Category Archives: Holiday

A Gypsy Caravan Holiday

A Gypsy Caravan Holiday is an adventure!
It’s an escape from the busy every-day life: imagine living in a Gypsy caravan for a few days, handling a horse and driving through an unspoiled, idyllic countryside.
You can spend a holiday like this for example in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Hungary with different horse breeds and a vardos in variations.

How can I book, how does it work?

There are hire-companies and travel agencies that offer you a trip with a fully fitted and very practical Gypsy caravan for the holiday together with usually one horse, sometimes two.

Bow top wagons, made out of wood and stretched canvas are used preferably. These vehicles are about 5m long (without horse) and approx. 2m wide. They can weigh up to 750kg. In most places Irish Cobs or Gypsy draft horses are used, as they are very well tempered, calm and very good with children. In a lot of cases a collar harness is used.

What, if I haven’t got any experience with horses?

Everyone gets an initial thorough introduction into functionality of the vardo and handling and caring for the horse. It will be explained to you how to harness up and put the horse onto the caravan, how to feed and water it, how to groom and how to look after hooves and hoof shoes.

What do I need to bring with me?

Space is limited in a vardo, therefore you need to bring practical clothing and only gear you really need and dont forget the wet wear, as in some areas weather can be quiet unpredictable even during the summer: spells of rain can occur at any time. Most hire companies give you bedding, but ask you to bring your own towels. A good idea is also to bring your own sleeping bag. Take also a book or two and some games for the children. A mobile phone for emergencies is a good idea. Also, Bank facilities and ATM’s are usually not passed during the trip (the routes are quite well selected and you will travel on calm, more remote roads.)

You will drive along a fix route and check in at selected over night stops, where you will find grazing for the horse, electricity, shower and toilet facilities.

When is the best time to travel? How much does it cost approximately?

Gypsy caravan holiday operations are open from April to October, with a main season in the summer months July – August.

Prices in 2007 were around 500 (600 in high season) per week and caravan and they will usually ask for approx.10 – 15 % deposit. There will be surcharges for the compulsory over night stops, which might be between 15-20 per caravan. You can book short trips over 2 or 3 days or longer ones over 4 or 6 days. If you enjoy it very much, trips can be prolonged in most cases.

A Gypsy caravan holiday is certainly an adventurous vacation and you will experience life from a totally different point of view, in a slower pace. You might even want to take a longer break and organize your tour through different countries with your own vardo and horse/s.

Holiday Gift Idea for a Birthday Party

Last weekend I was invited to one of my friends birthday party. It was actually a birthday and picnic party combination. The celebration started at 3pm on Saturday afternoon out in one of the nicest local parks. This particular park has a water play area for the kids, a playground, a small lake with ducks, geese and so many other birds.

Since it was a weekend there were a lot of people in the park. Many young mothers were walking around the lake with their children and pushing the strollers getting fresh air for themselves and their babies.

Most of the guests arrived on time, still there were some who came a little late still everyone got to the party one way or another. Late or not the host didnt care, he started dinner as soon as the majority of the guests arrived.

The birthday girls husband received a brand new BBQ grill as a Christmas gift from his wife and was just ecstatic to show off his new toy. Since I knew ahead of time what his wife purchased for him for Christmas she told me – and I also know they just love camping, hiking and picnicking, my present for the wife for her birthday was an absolutely stunning wicker picnic basket for 4 with all accessories included and a lovely picnic blanket. You could just see the glow and joy on her face when she opened that present.

Because they had a camping trip scheduled for the following month for their 15th anniversary, she promised me they were going to take their new picnic basket on that trip. They were both so excited to go on this trip because grandma would take care of the children, so they would be free as birds for a whole week. Imagine, just the two of them, alone on a romantic anniversary camping trip somewhere in the back country.

While our dinner was cooking, the grown ups were talking, some telling jokes and the children got to play games, run around in the grass, splashing water at each other in the water park, and they had too much fun jumping on the huge bouncer that was rented just for them.

I got so carried away talking about these wonderful holiday gift ideas like a wicker picnic basket for 4 and the fun weve had that I completely forgot to talk about the food. Dinner included marinated grilled chicken, Cesar salad, grilled giant shrimp, homemade potato salad, hamburgers on homemade buns, pies and so much more. All was so fresh and tasty, the meats were juicy and the pies. Oh my! The pies were yummy! My favorite was the banana cream pie with the whip cream on top. Our birthday girl mother must have worked all night on those pies.

Our birthday girl was given so many presents and her husband was such a sport about carrying all those gifts to their car while we helped with the cleanup and the leftovers. The party was scheduled for about four hours but because all the guests had a blast it lasted much longer and Im glad to say, the park was left so much cleaner than it was before the event.

All in all it was fantastic! Everybody had an awesome time and the kids did not want to stop jumping on the bouncer even after the Sun went down. I am certain I will be back next year for this party if I get invited.

Rhodes Holidays the famous festivals of Rhodes

Being located in the middle of the Aegean Sea, the Island of Rhodes is one of the beautiful islands of Dodecanese complex. With the increasing number of tourists visiting this place every year, it has become a center of tourist attractions. Despite of gender, age or taste; a large number of tourists come here and enjoy its splendid beauty. The island is rich in tourist attractions, hence, it provides lots of opportunities to make you enjoy the best Rhodes holidays of your life.

From a pleasurable family holiday to the all-inclusive beach holidays, from a lavish stay in luxury hotels to cozy stay in a cheap apartment, Rhodes has a lot to offer for an ideal holiday package.

Rhodes offers many sightseeing opportunities to its guests but the most cherishable moments are its festivals. Being able to attend the festivals of Rhodes will add more charm to your Rhodes holidays. Below are the top three festivals that one should not miss to see in Rhodes.

Ecofilms Festival:
Ecofilms festival is the most captivating festival of Rhodes. A large number of art lovers come across from borders to participate in this festival. They exhibit their talent and receive appreciation in return. This festival includes short films, long films and documentaries. The topics of documentaries are very interesting. One should not forget to see the Ecofilms festival during Rhodes holidays.

Medieval Town Carnival:
Carnivals are the way to cherish your mood and to stay away from the tensions of life. The island of Rhodes offers its guests with a colorful and exciting carnival in the medieval town. The medieval town carnival lasts for a week. Many games are played in it. Activities such as parade, hand tricks, bike race, pram race, sea boot race, stilt walking and other events are really exciting and become a pleasurable moments of Rhodes holidays. This festival is not limited to any specific age group and you can enjoy it alone as well as with your family or friends.

Medieval Rose Festival:
Medieval rose festival explicit the cultural values of Rhodes. It is one of the most fascinating festivals that take place every year within the medieval walls of Old town Rhodes. This festival attracts tourists of all ages and tastes. The festival comprises of a number of events including the chase of dragon whereby both children and adults enjoy playing adventurous games, solving puzzles and riddles etc. Informative presentations, seminars, tours, medieval symposium etc are also the part of festival. Participants wear costumes of knights, fairies, witches, oriental dancers, gamers and alchemists etc. Everyone who participates in the festival tries his best to entertain the visitors.

A wide means of transportation including buses and cars can be availed to visit different parts of Island Rhodes and see their cultural events and festivals. Moreover, the hotels, apartments and studios of Rhodes promises relaxing holidays, catering for all styles and budgets.

Island Rhodes is blessed with lots of attractions that captivate a large number of tourists towards it every year. No matter you are young, kid or old; the beautiful island of Rhodes will offer everything to make your Rhodes holidays a memorable experience of life that will be recalled with great joy.

Visa and Working Holiday Australia

The 457 visa enables you to sponsor workers from overseas on a temporary basis to work in Australia from 3 months to 4 years. Your sponsorship approval lasts for 2 years, or until all nomination has been filled or until the sponsorship approval is cancelled. If you own a Business which has no formal operation base or representations in Australia you may apply to bring employees to Australia to establish a branch, joint venture or agency distributorship and subsidiary branches in Australia or fulfill obligations for a contract or other business activity in Australia. With this visa people you employ from overseas can work in Australia for a period of up to 4 years, can bring any eligible secondary applicants with them in the country and they can work and study and after entering Australia, you have no limit on the number of times you can travel in and out of Australia.

Sponsored employees may stay in Australia for the length of the visa validity, but must seek sponsorship from another employer or leave Australia if they cease working for their sponsoring employer. You can apply for any permanent visa while you are on a 457 visa. You must apply for the 457 visa from outside Australia, unless the last visa you held is a transit visa or a special purpose visa. You must be willing to declare respect of Australian values and adhere to Australia laws and meet health and character requirements before the visa is issued.

A working holiday Australia offers something for everyone from sun, adventure, an awesome natural environment and friendly people. Australia is one of the largest and most beautiful countries in the world and offers exciting environment for work and travel and a perfect place to start your Australia working holiday.

There is a list of working holiday in Australia package which includes
Sydney head start package; this allows you to stay in one of the most popular backpackers hostels for the first few nights, while orientation team help with finding a job and also shows how working holiday Australia will be the best experience you will ever have.
Ultimate work packages; this includes all the benefits of the Sydney head start package, but makes your arrival that slight bit more convenient that gives you exactly the peace of mind you need. This provides you with access to thousands of job offered.
Ultimate oz package; this includes all the benefits of the ultimate work package, and in addition it gives you the opportunity to explore the vibrant lifestyle of Sydney and see the world-famous Bondi beach and the breath-taking Blue Mountains.

Things to do on holiday in Mauritius

Mauritius, also known as the “Jewel of the Indian ocean” is renown as one of the most incredible tourist destinations in the world.

This holiday paradise naturally has so much to offer when it comes to luxurious hotels, resorts, sports, social activities, breathtaking scenery, excellent food and great service!

For an unforgettable holiday experience, the following resorts are highly recommended: Le Paridis, One & Only Le Saint Gran, Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa, One & Only Le Touessrok and Royal Palm Grand Baie.

Mauritius has seven superb championship golf courses to offer, which are found near to or inside the resorts. Most of the golf resorts have pro-shops and offer caddies as well as professional instructors for private lessons. An experience not to be missed is at the La Vanille Crocodile Park in the southern part of Mauritius in the fame fatal rain forest. La Vanille Crocodile Park boasts over a thousand Nile crocodiles, giant tortoises, monkeys and bats. You also have the opportunity to walk among the giant tortoises and even ride on them.

For a totally unique experience, go for an undersea walk. Once all kitted up in your clear bubble helmet, rubber shoes, oxygen hose and the rest of the equipment you then take a leisurely stroll along the sandy sea bed while the fish nibble food from your hands. Even if you cant swim you can still do the undersea walk. Just awesome! The undersea walk is all in all about half an hour long.

Ever been in a submarine? If not then Grand Baie is the place to be. Blue Safari Submarine, has two vessels, the BS 600 (a small submarine) and the BS1100 (a large submarine). You are taken on a one-hour trip down to depths of 40 meters for fantastic views of the coral-life, fish as well as the wreck of an old Japanese fishing boat called the “Star Hope”. And to add more to the experience, you can even stop deep down under for some lunch and wine!

For the keen fishermen, Mauritius is the ideal destination for superb deep-sea fishing. Large game species include; barracuda, tuna, marlin and a variety of sharks such as hammerhead, tiger and black fin. For organised deep-sea fishing trips the best locations are at the Trou Aux Biches and Grand Baie.

A holiday in Mauritius, with its abundance of water sports such as parasailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, water skiing, catamarans, snorkelling and scuba diving and much more packs the day full of action and adventure.

If you enjoy diving then you will be blown away by the stunning coral reefs and the numerous fish species to be seen. Come face-to-face eagle rays and sharks! Other species you may encounter on dives include dolphins, whales and the ever-graceful turtles.

Diving trips can be organised through the following companies: Aquarius Diving Ltd at Grand Baie, Seafan Diving Centre at Le Palmer or Atlantis Diving Centre and Nautilus Diving Centre at Trou Aux Biches.

So as you can see, Mauritius, as a holiday destination is unquestionably a travellers tropical paradise, an island so beautiful, you wont want to leave.