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Golfing holidays in Spain – the very phrase evokes a delightful image of long green fairways under a warm sun. Golf may have been invented in cold, misty Scotland but it’s best enjoyed under sunny blue skies. And where better than in Spain? Not only does Spain promise year-round sunshine, it’s also home to some of the country’s – indeed Europe’s – best golf courses.

So where are the best golf courses to be found? The fact is you can find golf courses all over Spain. Many are in the tourist haunts of the Costa del Sol and the Algarve. Like so many places on the tourist trail, they tend to be crowded, poor value and lacking in the charm you’ll find in other parts of the country.

If you want to play golf in a real Spanish setting far from the crowds, head for the Costa Almeria in eastern Andalucía. This is one of Spain’s best kept golfing secrets and it’s clear to see why.

For one thing, it’s in the country’s driest province. Andalusia is graced with over 3000 hours of sunshine a year. That means you’re guaranteed a game of golf in the dry pretty much anytime.

Another factor in choosing this part of the country is that life in the Costa Almeria moves to a more relaxed rhythm that the frenetic holiday towns of the Costa del Sol or the Algarve. It’s less crowded and prices are reasonable not being geared towards tourists. Almeria is as beautiful as any part of Spain and offers its own charm reflected in the ancient villages and long gorgeous coastline.

Best of all for the golfer, Almeria has some of the most distinguished golf courses in Spain. Extensive golf course development has been carried out in recent years and many more courses are planned for the future. Currently, Almeria is home to nine quality golf courses. They are La Envía Golf & Spa Resort, Playa Serena, Alboran and Golf Almerimar in the south, and Aguilon, Desert Springs, Marina Golf, Macenas Golf & Beach Resort and Valle del Este in the north. Each has its own unique characteristics. For example, Desert Springs is Europe’s only Arizona desert style golf course and the spa resort of La Envia is a veritable oasis.

All of Almeria’s golf courses are convenient for resorts and the whole area is served by Almeria International Airport. It’s less than an hour’s drive away and offers regular, scheduled and budget flights from most UK airports.

When playing golf in

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Everybody likes a green city and, this year, they don’t come much more carbon-neutral than Copenhagen. Not only is the Danish capital the only city in the world to have been awarded the UCI Bike City label, but it is also halfway through its four-year run of world class cycling events, which started in 2008.

Created by the International Cycling Union, the idea of awarding UCI Bike City monikers was developed to promote cycling amongst internationally renowned cities. From designating good quality cycle networks to hosting international competitive cycling championships, the award can go to any city that is seen to be actively promoting the environmental element of using a bike. Though Copenhagen is the only city so far to meet all of the criteria needed for the award, other cities will undoubtedly follow not far behind, as many cities, like Copenhagen, are committed to promoting cycling as a green means of transport.

To mark this nomination and to further promote cycling, Copenhagen launched a programme of cycling events in 2008 to run right through to 2011. Six world class races have been planned over four years, starting with the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics that was held in 2008, followed by the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, both of which were repeated in 2009. However, the two major events that have caught the attention of the worldwide cycling press are the 2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in March and the UCI Road World Championships, to be held in late August or early September 2011.

As Copenhagen makes the most of its place as the world’s leading cycling city, several other major cycling events have taken place over 2008 and 2009 and will take place again in 2010 and 2011; from televised races to local community projects to encourage all ages and abilities to turn to cycling as an everyday means of transport. Already, more than 35% of all Copenhageners travel to work or school on a bicycle, which is one of the highest figures of any city in the world, but the target for 2015 has been set at an ambitious 50%.

Not only this, but the capital has one of the highest per capita bicycle ownerships, with around 80% of the city’s residents owning a bike and, between them, 1.1 million kilometres are ridden by Copenhageners every single day.

Not only a great mode of transport, residents of Denmark’s capital realise how efficient cycling can be as it dramatically cuts down on CO2 omissions and, due to the reduced amount of road traffic, is considerably quicker and safer for driving short distances. It is also a superb way to keep fit, so hopefully more cities will follow in Copenhagen’s footsteps, or tyre treads, in the near future. This year, many luxury hotels in Copenhagen are offering deals to help celebrate the city’s place as one of the most forward-thinking and environmentally friendly capitals in the world.

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/copenhagen-goes-green-and-is-awarded-bike-city-status-1781015.html

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If you’re the sort of person who shies away from sun, sea and sand holidays where the main activity of choice is laying on the beach and slowly cooking yourself, the chances are you’ll be looking for something a little more adventurous while searching for your next holiday away. Although beautiful in their own way, beach holidays can be boring – they’re monotonous, tiresome and everything remains the same, day in, day out. What you’re probably after is something more exciting, something where your eyes can’t believe what they’re taking in every day – somewhere incredible that you’ll never forget!

Does this sound along the right lines for what you’re searching for? If so, you needn’t look any further for the perfect holiday destination – Iceland awaits! Perhaps considered the direct opposite of your average beach holiday, a visit to Iceland will show you the unique, dynamic landscape you’ve been craving to see. Packed with gigantic glaciers which loom threateningly on the horizon, breathtaking volcanoes which cover an extraordinary amount of land and awe-inspiring waterfalls that capture the imagination, Iceland truly is the adventurer’s holiday destination of choice.

Every day, you’ll be able to take in a new wonder of nature, whether you want to get up close and personal with a glacier as it shapes the land of the future or to take in the beauty of a tumbling waterfall as frosty sheets of water spill from high cliffs into deep, crystal clear plunge pools below. If you’re feeling a little more daring, Iceland has plenty of volcanoes for you to catch a glimpse of – from a safe distance, of course!

If taking in majestic views that will remain with you for a lifetime sounds like your holiday of dreams, it’s certainly worth considering this island gem. Iceland is growing in popularity as a holiday destination and, from the moment you step off your flight, it won’t be difficult to see why. Iceland’s landscape is truly one to be reckoned with and you’ll congratulate yourself for remembering to bring extra camera batteries and memory cards as the chances are you won’t be able to stop snapping!

Of course, such tremendous landscapes deserve equalled indoor accommodation – such as the luxury hotels in Reykjavik which await to ensure you get a great night’s rest before heading off in the morning to explore even more of this breath-taking country.

Bored of the beach? Try Iceland for your next holiday and enjoy a vacation like no other.

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/visiting-the-unique-landscape-of-iceland-1781350.html

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Often called the Lunar New Year by native Chinese and Taiwanese, the Chinese New Year is the turning of the year, beginning on the first day of the month and finishing on the 15th. A festival that is centuries old and gaining each year in tradition and mythology, the essence of the festivities is the focus on what individual people believe in, how they behave and what they would like to see from the year ahead.

Right across the globe, wherever there is a substantial Chinese community, there will be Chinese New Year celebrations followed by a major holiday, with countries neighbouring China quite often joining in the season too, from Bhutan and Korea to Japan and Hong Kong.

After the great success of 2009’s celebrations, Birmingham’s 2010 Chinese New Year looks set to come back bigger than ever before. The year of the Tiger, 2010, marks the 4708th year of the Chinese calendar, and will be celebrated throughout Birmingham by the extensive Chinese community as well as thousands of other revellers, as the celebrations start with a bang as an extravagant dragon and lion dancing parade will march down Hurst Street under a shower of firecrackers.

More stalls than ever before will line the street, where visitors can browse during the day, before night-time brings with it a programme of acrobatic and cultural displays and performances to amaze the crowds and celebrate ceremonial tradition. 2010’s festival is sponsored by Lebara Mobile and, with their help, one of the oldest celebrations in the world will run side by side with similar Chinese New Year celebrations right across the UK, from London to Manchester.

The tiger is the twelfth Chinese zodiac sign, with people born under it generally being well liked and charismatic and this will be reflected in the diverse and enjoyable programme of events that will run throughout the festival. Free to the public, the varied programme this year includes, amongst many other things, opening speeches at the Arcadian Centre just after the Dragon Dance, followed by the Welcoming of the Chinese God of Wealth. Later on, there will be dramatic Kung Fu demonstrations, children’s dance classes, Dragon Pole dances and many interactive classes and opera performances, where festival goers can take part in ancient traditions.

With the help of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and the Birmingham City Council, this year’s Chinese New Year looks set to be the best yet, and many luxury hotels in Birmingham are offering special deals to welcome visitors to take part in the city’s seasonal festival.

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/celebrate-the-year-of-the-tiger-with-birminghams-chinese-new-year-1781704.html

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Besides history and traditions, Cologne is also one of the German cuisine’s number ones. From brewers imposing as age and tradition, with the acclaimed Kolsch beer and the authentic city delicatessen, to luxurious restaurants, you will find more than 3000 unique places in the entire city.

Here, the headline is on ethics and quality, but you will also uncover specialities of international culinary art, at excellent standards but prices to match. Life here is like food: colorful, enjoyable, hard to forget and easy to enjoy.

In Cologne the number of monuments, old buildings and other attractions is remarkable, the whole city is an open-air museum that expects you to discover its long and fascinating history.

Here is a list of Cologne touristic attractions that you should certainly see if you visit this city:

- Krieler Domchen – in the smallest and oldest fragment of the church established around 900 in Suitbert-Heimbach-Platz, three Carolingian stone monuments remind of a church that was situated in the same place and was devastated by the Normans.

- Roman churches – Cologne is a city of churches. Like no other German city, twenty monasteries and churches of the nuns monasteries are located in an area confined by the the city’s Gothic walls, churches that are among the most significant in Western Europe.

- City Hall or Hansasaal was established in 1330, with the Renaissance arch and the tower that were attached later. The building complex sustained extreme damage during the Second World War and has undergo reconstruction until 1972.

- City Gates – Severinstor, Eigelsteintor, Hahnentor, three of twenty city gates of the antique stronghold (1180 – 1220) were well preserved and are used today in specific ways. Ulrepforte tower and other reconditioned sections of the city walls can be seen along the circular boulevard, Sachsenring.

- Overstolzenhaus was the home of a Roman patron, used today by the Cologne Media College.

- Old town homes / the Fish Market – town houses (XIV-XVII centuries) in and around the Old Market and Martinsviertel district.

- Gurzenich Manor – illustrative with its ballroom for citizens of Cologne (XVth century). Today, it serves as a center for international congresses.

- Zeughaus – city’s former arsenal (1594 – 1606), today the Cologne City Museum.

- Hansahochhaus – at the time of its construction (1920), it was declared the “skyscraper” of Europe. Today is a commercial and administrative building. Inside you can find the warehouse with the greatest audio media selections in Europe (Hansaring).

- Flora / Zoo – the gardens were designed in 1863. The Botanical Garden was built in 1914. The place, which was ruined during the Second World War, has been fully renovated and now has a collection of plants with approx. 12,000 species. Cologne Zoo is situated next to the gardens.

- House 4711 – new Gothic headquarter of the producer of the famous “Cologne”. The number “4711″ refers to the numbering system of houses, adopted by the French who came to leadership in 1795. For greater clarity, all private houses were numbered sequentially from 1 to 7404, (Glokengasse).

- Opera / Theater – both buildings (1957 – 1962) of Offenbachplatz were built by Wilhelm Riphahn and are capable of receiving 1400 spectators (Opera) and 920 (Theater).

Tourists can’t lament about hotels when visiting Cologne; the city offers more then 230 hotels of distinct categories, from modest ones to intimate five-star hotels.

At our comfortable Euro Garden Cologne, excellent service and one of the best locations for getting to know this fascinating Rhine metropolis await you.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/why-is-cologne-worth-touring-1781901.html

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