Travel News

Istanbul is the second most visited city in Turkey, outside Antalya, according to the local tourism authority. It attracted of 25.06 per cent of the 21.5 million visitors to the city from January to September 2008 compared with 34.58 per cent during the same period last year.

According to officials, Istanbul can be seen on any budget. Luxury Turkish spas, Jacuzzis and thermal pools make up the best hotels in Istanbul for those who want to go high end, but there are cheap hotels in Istanbul for tourists who want to take a trip to a country that does not deal in the euro.

Istiklal Street

Reserve a room on Istiklal Street and you are in the heart of the buzzing metropolis that is Istanbul's commercial Mecca.

The street is in the Beyoglu area which has largely been preserved as an Ottoman area. It houses a palace which dates back to the 16th century and is a recommended walking spot for visitors who want to see the real Turks go about their daily business.

Galata Tower

Forget a high up hotel in Istanbul, stay by Galata Tower to get the best view of the city. It was built as a look out in 1384 during the Ottoman Empire and housed many prisoners of war, according to the visitors' website, as well as an observatory.

It has been recreated several times after being destroyed by fire. At one point, it ironically served as a fire station. It now sports a restaurant with beautiful panoramas of the city where visitors making a reservation can expect music, song and traditional dancing as well as a fine Turkish menu - with meatballs, kebabs and special desserts - and an opulent cocktail menu.

Hagia Sophia

Saint Sophia or Hagia Sophia is one of the most revered places in this Turkish city. Take enough time out of your read more

When the excitement of the holiday season is over, what better way to put a smile back on children's faces than a trip to Legoland? A reservation at one of the best hotels in Windsor next Spring should secure a trip to Legoland in the UK or one of the best hotels in Sydannmark to Legoland Denmark or to one of the best hotels in Gunzburg to Legoland Germany.

Following a deal with animation studios, Bob the Builder and the Roller Coaster will screen exclusively in 4D at Legoland UK in March with showings at Legoland Denmark and Legoland Germany in April. In the film Bob shows children how working together makes for a better fix-it attitude by building a model out of Lego and Duplo bricks.

Managing director of Legoland Parks John Jakobsen said: "We're excited to partner with HIT Entertainment in presenting to our guests from around the world this unique opportunity to build their imaginations with this new Bob the Builder 4D movie."

The film uses computer generated animation and special glasses to create the 3D picture with wind and mist effects in the cinema theatres for a 4D effect. Also in March, Legoland in Windsor, the UK, will show Spellbreaker 4D Movie and Lego Racers 4D.Legoland UK

Unlike its counterparts Legoland Windsor is open all year round and 2009 signals another land to explore with Kingdom of the Pharaohs. Anyone staying at the hotels in Windsor can see lego castles in miniature as well as the famous Windsor Castle.

As well as more than 50 interactive rides, Legoland Windsor has live shows, workshops and 150 acres of parkland for families to enjoy. Rides include Laser Raisers where visitors can try to find booby traps in the dark with laser guns and scarab bouncers which link into the new Kingdom being built for 2009. An Xbox360 gaming zone is also soon to be installed on the park.

Legoland Denmark

Next to the original Legoland factory lies Legoland Denmark. It is packed with more than 50 fun filled activities, but is clos ... read more

Book a room early, because the best hotels in Nantes are likely to get snapped up between January 28th and February 1st next year. The town is hosting Le Folle Journee de Nantes, one of the largest classical music festivals in Europe.

In total there will be 1,800 musicians, 270 concerts for a weekend of compelling performances centred around a particular era or composer. Special litanies will focus on north German composers from 1650 to 1750, such as Heinrich Schutz and Johann Sebastian Bach.

Visitors can enjoy some most feted work as well as rare pieces, which the festival claims have never been played before in public. Contemporary interpretations of Bach's music will also let rip, two of which have been especially penned for La Follee Journee de Nantes by Bruno Mantovani and Uri Caine.

The Pays de la Loire region

The Pays de la Loire region stretches from the Atlantic coast to Le Mans and is crossed by the River Loire with its many tributaries and waterways. Unique landscape and intriguing heritage provide for bus, bike and walking tours, suitable for every budget, according to the local tourist board.

Natural Nantes consists of the Martinere Canal, which went into disuse no sooner than it was built in the 19th century. However, this makes the area perfect for visitors. Tourists can walk, fish and sail along the 15km with the L'Ile du Massereau hosting more than 80 species of birds for ornithologists.

Hotel de la Gare de Nantes

Well suited for European visitors is the Hotel de la Gare de Nantes, which is five minutes from the Cite Internationale des Congres- the convention centre housing much of the music - and across the road from the train or TGV.

French, English, Spanish and German are spoken at this two-star hotel, which is just one example of the affordable accommoda ... read more

Take your other half on a Bond-style adventure in Monte Carlo. There are plenty of high class games joints to take your pick of Martini. Go to Casino Monte-Carlo in Place du Casino where you can play like a veritable king or queen surrounded by stained glass windows, sculptures, and paintings. Treat your Valentine's date to a game of roulette set to get the heart racing, Chemin de Fer, Black Jack or Craps.

Alternatively, head to romantic Montreux nestled deep in Switzerland to wrap up warm with your beau. Opulence is a must on February 14th and what better place to take your five star date then Fairmont Le Montreux Palace – they are not to know both hotels in Monte Carlon and Montreux are allowing early birds to secure special Valentine's Day deals.

Fairmont Monte Carlo

This area inside Monaco is a must-visit for any young couple that wants to strut their new status. Monte Carlo is also a winner for the defined generation of couples who want to celebrate their special day with an element of decadence. For both, the casinos are places to spend your cash and buried deep inside most of the best hotels in Monte Carlo are plenty of places to choose from.

Fairmont Monte Carlo is offering anyone who books for Valentine's Day a special advance in one of its seaside rooms. Each of the 619 it has to offer has a marble bathroom and balcony for sheer joyful rest and recuperation. It is located between the casino and the ocean, so you and your partner can enjoy the hustle and bustle of Monte Carlo commotion or quiet alone time by the sea.

This hotel's Room and Spoon includes a special one night's accommodation in the comfort of a Fairmont room, a special Valentine's Day Dinner at the Argentin Grill for two and a romantic dessert for two served with one spoon as well as a breakfast in bed for two.

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

This five star palace is among the best hotels in Montreux to choose if you would ... read more

Istanbul has been chosen as Capital of Culture 2010 by the European parliament - despite not being a member of the EU. Turkey has been battling for accession into the European Union for a long time. Even Croatia has even leapfrogged Turkey on its path to EU membership.

The country has proved popular with tourists - 21.5 million visited Turkey over the first nine months of the year, up by 13.3 per cent compared with the same period in 2007. The southwestern town of Antalya received the most visitors followed by the best hotels in Istanbul, which were visited by one in four tourists.

Director of events and organisations for Istanbul2010 Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz said: "In the last five years, Istanbul has been growing a lot in terms of tourism by 19 per cent on a yearly basis … there will be more demand from the international arena with more international artists becoming aware that Istanbul is creating new artistic talent."

Why Istanbul?

According to government officials, the city's rich heritage is the reason it was chosen for the European Capital of Culture status. It is not all about the spas at Istanbul hotels. Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz describes the "contemporary capacity of creative cultures" and "its young and dynamic population" as tourist lures.

Istanbul is multi-cultural, which is a lasting legacy of the three empires that ruled the city, with elements that can draw the attention of eastern and western cultures and Istanbul hotels that would suit all tastes.

What history?

Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman histories intermingle Istanbul's past, with artefacts from each era in the city museums. As well as affordable accommodation in Istanbul, there are hundreds of attractions, including art galleries which are not well known in the international arena. It is a centre for des ... read more