Dubai holidays with Virgin Holidays: explore the jewel of the Middle East

Dubai beach ©keithusc/Flickr

This year, why not explore somewhere truly exotic, by visiting Dubai? The perfect holiday destination for families or frequent travellers, Dubai has something to offer everyone.

Travellers looking for places to go in Dubai should take a walk into Satwa, the Indian and Filipino district for some delicious cuisine, and peruse market stalls selling a variety of jewellery and fabrics. Pop into the historical district of Bur Dubai and dine in one of their many floating restaurants. You can also browse the many spice souks in Dubai’s old financial centre of Deira.

If you’re after a more rural experience, you can explore the Middle East’s endless desert in a 4×4 jeep with frequent tours taking place out of the city each day. Or why not take a stroll along Dubai’s many beautiful beaches? There’s just so much to explore! …

The amazing beaches of Chile

Isla Negra, photo by Renata Avila on Flickr

More often than not, the mention of Chile will conjure up images of its snow-capped Andes, the lovely colonial capital, Santiago de Chile, or the elongated shape of a country that encompasses both the driest desert and the most impressive glacial fields in the world. It’s easy to forget that Chile’s is 4300 kilometers long, which means that if there’s one thing Chile has no shortage of, it’s beaches. Not all of the Chilean coastline is a smooth strip of sand, quite the opposite – the part where land meets sea is often rugged and craggy, but every now and then it gives way to a lovely beach. Visit the amazing beaches of Chile, another natural wonder that this country can be proud of. …

The best hikes in Vietnam

Cat Ba National Park, photo by unkle_sam on Flickr

History might have not always been kind to Vietnam, but nature definitely was. Ancient terraced rice fields, karst mountains, the natural richness of the Mekiong Delta and many other natural wonders are enough to convince millions of travelers from around the world to visit this amazing country. Wars, colonizations and rebellion did nothing to rob Vietnam of its natural beauty, or of its unique and interesting culture. Though Vietnamese cities and towns are always capable of entertaining a traveler, many of the most breathtaking spots of Vietnam can be found while out in the wild, far from human civilization. Explore the little known wonders of the country that you’ll discover during some the best hikes in Vietnam. …

Top 5 attractions in Lebanon

Byblos, photo by Keith Yahl on Flickr

Lebanon is a tiny speck of land on the coast of the Mediterranean, surrounded by countries that are more famous, if not necessarily more powerful, and not one of the usual suspects when it comes to traveling to the Middle East – which granted isn’t the kind of region to attract too much tourism nowadays. But Lebanon is a fascinating place where the extremely modern blends with the very ancient, with large cities teeming with shopping, nightlife and fine dining, as well as Phoenician and Roman ruins. Lebanon has beaches, skiing and all round fun. Here are the top 5 attractions in Lebanon, if you feel like sightseeing a bit. …

The traveler’s guide to Mumbai

Mumbai, photo by nokero on Flickr

Some metropolises can be described in one word, despite their size: New York is glamorous, Paris is romantic, London is dignified. But Mumbai, one of the largest cities on the planet, is difficult to qualify. The capital of Maharashtra is a maddening tangle of ancient history and traditions, of modern technology and architecture, of extreme riches and poverty. You are as likely to find luxury brand shops and bustling bazaars, and questionable street food as fine dining. Few people can visit Mumbai for the first time without feeling the weight of it. It takes time to get used to the chaos, but once you do, Mumbai seems like the most enjoyable place on the planet. Here’s a traveler’s guide to Mumbai for those who plan on jumping head first into this amazing city. …

The amazing attractions of Tahiti

photo by Steve Punter

The overseas territories of France are island wonderlands that seem feel like Polynesia but still bear some eerie resemblance to France. But none of the islands of French Polynesia are quite so wrapped up in legend and glamor like Tahiti, the largest island in the Windward group. Although nowadays Tahiti is known as a destination for the rich and famous, there is more the island than luxury hotels and endless supplies of pina colada. Despite its modern sides, Tahiti’s culture is something to behold, and it’s no wonder that it inspired painters like Paul Gauguin to create some of their most famous works. So if you happen to take the trip of a lifetime to the island, don’t forget to check out some of the amazing attractions of Tahiti. …

Palawan, the last frontier of the Philippines

photo by Roberto Verzo on Flickr

Despite being the second largest archipelago in the world, and being home to more than seven thousand island, the Philippines remains one of the least explored tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. But even if many travelers ignore the Philippines in favor of more popular destinations, these islands are a paradise for backpackers and adventurers who are itching to find the last untouched corners of the continent. Palawan is the largest island province in the Philippines, and it is said to the country’s last pristine paradise, where nature is found in its purest form, and where dramatic landscapes are more common than pebbles. Travel to Palawan, the last frontier of the Philippines, where adventure and the beauty of nature awaits you. …

The best sailing destinations in the world

Vietnam, Halong Bay, photo by Joseph Hunkins

Around two thirds of the planet’s surface is made up of water, so if there ever was a great way to explore as much of its as possible, then it’s by boat. The uninitiated might think that sailing is much less exciting than traveling on land, but those who have sailed (and enjoyed it) know that a good sailing destination can be just as amazing as any tourist attraction on land. Like any sort of travel, the quality of a sailing trip depends on many things, including your destination. So if you are are just getting a taste of sailing, you should start with some of the best sailing destinations in the world. …

Brazil’s stunning natural wonders

Sancho Bay, photo by RuiBritto on Flickr

The land of samba, carnivals and world famous beaches is clearly one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. But it’s not just the colorful culture of Brazil that attracts so many visitors, because another thing that Brazil has plenty of is natural beauty. Brazil is home to some of the most extensive rainforest in the world, to the mighty Amazon river and many other wonders of nature that you couldn’t see anywhere else in the world. Brazil’s cities might be dazzling, but every traveler should also visit Brazil’s stunning natural wonders. …

5 Polynesian islands to see before you die

Savaii, photo by Jorje P. Price on Flickr

Polynesia is made up of about a thousand islands of all sizes scattered over the Pacific Ocean – even if you visited one island per day, it would still take years to explore all the interesting nooks and crannies of this remote part of Oceania. Although the islands are split among a handful of nations, many of the islands are so small that few people (save for geography buffs and Polynesians) have even heard of them. Some of the most popular travel destinations on the planet are located in Polynesia, but for every Bora Bora or Oahu there are hundreds of other islands that are much less famous, but equally wonderful. Here are 5 Polynesian islands to see before you die, even if you don’t manage to visit all of them. …