Playa Blanca, Bar? Island, Colombia
Posted July 30, 2009 , add a commentA clich?d poem is bad. A clich?d love song even worse. And while a clich? is usually a perjorative term used to describe something that has been so overused as to render it hackneyed, I believe that sometimes a clich? is a very good thing indeed.
A clich?d gelato–what would that be? Hazelnut? Creamy? Slightly sticky sweet and thick? Today it is almost 90 degrees in my house–a hot one, and I would very much like the clich? of a gelato even though it is still before noon. But more than that I want to be on a beach so white tropical and perfect as to be called clich?. I want to be on Playa Blanca off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia.
Paradise. http://www.flickr.com/photos/37499479@N00/154137211/
Located on the island of Bar? off the Carribbean coast of Colombia, Playa Blanca is the type of isolated paradise that helps sell Lottery tickets. With 3.5km of white sand and water as gentle and warm as a bath (that is, if your bath just so happened to be bright clear turquoise and salty), this beach is a dream. A beer commercial. This beach is a dream inside of a beer commercial inside of a mirage inside of a joke about tropical islands and mothers-in-law. This beach is a clich? and I have never so much wanted a clich?.
Aside from the physical traits of paradise, Playa Blanca also offers a faint feeling of being remote. A welcome change from the busier city beaches of Bocagrande and Crespo in Cartagena, here there are little to no vendors walking the sand to offer you juices, sunglasses or a massage. And while there are no real restaurants, either, there are several basic places where you can get fresh fish, lobster, crab, octopus, shark and sancocho de pescado (a type of fish stew).
Starfish. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkmese/349295885/
The easiest way of getting to Playa Blanca is by boat. Small cargo boats leave from Mercado Bazurto, the big market of Cartagena. Make sure you are at the market no later than 9AM to secure your spot on board in both directions. Alternatively, most organized tour boats heading to Las Islas del Rosario pass by Playa Blanca and you can catch a ride with one of these. The trip takes about 45 minutes by speed boat or 2 hours in one of the regular boats, costing around 15.000 pesos.
So you will excuse me if I sign off now to close my eyes and think of Playa Blanca. White sand, warm turquoise water, palm trees and yes, even a small dish of hazelnut gelato at my side that seems never to melt. This is my dream, my own dog-eared clich?, in a house that is now 95 degrees without a pool in sight, from my lips to your ears: Playa Blanca. Go.
New Survey Reveals the Highs, Lows and Illicit Loves of Britain’s Motorway Service Stations
Posted , add a comment) With this summer set to be a bumper one for UK tourism and millions of travellers hitting the roads, a new survey reveals that 1 in 6 would like to have an illicit romantic liaison at a motorway service station ? compared to 1 in 20 who already have.
The survey, by leading car hire comparison site Carrentals.co.uk, questioned over 2,300 people on their experiences at garages and service stations across the UK, and found that while there were a range of complaints about prices and cleanliness there was still an interest in them for a romantic tryst.
The top service stations for these romantic get togethers are located in the Midlands and North West, followed by London and South East ? according to respondents who have tried them - with the 36 ? 45 age group the most likely to opt for these motorway illicit liaisons.
Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “This survey was designed to look at just what people think of motorway service stations, particularly the prices charged, and also the experiences they have had in them. The level of illicit romantic liaisons came as a complete surprise to us, but when you look at the most popular locations they all tend to be around the main travel routes through the country so service stations must make convenient, and secret, meeting places.”
The high costs charged by service stations was one of the key issues found by the survey, with nearly 60% of respondents saying service stations should lower their prices, with medical items, sweets, souvenirs and CDs all highlighted as being over priced.
Another area of complaint was the toilet facilities, with 1 in 5 saying they thought they should be cleaner and men being more critical of toilet cleanliness than women, while the choice of food on offer was also highlighted as needing major improvement.
Gareth adds: “With many people being more cautious with money and opting against an overseas holiday, this summer is set to see more travellers hitting Britain’s motorways than ever before, but the main complaint that came from the survey was the prices charged in service stations. In the current climate and with the school holidays just around the corner, just driving from a to b can be expensive for parents, so the best option is to stock up on snacks and magazines before you set off.”
Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from up to 35 car rental companies, including Alamo, Holiday Autos, Sixt and Thrifty in over 9,000 locations worldwide.
For more information visit www.carrentals.co.uk
Carrentals.co.uk was launched in February 2003 and grew to become one of the UK’s leading online car hire companies by 2006.
In 2007 the company re-launched its site to create the first major online price comparator in the travel industry. The Carrentals.co.uk site now searches up to 35 different car hire websites comparing the best prices in over 9,000 locations.
Websites searched include Alamo, Budget, EasyCar, Ebookers, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Opodo, Sixt and Thrifty.
The Carrentals.co.uk site also features over 5,000 pages of travel information in a mini-guide format.
In 2008 Carrentals.co.uk was voted Best Car Hire Website in the Travolution Awards.
Act Quick to Bag a Summer Holiday Bargain - Huge Savings of up to 30% with Eurocamp
Posted , add a comment) With discounts of up to 30% available ? for a limited time only - on a top selection of European holidays this summer, now really is the time to book and take advantage of some fantastic deals from Eurocamp.
There’s 30% off Eurocamp’s popular I Pini parc, which enjoys an enviable position overlooking the stunning Tevere Valley and just 20 miles from the centre of Rome ? making it a highly cost-effective city break with a difference.
So with the spectacular Vatican City, Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain on its doorstep, it’s a great base for sightseeing whilst offering some stunning natural woodland surroundings to explore on foot, mountain bike or even horseback.
The parc ? with its two pools, bar, restaurant, pizzeria, takeaway and shop - provides return bus services into the city, as well as a complementary pick up service from the nearby Fara Sabina rail station.
Transfers can also be arranged from nearby Rome Leonardo de Vinci Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino airports. Further deals can be enjoyed by traveling there with a number of low cost operators including Easyjet, Jet2.com and Ryanair.
Book now and a seven night holiday at Eurocamp’s I Pini holiday parc, near Rome, from 31 July costs just £814.50 for the whole family, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Superior’ mobile home (sleeps 7 maximum), accommodation only ? saving £296.
Fantastic savings of 30% can also be enjoyed at Eurocamp’s Ferme de la Fée parc, in Verdelot, near Paris. With its unique French ambience and idyllic country setting, this parc provides a taste of authentic France just a short distance from home.
Set in wonderfully tranquil, lush parkland - dotted with flowering shrubs and apple trees which were historically part of an orchard - spacious grassy pitches lead down to the large tree-fringed lake, which is ideal for a fishing holiday.
Situated in the heart of Brie Country - just an hour and a half from Paris and only 45 minutes from Disneyland® Paris - Ferme de la Fée is the perfect rural base to enjoy the countryside, as well as the bright lights of the city and the fun of the theme park.
Book now and a seven night holiday at Eurocamp’s Ferme de la Fée parc near Paris, arriving 6 August costs just £667.50 for the whole family, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Comfort’ mobile home (sleeps 7 maximum), including free midweek P&O Dover-Calais ferry crossing ? saving £296.
Enjoy impressive 30% savings on holidays to La Grande Tortue, in the pretty village of Candé-sur-Beuvron, Loire. One of Eurocamp’s most small and friendly destinations ? and very much off the tourist trail - this parc is ideal for family holidays and those who love all things rustic and traditional. With its own small, pleasant restaurant, there’s also a choice of three pools for spending days splashing around in the sun as well as plenty to do and explore nearby.
Book now and a seven night holiday at Eurocamp’s La Grande Tortue parc in the Loire, arriving 30 July 2009 costs just £643 for the whole family, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Comfort’ mobile home (sleeps 7 maximum), accommodation only ? saving £285.
Also with 30% off is Eurocamp’s Duinrell parc located near the village of Wassenaar, Holland. While staying at the parc, families can enjoy the excitement of the neighbouring theme park or countless hours splashing around on site at the ‘Tiki’ tropical waterpark ? both free to Eurocamp customers for two hours each day. Other on-parc facilities include rowing boats, bicycle hire, crazy golf and a climbing wall, perfect for an action packed holiday.
And for those wishing to enjoy the area’s more natural surroundings, Duinrell’s coastal location - amongst the beautiful woodland and dunes of South Holland - makes it an excellent base for outdoor activities and scenic walks.
Duinrell is located just outside the vibrant city of The Hague, and some 30 miles from Amsterdam with its many attractions, and just a short train journey from Schipol airport, to which many low cost operators fly from the UK.
Book now and a seven night holiday at Eurocamp’s Duinrell parc, arriving 6 August 2009 costs just £736.75 for the whole family, staying in a 2 bedroom ‘Superior’ mobile home with decking (sleeps 7 maximum), accommodation only ? saving £443.
For further information on Eurocamp please call 0844 406 0552 or visit www.eurocamp.co.uk
First All-Inclusive Staycation Package in Atlantic Canada
Posted , add a comment) July 10, 2009 - West Bay, Nova Scotia. As many Maritimers are facing tight travel budgets this summer, they are seeking vacations close to home. Dundee Resort is making it easier for vacationers to get the most out of their hard-earned dollars by introducing the first all Inclusive Staycation Package in Atlantic Canada.
Florida, Cuba, Mexico and other sunshine destinations are popular for their all-inclusive packages, which you do not generally see in Atlantic Canada. However, Dundee Resort on Cape Breton Island has just introduced an all-inclusive package to give tourists an easy economical staycation in Nova Scotia.
“Times are tough but everyone needs a getaway. For a very affordable price, this package gives visitors access to all resort amenities-it’s everything you need to have a great time, said Scott MacAulay, Owner of Dundee Resort. “By getting creative and developing an all-inclusive package, we are introducing an ideal spot for a staycation. This is the first of its kind, that I am aware of, in Atlantic Canada”, he added. Dundee Resort is located 20 minutes from Port Hawkesbury on the Bras d’Or Lakes. With an 18-hole championship golf course and a supervised children’s program, Dundee is the perfect place to getaway on Cape Breton Island. Dundee also has an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, spa and a fully equipped water adventure centre where kids of all ages can have fun on the lake. Dundee offers spacious hotel rooms and one and two bedroom efficiency cottages.
Splash Down in the Vend?e - 30% Off Selected Holidays with Keycamp
Posted , add a comment) What better way to cool off this summer than with some exhilarating watersports ? and, with Keycamp’s fantastic discounts of up to 30% at its family-friendly Zagarella parc on the Vendee coast, this is the perfect opportunity to dip your toes in the ocean.
Just a short drive from the beautiful white sands of Plage Demoiselles, this superb parc is the ideal base from which to try out Keycamp’s brand new beach watersports, choose from relaxing kayaking or catamaran sailing, to more adventurous wind surfing, sand yachting and kite surfing.
Keycamp offers a great introduction to water sports in a safe environment and all activities are led by qualified instructors and based on level of experience. A local charge is payable on-parc. Keycamp customers receive a 15% discount. Subject to availability.
With rolling countryside, picturesque villages and wonderful seafood restaurants ? the Vendée also has plenty of dry land attractions to keep the whole family amused long after a day on the open water. Meanwhile, Zagarella also offers an array of on-parc activities all set in a lovely pine wood, including a swimming pool complex, tennis courts, a well-equipped gym, sauna and excellent entertainment programme.
Seven nights from 19 July for two adults and up to four children staying in a Villanova mobile home with decking will cost just £748, including return Dover to Calais ferry crossings. This price includes 30% discount, which is a saving of £235 on usual prices.
For further information, or to book, call Keycamp on 0844 406 0319 or visit www.keycamp.co.uk