With the exception of your friends and family it always seems to be the same type of people you speak to about summer holidays. With me it always seems to be taxi drivers or barbers. After the invariable discussions of how bad the weather is and asking how busy they have been on that particular day the normal silence begins as your mind drifts off on to other things. However, I often find the next step in conversation often leads to one party enquiring “Are you going away anywhere nice in the summer this year?”. By the time this question has been asked you have now encompassed the entire range of British small talk obsessions – the weather, complaining about work and summer holiday’s. At least the last topic is fun!

It is possible to stereotype this conversation further. How often for example have you had the following conversation;

You : “Miserable weather today”

Service Sector Employee : “Yes very depressing, it is supposed to be like this all week”

You : “So are you going anywhere nice on your holiday’s this year?”

Service Sector Employee : “I think I’m just going to book something last minute”

It is certainly true that the British love a last minute bargain. No planning, no fuss and inexpensive. What could be better? Just jump on an Easy Jet (http://www.easyjet.com ) and head off to Costa Del Sunny. To be honest there is very little harm in this as there are certainly many good deals to be had, even if it does mean you are adopting the lucky dip approach to holidaymaking.

However, what is a mistake is the common misconception that the only way to get a real discount holiday is to wait until the last minute before you book. Indeed often now the opposite is true with consumers being rewarded for early bookings. The other advantage of this of course is it reduces the chances of ending up on Watchdog in early September complaining about the 40 minute walk to the beach and the builders who woke you up every morning at 6.30 am.

To be honest there is no real excuse not to be organised when it comes to booking your sunshine holiday these days. Websites such as Superbreak offer fantastic ranges of beach and apartment breaks across the globe and booking anything from a three week hotel holiday to a quick short break couldn’t be simpler. The advantage you get is you know exactly what you are getting – at a competitive price.

To many the thought of going on a beach holiday for a short break would break with tradition, however growing numbers of savvy travellers are discovering the joys of being in work one minute and then basking on a sun kissed beach a couple of hours later. Traditionally, the British are very predictable when it comes to holidaymaking. Every year literally thousands of people take there usual two weeks off to find some sunshine in Spain, Greece or Florida. Beach holidays are seen as the main annual break where people can switch off for a fortnight, sit in the sun and unwind.

However, many forward thinking companies have started to challenge these traditions and open up UK consumers to the idea of beach breaks that can be enjoyed over a shorter period of time.

Perhaps one of the main reasons why such breaks are becoming more accessible are the discount airlines such as Aerlingus offering cheap return flights to popular sunshine resorts such as Ibiza, Gran Canaria and Cyprus. Combining these discount flights with the abundance of hotel and accommodation deals that are on offer means that beach breaks are becoming increasingly competitive.

Overall, taking 2-3 days to top up your tan is becoming easier to do for the UK traveller and the appeal of being on a beach in an exotic location a matter of hours after leaving your work is strong – just don’t always leave it to the last minute to book – you will have a lot more to talk about with your hairdresser as a result!

Author: Michael Hanna

About Michael Michael is a keen writer, and internet marketer living in Scotland:

Contact details: E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone: 0131 561 2251 Michael"s Website: Belfast Airport Taxis

Salzburg is a mid-sized city in western Austria with a population of about 150000 people. As a member of the European Union, the currency used is the Euro. Salzburg is subject to the Alpine climate; winters are quite cold and usually bring snow while the summer is hot and inviting, although prolonged rain showers are not uncommon.

The city of Salzburg is situated on the site of the old Roman settlement called Juvavum. Towards the end of the seventh century, St Rupert founded a bishopric in the city, and the growth of the city began anew. By the end of the eighteenth century, the city was in decline, and during the Napoleonic Wars, came under the control of both France and Bavaria. Further recession followed and after World War I, and during the second World War, many of the beautiful buildings in the city were damaged or destroyed. On May 15 1955, following a bitter involvement in the war, Austria declared itself neutral and joined the United Nations.

The most famous son of Salzburg is Wolfgang Aamdeus Mozart who was born there in 1756, and a statue celebrates the great composer at Mozartplatz in the heart of the city. Mozart’s birthplace is now a museum in his honour and house a number of his childhood instruments as well as correspondence, manuscripts and portraits. The Mozart Museum is located at Getreidegasse 9.

A stroll through the old town is a rewarding experience. This area is a mass of little streets, squares, courtyards and plazas. There are picturesque fountains and churches to explore. Domplatz & Kapitelplatz are bustling streets where music can be heard and the bargaining of the locals in the markets. Visitors can also tour the old town in a horse-drawn carriage, the original taxis of Salzburg.

Scholss Hellbrunn (Hellbrun Palace) is a lovely place to visit with its elegant buildings, beautiful gardens, and trick fountains and many other water-features which make this a fun attraction for the whole family to enjoy. It is located about 4km out of the old town.

For eating and drinking, Salzburg offers many options. There are numerous outdoor beer gardens which are perfect on a sunny afternoon, or perhaps one of the intimate coffee-houses would be appeal. Of course, there are a large number of fine restaurants in the city to suit every palate and pocket.

There is a hopping nightlife scene in Salzburg, but you wont find it by looking for flashing neon lights as such garish blots are prohibited by law. Instead the thriving clubs and pubs are to be found in innocuous looking premises on the banks of the Salzach.

Salzburg is a vibrant and beautiful city: clean and with a great feeling of space due to the traffic restrictions, there is much to see and do in the city and a great trip is guaranteed.

This article has been written by Dara Ward. Dara operates over 150 world travel websites for hotels and car rental. These include Hotels in Seattle and Dublin Hotels

Granada with a population of about a quarter of a million is located in Andalusia in southern Spain. As in the rest of Spain, the Euro is the legal currency. During Spring and Autumn, the climate is perfect with warm sunny days. In July & August it can become very hot, with 40 degrees Celsius not unusual, although it is not a humid climate so the heat is bearable. During the winter months, the nights can be cold but generally Granada has a pleasant climate right the year round.

The history of the city goes back to prehistoric times when the settlement was known as Ilbyr. During the Roman colonization of Spain, the name Ilisbris was bestowed upon the region, and it was not until the Arabs took control in the eighth century that the name Granada came into being. The city was the last Muslim city to fall under Christian control, late in the fifteenth century.

Like other cities in the region, the Moorish influence is evident in the architecture of Granada with the prime example being the Alhambra, a collections of palaces and gardens dating back to the fourteenth century. This fine compound of impressive structures and lawns stands at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains overlooking the city and is a must-see for anyone visiting Granada.

The Arab district known as Albayzin is a popular part of the city with visitors. It is a delightful network of narrow streets and little squares and affords a terrific view over the Alhambra. The architecture is stunning and this area has been declared a World heritage site by UNESCO.

Eating out in Granada is an enjoyable experience. As well as the many tapas bars, there are a number of fine restaurants serving excellent food. Regional and Arab cuisine is also to be found in many of the local eateries. A good place to go is Calle Caldereria where there a number of restaurants to chose from.

For a relatively small and historical city, Granada offers a surprising choice of nightlife. There are a large number of pubs and clubs, many of which stay open till the early hours of the morning. One of the best to check out is Bar Pilar del Toro which is located at Plaza Santa Ana 12. This venue is attached to a famous restaurant and the place where the cool set go. As nightspots go, this really is a unique place being a 400 year old building and offering its clients a lovely, covered patio with a fountain and comfortable sofas. Check it out – it must be one of the most chic bars in Europe.

There is a large student population in Granada which ensures a lively atmosphere in the city, and with its beautiful climate, cultural and architectural significance and proximity to Spain’s wonderful beaches, Granada is a splendid place to visit at any time of the year.

Dara Ward operates over 150 travel websites. He is a keen travel writer and operates numerous Spanish Travel websites including Hotels in Barcelona and Hotels in Madrid

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, and situated on the island of Java. The population is approximately 10 million. The dominant religion in Jakarta is Islam, and the currency used is the Rupiah. The climate in Jakarta is very hot and humid. For the six months from April, the temperature will hover around 30 degrees Celsius. There is a wet season from October to February when it is a little cooler and there is a lot of rain, often torrential.

The city of Jakarta was born in 1527 when a small harbour town called Sundra Kelapa was conquered by Prince Fatahillah from nearby Cirebon and he renamed his conquest Jakarta, which translates as Glorious Victory. The city was taken again in 1619 and renamed Batavia only to be fall under the control of the Japanese during World War II, who renamed it Jakarta. Martial law was declared in 1957 and a period of unrest ensued. In the late nineteen nineties, with the economy collapsing and widespread belief of governmental corruption, riots took place in Jakarta in which 500 people lost their lives and there still obtains a social and political tension in the region.

So, Jakarta may not be the first choice for the traveller, but in recent years the facilities for the visitor have improved dramatically and there is no shortage of luxury hotels, good restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Of course, there is also the diverse architecture and the traditional tourist attractions of the city and diversity is the operative word when talking about Jakarta. It is a mix of traditional and modern, rich and poor. The nations motto is Unity in Diversity and even the local language has two varieties: one spoken by older people born and bred in the city and the other by the young and the immigrants.

The National Monument, known as ‘Monas’ is a 137 metre tall obelisk which visitors can ascend for a terrific view of the city. At the bottom of the monument there is a museum telling the history ‘Monas’ and of the city itself. A more comprehensive collection of artefacts and relics can be seen at the Central Museum which houses an extensive gathering of fascinating exhibits dating back to the Stone Age. Visitors shouldn’t have any difficulty finding the Central Museum as there is a large stone elephant situated on the front lawn!

A more modern attraction is Jaya Ancol Dreamland. This is a recently developed recreation park on a vast site and offers a wealth of diverse attractions from swimming pools, boating, golf, even an artificial lagoon for fishing! There is an aquarium providing live daily shows involving dolphins and sea-lions. The complex houses numerous restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels. Also on site is Fantasy Land which is a terrific entertainment park where visitors can take a historical tour through old Jakarta, Africa, America, Europe and Asia. Jaya Ancol Dreamland is a fantastic resource. While it may not appeal to the culturally aloof, it has a great deal to offer the fun-loving visitor.

Jakarta is a fascinating mixture of the old and the new and has a lot to offer the tourist. An unusual destination, those who visit leave the city with a tale to tell and an exciting experience behind them.

Dara Ward is a travel writer for Global Hotels-24-7.com Some of his writing can be seen at Hotels in Edinburgh and Hotels in Atlanta