Cephalonia is the largest Ionion Island and ideal for people who look for the best destination for Greek villa holidays. The architecture is intriguing and the natural surroundings, including the beaches, are a perfect place for relaxing and enjoying oneself.

There is a lot to see and do for those who wish to explore the historic architectural buildings. Most of the holidaymakers love to relax on the beaches and de-stress in comfortable surroundings.

The history of the island is fascinating and people visit the various Roman villas to get a glimpse of the astonishing mosaic patterns or explore the Venetian fortresses.

The capital of Cephalonia is Argostoli, which houses two museums that are filled with history about the island. The vegetable and fruit market provides a lot of entertainment for visitors who wish to feel the pulse of Greek living.

Tourists can visit the port of Fiscardo which lies on the northeast coast which is also full of architectural buildings that are Venetian in style. Tourists who visit here head to the beautiful Basilica that belongs to the sixth century and is surrounded by palm trees.

A small port, Aga Efimia, lies in Sami Bay on the north end and it overlooks the neighboring island of Ithaca. Tourists can explore the unique shops and tiny beaches scattered around. Visitors, who enjoy water sports, can check out the scuba diving centre.

Tourists can head to Makris Yalos beach, which lies on the south coast beach if they are interested in water sports. If one is interested in relaxing on a secluded beach, Spartia is the ideal place where one can enjoy their privacy.

Mount Aenos lies to the centre of Cephalonia and it is visible from any of the beaches that are situated on the south coast. The views are spectacular from this point as you can view the beautiful azure waters, enjoy the dense pine forests, or admire the buildings.

The Greek luxury villas that are located in Cephalonia offer a variety of attractions for tourists, who wish to explore the historical sites, or enjoy the beautiful landscape of the surroundings and take home memories of a wonderful getaway holiday in Greece.

Greece is a popular holiday destination for families who wish to soak in the sun drenched beaches and enjoy the beautiful scenery when they stay in a luxury villa that is equipped with a swimming pool or in holiday apartments which have self catering facilities. Tourists who head to the villas in Greece enjoy the experience of exploring this beautiful island.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and one of the most interesting places to visit. The city is 13^th century and consists of 14 islands that are connected to each other by bridges. It is therefore dubbed as the “Venice of the North.” Gamlan Stan is one of the old towns that have many cathedrals, historic places, as well as good shopping and dining areas. The Vasa Museum that was built on a salvaged warship is a tribute to the maritime tradition. More than a third of the city is green with parks.

Copenhagen is the largest Scandinavian city and the capital of Denmark. This picturesque town boasts of 17^th and 18^th century buildings with its beautiful parks, gardens and amazing promenades. The 20 acre Tivoli gardens are famous for its various amusement rides, attractions, flowers, restaurants, as well the Little Mermaid Statue. Visitors’ can head to the Carlsberg Brewery visitor centre or unearth fascinating information on the silent film industry when touring the Nordisk film studio.

Oslo is the capital of Norway which is surrounded by spectacular fjords. The waterfront is lively with cafes and holds many live music shows. The Vigeland Sculpture Park holds two hundred or more sculptures made in granite, wrought iron and bronze and the other attraction is the Nobel Peace Centre. Tourists can get astounding glimpses of the city and the fjords by visiting the Holmenkollen ski jump centre. If one is interesting in taking up scenic pictures of the fishing village and natural beauties of the place, they should take pictures on arrival or departure from Oslo.

The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik which is becoming a popular destination in the summer months for the Baltic cruises. This is a great place to enjoy seafood and visit the local museums to learn about the history of the place. The Blue Lagoon is located just outside the city and is a must-see as it is a manmade lagoon that has geothermal water which is known to contain medical properties.

The capital of Estonian is Tallinn is renowned as one of the most beautiful centers in the North of Europe. It boasts of a medieval heritage complete with winding streets that are cobbled and interspersed with historic buildings. There are many antique shops and various other shops that provide interest for hikers and walkers.

Tourists who wish to explore Northern Europe and enjoy visiting interesting cultural landmarks of the continent should embark on a Baltic cruise for a memorable holiday. Travelers who undertake the luxury cruise can enjoy the trip from Little Mermaid in Copenhagen to the waterways in Stockholm where they can admire some of the best cities on this planet.

Originally founded by the Romans, it was called Londinium. The ancient core of the city measuring a square mile is still maintained to this day, although the metropolis that has developed surrounding this core is also referred to as London. The London Assembly and the Mayor of London govern the city and the Greater London administrative area

London is a prominent city in the global sphere with prominence in commerce, the arts, entertainment, education, medicine, fashion, media, science and research / development, transportation and tourism. Having the largest GDP in Europe, it competes with New York as the largest financial center worldwide.

Based on the number of international passengers passing through, Heathrow is considered the busiest airport in the world. London is also the most visited city by international tourists. There are a total of 43 universities in London. When London hosts the Summer Olympics in 2012, it would become the only city in the world to have hosted the modern version of the games for a total of three times.

Apart from a large number of travelers visiting the city, London is home to people from diverse cultures around the world. People speaking 300 different languages live within London’s boundaries. The 0 degree longitude marked by the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is a World Heritage site located in London.

Enjoy your London holidays with some of the best holiday packages on offer. Enjoy your stay in London at the Milestone Hotel. Spend three nights in a Master Suite at this world class 5 Star hotel. Avail Business class return airfares including prepaid taxes. Or stay 3 nights in a standard room at the Sheraton Park Lane 4.5 Star hotel. You can even enjoy an escorted day trip to Paris. The hotel features comfortable guest rooms, fully equipped with the latest amenities. The rooms are tastefully decorated to suit the tastes of business guests as well as leisure travelers. Located close to London’s West End theatres and overlooking Green Park, the Park Lane Hotel is an ideal place to stay during your vacation in London.

Stay in one of these star hotels and let your London holidays be filled with fun, excitement and wonder. Visit the world famous Trafalgar Square, ride the red Double Decker buses through the city or talk a walk along the shores of the River Thames. Have a great time that you would remember for years to come.

Whether you’re preparing to make your first trip to Scotland – or ‘Bonnie Scotland’ as it has been affectionately dubbed – or you’ve been more times than you care to remember, you’ll never find yourself at a loose end. The country may be small in terms of population – less than six million – but it is blessed with a plethora of sights and activities to keep visitors busy. This is why staying in holiday cottages in Scotland is so desirable.

Edinburgh is the capital city and a fascinating place to visit. It really is worthwhile to spend as long as possible here and if you time your visit right you may be able to experience a couple of special events that really put Edinburgh and Scotland firmly on the cultural map. The Fringe Festival is billed as the world’s largest arts festival and the streets come alive for the best part of a month every August. In 2010, over 21,000 performers from 30 countries took part, giving you some idea of just how big it is.

The Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations in Edinburgh are also legendary, with tens of thousands of people watching some of the world’s biggest music acts in a street party that always lives long in the memory.

Even if you miss out on the Fringe or Hogmany, Edinburgh has more than its fair share of all-year-round tourist attractions and museums, such as Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. Be sure to watch the guns being fired at Edinburgh Castle every day at 1pm, or if not, at least when you hear a loud bang now you know what it is. Edinburgh cottages offer an ideal chance to see this city in all its splendour.

The Scottish Highlands is a popular area with climbers, mountain bikers and walkers and is home to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain the UK. For those who are willing to venture even further afield, the Isle of Skye can lay claim to having some of the most dramatic scenery in Scotland, which in itself is quite a statement.

Loch Lomond and Loch Ness both pull in plenty of punters, with many people venturing to the latter hoping to catch a glimpse of ‘Nessie’. Keen golfers should make a pilgrimage to St Andrews, which is regarded as the home of the sport. Play a round and follow in the footsteps of some of golf’s great from down the years.

No-one produces whisky quite like the Scots so possibly pen in a trip to a distillery to find out all about how the popular beverage is made and, obviously, sample a few ‘drams’ just for good measure. Another Scottish tradition is haggis with neeps and tatties so be sure to tuck into a portion of that to fill you up before you head home!

Carmarthen
Wales is a great place to start any historic tour of the United Kingdom, and the many traditional Welsh cottages available to tourists provide an ideal base from which to explore this ancient part of the island. Carmarthen, in the south west of Wales, lays claim to being the oldest Welsh town, thanks to a Roman fort in the area that dates back to AD75-77. Carmarthen Castle was first built around 1094 and, despite having been destroyed at various times over the centuries, still stands today and is a great place to learn about the tumultuous history of Wales.

Hadrians Wall
Nobody knows for certain the specific reasons for the building of Hadrians Wall. It has been described by English Heritage as “the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain” but whether its construction in AD 118-122 was simply a display of the Roman Empire’s strength, or a more strategic manoeuvre, remains a subject of debate amongst scholars. What remains of the wall today attracts more visitors than any other historic attraction in the north of England and can be accessed easily from many of the superb holiday cottages in Scotland and the north of England.

Stonehenge
The prehistoric standing stones of Stonehenge in Wiltshire are famous around the world. Dating back to around 2,500 BC, the Neolithic monument is believed to have been a burial ground from its early beginnings, with cremated remains having been found at the site that date back as early as 3,000 BC. English Heritage manages the site now, and has created a visitor centre that gives tourists all the known information about this mystical landmark.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village
Created on an area that has been lived upon since the end of the last ice age, West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is a living example of how pre-historic man lived in Britain. Reconstructed Anglo-Saxon dwellings were built in the 1970s to show modern tourists how people lived in West Stow as far back as 5,000 BC. The excellent visitor centre, café and shop are an essential part of any historic tour of the UK.

York
When the Romans set up a military camp in AD 71 and named it Eboracum, they set in motion a sequence of events that has left the United Kingdom with one of its most historic cities – the City of York. Romans gave way to Anglo-Saxons, and then Vikings, Normans and Elizabethans inhabited York along the course of a fascinating history. You can learn about this history by taking a tour of the winding alleys and cobbled streets that remain steeped in physical artefacts and remnants of York’s past.

Built with the same layout style as Paris, London architecture and buildings suffered greatly during the Second World War when the Luftwaffe rained bombs onto the city, destroying countless buildings. The Victorian era left its mark on the face of London as well due to the trend for all things modern, including central London hotels, which led to the demolition of many fine examples of Edwardian and Georgian architecture.

Despite the numerous regeneration and expansion projects inflicted on the city, there is a surprising amount of items of historical interest to be found in London. From the railway arches clustered around London Bridge to the grand Victorian villas now turned into Victoria apartments, the history of the city can be read in its buildings. Early central London hotels and shops have become iconic landmarks and in the locale of Victoria apartments can be either bijou studios or stately ex-drawing rooms. Apartments in London became desirable and, in fact essential, to house the growing population after the war years.

London has a large number of Royal residencies and palaces due to the in-fighting and usurpation between clashing ruling families and most are open to the public. Buckingham Palace is the modern home of Queen Elizabeth II and rests at the end of the Mall, next to Hyde Park. The palace was purchased in 1761 by George III and it remained as a royal equivalent to the popular practice of keeping city apartments London until the first resident royal, Queen Victoria, made it her permanent residence. After Victoria apartments kept for use by the Royal Family when in London on business became far fewer. Visitors can take tours around the palace and various rooms and galleries are open to view. Nearby places of interest include Hyde Park, St James’ Palace, the Horse Guards Parade, which is still in use and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building.

Walking from Buckingham Palace to Waterloo is well signposted and takes approximately fifteen minutes. At Westminster, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament dominate the skyline and along the River Thames on the Southbank toward Waterloo there are always street entertainers, book fairs, craft fairs, shops and cafes. Continuing to walk along the river, Borough Market at London Bridge is world famous for its high quality and exotic foodstuffs and at the site of which has been a market since the twelfth century. Also at London Bridge is the London Dungeon attraction which offers a history of London through performance and interactive displays. Continuing along the river leads to the Tower of London, a place of dark history used for imprisoning traitors and sheltering the Royal family in times of crisis which is also the home of the crown jewels which can be viewed by visitors.

The Acropolis in particular, with its majestic Parthenon, is surely the anchor of it all. The Acropolis is a last stab across eons of the ancient Grecians into the modern world; the ruins of their civilization stand proudly and unimpeachably atop it, visible for miles around, bleached by the sun but no less steady, no less solid. A visit to Athens will be historic by rite of its visibility, but proper respect should be paid with a visit to the monument. It is a testament to human accomplishment, a sign of both what has passed and what will come in the future. While there are many acropolises in the world, the Acropolis of Athens is the quintessential ‘Acropolis’, often simply called by this name without qualification or denotation that it is located in Athens at all. It is, simply, ‘The Acropolis’, foundation of the Parthenon, testament to human achievement throughout history.

Athens is yet modernized, however, despite the perseverance of its archaic rudiments; metro transportation is available on the cheap, and there are tourist facilities placed, of course, for all that desire to pass through. The various museums of Athens, as well as its hotels and restaurants are designed to accommodate those coming through to visit historic sites, and the language barrier is quite thin. While modernization has done nothing to cheapen the historic sites of Athens, Greece, it has made them infinitely more accessible to any visiting the city.

Historic Athens is a necessary visit for anyone considering holidays in Greece, with no excuses made for those that fear boredom or that they won’t properly relax if they spend a moment to think on history. There is no way to justify not paying the history of Athens a proper bit of attention on the way through, if not devoting an entire day or an entire trip just to the majesty of Western civilization’s birth and rise. Athens stands and will remain a bulwark of historic humanity.

- Aspendos. Among the numerous ancient sites in Turkey, Aspendos is known especially for its well-preserved 2nd-Century A.D. Roman Theatre. Aspendos is located near Antalya.

- Damlatas is one of the prehistoric caves of Alanya. Besides its fantastic stalactites, it is famous for its air, said to relieve respiratory ailments.

- Ephesus. Located near Izmir, Ephesus, with a legacy spanning four millennia, is especially important to archaeologists. It is noted for its classic theatre and other ruins.

- “Fairy Chimneys.” The 4th-Century A.D. cave dwellings called the “Fairy Chimneys” in the region of Cappadocia were carved by monks. Some of them still are inhabited; Turks value them for their reputed health qualities.

- Hagia Sophia. Located in Istanbul, it is one of the most famous churches in the world. Dedicated in 360 A.D., it was the principal cathedral of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 1935, it was opened as a museum.

- Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi), the biblical resting place of Noah’s Ark, has been called Turkey’s most scenic mountain; it also is the highest.

- Mount Nemrut, in Kahta, features huge sculptures as high as 9 meters (30 feet) tall, relics of an ancient kingdom.

- Pamukkale has been a healing resort for more than 2,000 years. Its hot mineral springs were created by the shifting of a geological fault. The site is chalky in appearance; its name means “cotton castle.”

- Truva is a Mediterranean city near the epic Troy, the world-famous archaeological site.

Several of the country’s cities themselves rightfully could be termed “must-see” destinations when going on holidays to this amazing destination. They certainly include Istanbul, which straddles the Bosporus Strait. Besides the Hagia Sophia, popular tourist attractions in Istanbul include the Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet Mosque and Galata Tower.

Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is renowned for its many archaeological ruins, Atakule Tower, and its museums, including the Anitkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Because of Turkey’s size and its many distinct regions, visitors going on holidays to Turkey must choose which historic attractions are of most interest personally. Some tourists have returned to the country annually for decades and still have not discovered all of Turkey’s treasures.

There is evidence of religious activity at this historic site as far back as the 10th century BC. Olympia, located in Peloponnese, Greece, is famous of course for being the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The very first Olympic festival was held on the site in the 8th century BC by Elis. Historians date the first actual games in 776 BC. Olympia fell to the Pisatans in 676 BC, and they took over organization of the games until late in the 7th century BC. Evidence of the earliest construction on the Olympia site dates from around 600 BC with athletic arenas and other structures being built. The first stadium was built in the mid 6th century BC.

Olympia thrived in the classical period, which lasted between the 5th and 4th centuries BC. This was considered the golden age at Olympia with a wide variety of religious buildings and other structures being constructed. The massive Temple of Zeus was constructed in the middle of the 5th century BC. More sporting facilities, including the completion of the stadium and the hippodrome, used for chariot-racing, were also constructed.

More and more construction was done in the next few centuries, with the building of the Philippeion and the largest building on the site, the Leonidaion, which was built to house important visitors. More athletic buildings were constructed because of the games’ importance. The Palaestra, Gymnasion, and bath houses were all built before the 3rd century BC, with a vaulted archway being added to link the entrance of the stadium to the sanctuary.

Roman rule saw the games opened up to every citizen of the mighty Roman Empire. Extensive repairs and new building took place also during this time. The Exedra, new baths to replace older Greek ones, and an aqueduct were all built before 160 AD. The Olympia site suffered major damage earthquakes in the 200s AD, while invading tribes robbed material and looted the site’s monuments in 267 AD. The Olympic festival still soldiered on at the site until the final one took place in 393 AD. After that, the Christian emperor Theodosius I banned the games. Olympia was taken over by a Christian community until the late 500s. It remained nearly forgotten until the French excavated the sanctuary at Olympia in 1829.

Shortly thereafter, the German Archaeological Institute of Athens was in charge of excavating the site. Important sites like the Temples of Zeus and Hera, Metroon, Bouleuterion, Philipeion, Echo Stoa, Treasuries, and Palaestra were uncovered. Sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paeonius, the Hermes of Praxiteles, and many bronzes were also found. A total 14,000 objects were discovered and are now displayed in a museum located on the site. Excavation continued throughout the rest of the 19th and 20th centuries with important discoveries being made still throughout the 1980s and 90s.

Olympia still plays a major role in the modern day Olympic Games with the tradition of the torch. The flame used to light the torch in the Olympic Games is lit by a reflection of sunlight in a mirror in front of the Temple of Hera. The torch is then transported to whatever city is hosting that years’ games. When the Olympics came to back to Greece in 2004, the shot put competition was held at the Olympia stadium, which had since been restored.

Olympia Visitor Information

If you’re in Athens and want to reach Olympia, there is no direct bus link between the two cities. You have to go via Pyrgos. Visitors can take the train or KTEL buses via Pyrgos, and it takes about two hours. Travel to Olympia is also possible from the port of Kyllini by using KTEL buses. Many resorts offer daytrips to Olympia, so check with your accommodations in Athens. There are also hotels in the town of Olympia, which is within walking distance of the ancient sites.

Cost for adults is €6 to see the ancient sites, while the archaeological museum is €9. Hours are 8:00-7:30 from April to October and 8:30 to 3:00 from November to March. Not much remains of the original buildings of Ancient Olympia, but there is plenty to get a good idea of what this idyllic, leafy setting looked like thousands of years ago. Visiting the museum beforehand will give you a better idea of what the ancient buildings looked like.

The gymnasium is the first ruin you run into when entering the ancient city of Olympia, and it dates from the 2nd century BC. Nearby is the area where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was located, the Statue of Zeus. Archaeologists discovered tools and molds and identified this area as the workshop where the statue was built. Archaeologists have restored and re-erected one of the columns of the Temple of Zeus, built in the 5th century BC, so visitors can get an idea and perspective of its enormous size.

The stadium, which could seat at least 45,000 spectators, is also something every tourist should see. You enter through an archway, and upon entry, you can see both the start and finish lines of the 120 meter sprint track. The seats where judges observed are still standing.

Olympia Conservation Efforts
Conservation and restoration have been ongoing at Olympia for over 130 years. As we speak, the restoration of the architecture of the Temple of Zeus is underway. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia displays finds excavated from the site, but over all, conservation and architecture are overseen by the German Archaeological Institute at Athens.

Pompeii underwent a great deal of development during this period of Roman rule. An amphitheater, a palaestra with a swimming pool in the center, an aqueduct that provided water for many fountains in the street, four public baths, and many private houses and businesses were built during this time. A large number of frescoes that were well-preserved provided archaeologists with a good idea of what everyday life was like in Pompeii. It has also helped art historians in better understanding the art of the ancient world.

By the late first century AD, Pompeii was one of many towns located at the base of Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano. The area had a good deal of people living in it, but experts disagree on the amount of people living in Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. A major earthquake 17 years earlier sent many of Pompeii’s 20,000 inhabitants fleeing for another place to live.

The eruption happened sometime between August and November of 79AD, burying Pompeii in twelve different layers of soil, ash, and lava. After Pompeii and other towns were covered, they were abandoned. Eventually the names and locations of the cities were forgotten for nearly 1600 years until the digging of an underground channel unearthed ancient walls that were covered with paintings and inscriptions. Nothing more was said or found for another 150+ years when Karl Weber was in charge of the first real excavations. In 1860 the first human remains were found. Many of the mosaics have been moved to a museum in Naples. Work on Pompeii continues today, with new discoveries being made as recent as 2000.


Pompeii Visitor Information
Pompeii has been a popular tourist destination for over two centuries. This historic site was attracting almost 2.6 million visitors per year as of 2008, which made it one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy and all of Europe. You can walk to the ruins from the Circumvesuviana train stop, and there are also car parks nearby.
Adult Tickets are €11 with no special pricing unless you are under 26 and a citizen of the EU (proof is required). You can buy a five-site pass for €20 that includes Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum and is valid for 3 days. You can get in free or half price with the “Campaina Arte Card.” Pompeii is open daily from 8:30 to 7:30 during summer months and from 8:30 to 5:00 November to March. You can find more information by calling 081-857-5347. The last ticket is sold 90 minutes before closing time.

You can only walk when entering the site. Be aware that the old roman stone roads can be very exhausting to walk, especially in the middle of the summer heat with a good number of other tourists around. Cobblestones roads and uneven ground are the norm here. Make sure to bring plenty of water, especially in the summer. Tourists are advised to wear stable shoes, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat. Plan at least an entire day trip for visiting Pompeii.

Most popular sites in and around Pompeii
Pompeii was preserved almost perfectly for nearly 1800 years under layers of ash, stone, and lava, so many of the sites are some of the best preserved in the world. You will notice the remains of an entire city, including:
-large homes
-a forum and public marketplace
-a 5000 seat theatre built in the hollow of a hill for better acoustics
-an ancient brothel with pornographic frescoes
-a temple with an altar and a basilica that served as a courthouse
-bars and bakeries with ovens that have a similar look to a brick oven

In addition to Pompeii, there are other sites nearby you may want to visit:
-the National Museum in Naples has some of the best preserved mosaics and other items found in Pompeii
-you can visit the sister site of Pompeii, Herfulaneum, which was also destroyed during the eruption
-the Garden of the Fugitives has plaster casts of victims on display
-the Villa of Mysteries is a house that is preserved that gives a great portrayal of life in ancient times

Pompeii Conservation Efforts
Excavation of Pompeii has brought with it deterioration. Erosion, water damage, weather and human activity (whether accidental or deliberate) have both played their part in the slow disintegration of the area. Unfortunately, the materials used in reconstruction during the 1980s were mostly concrete and steel, though in later years, these have been replaced with more modern materials which are more sympathetic to the original work at the site. However, the damage has already been done in most places and the replacement endeavours will take many more years to complete.