Friday, October 28, 2011

Save your Pennies

For the traveler that is willing to do their research properly, there are often very good deals to be had. This applies especially to Luxury Holidays Deals. Most people equate Luxury Holidays Deals with expensive holiday packages but this is not always the case. There are several cases where the Luxury Holidays Deals are made available and these are generally available all year round.

Off Season Luxury Holidays Deals

The best deals are generally to be had outside of peak holiday seasons. Peak holiday seasons include weekends for the purposes of this exercise. It must be remembered that hotels like to boost occupancy during off-peak periods and often do so by offer special Luxury Holidays Deals. This is true for most hotels – the highest rated ones included. Deals during off-peak periods usually encompass reduced rates, free night’s stay and possibly two for the price of one deal. This makes off-peak periods particularly attractive to the penny-wise traveler. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to visiting during off-peak periods. The weather may be foul or there may be less to do. There are also likely to be less fellow tourists so, if the destination is not weather-reliant, off-peak can offer significant advantages.

Combo Deals

you can often get a better deal when booking a package than you would on you own. This is because the tour operator gets a better rate because of block bookings. Package tours can be very good – especially if you are exploring a country you have never been to before. Keep in mind though that package tours tend to be much regimented and that you are, in essence, living in a very small community – there will be opportunities to make good friends but you will have to be on your best behavior.

Closed for Renovation

Some hotels will offer you a discount for staying there whilst a renovation is under way. Be sure to check beforehand exactly what the renovation is – it may involve a lot of dust, dirt and noise and that can really mess up your holiday. On the other hand, if it just involves some minor inconvenience, it may be well worth putting up with it to get the discounted rate.

Sharing

Most prices are quoted “Per person sharing” meaning that, if you go on your own, you have to pay an additional amount. It may seem tempting to throw in your lot with another traveler but you should really only travel with someone you know and trust – sharing in this case means sharing a room and you need someone you know you can get on with.


You can find great deals and discounts if you are willing to look for them but do be careful – discounts are not offered offhand unless there is some advantage to the business as well and discounts are usually offered to increase occupancy. You would do well to ask yourself why they need to increase occupancy.

Stay at affordable luxury hotels during your holidays. Check out at ITC Classics.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Enjoy Some Sheik Chic

Many people view Sharm el Sheik as little more than a resort town but there is so much more to this beautiful place than simply that. The resort aspect is there, it is true, but luxury Sharm el Sheikh holidays can offer you so much more than you might get in the rest of Egypt. For one thing, Sharm is not as crowded and chaotic as Cairo and so provides a much nicer base to explore the treasures of Egypt. Being just an hour away from Cairo, it is easy to latch onto tours into the heartland of Egypt.

Most people choose luxury Sharm el Sheikh holidays because of the fantastic diving conditions and the diving truly is spectacular. The reef off Sharm is still part of the Ras Mohammed National Park and is, as a result, a protected area. The thousands of species of fish and hundreds of species of coral create an underwater wonderland that is difficult to match anywhere else on earth. There are several hotels that cater specifically for dive holidays and also many dive boats or diving tours that can be had. Although many of the hotels allow you to obtain your PADI certification, it is a good idea to do, at the very least, the theoretical part of the training before arriving so you have more time to dive.

Luxury Sharm el Sheikh holidays are not just for divers, however. If you prefer to keep both feet on solid ground, you are easily able to explore the Ras Mohammed National Park. Expect to see the clearest daytime skies and the deepest night skies that you have ever seen. The atmosphere here is unspoiled by pollution and the desert sky is absolutely beautiful at night. If you are rather fit, a wonderful way to take advantage of the night sky is by going on a hiking trip up Sinai Mountain. This trip is favored by a lot of religious visitors and it seems appropriate somehow – the mountain seems that much closer to the heavens. It is about a seven kilometer hike to the top so if you are not in tip top shape you may want to consider hiring a camel to properly enjoy this part of your luxury Sharm el Sheikh holidays.

If your luxury Sharm el Sheikh holidays are about rejuvenation, you will probably want to try the Fish Cure Spa pedicure – feel an amazing sensation as hundreds of little fish nibble at the dead skin under your feet and give you a pedicure like none other.

Sharm is a destination that is so much more than just a resort town – it is an unforgettable experience.

See more information on Cheap Luxury Holidays at ITC Classics

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Delve into the Depths of History in Dubai

It is easy to look at Dubai as a thoroughly modern city and, at first glance, it may seem to be. However, there are several historical parts of the city that provide an interesting visiting point during your Dubai luxury holidays. To start off with, why not try some old-fashioned Dubai shopping at one of the Souks as opposed to going to a shopping mall. There are three basic souks to visit during your Dubai luxury holidays.

The first is the Deira Spice Souk and, with its narrow alleys and open bags of spices it has a real old world feel to it. The second is the Deira Covered Souk – although it is not a typically Arabic Souk, it is still a great place to shop. The third important Souk is the Gold Souk – be assured of a great deal – the government strictly controls the quality of the gold sold and has strict regulations regarding what the trader can claim to sell. As with Arabic marketplace, you need to make sure that you haggle during your Dubai luxury holidays. You will find that this is half the fun of buying goods in the Souk.

If you are tuckered out from shopping in the Souk during your Dubai luxury holidays, you can take a relaxing dhow ride around the Creek. See Dubai from the water and enjoy sailing in the elegant traditional Arabic vessels. A visit to Dubai needs to include at least one dhow ride.

If you are interested in the history of Dubai, a visit to the Dubai Museum, converted from the old Al Fahidi Fort, will give you a great insight. The Jumeirah Archeological Site is considered one of the most important in the United Arab Emirates – artifacts found date back to between the third and sixth century and are important because they date to the Persian Empire, before Islam was introduced.

If more contemporary history is what you are looking for during your Dubai luxury holidays, you can visit some of Dubai’s more modern buildings. The Jumeirah Mosque is the largest mosque in Dubai and is an excellent example of contemporary Muslim architecture. Just remember that the dress code in the mosque is quite strict – women are expected to cover up in the robes provided and men are expected to wear proper trousers. Although Dubai is a lot more progressive than any of the other Emirate States, they do still have some strict rules about dress that need to be adhered to.

On the whole, Dubai is an experience like none other – immerse yourself in a thoroughly modern city that also has a rich history.

See more information on online bookable holidays from ITC Classics