Caribbean Holidays

Have you ever heard of Peppercorn Day? A holiday in Bermuda, Peppercorn Day may be the oddest holiday in the Caribbean. Its history dates to 1797 when a group of Freemasons began renting the Old State House in St. George, for the sum of one peppercorn. In 1816, the holiday tradition began. Every year on the Wednesday closest to April 23, amidst pomp and circumstance, a horse-drawn carriage brings the governor to collect the peppercorn.

While Peppercorn Day is exclusive to Bermuda, many Caribbean islands share similar holidays. Perhaps the largest number of holidays in the Caribbean are of religious origin. Days venerating patron saints can be found throughout the islands, but nowhere to the extent of Puerto Rico. Even Puerto Rico's cities have their own patron saints with attendant holidays. However, the most important is St. John's Day, celebrating the island's patron saint and namesake of its capital city, San Juan. Beach parties end with people walking backward into the ocean and falling into the water to honor the tradition of baptism by St. John.

Christmas in the Caribbean may be more enthusiastic than anywhere else in the world. The twelve days of Christmas are still celebrated on many islands, culminating in Epiphany on January 6. On Guadeloupe, Epiphany marks the beginning of Carnival season, which continues until Lent. The carnival reaches its peak on Shrove Tuesday, when businesses close for five days so all can participate in the parades.

Islands also celebrate their heritage with national holidays, though the specifics differ from place to place. In Dominica, late October ushers in Creole Week. Part of Creole Week is Heritage Day, held in a different village every year and paying homage to that village's unique aspects and important citizens. Island-wide, the biggest celebration of the week is Creole Day. Everyone dresses up in traditional Creole fashion and enjoys Creole style parades, music, and food.

Similarly, Jamaica's Maroon Day (January 6) pays tribute to the Maroons, freed slaves who fled to the South coast of Jamaica to start their lives anew. Their ancestors still live there and host the biggest celebration of the holiday, the Accompong Maroon Festival. Drawing visitors from all over the globe, this huge affair had an attendance of 16,000 people in 2005. The feast includes traditional dancing, singing, and ceremonies.

Then there's Indian Arrival Day (May 30) in Trinidad and Tobago. Although it was only made official in the 1990s, the island's sizable Indian population has celebrated the holiday for many years. It commemorates the arrival of indentured servants from India.

Many Caribbean countries celebrate their independence from conquering nations, such as Spain, the Netherlands, or France. Holidays honoring national heroes who fought for independence are common, like Errol Barrow Day in Barbados. But the islands also retain holidays from the conquerors, like Bastille Day, Queen's Day, and the Prince of Wales' Birthday. Emancipation and slavery abolition holidays are also national holidays on many islands.

Even the weather has a place on the holiday calendar. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the fourth Monday in July is Hurricane Supplication Day. Marking the beginning of their hurricane season, it's a low-key day for people to go to church to pray that hurricanes pass them by, or at least spare lives and buildings. If all goes well, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day follows on the third Monday of October.

Holiday celebrations contribute greatly to the vibrant culture in the Caribbean. If you're planning a trip there, consider going when you can take part in one. There's no better way to truly experience island culture.

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Blackpool Holidays

Extending from the North Pier towards Morecambe Bay, Blackpool's North Shore has a character all its own. Here you'll find a quieter, gentler pace of life and a pleasant counterpoint to the bustle of the town centre, which is still just a short tram ride away.

Offering breathtaking views of the Bay and the Lake District beyond, North Shore is a favourite haunt of walkers and families who can enjoy the North Shore Cliffs, the promenade and a landscape that has inspired poets for centuries.

But the walks, the wildlife and the spectacular scenery are just one aspect of Blackpool's North Shore. Here, you can also take in a variety of shows and concerts, the North Pier with its Merrie England Comedy Bar, and an almost bewildering choice of restaurants, shops and cafes.

And finally, as its southern border merges into Central Blackpool, North Shore offers one more surprise. Close to the town centre, the Funny Girls cabaret club and a variety of clubs and bars have helped to make the area around Queen Street the focus for a thriving gay community.

Popular with 'straight' visitors and especially hen parties, this lends the area a great sense of liveliness, entertainment and fun.

Blackpool Tower, the Golden Mile, the Tower Circus, the Big Wheel... if you're picturing the town, you're probably picturing Central Blackpool. It's a hive of tourist activity and you'll struggle to find a postcard of the town that doesn't show something of this vibrant area.

If you love activity, choice and excitement, then you'll almost certainly be looking for a hotel, a guesthouse or self catering accommodation in Central Blackpool. It is the place for nightlife, varied entertainments and many of the town's most famous attractions.

Here, on your doorstep, are the Sea Life Centre, Louis Tussauds, the Tower Ballroom, the Winter Gardens Opera House & Theatre, Jungle Jim's, amusement arcades - the list goes on. The best advice is probably to get out there and see it all for yourself.

Great for family entertainment both day and night, Central Blackpool boasts a world famous beach, fairground rides on the Central Pier, family bars, art galleries and theatres, musicals and a host of cafes, restaurants and bars. It's ideal for adults too, with a fantastic choice of pubs and clubs that will keep you occupied well into the night.

In short, if you want to play hard, keep busy and never run short of entertainment, Central Blackpool is the place for you!

Blackpool's South Shore is all about family fun and entertainment. Who could come here for a holiday without visiting the famous Pleasure Beach? A wonderland of rides, stalls and arcades, it's the place that children talk about long after their holiday is over, and when you see rides like the Pepsi Max Big One or the Revolution, you'll find it impossible to forget, too.

With thirteen roller coasters and a whole section designed exclusively for smaller children to enjoy, the Pleasure Beach promises real family fun. But it's not all about white knuckle rides; it also hosts the Mystique Cabaret Group, bars, cafes and 'Eclipse' - a show that provides an enchanting mix of fantasy, theatre and airborne acrobatics.

Beyond the Pleasure Beach, there is the South Pier with its many rides, a free sculpture trail along the Prom and the Solaris environmental centre with its giant wind turbines and interactive exhibits. And whatever the weather, there is always the Sandcastle Waterworld - a giant water park with facilities for children of all ages - from quiet shallows for toddlers to hair-raising water slides for the very, very brave...

Stay in a Blackpool guesthouse or hotel on South Shore, and you have all this and more within easy walking distance.

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Holidays To Bulgaria

A lot more people these days are choosing Bulgaria for their summer holiday. As more and more people are discovering Bulgaria as holiday destination the tour operators and flight companies are starting to expand their service into this country. There is still an awful lot for Bulgaria to do before they get accession into the EU ( which is currently set for 2007 ).

Bulgaria has a lovely coastline and there are 2 main holiday destinations one in the north called Golden Sands and one in the south called Sunny Beach. These 2 destinations are where the main hotels accommodations are located.Large tour operators are based in these resorts the likes of First Choice. When having a holiday in Bulgaria there is two options to choose from. The first being the normal package holiday from travel agents which you will be staying in the normal hotel at half board or all inclusive. The second option would be a private villa or apartment booked directly with the villa or apartment owner. After that you will have to book your own flights to the country.

The second option of the private villa or apartment in Bulgaria is a very cost effective option. Lets have a look at the process.

There is a few websites offering villa or apartment Holidays to Bulgaria. Your first point of contact would be the internet to search for the options available to you. Now because the private rental market in Bulgaria is in its infancy the prices of villas or apartments are very reasonable. This would cost you a lot less than booking a private rental in the likes of Spain. Once you have chosen the property you are wanting to book you would contact the owner directly to either check availability or to book the property.

Flights is the harder bit there is a few companies that have just come on the market offering cheap flights to Bulgaria the likes of wizzair but with this company it is not a directly flight you usually have to stop off in Budapest. The main company is First Choice which offer the best deals I have seen on the internet to date. As Bulgaria gets more and more popular with British tourists then more of the cheap flight companies will introduce regular flights to the country making it an easier option for people. Generally a private rental Holiday done through the internet yourself should save you roughly about £100 - £150 per person.

Lets have a look at the destinations for Bulgaria. Golden Sands is the smallest of the 2 big resorts it is found about 20km outside Varna and is a beach resort to rival any of the european resorts and with the prices of things in Bulgaria it is likely that you would not spend as much on a holiday to Bulgaria as you would to other European resorts.

Sunny Beach is the southern resort and is 4 times as big as Golden Sands. Again Golden sands is a beach resort like any european resorts with a multitude of hotels apartments and villas for rent. The restaurants are delicious and the friendliness of the locals always make you feel at home.

There are other not so well known smaller resorts the likes of Albena, Kranevo, Sozopol, Sinemoretz, Balchik that are worth visiting and all within easy reach of either a City the likes of Varna or Bourgas or one of the bigger resorts.

What is becoming more popular these days is the rural holidays to Bulgaria where people just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life and want a more relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Staing in a rural area and experiencing the real Bulgarian way of life is a must. The locals are so friendly and are only too happy to invite yo to experience their way of life. Village life in Bulgaria is recommended if you are looking for relaxation or de-stressing as nothing is more calming than life in a real Bulgarian Village.

In Summary as Bulgaria gets more popular with british tourists there is an abundance of private rental property for holidaymakers to choose from. Bulgaria is a lovely country which is waiting to be explored. It is an unspoilt country with plenty to offer holidaymakers that are looking either for a busy nightlife or the peace and quiet rural life of the countryside. So why not have a look at what is on offer in Bulgaria and book your Holiday to Bulgaria now.

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