Irish Weddings Abroad by Heffernans Travel Planners 2011 2012

The largest of the Italian lakes, Lake Garda lies between the Alps and the Dolomites. Clear blue waters lap its wide shoreline where visitors can enjoy a host of watersports including swimming, sailing and boat trips. Dotted along Garda’s lake shore are dozens of picturesque towns and villages, steeped in history. The landscape is spectacular, with its brilliant blooms, olive groves and magnificent villas.

Stretching for 50km from the Sorrentine peninsula to Salerno, the Amalfi Coast has been described as the Garden of Eden only better, because the scenery changes at every turn. From Sorrento, drive east towards the chic resort of Positano, then on to Amalfi town with its rich maritime history, the hillside resort of Ravello and further east, the smaller seaside towns of Maiori and Minori.

Tiny islets, small, medium and large volcanic and coral islands all make up this totally tropical paradise.

The Caribbean has long been a dream holiday destination. Just mention the Caribbean and eyes light up with excitement. The name conjures up images of warm sandy beaches, turquoise waters and palm trees, rum punch, smiling faces and the sound of steel drums in the distance. Immerse yourself in the laid-back tropical lifestyle of your island of choice in a land where the beach is just the beginning.

Cyrpus; Cyprus may be a small country, but it’s a large island – the third largest in the Mediterranean. And it’s an island with a big heart – an island that gives its visitors a genuine welcome and treats them as friends.

There are so many really memorable things about Cyprus – the pretty architecture, the balmy climate and the myriad of local bars and restaurants. Above all, it’s the friendliness of the Cypriots that everyone loves to remember. Like the Irish, these islanders are warm, hospitable and enjoy welcoming new people into their lives. Whether heading for lively Ayia Napa or relaxing Protaras or Paphos, facilities are excellent – from the wide choice of hotels, to the wonderful water-sports, sandy beaches, great restaurants and plentiful leisure facilities, all with excellent accessibility.

English is widely spoken and many road signs are posted in both Greek and English. There’s also plenty for culture vultures; discover the nine frescoed Byzantine churches in the Troodos Massif, visit the Tombs of the Kings – an underground necropolis dating back to 3rd Century BC – or cycle through the mountains, taking in the vistas and Cyprus’ distinctive flora and fauna. There’s also the ancient capital of Lefkosia to discover, and when that all becomes too much, your hotel will be a welcome haven for poolside cocktails and leisurely lounging.

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The United Arab Emirates consists of 7 states, including those of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has a population of just over 3 million people. From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors. The emirate embraces a wide variety of scenery in a very small area. In a single day, the tourist can experience everything from rugged mountains and awe-inspiring sand dunes to sandy beaches and lush green parks, from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with wind towers to ultra-modern shopping malls.

Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken. The local currency is the Dirham, which is pegged against a US dollar at 3.65 Dirham. The climate in Dubai is hot and humid in the summer with daytime temperatures in excess of 35C. The winter months, from December to February offer warm pleasant daytime temperatures averaging 25C.

Tourism is quickly becoming a major industry and the continued investment and innovative development are continuing to entice visitors back year after year. The now infamous Palm Island developments are now nearing their final stages and will open in 2006 adding a further 120 km of beachfront to Dubai’s coastline. Each island will incorporate up to 40 boutique hotels, 2,000 residential villas, 2 marinas, shopping complexes and cinemas.

A host of other exciting projects are currently under construction including Dubai Marina, Festival City, Arabian Ranches and of course the most ambitious being “The World”– a group of 200 man-made islands clustered in the shape of a world map will soon rise from the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Golf has become a major attraction with some of the finest courses including Emirates Golf Club – Majlis and Wadi courses, Emirates Hills Mongomerie course, Dubai Creek to mention but a few.

The emirate is both a dynamic international business centre and a laid-back tourist escape; a city where the sophistication of the 21st century walks hand in hand with the simplicity of a bygone era. These contrasts give Dubai its unique flavour and personality; a cosmopolitan society with an international lifestyle, yet with a culture deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Since earliest times, Dubai has been a meeting place, bringing together the Bedouin of the desert interior with the merchant of the city and the sea-going fisherman.

We offer many possibilities for tailor-made holidays. Subject to availability and flight schedules you can combine any of the areas to create an itinerary that suits your personal taste, requirements and budget. The options we include are some of the most popular. Our experienced travel professionals will gladly tailor-make any itinerary to suit your requirements.

South Africa is border by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and lies at the Southern tip of the African continent. For most, the sheer size of the country is unknown, in fact South Africa is 5 times larger than Great Britain covering an area of over 1.2 million kilometres.

Often described as A World in One Country, the geography, culture and climate is as diverse and varied as one can get. South Africa is home to no fewer than 43 million people and there are 11 officially recognised languages. Since the days of apartheid, South Africa has become a thriving nation. From the crashing waves of the Western Cape to the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast, the mountainous terrain of the Drakensberg to the bushveld of Mpumalanga, the scenery is truly stunning.

The weather patterns are also diverse. South Africa, being in the Southern Hemisphere has opposite seasons to Europe. South Africa is a year round destination, but many ask when is the best time to go. The answer depends, on what exactly you want to do. Generally the best time to visit the Cape is November to April. For game viewing in the Kruger area, generally the springtime August to October is best. For beaches January to March on the Cape and year round on the Kwa-Zulu coast although December to March can be humid.

Although the local currency, South African Rand, has recently gained strength, South Africa is still a value for money destination, especially when it comes to dining. Local specialities with influences from India, China and Europe combined with indigenous products make for some wonderful dining opportunities. Washed down with some of the finest Pinotage and Cabernets from the Cape, dining in South Africa is such a pleasure.

With so much to see and do, from the Winelands, Robben Island and Table Mountain around Cape Town, the Garden route of the Western Cape, the Zulu Culture and Drakensberg Mountains of Kwa-Zulu Natal, shopping and nightlife of Johannesburg, or the Game and wildlife of Kruger Mpumalanga area, you will certainly not be bored! In addition a short 2 hour flight from Johannesburg will take you to Victoria Falls in Zambia, on of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

The islands of Seychelles are an archipelago of 115 tropical islands situated in the Indian Ocean East of the African continent and lie just south of the Equator. The islands are made up of two distinct groups, those comprised of granite and those of coral.

The inner islands which include Mahe, Praslin and La Digue is home to the majority of the population of Seychelles. Mahe is the largest island in the Seychelles and measures 28 kms by 8 kms. The capital is Victoria which is often regarded as the smallest capital city in the world with a population of approximately 70,000. The Seychellois people are essentially descendants of the first settlers on the islands, the French, British and their slaves. There are three official languages in Seychelles, namely French, Creole and English.

Life in the Seychelles is very relaxed and on some islands such as La Digue, traditional forms of transport such as the ox-cart are still used. Recent years have seen reinvestment in the Tourism industry which has resulted in the attraction of major hotel groups including Banyan Tree, Le Meridien, Constance Resorts and many more likely to follow.

‘As pure as it gets’ is the marketing term used by Seychelles Tourism and there is no truer way to describe these beautiful islands. The islands are blessed with natural beauty and are home to some of the rarest birds in the world. The Seychelles is also home to some of the finest beaches in the world, the most famous being Anse Lazio on Praslin and Grand Anse and Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue.

Local excursions are well worth considering as each of the islands has something different to offer. A visit to Victoria to experience the “busy” streets of the capital is an experience in itself or maybe a full-day trip to Cousin, Curieuse and St. Pierre islands.

Thailand or Siam as it was called up until 1939 has never been colonized by a foreign power and with a kaleidoscope of different cultures, religion, cuisine and scenery, there are few parts of the world that conjure up such colorful and magical images as Thailand. Thailand shares borders with Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Cambodia. The region offers something for every taste and the warmest welcome imaginable. Thailand signifying “land of free men “has a population of 62 million of which 91% are Buddhists. For those seeking pure relaxation, Thailand’s coastline and islands are heavenly, with glorious sun-soaked, white sandy beaches lapped by crystal clear warm waters.

Bangkok is known as “The Venice of the Orient” and has a mix of magnificent temples, neon lights, bars and restaurants. During your visit you could explore rural Bangkok by boat and see the fascinating way of life along the waterways known as Klongs. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre.

Pattaya is Thailand’s liveliest resort holiday playground where you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants and for the active tennis, golf and riding. Watersports and the best beaches for swimming are easily reached by a short boat ride from Pattaya town to Coral Island, or about three miles drive to Jomtien beach.

Phuket is a tropical island just one hour’s flight from Bangkok and is now linked to the mainland by a road bridge. Over the years the island has developed rapidly with lively resort such as Patong Beach providing numerous restaurants, bars and lively nightlife.

Hua Hin is on Thailand’s beautiful Gulf of Siam, and was first discovered in the late 1920’s. Hua Hin is an active bustling fishing port with plenty of colorful local life and a superb night market with handicrafts galore. Other points of interest include the picturesque railway station, the beach promenade and the old palace on the outskirts of town.

Chaing Mai & Chiang Rai are in the northernmost province of Thailand, situated on the Kok River basin 416 meters above sea level. Mostly mountainous, it reaches the Mae Khong River to the north and borders on both Myanmar and Laos.

Mauritius is situated east of Madagascar and lies over 2000kms off the east coast of Southern Africa. The island is 45km wide and 65km in length.

Mauritius is steeped in history – The island was known by the Arabs as early as the 10th century although it was not officially discovered until 1505 by the Portuguese. Over the years the island has been occupied by the Dutch, the French and most recently the English, before gaining its independence in 1968.

Mauritian culture is a wonderful blend of English, French, Chinese, Creole, Hindu and Muslim influences and the warmth and hospitality of the people can be seen the moment you arrive onto the island. English is the official language on the island, although French and Creole are mostly spoken amongst the local community.

Apart from the warm turquoise Indian Ocean waters, tropical white sandy beaches, luxurious hotels and wonderful service, Mauritius offers a wealth interesting places to see during your stay on the island. The Caudan waterfront in the capital of Port Louis is a vibrant daytime venue of outdoor cafes, restaurants and shops. In the North of the island, Grand Baie offers some wonderful shopping opportunities and at night is probably the best place to experience some of the local nightlife. The picturesque fishing village of Cap Malheureux, on the North Coast, with its red-roofed church is well worth a visit.

In the local towns and villages in the central plateaux area of the island such as Floreal, Curepipe and Quatre Bornes you will find some great shopping bargains and experience the local way of life. For those visiting in February / March, during the colourful Hindu Maha Shivaratri festival, a trip to the Hindu pilgrimage site of Grand Bassin, one of the islands’ two natural lakes, is a worthwhile visit.

Full or half-day catamaran cruises to Ile aux Cerf on the East coast or Ilot Gabriel on the North Coast are highly recommended and you may even be lucky enough to see flying fish or even Dolphins.