Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world’s most famous parks, is visited by nearly five million people every year. Created by the flow of the Colorado River, it is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and almost a mile deep. The orange and red panoramic views from the South Rim of the canyon are among the most photographed geological features in the United States.

Banff National Park, in Alberta, is Canada’s first and most popular national park. Covering nearly 3,000 square miles, Banff boasts the enormous snow-capped mountains of the Upper Rockies, the blue-green waters of Lake Louise, and flower-filled meadows spotted with elk and deer. Access to ski slopes and back-country camping make it a perennially popular destination for those who love the outdoors.

The Serengetti National Park of Tanzania is also a World Heritage Site, and a must-see for its annual wildebeest and zebra migrations. For those seeking an up-close view of other game, elephant, buffalo, and impala also populate the park. In addition, it boasts some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world, framed by its famously solitary acacia trees.

England’s Lake District National Park is home to sixteen different lakes. Founded in 1951, and often referred to as the birthplace of British mountaineering, it features the highest peak in Britain- Scafell Pike. It also claims a rich archaeological history: Roman roads, Celtic stone circles, and early Anglo-Saxon constructs dot its scenic landscape.

Located in a quiet corner of Costa Rica, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio holds the honour of being the world’s first national park. It encompasses rainforests, beaches, and rocky headlands that showcase a variety of wildlife. A visitor can expect to encounter anything from tree sloths to iguanas on a nature hike. Water-sport enthusiasts will find the kayaking, snorkelling, cliff-diving, and scuba second to none.

Fiordland National Park, located on the South Island of New Zealand, is one of the few national parks in the world to allow hunting in restricted areas. It is also renowned for its world-famous waterfalls, 14 fiords, and- due to its relative isolation- some of the rarest bird-watching opportunities in the world.

Southwest of Tokyo, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park was created to showcase the majesty of Mt. Fuji. The number of visitors per year is estimated to be over 100 million. In addition to boasting acres of lavender fields at the base of the mountain, the park also contains a number of dispersed sites. One of these, Hachijojima, is several hundred kilometres away.

Choosing which park to visit can be just as challenging as deciding which one is the most beautiful. The ease with which travel and accommodation can be arranged is sometimes the settling point. All of the parks listed have internet sites which allow travellers to book both flights and lodgings, in addition to making recommendations for further local travel. Limited only by the funds available, the most beautiful parks in the world are accessible by almost anyone!

Consider how you pay for your trip too; by booking with a gold card online, you may be able to benefit from some great travel rewards, such as earning double points on travel spend.

The author of this article is part of a blogging team that works with brands like American Express. The content contained is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.

For most a visit to Orchard Road is a first on the shopping itinerary. With a range of modern malls including ION Orchard, Mandarin gallery, DFS Galleria, Far East Plaza, Ngee Ann City, The Paragon and Orchard Central, the shops are a plenty and it’s a visit you will not forget. It is particularly boastful with luxury designer stores. The Lucky Plaza is also on Orchard road and doesn’t have the same upper market feel against the newer and brighter malls however if you feel like some haggling, here is a good place to get bartering and get yourself a bargain.

The Marina Bay Sands Resort is becoming the new go to destination with a range of designer and high street stores. The mall is situated right by the waterfront providing a picturesque back drop to your shopping and a choice of restaurants to take a well-deserved break in.  There is also a roof top park with a pool, cafes and plenty of relaxation from the shopping madness.

For something a little less main stream, head to Haji Lane where you’ll find adorable unique boutiques filled with creations from local talent at great prices. Allow yourself enough time here as it can be a somewhat unpredictable treasure hunt from trinkets to vintage fashion.  The Ann Siang Road neighbourhood is boho and chic and a creative hub of designer fashion boutiques, French patisseries and niche bookstores. The area is lined with old shop fronts and makes for an enjoyable stroll as well as shopping.

Chinatown is bursting with souvenir stalls for your gift needs with rows of souvenir stalls, shacks and, traditional Chinese medicine shops.  It’s a dynamic centre full of energy and culture and visiting here will ensure you take in the full Singapore shopping experience.

If you haven’t quite fulfilled all your shopping needs before it’s time to get your flight home, ensure that Mustafa Centre is a last port of call. In the centre of Little India, this is open 24 hours and carries ethnic jewellery and the latest electronics.

Use the search functions that are provided on reputable travel websites to see what the prices currently are. You may be surprised to see how low the prices can be when compared to using travel agencies that charge additional fees for their services. Travel agencies are not needed when you can easily complete all of the arrangements on your own. Should you run into any problems, help will be available.

You can select from any of the Malaga flights that are available and make your purchase directly from the website. This will require that you enter a bit of information and then pay for your purchase. You will receive a receipt and confirmation of your purchase that will tell you everything you need to know. Low rates are available throughout the year, so there is no need to avoid traveling during peak holiday travel times. However, purchase early for travel during busier seasons.

Unexpected expenses can pile up, especially on holidays. Not only do you have to have enough cash for your accommodation, but you also have to make sure that you set aside a few extra dollars for food and activities. Consider taking an all-inclusive trip, or opt for affordable package holidays. Take a cruise to the Greek Isles, or go skiing in Austria. With Thomas Cook the world is your oyster. With so many deals available, it will be tough deciding where you want to travel.

One of the advantages of a package deal is that most of your incidentals will be covered. If you decide to go on a cruise you can eat and drink as much as you like as everything is included. Stay on land and travel to Spain for an all-inclusive getaway. Knowing that the majority of your trip is paid for will allow you to relax and enjoy yourself. Book a self-catered villa and have the freedom of coming and going as you please. You can even invite your best friends without having to pay extra for accommodation. Bring your own groceries and spend your hard earned cash on activities. You can go on a tour, visit that theme park that your kids have been bugging you about, play a round of golf, or send your partner to the spa while you charter a fishing boat for the afternoon.

There has never been a better time to get away from it all. Start packing your bags and get ready for the time of your life.

With late holiday deals and special travel packages that are available today, you can make plans to visit gorgeous destinations along the Mediterranean such as the Turkey, Spain, or Greece coastlines. You can travel a little farther away to other exciting destinations like Orlando or Kissimmee in Florida, Egypt, the Canaries, and so much more. The possibilities for your upcoming holiday are almost endless! You can schedule your travel plans now and take advantage of some great savings offers available. There is nothing better than saving money when you travel to a beautiful destination on your holiday.

You may be dreaming of a relaxing holiday that your whole family can enjoy together, and beach vacations are a perfect option to consider. You can also head out for a romantic couple’s holiday and enjoy the amenities at an adult-oriented resort with on-site fine dining, ocean-front cocktails, and more. You can even add some adventure to your holiday plans by including fun activities like para-sailing, zip line tours, ocean kayaking, and other activities to your itinerary. After a relaxing holiday away from home, you can return feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to carry on until your next holiday rolls around!

1. See an Opera

The Royal Opera House is a lovely place to visit during the holiday season. One of the traditional favourites at the Royal Opera House is The Nutcracker. Different operas are constantly playing at the Royal Opera House. There are plenty of bars and restaurants surrounding the Royal Opera House, making it the perfect place for a date night.

2. View a Play

London is world-renowned for its theatrical culture and heritage. Whether one wants to view a contemporary play at the Southwark Playhouse or go to Shakespeare’s Globe for a rich historical experience, then one should be sure to check out all that London has to offer.

3. Enjoy a Musical

There are plenty of musicals in London to enjoy during the holiday season and throughout the year. Seeing Les Miserables will bring tears to your eyes. Or, why not become absorbed by the moving music of The Lion King?

4. Eat at Fabulous Restaurants

Before or after you view a theatrical production, you should be sure to enjoy dinner at one of the historical restaurants in this lovely city. Enjoy some classic British puddings at Hereford Road or a smoked steak at Hawksmoor Seven Dials.

Now tourists are fast catching on to the simple pleasures that Scandinavia offers, and experiencing some of these unique opportunities for relaxation. From fishing breaks to spa weekends, from luxurious city-breaks to romantic retreats in the snow-shrouded mountains, Scandinavia is the perfect antidote to the bustle of everyday life.

Relaxation and contemplation of nature has always been central to Scandinavian culture, and the landscape itself has inspired some of the world’s greatest poetry, from the medieval sagas to 2011′s Nobel Prize winner Tomas Transtr÷mer. Travelling to Scandinavia offers the chance to experience the poetry of the landscape first hand and to become one with the environment, whether you choose a fishing break, being pampered in a spa, or simply escaping the world in a secret mountain hideaway.

Scandinavian cuisine, particularly Swedish food, is becoming an international sensation, with Michelin-starred restaurants appearing all over the country, turning Stockholm into a mecca for gastro-tourists.

With so many options at your disposal, it’s worth exploring to find your perfect break, so why not check out the options available online at sites like www.visitsweden.com and plan your Scandinavian getaway now.

A good place to start when talking about sport in Melbourne is the 1956 summer Olympics, which was the first time the event had taken place outside the northern hemisphere. Melbourne pipped Buenos Aires (Argentina) to the rights of hosting.

Aussie rules was shown off at the games as a demonstration sport, although it didn’t count towards the official medals table. Over sixty countries competed at the games, and Australia finished with a respectable 13 gold medals, only losing out to the United States and the Soviet Union.

Some superb architecture is one of the legacies of the Melbourne Olympics. If you fancy a dip you can still visit the Olympic pool which is part of the Olympic Park complex.

A funny fact about the Olympic flame is that while the real Olympic flame was being delivered along the east coast of Australia towards Melbourne, a prankster delivered a fake Olympic flame to the stadium and the Mayor of Sydney was fooled in to thinking it was the real one.

Aussie rules

This is Australia’s national sport, and Melbourne is proud of its multitude of teams competing in the Aussie Rules leagues. One such team in North Melbourne (NMFC), who have a proud heritage, and are one of the oldest teams in the league. They used to be nicknamed the ‘shinboners’ due to their nasty kicking tactics.

Women’s sport

Melbourne is full of sport-loving women as well as men. Another team who are quickly establishing a name for themselves are the Melbourne Vixens, a netball team who were only formed in 2007 but already have managed to win netball league grand final. They are known as Vixens because it sounds similar to ‘Victoria’, which is the state of Melbourne.

Throughout your journey to the sporting city of Melbourne, you can make the most of frequent flyer rewards.  You can collect frequent flyer points on a range of different cards, which can then be used towards your next flight.

The best advert for this wonderful location is that it has both dusty desert and beautiful beach in close proximity to one another. This is a fantastic selling point and makes it all the more increasingly popular year on year. There are beautifully coloured sand dunes lining the roads here with the desert offering stunning views and providing the background to this beautiful location when staying in your hotel. El Gouna offers stunning views of the Red Sea and with it’s simply blissful architecture it is reminiscent of Venice, just with an Arabian twist. There are many beautiful cobbled pavements, bridges and canals here. This provides more than enough entertainment for any holiday, however, this is not all El Gouna has to offer.

There are many wonderful little streets to be explored here and you will find a plethora of shops selling antiques, souvenirs and wonderful merchandise. This is the ideal place for taking some photographs with your friends and loved ones and will provide you with some amazing memories that will last your whole life time through.

El Gouna is well situated with the wonderful sites of Aswan and Luxor being fairly closely located and the airport of Hurghada being just 22km away. This means that El Gouna is easily accessible, at all times of year, and makes for a fantastic get away.

There are a stunning array of beautiful hotels in El Gouna and the local community is vibrant. You will find lots of friendly locals here and there is a real community feel to the area. The Downtown area is wonderfully vibrant and there is plenty to keep the keenest shopper occupied here for days on end with an abundance of bars, shops, restaurants, salons and fitness clubs available. If you are looking for something a little more luxurious then visit the marina town of Abu Tig Marina which offers you a real change to indulge in some luxury while staying in El Gouna. You can find lots of boat trips running from the marina here which will take you out in to the Red Sea and you will also be able to book lots of excursions from here.

One of the main features of the wonderful El Gouna is the golf course which caters to every level of player. Whether you are just starting out or you are a seasoned professional you will love this course.

A holiday to El Gouna is going to be amazing whatever the weather. There is plenty to see and do here and whether you want to dive in the amazing seas, relax on the wonderful beaches or take in the delightful shops you will never be short of things to do.

Before you pack your bag and go straight to the city, there is one thing you have to know. It is impossible if you go there and try to find an available room. As the world’s tourist attraction, probably it will take you a year to get a room straight in the hotel. Las Vegas Hotels must be booked as early as you can, even though your trip is one month after now. By doing so, it is guaranteed that you will have some great time, once you step on your feet there.

Hotels in this city offers you luxury, service and comfort. And for sure it is expensive. Once again, you will gain additional benefit by booking it early. You will have a discount price, especially if you book it using the online access.