7 Nights in Egypt

One of the best places I’ve been to so far would have to be Egypt. It’s a place I’d definitely go each year as a getaway break, to the same place, in the same hotel and with the same person. My fiancé and I spent 7 nights at the Sultan Gardens in Sharm el Sheikh, it was perfect. The weather was amazing, the people and staff were so friendly and respectful, the choice in food and the number of things to do and places to go were not limited at all. It was an active, fun holiday as well as a relaxing break.

We did many excursions during our stay including snorkelling, speed boat touring, sunrise quad biking, stargazing and parasailing despite the other half being afraid of heights. With neither of us being able to swim, the water based excursions were still so amazing although sound of hearing myself breathe under water whilst snorkelling was absolutely terrifying so I spent the rest of the time by the shore. It was an amazing experience even if I did only manage 3 seconds doing it.

Stargazing was nice too, it’s not something I’d do again but some of it was good. We left the hotel in the late afternoon where we were taken down to the desert area which took about 30 minutes maybe more. We then jumped onto camels to continue the rest of the journey deeper into the dessert. 20 minutes of pain during the camel ride and we were finally at the small huts where we were welcomed by Bedwin people (the people who live out in the desserts). They gave us a sweet brown shot of tea, which they called Bedwin tea. I did take time then, to give my thanks Starbucks. We also had a chance to make our own naan breads like the Bedwin people, and that was what we ate for our dinner. ..

Once we’d had dinner (or didn’t), they started with the entertainment to keep us going until it was dark enough to see the stars. We watched bellydancers do their thing on the stage wearing shiny bits of material. They involved the group as they called up a few tourists to join them. There was some other man who wore a long layered dress and stood in the same spot just twirling around for ages doing something with some round tray like things. It was entertaining, especially when his dress lit up. But the best part was when it was over. We were lead out in small groups to gaze at the stars. It was pitch black. Our group wasn’t as small as the others, and there were some annoying and chatty people so we couldn’t hear the tour guide clearly so had no idea what we were staring at. Anyway after 20 minutes it was all over. Thank God.

The best excursion would have to be the sunrise quadbiking. We had to leave the hotel at 3am. It was still pitch black once we got to the dessert and we had a private session with just me, the fiancé and the guide. He led the way and I followed behind. It was amazing, full speed across the desert in the middle of nowhere, pitch black. Dangerous. Incredible. Probably one of the best things I’ve ever done. We did this for about an hour maybe less, until the sun was about to rise. We stopped and climbed a mountain of rocks and sat down to see the sunrise over the dessert. So amazing, I’d do this again and again even if it meant 7 sleepless nights.

There was so much more, the shopping, the evening entertainment at the shisha bars, the mornings by the pool and afternoon naps on the beach.

Knowing that we would be coming back home was the only thing that ruined the holiday. Next time, because there will definitely be a next time, we will go back to Sharm for much longer than a week and just soak it all up.

How to find the cheap hotel rates

A recent article in the Telegrah has revealed ways on finding the cheapest accommodation rates for holidaymakers.

It states that people should "Travel at the best time" as a majority of places cost more during certain months, and "Book at the best time" as "the biggest bargains go to late bookers" or even those who book way in advance.

It also urges travelers to "Check the extras" such as breakfast and room service. "Breakfast can represent 10 to 20 per cent of the cost of the room: make sure you know what is and isn't included," it advises.

To read the entire article, visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/7975538/Travel-advice-finding-the-best-deals-on-accommodation.html

Thomas Cook takes over Oger Tours

Europe's second largest vendor of package holidays, Thomas Cook has taken over German travel company Oger Tours .

The Anglo-German holidays company paid 30 million euros for Oger Tours after it made a huge loss of 7.3 million euros in the last financial year before tax on turnover of 256 million euros.

Oger Tours, previously owned by Germany's well known Turkish businessmen, Vural Oger, specialises in Turkish destinations and takes 400,000 passgeners on holidays each year.

Visiting Dubai

Dubai, now both a global city and a beautiful holiday attraction, is drawing in more tourists and holidaymakers as a result of the country's large construction projects.

Built on an artificicial island in the ocean, the worlds only seven star hotel opened in 2008 becoming Dubai's biggest landmark.

Dubai would make the perfect holiday for all the family.

For those who love adventure, Dubai has its own desert safari where you can experience Dubai's culture, dress up into Burkas, get free henna tattoos, indulge in the exotic cuisine from the desert BBQ, ride a camel and take a ride in a 4x4 van as its swoops over the hilly sands. All followed by belly dance lessons within an Arabian setting.

Sight-seers would love different kinds of beautifully built Mosques, the palaces, the 7 star hotel built on a man made island in the sea, along with the worlds tallest building.

And after that, there's that gorgeous blue sea to relax by and soak in that magical sun at the countries numerous beaches.

Although, this is one place I'd love to visit again, I would only recommend short stays of 4 days, that's more than enough time to do everything. Also remember, Thursday and Fridays are like our Saturdays and Sundays; weekends. Everything remains shut for these two days as it is their official holiday.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?... Yes, it's a plane

After the six day crisis of the "no flight zone" over the UK leaving Brits stranded abroad and holidaymakers stuck in the UK airports due to the volcanic explosion in Iceland, planes are finally back in the skies as the aviation industry has been given the go ahead to lift off.

However, despite the flight ban being lifted, over 15,000 British holidaymakers are still stuck abroad as airlines struggle to keep up with the backlog of over 100,000 cancelled flights.

In some countries, holidaymakers have stated that a number of local shops have increased the prices of goods as a bid to get more out of the situation.

Airlines are expected to lose over £1.5 billion as a result as insurers of thousands of holidaymakers stay hanging on their tails, fighting for compensation following the incident.