FLY TO SOUTH AFRICA 2010!

• Cheap Flights to South Africa

• South Africa Hotel search

• South Africa Tours

The 2010 World Cup Soccer (football) event is taking place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July. Find out how to buy tickets; where the World Cup Stadiums are and how to get there; what World Cup tours are on offer; how to get to South Africa and more.

Tickets to the 2010 World Cup
Tickets for the World Cup are on sale now, but getting a ticket is complicated. There are 5 distinct "Ticket Sales Phases". The period from 20 February 2009 to 7 April 2010 is divided into 4 separate Ticket Sales Phases during which ticket applications are processed. If tickets are oversubscribed, your application will get put into a lottery and drawn at random. If tickets are available, you will qualify on a first come first served basis. FIFA notifies you a few months after each phase ends, as so whether you actually got a ticket or not. The 5th and final Ticket Sales Phase is referred to as the “Last Minute Sales Phase” and will take place from 15 April to 11 July 2010.

It's best to check FIFA's web site for all these ticketing details and how to apply online. A handy FAQ section will also help you figure out how many tickets you can apply for, if you can buy tickets in South Africa upon arrival, etc.

To make things easier for you, there are official tour companies that have had to go through a special lottery system to get tickets. They are listed on page two and offer 2010 World Cup packages that include match tickets, accommodations and flights.

What Teams are playing in the World Cup?
32 teams will play in the World Cup, South Africa as the host nation, is the only country guaranteed a spot. Teams are still being decided and playoffs are scheduled throughout 2009. The official draw will take place in December 2009 so that's when you'll know where your team is playing and when. FIFA keeps up to date with fixtures and results.

When to book flights to South Africa
Currently 2 airlines offer direct flights to South Africa from the US, Delta and South African Airways. Several European airlines fly direct to South Africa from London (BA and Virgin Atlantic), Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), and Paris (Air France).
You can also fly via the Middle East, through Dubai (Emirates); from Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific); Varig flies direct to South Africa from Brazil and Qantas flies from Sydney.

International flights are not scheduled more than a year in advance. If you get a package tour together then this will usually include a flight and that way you should be able to guarantee yourself a seat.

If you're really stuck getting a flight into South Africa, try flights to Windhoek in Namibia (via Frankfurt) or Gaborone in Botswana (via London), both of these cities are a bus ride away from either Cape Town or Johannesburg. You can also try flying in to Nairobi (Kenya) and catching a regional flight down from there on Kenya Airways or South African Airways.

Where Will the Matches Take Place?
The 2010 World Cup will play out in ten stadiums across South Africa (see map). Many are currently under construction in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg (2 stadiums), Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth), Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg, and Tshwane/Pretoria.

Look for accommodation and flights into Johannesburg if you want to see matches in Johannesburg, Rustenburg, Pretoria and Nelspruit. These are all situated in the north of South Africa and the stadiums won't be more than a 3 hour drive away. Polokwane (Pietersburg) is about 5 hours from Johannesburg and is considered one of the safest towns in South Africa. Click here for information about getting to and from Johannesburg's international Airport.

Bloemfontein is in the middle of the country and will host several matches in the Free State Stadium. Bloemfontein is a small city of approximately 370,000 people and the judicial capital of South Africa.

Durban lies on the warm Indian Ocean coast, it has fantastic beaches, excellent surfing, lots of culture and a good nightlife.

Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful cities is on the southern tip of the country where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. You can fly directly into Cape Town from several European destinations. Port Elizabeth lies in between Cape Town and Durban on the coast in a region called the Eastern Cape. This is a popular tourist area and there are lots of domestic flights available. A perfect place from which to explore the popular Garden Route.

Getting Around to Matches
South Africa has a comprehensive domestic airline industry and all the towns and cities that will host World Cup matches have airports close by. South Africa's domestic carriers include: South African Express offers 13 South African domestic flights. Airlink offers mainly domestic flights within South Arica but is starting to branch out regionally as well.

Cheapestflightinternational.com is a good site for searching budget airlines, cheap flights and hotels.

Taxis, coaches (buses), and regular buses will be plying the routes from hotels to stadiums. Thousands of extra vehicles will be in place during the event.

Fan Parks
If you can't afford a ticket to a match but want to soak up the atmosphere, 10 fan parks are being planned for. More South Africans will be watching from fan parks than will be at the actual games. The locations of these fan parks are not official, but here's a list of parks that would make obvious contenders.

 

BUYING YOUR BUDGET AIR TICKET

At first finding a cheap air ticket (low cost travel agents, no-frills flight, cheap budget airlines etc) seems straightforward enough... type in the departure, the destination, the dates you want and press the submit button. Three minutes later there’s a list of the 20 best offers (in price order) that you can choose from. Pick the lowest priced flight, book on line and start packing your bags, ready for your well-deserved holiday or weekend vacation and forget about everything else.

However, its not really that simple, there are many facets and sometimes complex factors that can determine the final checkout cost - legroom, flexibility, availability, destination popularity airport distance and even local taxes all bear some sway when totting up the credit charge. Here, we list a few points that you should be aware of before booking your holiday.

Charter flights and scheduled flights [BACK TO TOP]
With a few exceptions most flight-only long haul and business flights are scheduled - tickets distributed to travel companies by all the major airlines to sell on their planes. Charter flights are organized by the big travel tour operators who transport their package holiday customers to all the main popular tourist spots - Spain, Majorca, the Canary Island and so on and only operate between the 'peak seasons' (April-September for beach; December-April for ski). Scheduled flights are usually sold with one or two week hotel accommodation and although most seats are sold some are offloaded to travel consolidators who buy them in bulk to sell on.

Book early [BACK TO TOP]
Unlike package holidays, the nearer to departure yo book, the more you will end up paying, because scheduled airlines operate on a yield basis, which means that as bookings rise so do fares (remember the guy sitting next to you who always got it cheaper than you). Flights booked three-four weeks in advance will get you the best deals, but also, even booking seven days prior to your journey may be cheaper than five - SO BOOK AHEAD.

Be Flexible You know the destination and you know the days you've booked off work. But how far in front do you need to tell your boss, and how flexible will your company be with your holidays - because that's what the airlines want to know too. As a general rule midweek flights are often cheaper than those at the weekend and if you are flexible enough to fly indirect or leave at an anti-social hour (this may require you to investigate fully your arrival airport - don't be stranded at 3am in the middle of a lonely and unknown destination) airfare prices are likely to be less.

Think different [BACK TO TOP]
Just because you are planning to relax on the golden shores of Koh Chang doesn't mean you have to fly to Bangkok - if you are seriously into saving money, try a direct flight to Vietnam and then a cheap train ride across the Eastern seaboard - and Europe in particular with its vast reliable rail network and cross-border visa could make for a memorable money saving experience.

Check the Airport's location [BACK TO TOP]
It may seem obvious that the airport is located in the centre of the city that it's actually named after but it is worth checking to make sure that you are not going to be landing 25km away on an weekend trip to find that there are no regular buses leaving for your hotel until six hours later (information related to you by the only taxi driver there - a bearded hostile giant who has just offered to drive you for €25). Also, see your own local airport's departure prices, because even if a major airport is cheaper the cost and time to get there may work out much more expensive in the long run.

Be careful booking multi-leg journey [BACK TO TOP]
Low cost, cheap airlines are touch-touch - even if you are connecting with the same airline you are not guaranteed to get re-booked if you miss your designated plane. In winter, flight delays are most common and the airline could charge you as much as your whole ticket originally cost to re-book.

Not bothered where you go [BACK TO TOP]
If you are not particular about your destination then you can scoop up fantastic deals - that doesn't mean a late cancellation to a semi-finished Greek apartment complex - but an array of the yet-to-be tested corners of the world - check out the small beautiful fishing village just outside the main city. Be creative and you can spot those little gems hidden in the shadows.

Cheap is not always the best [BACK TO TOP]
Always consider your priorities and weigh them against the cost of your flight - direct connection, leg room, meal allowance, seat pitch or entertainment.

Here's a few points to remember [BACK TO TOP]

• Luggage allowance? (sometimes 20kg sometimes 30kg)
• Can the return date be changed? Free or charged?
• Airport? (for Londoners, etc. Heathrow or Gatwick?)
• Maximum stay? (some tickets are only one month)
  Direct flight or change flights in transit? (can add up to 8 hours on journey time!)
• Seat pitch on plane (if you don't want the passenger's head in front right in your face for 12 hours!)
• Entertainment system (personal tv or movie screen - important for some)
• Daytime or night-time flights (for 12 hour flights it is easier to sleep on a night-time flights)
• Weekday/weekend flights? (some want to travel weekends to maximise there leave)
• Pay full ticket price up front with no refund or a £50 deposit allowable? (some cheap tickets the full price must be paid immediately)

Try Something New [BACK TO TOP]
You want to go to Greece, you've been on the Greek Tourist Board's website, you've told all your friends you will be there and you've promised to bring them back some Ouzo. However, you've just spotted a direct flight into Estonia for the price of two lagers and a B+B for not much more. If you're willing to bring in that pot-luck adventurous 'let's see' attitude to traveling you should be able to have a fabulous time on a real tight budget. And save Greece 'til next year.

To summarize [BACK TO TOP]
In short, how much is cheap to you and how much luxury do you need, because remember; saving money is fantastic, but the plane journey is also a part of your holiday experience and if you are flying long haul arriving fresh and relaxed after 24 hours traveling my just be worth that extra 25%! Above all, enjoy your trip! If you have any suggestions or comments that you feel maybe of help to fellow travelers, please send them to our Web Editor info@cheaperflightsworldwide.com

APPLICATION FOR A FOREIGN VISA

When traveling abroad it is vital to check whether your destination country requires you to produce a Passport, ID Card, Visa or have return/onward tickets prior to landing. Some countries will require a specific minimum valid for date (for example six months) from the date of entry.

Extending your visa whilst on holiday can be quite simple; it often entails a trip to the local Government Passport issuing department, a visit to the border control or maybe a day trip out of the country and a hop back in to get it stamped again. However, overstaying the visa time can be a very serious offense in some countries which can result in arrest, a heavy fine, deportation or in some case imprisonment. Also note that your passport could be marked by the officials if you do overstay and that may lead to problems in the future.

Plan your trip, and account for any possibilities. If you are traveling to Thailand for instance and think that you may be tempted to visit Vietnam, then its always best to check the requirements before leaving, rather than wander into a Bangkok agency looking confused and helpless.

Many countries will fine a traveler if he or she overstays her visa stamp and goes beyond the time allowed by the Government. Please be aware that you will be fined if you arrive at the airport with an expired visa, but don't assume that you can simply explain to the local police force that you were just about to extend it that day if you are stopped by them for some misdemeanor. It is a very different situation to be an overstayer whilst leaving the airport, than it is to be caught in the country with an expired visa.

Then again, as mentioned before obtaining a Visa for many popular destinations is very simple and can involve a simple phone call to the nearest Embassy or even filling out a landing card / departure card on the flight over is enough to be issued with your Visa.

Work Permits and Long Stay Visas
Most countries, even those with special ties and agreements will almost certainly require some sort of specially issued visa for the holder to work or reside there. Different countries obviously have different rules depending on the passport holder's origin - so it is always wise to check first - and sometimes the issuing process can take upto six months or require there to be a sponsor resident already. This is a very brief list of some of the requirements:

• A current, valid passport
• The relevant form for the visa ie. work / student / residency
• Evidence of financial support for the period of time and amount indicated on the visa application form
• Proof that you have a permanent residence.
• One or more passport-type photographs
• A nonimmigrant visa application

These are very rough guidelines and we hope to bring you a more detailed account at a later date. If you have any specific visa enquiry with a certain country in mind drop us a line - contact us - and we will post our tips in this section

HOLIDAY INSURANCE
It's a wise precaution, although not a legal requirement, to take out travel insurance. This guide looks at what it should cover, including information on valuables.

Buying holiday insurance
Generally, tour operators and travel agents can't insist that you take out their own travel insurance. It's illegal for a tour operator to discriminate against a traveller not taking their insurance by way of price, discount or surcharge. In these circumstances, check to ensure the package (including the insurance) represents good value for money and that the policy offers you a good level of cover.

They should cover, at least, the following:

• Cancellation of, or cutting short, your holiday
• Illness or injury while you're away
• Loss or theft of your belongings
• Delayed or missed connection
• Liability for accidents to others

Remember...
If you need to cut short your holiday because someone at home is ill, ensure you get the insurer's consent before rearranging flights.

If you plan to try out sports or activities on holiday that could be considered hazardous, such as scuba diving, a standard policy may not cover you. You may be able to get this added to your insurance. If not, you need to arrange a specialist policy. Don't rely on buying local insurance abroad.

Things to remember

• Ensure you understand what you're covered for and what you aren't
• Take the insurers contact details with you and a copy of your policy - always call them for consent if you're booking something which will form part of your claim
• Keep bills and receipts to support your claim

Valuables
Take as much care of your possessions as you would if they were uninsured.

If you don't, the policy may not pay out. Never leave belongings unattended, particularly at airports, or in an unattended vehicle or on the beach. Keep all valuables, passports and money in your hand baggage when travelling, not with the rest of your luggage.

Ensure you know all that's required of you to make a claim. If an item is stolen, for example, the policy may require you to contact the police within 24 hours and produce proof of notification to support your claim.

Check out your household insurance policy. You may find that some of the valuable items you're taking on holiday are already covered under an 'all risks' extension.

TRAVEL TIPS

Unless you’ve been stuck somewhere on a runway waiting for your delayed flight to depart, you’ve heard the news -- it’s hard travel times for the American public, with no relief in sight. Rising fuel costs are sending airfares and cruise prices skyrocketing, while putting the All American road trip out of reach for many people. Airlines are charging not only for snacks and beverages, but for checked bags and even babies-in-laps on some international flights, too -- all the while reducing schedules and kicking up frequent flier mileage redemption rates.

And the average price for a U.S. hotel room has long since passed the $100 per night mark. Still, with a few tricks from industry insiders, there are ways to shave money off the logistics of getting out there and seeing the world.

The Hot 5 Travel Deals
We've scoured the Web for the best travel deals! The Hot 5 lets you comparison shop, giving you the deal savings compared to the regular price, so you'll know if you're getting the real deal.

Search All Travel Deals by Destination
The first thing to do is look at your frequent flier miles, says Jay Rein, President and CEO of TravelWorm (www.travelworm.com) , an online travel agency specializing in packages to leisure destinations. Even if you’ve been hoarding your miles for an emergency, says Rein, now’s the time to use them.

“Having frequent flier miles in the bank is not like having money, there’s no interest earned,” he says. “Over the years, it takes you more and more miles to redeem air travel,” says Rein, referring to the ever-increasing number of frequent flier miles required to book award tickets. And your frequent flier miles are never guaranteed -- the airlines have the right to cancel their mileage programs at any time.

Murmurs in the industry have it that starting from September, many airlines are removing even more inventory from their systems, meaning mileage redemption rates are likely to rise again. “If you know you’re going on vacation for Easter, Christmas or other holidays, most airlines allow you to book using miles up to 11 months in advance,” says Rein, “So go ahead and use those miles, because they aren’t going to get more valuable to you -- they’re only going to get less valuable.”

Booking flights using travel sites such as Orbitz, Kayak or Travelocity? Listen up.
“We find the cheapest flights depart and return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,” says Holly Reynolds, Owner of Ensemble Travel, a division of Dugan’s Travel in Owings, MD., “And that’s across the board, for domestic and international flights.” Flights that depart very early in the morning (think 5AM and 6AM) are typically the cheapest, according to Reynolds, and red eye flights from the West Coast to the East Coast can also be more reasonable than those scheduled during prime hours. Rem Malloy, president of Seattle-based Italy 4 Real (www.italy4real.com) -- a tour agency offering escorted tours in Italy -- books his flights to Europe by piecing together airfares from different carriers. It can lead to substantial savings, he says. “I call it the hopper flight scenario,” says Malloy, who travels to Europe several times a year and usually uses Orbitz to book the transatlantic portion.

“Say you want to go from Seattle to Rome, round trip. Choose an airport on the edge of the European continent closest to the US to fly into,” says Malloy, referring to airports such as London, Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris. “What you do is get a roundtrip flight from your US departure point to one of those cities, and then you use a European low cost hopper flight -- airlines like Easy Jet or Ryan Air -- to hop to Rome or wherever your final destination is.” Malloy says this method has saved him as much as $500 on an entire round trip over using Orbitz for the entire ticket. “And the money you save can go a long way in compensating for the bad exchange rate,” he says. Keep in mind, however, that many low cost European carriers impose hefty checked baggage fees, with weight limits that are far stricter than on US carriers. A good website for sourcing low cost carriers within Europe is Fly Cheapo Europe (www.flycheapo.com).

TOP 50 DESTINATIONS

1 France - offers quiet relaxing Gite holidays to the glitz and glamour found in Nice and Cannes. The capital, Paris, is popular for romantic weekend breaks all year round. The chateaux and vineyards attract the food and wine connoisseurs whilst the rivers, stunning valleys and Mountains bring in the adventure-seeking visitors all year round.

2 Spain, Benidorm situated on the Costa Blanca is an institute amongst British Holidaymakers who delight in the resort’s expertly tailored amenities and varied accommodation. Benidorm’s focal point is the glorious 5 kilometre stretch of sand; Poniette beach and Levante beach, the latter being the more livelier area, whilst Poniette is more residential.

3 Spain, Costa del Sol - the resort of Fuengirola retains a very Spanish atmosphere, where the busy, café lined promenade is a meeting place for all at any time of the day or night - whereas Torremolinos is a lively resort by day and night.

4 Portugal - the Algarve region in the South is popular with the British. The resorts are varied and offer choice for all ages and tastes. The region is famous for fish and local wine.

5 Canary Islands, Spain - Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote are ever popular, especially for a winter break. The islands offer a collection of sporting activities. Young couples and singles are attracted to the centres however, families are catered for in the quieter areas outside the main resorts.

6 Balearics Islands, Spain - Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza are ever popular, with the flying time being approximately 2 ½ hours away. It is a great escape for that true Mediterranean holiday, and is very appealing for families and couples. Majorca is the bigger and busiest of the three main islands.

7 Cyprus, Paphos in the southwest is steeped in history with a wealth of ancient sites, some dating back to the 4th century BC. Paphos is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site. As a contrast Ayia Napa resort centre is ideal for party animals. Limmasol, the South’s capital, offers cruises and good shopping.

8 Turkey has a string of rapidly growing resorts along the Aegean and Turquoise coastlines make this one of the hottest holiday destinations in the Mediterranean. It offers a blend of European and Oriental cultures, superb cuisine and shopping until you drop.

9 Barbados, the Caribbean Island once known as Little England, is a firm favourite with families and couples. 22 miles long and 14 miles wide it sits with its East Coast in the Caribbean and the west in the Atlantic.

10. Madeira - this Atlantic island is a safe haven with fantastic year round climate. Famous for its levada walks, its deep-sea fishing and its flowers. Better infrastructure has lead to increase demand.

11 Malta & Gozo - History abounds in Malta, from Roman catacombs to the relatively recent Grand Harbour. Places to visit include the Blue Grotto-spectacular caves, Mdina-a medieval walled city, and Gozo, the greener smaller island.

12 Crete - a Greek island 350kms by 55kms. The most famous example of history in Crete is the Minoan Palace at Knossos. Scenically, the island is a mixture of mountains and fertile plains. Favourite tourist resorts are Elounda, a fishing village, and Aghios Nicolas, a lively picturesque port and according to legend, a bottomless lake.

13 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA is a mecca for tourists, visited by over 30 million people each year. Famed for its bright lights, glitzy casinos and world famous themed hotels.

14 Corfu is one of the most popular Greek islands for British tourists. It has sleepy villages, hideaway beaches, impressive scenery and miles and miles of coastline to absorb the host of visitors.

15 Boston, Massachusetts USA is ideal for a weekend break, short breaks or shopping break. Boston is also famous for its Freedom Trail, which is best seen on foot.

16 Rhodes, a Greek island, is blessed with the best sunshine record in Greece. It is also full of many interesting sites to visit; today, these centuries-old assets have been joined by lively, sophisticated resorts catering for holidaymakers of all tastes and ages.

17 New York, USA. Ideal for the short break, shopping trip and a transfer stop over. This cosmopolitan city is famed for Broadway Shows, theatre and cultural centres.

18 Florida, USA Miami with direct flights from the UK and the lure of the blindingly white beach, designer shopping and well-to-do ambience makes areas such as Sunny Isles and Bal Harbour firm favourites.

19 Florida, USA - Orlando is probably best known for Disney World and all the themed attractions in and surrounding the Disney resort. A good base for Kennedy Space Centre. Having a car to get about is an advantage.

20 San Francisco, California, USA. It is a city of a diverse mix of people and eclectic characters, which all goes to add to the hallmark of “everyone’s favourite city”. The city trams are a must as, as is Fisherman’s Wharf.

21 Los Angeles & Santa Monica, California, USA. Between the two cities you’ll find glamour, a metropolis of glitz, roller coasters, trendy places to hang out at, and sun-soaked beaches.

22 Mauritius is set in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. It offers great beaches, superb deep-sea fishing and beautiful scenery.

23 The Maldives, also in the Indian Ocean, is a collection of over 1000 islands, circled by power soft sands. It is perfect for snorkelling, diving and total relaxation.

24 Antigua is in the Caribbean and has over 365 beaches. The markets and duty free shopping in St John's, the capital, are well worth checking out, as is the Cathedral known as “Big Church”.

25 St Lucia, Caribbean. This volcanic island is wonderfully colourful with its flowering orange flamboyant trees lining the roadside. The Pitons are an essential stop, and nearby is the sinus-clearing drive-in volcano and the beautiful botanical gardens.

26 Grenada, in the Caribbean, is known as the Spice Island - one third of the world’s nutmeg is grown here. It also has secluded coves, beaches, and whale and dolphin watching.

27 Tobago, also in the Caribbean, is home to the oldest protected rain forest in the Western Hemisphere - this is truly a lush island. There are coral reefs just off the shore, ideal for snorkelling. It also has bird sanctuaries where David Attenborough filmed part of the “Trials of Life” series.

28 The Bahamas is made up of over 200 islands and 700 cays. It is situated south-east off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. It has a wealth of coral reefs and wrecks for snorkelling and diving. A favourite for weddings abroad.

29 Jamaica, in the Caribbean, is 150 miles by 50 miles, and the classic Caribbean attraction is the white sand beaches and water sports - but Jamaica has so much more. At Ochios Rios you can visit Goldeneye, the house of Ian Fleming. The Blue Mountains are famous for the local coffee, and the Dunns River Falls is an exquisite waterfall, which just begs to be climbed.

30 Cayman Island, in the Caribbean - fans of the Caribbean all seem to have different opinions on which island has the best beaches, but Gran Cayman always seems to come in the top three. Seven-Mile Beach is fantastic, with plenty of hotels and bars for late night carousing.

31 Cuba is the Caribbean’s largest and least commercialised island. The colonial architecture of Havana is faded yet elegant. There are many unspoilt beaches begging to be explored, and the deep-sea fishing is spectacular

32 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA is known as the “Venice of America”, with its maze of waterways, night-clubs and a vast array of sport facilities. Sawgrass Mills is Florida’s largest retail and entertainment centre.

33 St Petersburg & Clearwater, Florida, USA has the image of the “Ideal Florida”. Most people think of the glorious sunshine, spacious and spotless beaches set on 35 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline. Average sunshine is 23 degrees Celsius and the sun usually shines 361 days of the year.

34 North Carolina, USA is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination. Its climate makes it an all year round destination. Offers golfing at the World famous Pinehurst golf resort. It also offers 300 miles of pristine beaches.

35 South Carolina, USA - Myrtle Beach is a part of the Grand Strand and is a haven for golfers, swimmers and other recreational enthusiasts. As it shoulders the Atlantic it boasts some of the freshest fish in the country.

36 Island of Oahu, Hawaii, USA . This is just one of six lush tropical islands in the South Pacific. This island is the most populated and most visited island. Pearl Harbour and the Arizona Memorial is a major attraction, as well as the North Shore, which is a surfer’s paradise.

37 Vancouver, Canada is situated on the West Coast and has everything a visitor could ask for, from the vibrant Gastown to ethnic China Town. One visit here and you’ll fall in love with this stunning, excitable city.

38 Victoria, Canada on Vancouver Island is the provincial capital and an island of British Columbia. It has craggy mountains, rolling farmlands, evergreen forests, sandy beaches and deep fjords that go together in making this a very attractive destination.

39 Toronto, Canada is Canada’s largest city and capital of the Province of Ontario. It is situated on the North Shore of Lake Ontario. Exciting and ultra modern, its towering buildings are set amongst green areas.

40 Calgary, Canada is a wonderful place to explore the Rocky Mountains. It is also home to the famous Calgary Stampede held in July. A natural base for outdoor activities, sports include fishing, sailing, cycling, hiking, and traditional Western ranch life is only minutes away.

41 Mexico - resorts such as Cancun and the Riviera Maya give a mix of Caribbean and Mexican flavours. Cancun was created for the entertainment of visitors, whereas resorts along the Riviera Maya have a more relaxed feel.

42 New Zealand - the North and South Islands contain a stunning array of wonderful natural phenomena, from the beautiful Bay of Islands and the eerie thermal eruptions of Rotorua, to the Majesty of Queenstown, you will also gain a real insight into Maori culture.

43 Australia is huge, and the canny travellers string the best bits together. Red deserts of the centre, the rock formations in Western Australia, deserted beaches, coral reefs and the lush rain forest in Queensland. The most important thing to remember when visiting Australia is to allow enough time to see all the places you have heard about and want to experience.

44 Singapore is a very clean and popular all-year-round stopover for a short break. The Raffles hotel is famous for its Singapore Sling cocktail. The island of Sentosa is well worth a visit by cable car from the mainland.

45 Thailand offers jungle and elephant camps in the North, to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, to the beaches in the South of the country. Thailand has also built up a reputation for stopovers, allowing travellers to and from the Southern Hemisphere a chance to take a break.

46 Egypt has a mystical and timeless appeal that has been attracting travellers for centuries. It is a land of huge contrasts where ancient and modern lives exist side by side. The Red Sea resorts offer a superb climate, excellent scuba diving, water sports and great beaches.

47 Sri Lanka is a tropical teardrop shaped island on the toe of India. It has thick jungles, cool hill stations and highlands, precious stones and miles of palm fringed beaches. A visit to the elephant orphanage and see them wash in the nearby river is a marvellous sight.

48 South Africa offers great safaris, coastal retreats and the famous Garden Route from Port of Elizabeth to Cape Town. The Kruger National Park is one of the famous areas for game viewing.

49 Goa is a former Portuguese enclave, and exudes relaxation. Sunbathe on its palm fringed beaches. Explore country houses, forts, whitewashed churches and Hindu temples.

50 Kenya offers beach and safari holidays. The Town of Mombassa is East Africa’s largest port, where cruise ships dock. It has superb beaches, and its neighbouring resorts are something to behold.