhibits collected by himself that in his will he stated that it was to be turned into a Museum. The interior can only be described as strange; although it’s quite clear the man was something of a genius. The most noteworthy exhibit is the alabaster sarcophagus of Seti I, one of the ancient Pharaohs of Egypt.

Where to stay in the City, London: Hotel Club Quarters

2. 50 Berkeley Square

50 Berkeley Square is a Town House which was once occupied by the British Prime Minister George Canning in the 1700’s who once entered into a duel with a political opponent, despite having never fired a gun. What’s more interesting however is the fact that this four storey structure is considered one of Britain’s most haunted houses. In the 19th Century, several people were said to have died of shock resulting in convulsions in one of its bedrooms. One gentlemen, keen to disprove this theory, slept a night there himself, and died of shock very shortly afterwards. Many other happenings such as screams and flashings of lights were commonplace, even though the building was uninhabited. Nowadays, it’s occupied by a book shop, the owners of which have also reported strange happenings. To this day, the top floor of the house is unoccupied and not even used for storage. Worth a visit for those who want a bit of history behind horror.

Where to stay in Mayfair, London: Hotel Park Lane Mews

3. Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum (not to be confused with a museum of the same name in Scotland) occupies part of the Prestigious Royal College of Surgeons and contains numerous anatomical and surgical oddities, some pickled in jars for preservation. These include the brain of Charles Babbage (the father of computers) and even preserved Octuplets. Also of interest is some 18th century surgical equipment, and the skeleton of the “Irish Giant”, a man who was 7 feet 7 inches tall. While it’s arguably rather morbid, some of the exhibits aided research into disease treatment and many of the resulting discoveries have saved millions of lives worldwide.

Where to stay in Holborn, London: Hotel Jesmond Dene

Photo of monket foetus at the Hunterian Museum, London, UK by Sumlin

Or an even more common question (for people who think their 1.3 megapixel camera phone is the very height of photographic technology) is simply: What is a Digital SLR?

To briefly summarize, SLR stands for Single-Lens Reflex, and this where you get to see exactly what is visible through the camera lens, and a hinged mirror controlling light enables for exposures almost as fast as the blink of an eye, ideal for sports photographers who want to capture that particular expression or goal. DSLR Cameras are usually quite expensive, although they are coming down in price almost daily and are vastly superior to normal point-and-shoot cameras. The very finest Digital SLR cameras will cost (of course) thousands of Euros. However, some of the ones on this list take into account those on leaner budgets!

5. Canon EOS 450D

At around €550, it’s a bargain, with both an expensive look and feel, and the LCD screen menu options are particularly easy to use. Despite lacking the high definition video capabilities of its older brother, the 500D, but yet is significantly cheaper. Advantages include a high megapixel count of 12.2, and much more compatibility with Canon’s range of lenses than many other cameras of this type.

4. Nikon D60

Costing around €450, this is considered perhaps the best value for money budget DSLR – still quite expensive though, isn’t it! Like many DSLR cameras at this price, the lens that comes bundled with it leaves a lot to be desired, meaning you’ll probably want to upgrade it after a few weeks of ownership to make the most of its 10.2 megapixels, a relatively unimportant yet still rather meagre megapixel count. Standout features include a start-up time of just 0.19 seconds and an extremely light, mostly plastic body.

3. Nikon D700

It has been called by many the best Digital SLR of 2008. It does, however, command a high premium of around €2000 – and that doesn’t include the lens. Some of the advantages and features that justify this price level are a massive, self-cleaning “FX” sensor, and a 5ps image capture rate which can increase with a more expensive battery kit.

2. Pentax K200D

It costs €575, only has 10.2 megapixels, and is quite expensive for the features offered. What then, makes it worth buying? Pentax are well known for their rugged durability and reliability, and are popular with journalists – the K200D has 60 individual seals that protect the camera from any kind of dust and damp that would make this camera ideal for taking onto a warzone. While the average Venere Blog Reader isn’t probably going to encounter anything of the sort, it could come in handy for those going on an African Safari or even the beach. Take my advice – nothing ruins cameras more than sand.

1. Olympus E-3

Olympus aren’t usually featured anywhere near the top of any photographer’s list of the best cameras, but that doesn’t mean they can’t manufacture a gem every now and then. The E-3, costing around €2400, is the most expensive on this list, but for some, the price will be easily justifiable with its renowned autofocus system which basically has the ability to keep very fast moving objects in focus – thought to be better than any other camera in the world. It’s also bundled with wireless flash and is extremely durable. Well worth the money!

Photo of traveler taking pictures in Luxor, Egypt, by Antonioperezrio.es

Numerous strategies and a combination of words to the check-in staff are said to work, although many of these are closely regarded secrets and those who know often prefer to keep their mouths shut. Thankfully, we’re a lot more open on this blog!

• Dress very neatly

Millions of Euros are probably not earned every year through people not dressing appropriately for business deals, and how much more so should it be for this one where actually, you don’t really much to negotiate with? To prove more eligible, a suit, crocodile skin shoes, “replica” watches and designer baggage could all be prove quite important in your quest for luxury.

• Be one of the last to book a flight that will probably be full

Busy routes, such as London to New York, will probably nearly always have 100% occupation. It’s also quite likely that they may often be overbooked, meaning if you happen to be one of the last to book before it’s announced full, you’re reasonably likely to get an upgrade.

• Start by Travelling Business Class

To the great masses, this is probably quite useless advice, but it is said to be much easier to upgrade from Business to First rather than from Economy to Business – all that Caviar and Truffles can’t go to waste, can they?

• Don’t be part of a family

Let’s think about this one for a minute – who would you like to let into a higher class, a noisy, unkempt family with stressed-out Mum and irritated Dad, or a suave, sophisticated individual well versed in the nuances of flying?

• Know someone working for the airline or the airline group (e.g Star Alliance)

This is not at all improbable. In 2007, for example, Air France had 104,000 employees. Upgrades are more likely if that person is at least a distant family member, although company policy and other factors may affect this, depending what airline you’re flying. It helps if the Airline is a member of a group such as Star Alliance, as it gives the employee a broader influence depending on which airline you book.

• Can I speak to your Manager?

This old trick is pretty high risk. You have to count on the airport check-in staff actually fearing the manager enough that it’s better to run the risk of being spotted upgrading you than to attract attention because of the “feedback” of an unsatisfied customer.

• Act like you only belong in Business Class and that Economy is somehow an insult

If one walks in with an air of superiority and as if you were accidentally booked into economy class, this trick has a reasonable probability of actually working. One of the main rules they teach you in many acting schools is that in order to be the character you wish to portray, get into their shoes and pretend that you are him/her – in the same way, be the business class passenger rather than a hopeful economy class one.

Photo of business class on  Singapore Airlines flight by Pyonko

It’s most advisable to travel in between the months of October to April, as before then it can often be quite intolerable to spend any length of time outside. The rest of the year Dubai’s temperatures are pleasant, reaching from around 25 to 35 Celsius. We’re going to look at two features essential to do on a family holiday here, particularly if your children are quite young.

Dubai Water parks

The Wild Wadi water park, and the Atlantis Aquaventure water park are both superbly managed water parks which can excite (or at least keep awake) the whole family. More daring teens and adults may want to experience the Jumeirah Sceirah, the incredibly terrifying (some would say actually dangerous) and largest and fastest freefall waterslide outside America. They actually tell you to cross your legs and fold your arms behind your back to keep from falling off the edge of the slide into a disgusting oblivion – and they mean it. The Wild Wadi water park, situated next to the Burj al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, has many supervisors and attendants on hand to make sure your little tykes don’t snuff it in the lazy river. Atlantis Aquaventure complete with a massive aquarium on the Palm Jumeirah is even more exciting, although it is somewhat more expensive. Wild Wadi tickets cost €30 for those over 3.6 ft and €25 for those below, while the Atlantis will set you back about €43.

Dubai Malls

The lifeblood of the city flows through Dubai’s numerous malls, where during the summer months it is too hot to do much else. Huge competition among malls in Dubai has led to most of them being decked out like 5 star hotel lobbies. Nearly everything can be done and obtained in them, from car rentals to cinemas and even luxurious restaurants and furniture shops all attached to one beautifully air-conditioned building. You could spend whole weeks in them if they had sleeping facilities. They have become such a big attraction in Dubai that now many of them have 5-star Hotels attached, so the aim of your holiday can merely be to wake up and walk around the mall all day. All malls in the country have a Children’s entertainment zone, which features things like arcade machines and sometimes even small indoor roller coasters, which can be fun if your children are a little bit older. Popular malls worth visiting for their design and grandeur are Dubai Mall where children can ice skate, visit an Aquarium, and watch free Disney movies whilst sitting on beanbags, and Festival City, which even has a functioning artificial canal next to a promenade with cafe’s and restaurants , and Mall of Emirates, which has an indoor Ski Rink and Snow play area.

Photo of Atlantis Aquadventure Water Park, Dubai, UAE, by ¡Carlitos

Dubai’s extreme temperatures in summer with record humidity and very low wind may be rather off-putting for even the most hardened water sport fanatic, although for the other 7-8 months of the year, it’s quite bearable and can even be a little cold for beach activities, but more or less it’s ideal. Unfortunately, due to massive population increase and development by the waterfront, the sea surrounding Dubai is no longer as pristine as it once was. However, that doesn’t stop there being a plethora of exciting beach things here to accompany your holiday

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Surfing/Wind Surfing/ Kite Surfing in Dubai

Dubai has a fairly active surfing community, and although the waves are nothing to write home about, they may be suitable for beginners. Wind Surfing is also practiced, with ample facilities available. Kite Surfing is more popular than the other two, with many clubs and a beach allocated by the authorities for this. The beach hotels are the most advisable places to stay, both for the view, activities, and relative solitude.

Yachting in Dubai

Dubai’s many rich visitors and residents own and rent Yachts, and with marinas and places to “park” them, it’s become a very popular past time. There are around 5 Yacht hire companies that hire out luxury yachts, as well as many facilities for those who own Yachts and are just stopping over. The Festival Marina, at the end of Dubai’s creek, has a Venetian theme, 74 permanent berths for Yachts, and an outdoor artificial canal and many poolside restaurants and cafes, all attached to a luxurious, well-designed shopping mall.

Jet Skiing in Dubai

With so many super-tall skyscrapers such as the Burj Dubai and the Burj al Arab, Jet Skiing is another popular sport, and will cost about €20 for a half hour. With such a high turnover, the Jet Skis offered will be some of the latest models of brands such as Yamaha and Kawasaki. It’s quite safe as well as there are very few rocky crags which so many inexperienced Jet Skiers dash themselves to pieces on if not cautious. Be careful also where you Ski, as it’s banned in some areas.

Scuba Diving in Dubai

With much ocean wildlife and water temperatures averaging about 24°C during the cooler months, Dubai is a well known spot among Scuba divers. Additional places to dive with even more promising sights exist around the coastline in other Emirates such as Fujairah, and it’s even possible (with a hired car) to visit the Musandam Peninsula, a tiny, rocky portion of Oman, where the waters are so clear and unpolluted that sting rays and numerous other forms of wildlife are visible 10 metres from the surface. It will take about three and a half hours to drive to Musandam, and about €6 for a tourist visa, but it’s absolutely recommended for scuba diving fans for its solitary, untouched beauty.

Photo of  kite surfs on Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, by Ericsson Beach