7 Good sightseeing Apps!
Although I am a fairly well traveled nerd its fair to say that after a few days of bodging my way aroud I always have a flick through a local signtseeing book for a little insperation. However these days its pretty simple to get your eyeballs on some local knowledge with the help of your smartphone - here are 5 great Apps to consider;
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) – 35 city guides for iPhones, with useful listings, maps and images. The newest development is Compass Guide apps for Google Android phones, an augmented reality guide to various cities (only available in the US at present).
Wallpaper (www.wallpaper.com) – 10 city guides including Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Berlin and New York. Simple to use and stylish, with useful cross-references.
Footprint (www.footprintbooks.com) – about to launch destination guides for Peru, Brazil and Argentina, with a South Africa guide launching in time for the World Cup. Good, simple listings and inspiring photographs, plus reader reviews.
AroundMe (www.tweakersoft.com/mobile/aroundme.html) – a listings app that uses GPS to tell you about nearby sites, banks, cafés and restaurants.
Of the emerging augmented reality apps, some of the betters ones include Wikitude (www.wikitude.org), Layar (www.layar.com) and Acrossair (www.accrossair.com).
So, thats the Apps sorted now how about the accommodation. Search Bargain Villas for a cheap holiday rental.
Dubai – This weeks top destination
This week sees Dubai rise to the top of our user search rankings. Dubai is rapidly becoming one of most exciting modern destinations for UK holiday makers. Check out a few of the reasons to make Dubai your next holiday choice;
Spectacular and Modern Architecture
Leading architects from around the world consider Dubai's sprouting modern Buildings to be remarkable. Design masterpieces include the Burj Khalifa skyscraper and Burj Al Arab hotel (both Hillman Gold Medal winners). Dubai also has the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel (see photo), the twin Emirate Towers, and the Dubai Gulf & Yacht Club's clubhouse.
Superb Shopping
Dubai is known worldwide for its shopping variety and bargains. The highlight is the gold market where artistic jewellery is sold. You will also find traditional souqs (markets) wending down narrow covered alleys and streets. And, there are well-appointed stores in air conditioned modern malls featuring the latest in international fashions.
Great Beaches
Dubai has long stretches of beautiful, unspoiled white beaches. It also has upscale umbrella-dotted beaches. The best is Jumeirah Beach, located near the Burj Al Arab hotel. In the summer, practically every day is sunny.
Check out some hot holiday rental properties in Dubai - Search Bargain Villas
Alicante Villa travel guide
Alicante is the capital of the Alicante province, located to the south of the community of Valencia.
It is immersed in history as an important port of the Mediterranean coastline. The city's population as of 2009 is just under 350,000 and is the second largest city in Valencia. The early years of the 20th century were tough for the region, but since the latter half of the century the city has been transformed due to the growth of tourism. Tourist development has created plenty of employment in the city. The Port of Alicante has been redeveloped since the decline of the 1980's - it is now one of the most important ports in Spain for cruise traffic.
The city is well served by motorways and Alicante Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain, and there are further plans for its expansion. The city is well connected to Madrid and Barcelona through local Spanish airlines and with many cities in Western Europe through the major carriers.
Things to Do and See in Alicante
There is plenty to see and do in Alicante, and the following are some of the key attractions in the city:
The Santa Barbara Castle is located on Mount Benacantil and overlooks the skyline of the city - indeed it is the landmark of Alicante. The castle was constructed by the Moors in the 10th Century and offers so much for the visitor. In particular, the views from the Lookout Tower are just magnificent.
The Explanada de España promenade is lined by exotic palm trees and it consists of over 6 million marble stones. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful promenades in Spain, it is a meeting point in the evenings for the people and tourists who flock to Alicante. Many concerts take place here, particularly during the summer. The promenade features a monument for Mark Hersch the artist who resides in Alicante.
The main church of the city is the Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari, which originates from the 17th Century and is a wonderful display of Valencia architecture. Other religious sights include the Basilica of Santa Maria, which is built in Gothic style at the location of the old mosque.
The Baroque style Casa de La Asegurada, which was built in the latter 17th century is the oldest civil structure in the city, and is now home to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante. The Archaeological Museum of Alicante is also well worth exploring.
Another sight worth seeing is the Huerta de Alicante Towers, which were built to defend Alicante from the Barbary Pirates from the 17th century onwards.
Playa del Postiguet is the urban beach in Alicante and is well worth checking out.
There are plenty of parks and family activities to be enjoyed in Alicante - El Palmeral Park is one of the most popular parks in Alicante. It has walking trails, playgrounds, lakes, picnic facilities and much more. Another parkyou should check out is El Ereta Park, which is located on Mount Benacantil.
Festivals in Alicante
Some of the most prominent festivals in Spain take place in Alicante, and these are:
Las Hogueras de San Juan - St John's Bonfires festival
The most popular festival in Alicante takes place around the Summer Solstice. The main part of the festival is the street procession, with the floats festooned with effigies, which are sacrificed by burning on the final night of the festival at midnight. This fun filled festival places a major emphasis on partying, eating, drinking and dancing.
Alicante Summer Festival (Festival de Verano de Alicante)
Runs for a month from the end of July to the end of August usually. This festival is a celebration of local and international music, brilliant dance and theatre. It offers a great day out for couples and families. The Alicante Summer Festival is not based on Religon, and as such there are no street parades. It usually takes place at the one location at the Port of Alicante.
Moors and Christian Festival
The Moors and Christian Festival takes place at different locations at different times throughout the summer in Alicante. It offers a unique mix of street entertainment, together with historic and religious celebration!
Shopping In Alicante
The Rambla de Méndez Núñez is the traditional shopping area of Alicante. This is a vibrant street to browse through that will afford the visitor a terrific choice of shops as well as a proper glimpse into the city life of Alicante. There are plenty of arts and craft shops dotted around the city where you can pick up some local handicrafts. Jewellery and leather goods are the things to watch out for when grabbing a bargain!
Eating Out In Alicante
Alicante offers great choice when deciding where to eat out - Calle San Francisco is a great area to look for some good value restaurants. Tapas bars have their origin in Alicante and there are plenty of bars in the city that serve tapas. The area around Town Hall Square and the Plaza de Montaceta area has plenty of tapas bars and restaurants.
If you are based in Alicante, the best way to explore the city and region is to hire a car. For the very best deals in car rental, visit our Car Hire Alicante Airport page. Search cheap Alicante Villas at Bargainvillas.co.uk. John writes for Novacarhire.com - an independent car hire reservation website where you can book low cost car hire at over 5,000 locations worldwide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Downes |
3 Cool Travel Gadgets
Freeloader Solar Chargers

?
?
?
Digital Luggage Scales

Jetting off around the world on less than the price of an airport sandwich is all well and good, but one pair of sandals too many can have you cursing the god of luggage while airport officials bite a hefty chunk out of your holiday pocket money by way of an extortionate excess baggage charge - and that's just on the flight out. If, like lots of inebriated tourists tend to do, you find yourself inexplicably drawn to that wicker donkey you spied in Alicante (it's going to look just fabulous next to the chaise lounge, isn't it?) you could find that your cerveza-fuelled impulse buy becomes even costlier when you check in for the flight home.
Perfect for the jet setter who doesn't want to skydive into the red.
For more info, click here: Digital Luggage Scales
?
Phone Home For Less With Go-Sim
Holidays are a time to relax, so the last thing you need when you get home is a huge phone bill. Overseas call charges can cost you a fortune but help is at hand to help you keep your costs down.
With GO-SIM it won't cost you the earth to keep in touch, even when you're on the other side of the globe. In fact you can save up to 85% on calls from 175 countries around the world. Or to put it another way, you can chat for up to six times longer than you would with a standard network provider.
As the world's leading supplier of global SIM cards, there are a number of other exciting benefits too. For example, in over 75 countries your incoming calls are FREE. So depending on where you are, you won't have to pay a penny if someone contacts you. You won't get charged for any texts you receive either. Add to that the fact that your GO-SIM card and any credit on it never expires - unlike similar services - and you've got incredible savings for life.
GO-SIM really is the perfect travelling companion. You can top up online, anytime, and we'll even give you ?5 or ?20 free airtime to get you off to a flying start. So no matter how far you travel, make sure you pack a GO-SIM card.
For more info click here: Phone Home For Less With Go-Sim
All these handy travel?gadgets and more?can be found at http://www.iwantoneofthose.com
Karl
BargainVillas
karlh@bargainvillas.co.uk
http://www.bargainvillas.co.uk REMEMBER: Home owners sign up for FREE at http://www.bargainvillas.co.uk/. Pay NO Advertising fee's or commissions....Ever!
5 Holiday Packing Tips

5 packing tips for holdays
When it comes to getting things organised for a holiday I have to admit im pretty rubbish at it. Last trip I packed for I forgot underwear and socks...Therefore I tend to leave this aspect of travel to my girlfriend who is far more efficient than me. With this in mind here are a couple of useful tips;
1) Roll and not fold: Roll clothes instead of folding them, it creates less creases and saves space. Honest!
2) Mix it up: If packing 2 or more cases spread clothes between cases. If a case gets lost you'll still have something to wear.
3) Make it visible: Use a bright strip of ribbon or tape to wrap around your case for easy identification when collecting your baggage.
4) Security: Ensure that the zips are strong on the cases and that you have good quality padlocks on the checked in baggage. Keep a spare one for your hand baggage as well. Combination locks are useful if you don?t want to have the hassle of looking after keys.
5) Useful items to consider packing: Money belt, spare specs/contact lenses, chargers or batteries, universal adapter plug, a pen, pack of cards, small sewing kit medi-kit: plasters and headache tablets
More tips available at http://www.bargainvillas.co.uk/traveltips.aspx you can also help others (like me) by adding your own travel tip!?- Let us know what have you forgotton to pack?
Karl
BargainVillas
karlh@bargainvillas.co.uk
http://www.bargainvillas.co.uk REMEMBER: Home owners sign up for FREE at http://www.bargainvillas.co.uk/. Pay NO Advertising fee's or commissions....Ever!
Recent Comments
- Semilocks on Satellite image showing Tsunami forecast after Japan Earthquake
- siddhant on Satellite and seismic monitor images of Japan Tsunami and earthquake
- yash on Satellite image showing Tsunami forecast after Japan Earthquake
- Locket Necklace on 5 holiday scams & rip offs to watch out for!
- usrentacar.co.uk® Car Hire USA Blog » Blog Archive » The Week In Car Hire on Great Ski Gadget under £10
Recommended sites
- Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing | ATOL
- Attraction-tickets.info – Attraction ticket and theme park reviews
- BAA – The official site for UK BAA airports
- Bargain Villas – Holiday Property Search Engine
- British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
- Car hire USA
- Florida car hire
- Florida Car Hire.net Cheap car hire in Florida
- Goole Maps
Archives
- October 2012
- July 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- November 2011
- October 2011
- August 2011
- May 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
Recent Posts
- Satellite images of hurricane Sandy
- Discounts for USA and Florida car hire!
- Save 10% on Car Hire USA until 12th March!
- Video: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & cheap tickets
- SeaWorld Orlando Video & Cheap ticket prices