The Met Office has to be the most comprehensive website for UK weather. It shows regularly updated weather warnings for the UK and offers a 5-day forecast for most towns. This website is a great place for UK statistics, with charts showing average temperatures, rainfall, hours of sunshine and even number of days of air frost for each month for regional weather stations. World weather forecasts and past weather statistics are available with detailed information on world climate for countries, major cities and holiday destinations. A 5-day UV index, shipping forecasts, satellite information, rainfall animation and a UK 4 week forecast are available. A great website for those wanting more detailed information and statistics.
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Weather Channel
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Rating:
10
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The Weather Channel is a great place to get general information and statistics about the climate of your holiday destination, or even for where you live at any time of the year. It gives average monthly temperatures and rainfall, and you can even look at the actual dates that you expect to travel to see the average temperatures for those dates, and sunrise and sunset times. There are 10-day forecasts for most UK towns.
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Yahoo is a comprehensive weather website with international information. Weather forecasts are available for most UK towns, including sunrise and sunset times, visibility and a 10-day forecast. Area maps are available showing animated satellite images and temperature forecasts.
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Despite the best efforts of the power to its north, the
sun still shines on Cuba. It's the Caribbean's largest and
least commercialized island and one of the world's last
bastions of communism. The island's relative political isolation
has prevented it from being overrun by tourists, and locals
are sincerely friendly to those who do venture in - even
blockade runners from the US get a warm welcome! The Helms-Burton
Act has allowed Cuba to find its place in the post-Soviet
world gradually, without the sudden destabilizing shock
of mass consumer tourism from the United States. It's only
a matter of time before American-imposed travel and trade
barriers fall. No doubt millions will come when flights
from Miami resume. Clearly, the time to go is now.
Although you can't quite hear the colonial architecture
peeling in the streets, even Cuba's larger towns are pretty
relaxed. The most frenetic it gets is in the middle of an
enthusiastic chachachá, and the loudest it gets is
behind one of the huge finned American cars chugging the
streets. If you want it even quieter, Cuba's backcountry
and beaches are perfect chillout destinations for hikers,
swimmers, cyclers, spelunkers or those who just want to
smoke a fine cigar under a palm tree.
Cuba has undergone a transformation since it first opened
its doors to global tourism after almost three decades of
isolation. Most noteworthy has been the rapid growth in
private accommodation, the extensive network of casas particulares
allowing the independent traveller the opportunity, not
only to experience life more as it is lived by the average
Cubano, but also to explore corners of the country that
had previously been inaccessible or off-limits. Good news
for the tourist is the growing choice of resorts and the
number of new or refurbished hotels that are opening in
towns across the country. While eco-tourism is still in
its infancy and much of the island’s extraordinary
natural beauty remains to be discovered, the government
is already making strides in the right direction
Cuba really can offer something for all types of travellers
and holiday makers. Whether you are looking for a picture
perfect paradise with palm trees shading the pure white
sand beaches and blue lagoons, or for an interesting baptism
into a culture moulded by its unique history and political
climate, next time you draft up your short list of vacations...
make sure Cuba is on it.
VITAL STATISTICS:
• Full country name: Republic
of Cuba
• Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
• Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
• Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
• Area: total: 110,860 sq km
• Land: 110,860 sq km
• Land boundaries: 29 km
• Water: 0 sq km
• Population: 11 million
• Capital city: Havana (pop 2,200,000)
• People: 60% Spanish descent, 22% mixed-race, 11%
African descent, 1% Chinese
• Language: Spanish
• Religion: 47% Catholic, 4% Protestant, 2% Santería
(many Catholics also practice Santería
• Government: Communist republic
• Head of State: Fidel Castro
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National Express
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Rating:
9
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National Express carries more than 12 million passengers to 1200 destinations across Britain. They offer regular services to airports, and destinations include cities in Europe and Ireland. Students, the over 50’s and young people aged 16-25 can save 30% on fares by purchasing a coachcard. Amazing special offers are often available online, with fares from as little as £1! Points are earned through booking online.
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Macdonald Hotels
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Rating:
8
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Macdonald Hotels have established themselves as a leading name for special functions. They offer a range of character properties across the UK, from former coaching inns to elegant manor houses set in extensive grounds, to more contemporary city locations. They are able to provide wedding packages and services for that perfect day in a beautiful setting.
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Shuttle direct offer airport transfers across European destinations. They provide a door to door service direct to your accommodation and back. Private transfer is available by taxi or minibus, and group transfer is available by coach.
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London Theatre Direct
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Rating:
8
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London Theatre Direct offer tickets for plays, musicals and comedy shows which can be booked online in advance or at the last minute. You can also buy packages for theatre and restaurant deals or accommodation. London Theatre direct sell tickets for great seats in all major London shows, with special offers available online. They also have a great range of coach tours, river cruises and tickets for London attractions.
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Airtours.co.uk
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Rating:
10
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For the best holiday deals online it really is hard to be beat Airtours, one of the UK's leading tour operators! You can choose from 1000s of holiday deals to all the popular destinations and many more exotic places plus cruises, skiing and flights. There are many exclusive online discounts and of course children and infants can travel for free! Whatever you do... make sure you check Airtours for your next holiday.
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World Health Organization (WHO)
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Rating:
9
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International Travel and Health is a WHO publication that offers guidance on the full range of health risks likely to be encountered at specific destinations and associated with different types of travel – from business, humanitarian and leisure travel to backpacking and adventure tours.
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Going Places.com
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Rating:
9
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Going Places.com is the website of one of the UK’s leading high street travel agents and offers great value package holidays and flights direct from established, and well-respected tour operators including Airtours, Aspro, Escapades, Manos and Panorama.
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The Big Bus Company
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Rating:
9
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The Big Bus Company offer sightseeing tours of London on top of a traditional double decker bus. Buses leave every 15-30 minutes so that you can hop on and off en route. Tour go via Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's Cathedral. The price includes a free Thames river cruise and free walking tours, of which there is a great choice with a theme to suit everyone! There is a live commentary on the Bus Tours or a recorded commentary available in 8 different languages. Printable e-tickets are available online for the bus tours and you can also avoid the queues by purchasing fast entry tickets for top London attractions. Bus tours are also available in Dubai and Philadelphia.
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Cottages4you offer a choice of over 30 000 quality properties across 16 European countries and the USA. You can search by region, price and/or date of travel, specify any preferences you may have, and check availability and book online. Each property is packed with information and photos and some have virtual tours.
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Cottages4you offer a huge range of properties throughout the UK. Choose to search by price, date of travel and/or region, and select any preferences you may have to find the perfect holiday cottage. Each property has a detailed description and lots of photos to help you make the right choice, some even have virtual tours. You can check availability and book online.
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Pure Vacations Surfing
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Rating:
9
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Pure Vacations have been the world's leading surfing holiday operator since the 90's. They offer a huge range of surfing holidays including tours, boat trips, weekend breaks, and family surfing holidays. Pure vacations are passionate about surfing and research the waves, resorts and facilities of all destinations. They have selected 30 of the best destinations throughout the world including the USA, Hawaii, Europe and Australia. The website is packed with information about the areas and surfing conditions, and there are graphs to show the monthly water temperatures and swell size. There are holidays to suit everyone from the beginner to the experienced professional.
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Sherpa Expeditions
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Rating:
9
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Sherpa Expeditions provide walking and cycling holidays. With over 30 years experience they offer self-guided tours for those who prefer the freedom to go at their own pace, or escorted tours for those who want to travel with like-minded people. Tours are available to suit all levels of fitness, from a gentle ramble to a Himalayan expedition. A huge range of tours are available at destinations throughout the world all offering stunning scenery and a sense of achievement. Arrangements are made for baggage to be transferred to the next location wherever possible. Itineries and locations are constantly researched and updated to ensure you are getting the best tour available, and with 75% of their customers coming from repeat business or recommendations it would seem that they are getting it right!
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With the London Pass you can gain free entry to over 50 attractions, including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, and London Zoo. The list includes historic buildings, museums, cinemas, galleries and walking tours and cruises. The London Pass is available with or without the option to include public transport and you can purchase a 1, 2, 3 or 6 day option. With the London Pass you can cut to the front of queues at attractions and take advantage of loads of special offers and discounts including theatre tickets and restaurants.
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Disneyland Resort Paris
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Rating:
8
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At Disneyland Paris you can meet Disney characters and watch parades and shows. You can even choose to stay in a themed Disney hotel. There are plenty of things to see and do while you are there, you can visit 5 imaginary lands in Disneyland Park, go to Walt Disney Studios Park, or if you prefer to be more active, you could play a round at Disneyland Golf, or even enrol for the Manchester United soccer school. Special online offers are available with virtual tours available to help you to decide, and you can book tickets and packages online.
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