Perhaps the issue is that these days, even a cheap holiday doesn’t seem so cheap anymore. With the increase in airline fuel surcharges over the last few years, and the depreciation of Pound Sterling, the base cost of holidays in the Euro-zone for example have effectively increased by a third without anything else happening. These costs are then knocked on once you get to the resort or destination.

Still, there are companies who claim to offer cheap last minute deals. For example, with LastMinute.com, the clue is in the name. There is an assumption that last minute implies cheaper, but interestingly, this company describes that it “has it all and at great value prices”, so the emphasis is on value rather than actual price. This company markets itself as offering “its customers the opportunity to book flights, tickets, hotels and more through a one stop shop”, thus implying that it views itself these days as a mainstream place to book the full range of holidays, and at the full range of prices! At the same time, a site like TravelSupermarket.com markets itself as “1000s of deals from cheap holidays to luxury and all inclusive”, so again there is an emphasis on the whole range of vacations.

To take a mainstream travel agent such as Thomas Cook as an example, their homepage regularly advertises deals such as “up to £150 off summer holidays” along with other featured offers. I think the reality is that these traditional, specialist agencies will always have a proportion of holidays available at cheaper “teaser” prices, much the same as a mainstream department store will always have some products reduced or for sale. So although people tend to search online for things like “cheap last minute holidays” in hope of finding some magical site with amazing offers, the reality is that these deals are already offered by an individual company’s website. At best, other sites just act as a portal to bring sites such as Thomas Cook or Thomson Holidays together.

Overall, I’m sure that cheap last minute holidays in the sun and suchlike do exist, but I’m not sure about to what extent the cheapness is related to the fact that it is “last-minute”! By searching for “cheap” there is a presumption that the prices have been greatly reduced to sell vacancies, but the fact remains that in general any reduction is probably relatively small and possibly with very little difference to if you had booked at 6 months ago! Most of the sites advertise as having “cheap holidays” simply because they know that people are searching for them. Like a high street shop, for the most part it is just a way to get you in the door, or in this case, to click the link.

I get the feeling the Borders region is a vastly under-visited area, which is ironic because it’s the area that the majority of people have to pass through if travelling to Scotland by road or train. Most people pass straight through on their way to a weekend in Edinburgh, or for a longer visit to the Highlands and Islands. They are missing out on an area that I find special and atmospheric; one that has quite a barren and empty feel to it, but is interspersed with some nice small towns.

I would suggest basing yourself in a small town like Melrose, which is one of the prettier of the Border towns that include places such as Hawick, Galashiels and Selkirk. Melrose nestles in the shadow of the Eildon Hills (where legend has it that King Arthur is buried!) which are really popular for a day-walk that will give you a great view from the top. If you like history and ruins, Melrose Abbey is more than 850 years old (and home to the heart of Robert the Bruce!) and Jedburgh Abbey a little further south is also worth a visit. Also, Abbotsford is the house that the famous novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott lived in. For sports fans, the annual Melrose Rugby 7s is held around April every year at the centrally located rugby ground.

The best reason to stay somewhere like Melrose or Selkirk though, is the amount of open space around for enjoying nature. For example; staying in Selkirk, you can literally take 15 minutes to walk to the edge of town and then follow a whole host of paths into the hills. There are also lots of small rivers around, if you like activities such as fishing. If you are in the car, you are never too far a drive from some deserted footpath that you can have to yourself for the day. It’s a particularly great area for mountain biking with many casual off-road areas, steep hills, forests and quiet roads.

Overall, the Borders is not a harsh and dramatic landscape, but one of gently rolling hills such as the Pentlands, Lammermuirs and Cheviots. As such there are many rivers valleys, like those of the River Tweed and its tributaries. It’s an area to slowly drive around small winding country lanes with all the time in the world, but don’t forget that you are also close to a pretty dramatic coastline too!

If you are truly looking for a quiet few days, or want to hit nature in a quiet area that most people don’t consider, you should really give the Scottish Borders a chance. It would be a nice change to simply continuing all the way up to Edinburgh! It is definitely one of the easiest and most viable options for short breaks in Scotland for you to consider!

I have to admit that as I live in the North of England, that the problem is exacerbated, certainly in terms of price. There are times that it will be a couple of hundred pounds cheaper to fly from London, but as anyone in the UK knows, rail fares are so high that the saving is soon wiped out. Especially when like me, you plan your trips something like a month in advance and struggle to take advantage of “cheap” advanced rail fares. Although the bus can be a lot cheaper, if the flight leaves before 9am, there is no chance of arriving on time!

Happy times once you're there!

The most important thing to realise right now is that there are NO direct flights to Bogotá from London or the UK. If you want to fly via Europe your main options are Iberia (via Madrid) or Air France/KLM (via Paris or Amsterdam). The good thing is that both of these airlines serve the UK hinterland very well, so it is not difficult to get a flight to those cities and then connect to a Bogota flight.

The other main option of course, is to go via the USA. The main airlines such as American Airlines, Delta and Continental all have connections to Bogotá. If you are lucky they might be a little bit cheaper and have more flexible terms, such as being able to change your return date. Although it is tempting to take this choice, I have a word of caution based on when I flew via Miami with American Airlines.

The problem is that the US is the only country where; if you are in transit, you have to collect your luggage from the carousel and then check it in again! It doesn’t seem like too much stress, but when you have only a couple of hours in transit it is really stressful!  Firstly, Miami is a large airport and it might take a while to firstly get to the immigration area and then to actually get though immigration. Because you see, even though you are only in transit (a concept that Americans still don’t “get”), they still insist taking your fingerprints and the rest. So if it’s a busy hour it can take an absolute age to get though and then to the baggage carousel!

After somehow getting through immigration, it then took an age waiting for my bag to turn up. Then I had to run (and by the way Miami is quite a warm and humid airport) to literally throw my backpack into a pile for the flight to Bogotá There wasn’t any official check-in (so much for security!). By this time the scheduled departure time had already passed so I ran like a maniac to the departure gate. Fortunately the flight had been delayed – perhaps deliberately, I don’t know – but I can tell you that if it hadn’t there would have been no chance of me catching it. I have never ever had this problem anywhere else when having a relatively short transit period.

So that’s my take on flights to Colombia from the UK. I’m looking forward to the day that Avianca or British Airways pull their fingers out and offer something direct, even if just from London.   And remember, this is just to get to Bogotá, if you want cheap flights to Cartagena, Medellin or Cali, Colombia; well, you can imagine!

The good news is that once there, you can forget how much hassle and cost it took to get there and just enjoy the country. Well, that is until you decide that you want to extend your stay and that the cheapest flight to Colombia that you found and then booked doesn’t allow you to change your return date! Yep, I’ve quickly changed my mind, when you start taking being in Colombia for granted, remember the frustration you endured just to get there in the first place!

The Mountains and Cerro de Montserrate

I love the mountains and nature. That’s possibly why sometimes I find Bogotá frustrating. However, the whole eastern side of the city is flanked by green mountains that give the place a much-needed breath of fresh air. In fact, without these hills I would find the place visually soul-destroying! So whenever I’m stuck in traffic or spluttering dirty air, it is to the hills that I look!

On top of one of these hills; Cerro de Montserrate is a white church that is the destination for many Catholic pilgrims in this traditionally religious country. The whole trip to the peak is great for several reasons. Firstly, it has the best view of Bogotá! Well, that depends on when you are there. During the morning the air tends to be clear and you have a clear panoramic vista. However, later on in the day the notorious Bogotá pollution comes into play and the view is at best hazy. It’s amazing though that on one side you are looking down on a vast, dirty metropolis whilst on the other is wilderness. It is a really nice escape from the oppressiveness of the city.

The best time to go up depends on your purpose. I went up on a Sunday which was great because they have an actual, genuine Catholic church service going on, which is packed. Even if you aren’t remotely religious, it’s still an experience. On the other hand, if you like quiet space, go up during the week!

There are various options for making the ascent. You can walk, but local advice suggests that you only do this on a Sunday or festive day when there are lots of other people doing the same thing. Doing it on a quieter day allegedly makes you more prone to being robbed by local youths who live en-route to the top in not so salubrious conditions! I heard one story of somebody who didn’t believe this, only to make the descent minus his expensive waterproof jacket!

The most popular route to the top is via the cable car (telesférico). On a weekend you may have to wait some time in a queue, but during the week it shouldn’t take too long. It is actually cheaper on a Sunday too (about 15,000 pesos for an adult). There is also the option to take the funicular railway, or even better, go up by one mode and descend using the other!

At the top there are lots and lots of stores selling foods and drinks. My personal recommendation is to try some canelazo – a hot spiced fruit drink with aguardiente or rum. If it’s a cold day it will provide you with a little glow in your stomach! Also try bocadillo – a sweet bar made of guava paste and sugar.

Anyway, it’s definitely one of the highlights of Bogotá. It’s not difficult to find because you can see it from just about anywhere in the city! Just take a taxi and get dropped off at the bottom.

Museums

Bogotá has a great selection of museums, especially in the old La Candelaria area. The best is probably the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) which accommodates the largest collection of Pre-Columbian gold in the world. Personally, about 5 minutes after the initial awe of “Ooh, look at that piece of gold”, I was bored. I mean, gold is gold! Maybe it’s my background in natural sciences that sees it as just another chemical composition!

There are plenty of other museums dotted about if that’s your thing and it’s raining. Personally, I’m drawn more to natural history types, so I’ll reserve judgement for now on the rest that the city has to offer.

Free Events

One thing that impresses me here is the way that the city (well the whole country) likes to put on a show whenever possible. A great example was the way the 2011 under-20 football World Cup (sub-20 mundial) was taken to the hearts of the city with the flags of the competing nations being flown all over the city. One of my favourite events in 2009 though was the free Bogotá Jazz in the Park festival in Parque Bolivar. I love jazz so it was great to sit on the grass in the sun all day listening to some great live artists. The genre of music wasn’t important though as there were plenty of people there who if I passed them in the street I would never think of as jazz appreciators! If you prefer a different genre or art, I’m sure that Colombia’s capital will have some free or cheap festival to satisfy you somewhere!

The Transmilenio

Ok, this is a bit of a double-edged sword. At peak times, travelling by this modern tram system can be a stressful and sweaty chore! However, I try to think of how the city must have been pre-2001 when the system was inaugurated. Even now the main alternatives of buses are equally jam-packed during rush hour, not to mention forever stuck in traffic jams (trancónes), so beforehand….not worth thinking about.

The best thing about the Transmilenio is that you can get from one end of the city to the other super-quickly because it has priority lanes and so only has to stop at stations and traffic lights, however bad the traffic. It’s a pity that alleged corruption has delayed the completion of new routes to the airport for example, but this is South America and that is another story!

Bogota Weather

I’m sure that this one is a controversial positive to some; but you see, I just don’t like heat! Or more accurately I don’t like humidity. So whilst many a traveller takes off directly to Cartagena or Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast in search of sun, sea and sweat, I decline the option and stick to The Andes! The best thing about the weather in Bogotá is its relative predictability (ok, it’s predictable on the coast too – predictably uncomfortable!). Every day is roughly between 14-25C, no matter the time of the year. Locals will tell you that there are actually two seasons, but what they are primarily referring is to a wet season and a dry season and not something related to temperature. The funny thing here is that on some days you can walk on side of the street in the sun and wear a t-shirt and sun-screen, whilst at the same time in the shade on the other side you will need a warmish jacket! But it’s all part of the charm that attracts my northern-European instincts!

So those are 5 of my favourite things about Bogotá, Colombia. There are other ones too that I will get around to writing about when I think about them, as well as a whole list of frustrations that might be easier to write about!

Let me know what you love about Colombia (keep it clean!)

Its location is partly responsible for the rich historical heritage because it was and still is one of the most significant Adriatic Sea ports. The maritime trade made it prosperous and skilled diplomacy made it one of the most developed republics in the Middle Ages along with Venice. However, it has had two major low points throughout its at times turbulent history. The city itself was badly damaged by the earthquake in 1667 and the civil war of Yugoslavia also left it in ruins in 1991. Today, Dubrovnik is one of the most popular tourist destinations for holidays in Croatia, Europe and the world. UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage Site and it is rightly named “the pearl of the Adriatic Sea”.

Holidays to Dubrovnik are available with so many tour operators, you just need to choose the one which satisfies your desires the best. One of the best ways to reach Dubrovnik from the UK is by air and there are numerous airlines flying to and from. British Airways operate year round flights from London Gatwick and there are of course numerous other airlines such as Wizz Air, FlyBe, Croatia Airlines, etc. who operate only in the summer months. For more details about the timetable of these airlines you can check the following site: Getting to Dubrovnik.

Flights to Dubrovnik are available from other European cities as well. There is the option of direct flight to Dubrovnik Airport or via Zagreb. You can fly from Vienna, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallinn, Paris, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne, Bonn, Berlin, Hanover, Tel Aviv, Rome, Athens, Amsterdam, Oslo, Warsaw, Lisbon, Moscow, Belgrade, Zurich and Madrid. Croatia Airlines has frequent flights from Zagreb to Dubrovnik so this can be an option if you cannot find a direct flight to Dubrovnik.

It is also reachable by bus and ferry as well. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable journeys is by Jadrolinija ferry which sails from Rijeka and stops by many islands and ports along the way. If you are not in a hurry, this is a perfect opportunity to see a great part of the Adriatic coast in a journey which lasts 17 hours.

The above mentioned site also offers a Dubrovnik map which can help you virtually scroll in and around this city to get to know its streets and highways. This map can help you better find your accommodation because it has all the street names which you can zoom in and out from. The great and versatile choice in Dubrovnik accommodation will actually give you an idea of how popular this city is among tourists around the world.  You can choose from five star hotels which unsurprisingly are the most costly ones, to hostel and private accommodation which are more budget friendly. You will notice that the location has a big influence on the price of the accommodation so the facilities located in the old town and close to the centre are a lot more pricy then the ones moving towards the peninsulas of Lapad and Babin Kuk.

Some of the most popular five star hotels in Dubrovnik are: Pucic Palace, Grand Villa Argentina, Hotel Excelsior, Hotel Belleveue, Rixos Libertas Dubrovnik and Radisson Blue Resort and Spa. You can find great private accommodation as well and book in advance for discounts if you would like to save some money.

In the past few years the camping vacation has been becoming more popular with every year. Camping Dubrovnik can be a really exciting experience since there is a great camping site with great facilities. Camping Solitude is located on the peninsula Babin Kuk and it is the only such site in Dubrovnik. It is a campsite with many great features, making it a perfect spot for family vacations. It has a capacity of 1000 people, it is adapted for the disabled, and it has a buffet, many shops, two pools of which one is for children and a tennis court among other things. You can check its availability on the following link: Solitudo Camp and book your stay as soon as possible.

Starting from February to October, there are many international events and festivals going on in Dubrovnik and if you are interested in the cultural life of this city, you should definitely visit it in this period. The Festival of St. Blaise (Dubrovnik’s patron saint) is in February, the Dubrovnik Carnival Festival is in March,  Libertas Film Festival is in April, Dubrovnik Wine and Jazz Festival takes place in May, Dubrovnik Summer Festival starts in July, the festival of chamber music Julian Rachlin & Friends starts in September and October has the International Festival of Jams and Marmalades. It is a period of dynamic and vibrant nightlife, filled with many street music shows and performances.

If you are specifically interested in Dubrovnik nightlife, you can check for the many nightlife web guides. The cobbled stone Stradun Street in the Old town is the centre of all the main events including the many bars, nightclubs and restaurants you can visit here. You can choose from romantic, local, Irish, cocktail bars, discos and music bars. One of the most popular bars for great jazz venues all throughout the year is the Troubadour bar which is located near Gundulic Square. If you are looking for a fancy club for dress up night out, you can check the Labirint night club and for a more casual disco atmosphere you can check Factory Club and Revelin Nightclub.

It really does not take a long time to create a Dubrovnik holiday of your dreams. All you need to do is consider the many possibilities and offers and book in advance to save some money. Dubrovnik is eagerly waiting to host you in all its charming surroundings!

The airport Skopje welcomes airlines like Jat Airways, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Czech Airlines, Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, etc. It is named Alexander the Great and it is 20 km away from Skopje. You can easily reach it through the main highway connecting Skopje with Belgrade and Thessaloniki, but there is no public transportation to and from the airport, so this can be a bit inconvenient for the passengers since they need to take a taxi or arrange personal transport. Always make sure you negotiate the price with the taxi drivers and you do not accept a ride if it is more then 15 Euros, one way.

There are flights to Skopje from Heathrow Airport London at an affordable price which you can book in advance for additional discounts. You can choose a flight with one or two stopovers and there are also Skopje flights from other European capital cities such as Vienna, Brussels, Prague, Budapest, etc.

Click the link for detailed information about Skopje airport arrivals . The information on this site can help you find out if there are some delays because it is regularly updated with accurate flight numbers and airlines. If the timetable of the departures and arrivals are not suitable for you, you can check the other closest airports like the one in Ohrid or the Thessaloniki and Sofia ones where you can get different timetables.

Choosing the month with nicest weather in Belgrade is not too difficult to do. Belgrade has four seasons with a lot of different climate influences since it is a city where two big rivers meet, Danube and Sava. One can say that the climate is moderate continental with long autumns and short springs. Winters are generally very cold with approximately 20 days with temperature below zero and summers are hot where the temperature can often reach 40 degrees centigrade. May and June are the wettest months and the south-eastern wind Kosava often blows in the autumn and winter months.

You are going to visit a city which is dynamic throughout the year and here the fun never stops. No matter if weather Belgrade Serbia is sunny or snowy, one can find an excellent way to explore and enjoy this exciting city. If you are looking for open air night partying under the city lights you might find the summer months June, July or August perfect for visiting. If you are visiting this city for its many shopping possibilities, you wouldn’t really mind the weather, but check for the sale seasons. If you are visiting Belgrade for the many historical sights and the cultural life, then again the spring and summer months are the best period for sightseeing and cultural events.  For any type of activity you plan, you can just check for “weather forecast Belgrade”.

The Belgrade weather forecast is easy to find when you search the internet and the many sites will give you detailed information on the weather conditions for a particular month, week or day.  Knowing the Belgrade weather 10 day forecast will help you pack properly and accordingly.

Being fairly close to the Adriatic Sea, the climate of Ohrid is hence influenced by it so it is a mixture of  Mediterranean and Continental which comes from the north.  The average temperature is 11.4 degrees Centigrade, the summer months have an average maximum of 34.4 and the winter months have an average of 1.5.

The average rainfall throughout the year is about 759mm and the winds which are most frequently blowing are the ones coming from north which are most present during the autumn and winter, and the southern one which dominates during the spring and summer. With regard to weather Ohrid is characterized by the drastic changes between windy and calm periods – a natural ritual that is just amazing to witness when you are beside the lake. One moment the water from the lake rages and there are huge waves splashing the shore and the very next moment the water surface is flat like a plate and one feels like diving in the silence.

The best time to visit Ohrid is probably the period from May to mid-September, although the tourist season officially starts from June with the peak of the season being late July and the beginning of August. If you would like to feel this place the way it lives out of the season, without big crowds, May and October are the best months. Then you can spend long uninterrupted hours just walking by the lake on the nice cobbled stone lakeshore in the centre of the city which is 3 miles long, or just enjoy sitting on a bench gazing into the sun.  Search the link for the weather forecast for Ohrid Macedonia where you can get a 7 day forecast on the weather in Ohrid.

There are many websites for checking the weather forecast Ohrid currently has; where you can find detailed information on the history of the monthly average weather conditions. It shows the best months to be in Ohrid and the peak of the season, but don’t let the Ohrid weather forecast discourage you from visiting it during the winter months when the snow covers the whole city and you can experience a white fairy tale. There also is the religious event Vodici, the Baptism of Jesus Christ on January the 19^th when there is the tradition of throwing the wooden Cross into the waters of the lake. It is believed that the one which catches the cross is unified with Jesus Christ! Nice prize!

You can find good info about the weather and the climate in general in Dubrovnik and its surroundings by searching ‘weather forecast Dubrovnik’ .  It is great to know all this stuff before you set off to your destination. You can find out about the average temperatures in May which will give you an idea of what clothes and footwear you can pack and what are the best things you can do when you reach your destination.  For example Dubrovnik in May has a lot of sunny days but scattered rains as well which can spoil your one day tour or excursion in the nearby islands or tour around the city if you are not well prepared for it.

Searching Dubrovnik weather 10 days in advance will give you a closer insight of the weather conditions for the time of your planned holiday. In many cases this weather report will give you just a guideline, but for more specific details about the weather you need to check the forecast on a day to day basis. If you plan on going sailing, knowing the weather a lot in advance can help you determine the perfect day for a nice breezy sailing tour where you can get to know better the nearby sea villages and islands and check out nice fishing spots or an ultimate diving experience.

For a longer term forecast, search for ‘weather Dubrovnik 10 day‘. Here you can find a 10 days forecast with daily details and video forecast. The weather in Dubrovnik can be perfect for so many enjoyable activities and knowing the forecast will double the pleasure of spending long hours in the perfect weather conditions for the chosen activity. Whether it will be star gazing on the many beach rocks around Dubrovnik or it will be exploring the little fishing villages, having the good weather for it will bring unforgettable memories.

The Dubrovnik climate has set the rules of when is the peak of the season and many people will choose these few months starting from May to September to visit this magical city.  This period is great for visitors who prefer to get to know the cultural life in this city as well as for those who like to party. Some of the main cultural events such as Dubrovnik summer festival happen in July and August and for people who enjoy a good classic music concert, theatre show or an open air jazz concert, July and August will be the perfect months for visiting. But the truth is that this city has a mild climate even throughout the winter months so why not visit it in October when it is less crowded and more relaxing. The weather in October in Dubrovnik  will bring average minimum temperatures of 12 and maximum of 22 degrees centigrade. Some still consider this month excellent for sunbathing and swimming, so you should definitely bring your swimming costume with you!

Throughout the year there are many events you can take part in or experience and it is basically a city which is alive and dynamic throughout the year as the city holds a third of the total population in Macedonia.  The best months to visit Skopje are probably May and September, but the other months also have many surprises for you to discover. Checking for “Weather Skopje Macedonia” or “Weather Forecast Skopje” is easy to do on many websites

Enjoy the annual festivals such as Skopje Summer Fest which offers a great program for the hot summer in the city. As many of the Skopje Summer Fest events happen in cafes and open air sites, you can enjoy a quiet night under the stars with a live jazz band or a classical music concert in a church hall in the Old Bazzar.

The weather in Skopje is perfect in May and September because of the mild weather conditions not associated with extreme heat or cold. The smell of the lime trees in many of the big streets in the city can give you a nice fresh start of the day and inspire you to take long bicycle rides and explore the nearby historical cites and parks. The city has large green areas with little ponds and lakes and there is the long Vardar River riverside which splits the city in half and is great for promenades.

If you are not sure what to pack when preparing for your trip, follow this link for the Skopje weather 10 day forecast and get an idea of what weather Skopje is likely to be experiencing during the time of your stay.