City Destination

If you haven’t been to Turkey for a summer holiday you should actually be ashamed of yourself. Whether you are interested into culture, sunshine, shopping or having fun, Turkey gives you what you want. The same goes for Istanbul. Turkey is famous for being sizzling hot in the summer months, and some parts of the country can experience uncomfortable cold during winter, so when is the best time to book that trip to Istanbul? Read on and find out.

October to March is rather cold, although that’s nothing compared to the east of Turkey. Snow can fall from January to March, but it actually never lasts long. If it does, the children get snow free! How cool is that? But either way, there are times when you sit outside in a T Shirt in December and the next day the wind totally blows you over. So take along a warm coat, cap and umbrella, ´cause if it does rain in this city, you think the world comes to an end. Temperature: 0ºC to 14ºC.

Spring usually starts in May and attracts the first waves of tourists. Although you won’t be able to – let’s say – make a little bathing trip to the Prince Islands, you will have all the advantages of the summer long days, warm nights, sitting outside, having those great views without the likelihood of a surprising rain shower – and without the crazy heat. Temperature: 12ºC to 25ºC.

If it is summer in this city it is best to leave. Combine the traffic, all those people and the heat and you get CHAOS. Please, please don’t visit Istanbul in July or August as you will hop from one air conditioner to another, probably getting a cold in the end. If you want to travel to Turkey in summertime, stick to the traditional holiday cities like Antalya, Side, Kemer etc. where you can retrieve from the heat by jumping in the pool. Leave Istanbul to the few people who didn’t had the chance to get away. Temperature: 25ºC to 30ºC.

Fall (September / October) is a splendid time in Istanbul. Being not too hot or too cold it is actually the better summer. But still be prepared for both hot and freezing days, as fall also is the time of surprises. Watch the fisherman on the Galata Bridge, make your boat trip and join all the cheerful people on the streets, terraces and Cafés. Temperature: 15ºC to 25ºC.

Rainfall in Istanbul can be both short lived and very ugly, depending on the season. If you’re unlucky enough to come into heavy rain, take your time to watch the water floating down the streets, drowning the sidewalks, coastal streets and some basements.

When to book that holiday in Istanbul?

If you want to see the city at its best, book your flights from May to June or September to October. Avoid the summer! The best choice based on price/weather is a trip in early May or late October.

The Gallura, is a land full of charm, a perfect place to spend an unforgettable holiday in Sardinia, to be fascinated by the scents of the Mediterranean maquis, the colors of the rocks and the crystal clear waters.

With its name (perhaps in Hebrew Galil, a country of heights) indicates the north eastern region of Sardinia.

The boundaries towards the interior of the island are the river Coghinas to the west and to the south an imaginary line joining the Limbara mountain with the small town of San Teodoro, famous for its beautiful beaches, on the Thyrrenean coast.

Gallura is a fabulous mix of sea, plains, hills, mountains, cultivated and desert areas. The territory has a strong tourism vocation and offers excellent reception and entertainment services.

If you decide to arrange an itinerary to discover the nature and culture of Gallura, an excellent solution is to find in this area of Sardinia residences or houses for rent, accommodations that ensure high standards of comfort and a lot of independence. In this environmental diversity you can find old testimonies of the territory: from the presence of numerous buildings, such as the tomb of giants Li Lolghi and the necropolis of Li Muri, consisting of stone circles vertically buried in the ground, the nuragic temple of Malchittu or the nuraghe Albucciu.

The landscape is characterized by granite rocks and the harshness of their relieves. Even if not particularly tall (Mount Limbara reaches the 1350 meters above sea level) they have been for thousands of years a barrier between this region and the neighboring territories of Baronie and Montalbo. Granite rocks, shaped by wind and rain, take in some areas the form of small mountains or extraordinary natural sculptures.

Another characteristic of Gallura is the presence of oaks from which cork is extracted, vital to the economy of the area together with granite extraction.

The fields of the hinterland (municipalities of Arzachena, Luogosanto, Aggius, Tempio Pausania) are not densely populated and it is still possible, in some places, to recognize the organization of the territory in Stazzi , another characteristic of Gallura. These are rural settlements scattered, agro pastoral farms, usually self sufficient single house units originally built by pastors, many of whom from the nearby Corsica, between the seventh and eighteenth century. There were numerous and almost everywhere until a few years ago, today many have been abandoned because of the transfer in the city.

The coast is jagged and divided into a continuous series of small fjords, bays and islets that form the archipelago of La Maddalena, with its wondrefull islands, a natural bridge towards the nearby Corsica, where there is also the island of Caprera, last shelter of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the place where you can find his remains.

While on one side this territory is home to the famous Costa Smeralda, with Porto Cervo with its well know harbour, holiday paradise for many people, on the other hand it is not difficult to find lonely places where to freely enjoy beautiful natural sceneries.

Fort Myers is known for their beautiful beaches and many attractions. They also have pristine white sands and they have the best nature adventure as well as trips you can’t miss out on. This is because they take good care of their natural surroundings. Laws have been enacted in order to prevent the investors who would like to build tall buildings near their ecosystems. They are also noted for their “Old South Ambiance,” their museum and historic spots along with nature walks, festivals and events. Most of all, they are well known for their water sports throughout the year.

An example of a place where kids and adults can enjoy their day is at Babcock Wilderness Adventures. It can be toured for a total of 90 minutes inside their 900,000 acre Ranch. You can go and see animals such as birds, cracker cattle and panthers face to face! If you are lucky enough, you can catch a glimpse of a white tailed wild deer. The ambiance here will surely bring the best of your moods. Professional tour guides are available to help you brush up on information that will most likely excite you even more. Visitors are also allowed to bring food and have a picnic. You can also have a bite with the lunch fares located at Gator Shack.

For those who wish to stay in Fort Myers longer, suggested inns and hotels are Comfort Inn & Suites Fort Myers, Best Western Airport Inn and the Rock Lake Resort. All of these are certified top quality accommodations.

Comfort Inn and Suites
This hotel is located very near the Southwest Florida International Airport. Comfort Inn and Suites hotel is only a few minutes drive from the airport. Aside from easy access from the airport, the hotel is only a few minutes away from famed attractions such as Sanibel Island, Imaginarium Hands on Museum and Sun Splash Family Waterpark. Recreational activities are also accessible such as golfing and fishing. Restaurants and lounges are situated around the area as well.

Guests are given complimentary airport shuttle services, local calls, deluxe continental breakfast, coffee and wireless Internet connection. Even after a day’s sightseeing, the fun doesn’t stop at the hotel. They also provide fitness facilities, a hot tub as well as an indoor heated pool. A business center is also available, especially for the working guests. Their fee is an average of $ 150.

Best Western Airport Inn
Best Western Airport Inn is located at 8955 Daniels Parkway Fort Myers, Florida 33912 0821, US. Also an Airport Inn, the hotel is the closest one to Interstate 75 as well as the Southwest Florida International Airport.
The hotel also has a unique location that can access the famed Gulf of Mexico and the stunning sunny beaches of Florida. It provides complimentary shuttle services that travel to the airport and back as well as Continental breakfasts, fitness facilities and an outdoor pool. Guestrooms also have an in room safe for added security.

Best Western Airport Inn has an average fee of $ 142 year round. Booking in the Best Western Airport Inn is a remarkable experience to the guests.

Rock Lake Resort
Getting closer to nature is what Rock Lake Resort can offer its guests. The resort is actually surrounded by many trees with literally a lake located at the center. You can also view it right by your door. It is most definitely a peaceful vacation resort.

They have a total of 9 cottages with 18 units and all are circular, having access to the lake. Just behind the cottages, a canoe and kayak experience as well as a motor boat can be experienced through Billy Creek. The place is truly relaxing and stress free.

This famous resort is located at 2930 Palm Beach Boulevard Fort Myers, FL 33916. Their nightly rate starts at $ 65.

The Riviera Maya region of the Yucatan Peninsula is known for its pristine beaches, fabulous resorts and a plethora of water sports and diving experiences. There is also a rich ecological landscape to be explored around Akumal and Playa de Carmen in the protected jungles of the region. In these jungles, the government has taken steps to preserve the land from development and maintain the integrity of the natural habitats of many species. From toucans to monkeys, you can see them all in their natural surroundings by arranging a jungle tour while you are staying in the area.

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve is 1.3 million acres set aside by the Mexican government as an internationally protected natural habitat. In this jungle you will find mangrove swamps, savannahs, tropical forests, coastal lagoons and thousands of species of birds, fish, monkeys and other animals.

You can arrange a tour of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve with one of the many providers in the area. The best way to see this area is by boat, and private guided tours are available with native tour guides. A boat tour will cross two lakes which are connected to the sea by ancient Mayan canals that were once an integral part of the trade routes for this ancient civilization. As you cruise along the guided boat tour, you will marvel at the beautiful flora and fauna such as orchids and other tropical plant life. You will also have the chance to explore many Mayan ruins located within the preserve. One fun part of the excursion is when you put on a life jacket and float down the canal. The beauty of these tours is that the proceeds go to help preserving this natural wonder. A day spent at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve is educational and fun and you will experience first hand one of the last undeveloped coastal areas in North America.

There are several other wildlife reserves in the region. There is the Xaman-Ha bird sanctuary in Playacar, just 20 minutes north of Akumal. This bird sanctuary is one of the natural wonders of Mexico and is host to hundreds of species of tropical birds. Another place to get the jungle experience is Jungle Place in Chemuyil. It is located 10 minutes from Akumal and is host to toucans and monkeys that you can interact with. It is inland and there is even lodging available if you want to spend some time in the jungle. They have monkeys in a cage where you can go in and pet them and interact with them and see how they live. This is a unique chance to safely interact with wildlife and learn about their natural habitat and even spend a few days in the jungle to get the full experience. The Riviera Maya region offers many jungle habitats and natural preserves for tourists to truly enjoy one of the last unspoiled, undeveloped jungle and coastline regions in Mexico.

Aktun Chen, located along the Mayan Riviera, is just 4 kilometers south of Akumal. This provides a perfect chance to take a day tour of the location best known for its many explored caves.

The name “Aktun Chen” means “cave with an underground river inside” in the Mayan language. Nearly 988 acres of jungle surround the cave where natives collect the gum from a local tree called “chicozapote” as they have for centuries.

Three caves call Aktun Chen “home”, and rivers flow underground in all these caves. The main cave offers an easy walking tour that may even be an option if you need the use of a walking cane. Most who are able to walk on their own, even with manual assistance, are able to navigate the cave paths. The main cave is now suitable for an easy walking tour which has been improved with indirect lighting for a better view and enjoyment of the thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and natural sculptures, all of them formed by water and dissolved calcium carbonate throughout te last five million years.

The caves are open daily and the trip through them takes only an hour or so. Spanish and English speaking guides are available and all exploration groups are divided by choice of language.

The caves contain thousands of stalactites, stalagmites, and sculpted rock formations, along with a 12 m (40 ft.) deep cenote with clear blue water. Aktun Chen was once underwater, and fossilized shells and fish embedded in the limestone are visible as you walk along the paths. Caves are an integral part of the region’s geography and geology, and knowledgeable guides provide explanations of what you see and offer brief history lessons in the Mayan’s association with these caves.

Indirect lighting from several openings in the cave prevents an uncomfortable experience for those who suffer from claustrophobia. Water and calcium carbonate formed the stalactites, stalagmites and natural sculptures seen there over the past five million years.

Regional and local wildlife is also easily seen at Aktun Chen. This includes white tail deer, spider monkeys, badgers, wild boars, wild turkey, iguanas and many species of birds.

When arriving at Aktun Chen’s main cave, a specially trained escort will meet you in the reception area. The guide will then take you and your traveling mates on an hour and fifteen minute tour of the 600 meters long cave system.

During the tour, you will have the chance to view a beautiful cenote with cold, crystal water that is 12 meters deep. Local flora and plants abound at this cenote, and offer an ideal photo opportunity for future memories.

At the end of the cave tour, a small restaurant is available for a quick bite to eat or a relaxing drink. This cafe for a unique taste of Aktun Chen.

When arriving and leaving the cave, you will notice the welcome area which is surrounded and decorated with local tropical flora. This will also offer an ideal chance for you to take a picture of the pretty scenery or a memorable moment with your travel mates!

Eco tours are also available at Aktun Chen, offering several opportunities to hike and climb cliffs, as well as explore the local rainforests. The largely untouched jungle in which Aktun Chen resides lets visitors to truly experience the local wildlife and plant life in its raw and natural state