If like me you’re one of those people who love going on holidays, but cannot abide the whole flying experience, then this feature will be your new best friend.
Location, hotel, weather, nightlife – these are all major factors that we consider when planning a holiday. Although often overlooked, your flights play a hugely important role in your whole holiday experience as well. A bad flight or a flight that’s too long can be the difference between a fantastic holiday and an ok holiday.
ExclusiveLondon.co.uk has complied a list of holiday destinations by flight duration to help you choose the perfect holiday. If you don’t like lengthy flights, you may think you are just limited to holidays in France or Germany, but there are many destinations featured below that may be closer than you think. Flight durations are based on flights leaving from London, UK.
1 to 2 hours
Austria (Tryol, Salzburg)
Belgium (Brussels)
Denmark (Copenhagen)
France, North to Mid (Paris, Lyon)
Germany (Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg)
Ireland (Dublin)
Netherlands, The (Amsterdam)
Scotland (Edinburgh)
Spain, North (Bilbao)
Switzerland (Basel, Geneva, Zurich)
2 to 3 hours
Romania (Bucharest)
Hungary (Budapest)
Finland (Helsinki)
Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca)
Italy, North (Milan, Venice)
Latvia (Riga)
Lithuania (Vilnius)
Costa del Sol (Marbella)
Poland (Krakow, Warsaw)
Portugal (Lisbon)
Czech Republic (Prague)
Iceland (Reykjavik)
Netherlands, The (Rotterdam)
Bulgaria (Sofia)
Spain, Mid to West (Barcelona, Madrid)
Sweden (Stockholm)
Tunisia (Tunis)
Austria (Vienna)
3 to 4 hours
Bulgaria (Sofia)
Greece, North to West (Halkidiki, Preveza)
Greece, South (Kalamata, Athens)
Greek Islands, North to West (Corfu, Kefalonia, Skiathos, Zante)
Gibraltar (South of Spain)
Turkey (Istanbul, Anakra)
Madeira (Island South of Portugal)
Malta (Valletta, Birkirkara)
Morocco (Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat)
France, South (Marseille, Montpellier, Nice)
Norway (Oslo)
Portugal (Porto Islands)
Italy, Mid to South (Rome, Naples, Sicily)
Russia (Moscow, St Petersburg)
Spain, South (Seville)
4 to 5 hours
Azores Islands, The (inc. 2 hour flight from Lisbon, Portugal)
Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife)
Greek Islands, East to South (Mytilene, Cyprus, Mykonos, Kos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes)
Egypt (Cairo, Luxor)
Jordan (Amman)
Syria (Damascus)
Turkey (Izmir, Bodrum)
5 to 6 hours
Israel (Eilat)
Africa, West (Nigeria)
6 to 7 hours
Africa, West (Gambia, Ghana, Senegal)
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
Oman (Muscat)
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
7 to 8 hours
Antigua (St John’s)
Barbados (Bridgetown)
Bermuda (Hamilton)
USA, East (New York, Boston)
Canada, East (Montreal)
St Lucia (Castries)
Trinidad (Port of Spain)
8 to 9 hours
India, North (New Delhi)
India, West (Mumbai, Goa)
Pakistan (Karachi)
9 to 10 hours
Aruba (Oranjestad)
Bahamas (Nassau)
Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Botswana (Gaborone)
Cuba (Havana)
Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo)
Jamaica (Montego Bay)
Kenya (Nairobi)
St Kitts (Basseterre)
Tobago
Zimbabwe (Harare)
10 to 11 hours
Canada, South (Ottawa, Toronto)
USA, South East (Atlanta, Miami)
USA, West (California, San Francisco)
USA, North to West (Montana, Seattle)
USA, South (New Orleans)
Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo)
Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Cayman Islands (George Town)
Hong Kong
Grenada (St George’s)
Mexico (Mexico City)
Namibia (Windhoek)
Chile (Santiago)
South Africa (Cape Town)
Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Tanzania (Dodoma)
Zambia (Lusaka)
11 to 12 hours
Australia (Sydney)
Thailand (Bangkok)
Hawaii (Honolulu)
Japan (Tokyo)
Mauritius (Port Louis)
South Korea (Seoul)
Singapore
Venezuela (Caracas)
12+ hours
Fiji (Suva)
USA, West (Las Vegas)
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
USA (Montana)
This article was written by Maryse Mignott, for ExclusiveLondon.co.uk. Balance your work and social life by taking part in the London entertainment scene. For the hottest London events, restaurants, clubs, fashion boutiques and much more, visit www.exclusivelondon.co.uk
Keeping up its commitment to building holiday opportunities, without the hassle of long car journeys to international “hub” airports in the south or northwest of England, the UK’s East Midlands Airport continues to offer plenty of choice for the holidaymaker on a short break or a longer holiday.
One example is Beauvais near Paris, where cheap flights from the airport can cost as little as £10.00. Beauvais is a town brimming with culture, with many museums, sporting events and festive happenings, it’s the perfect city break. And of course, it is easy to get to Paris and enjoy the highlights there too – one of the most famous city break destinations and a perfect treat for that someone special.
Other city break ideas include Irish holidays to locations such as Knock, located in County Mayo in southern Ireland, one of the most picturesque counties. With its breathtaking craggy coastline, interspersed with sandy beaches and charming villages, its charm will undoubtedly leave you wanting more. Or perhaps you might try the vibrant city of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
A great traditional winter idea to please all the family would be a trip to Lapland to see Father Christmas. East Midlands Airport actually has day trip to Lapland – which includes a guaranteed private family meeting with the great man himself. But it is also possible, of course, to enjoy a comforting stay in small, cosy, friendly family run hotels as well as participating in a range of arctic activities, such as reindeer, husky and snowmobile safaris.
But further afield, also flying from East Midlands, a fantastic winter sun idea would be a trip to The Gambia in West Africa. With the tour operator The Gambia Experience, you can escape the British winter for under £300 for a week.
Just 6 hours from the UK, The Gambia, known as the Smiling Coast will give you a warm welcome. The former British colony offers a tropical experience, friendly English speaking locals, exotic culture and almost unbroken sunshine from November right through to April The Gambia boasts temperatures of over 30 degrees C, plus stretches of uncrowded sandy beaches, a wide range of restaurants and a variety of accommodation, making it the perfect winter sun destination.
Or even further afield, it is possible to fly from East Midlands Airport to exotic Mexico, sizzling with sunshine and burning with Spanish party passion. With great weather, fabulous food and a vibrant nightlife, Mexico really can be seen as the ultimate holiday destination. There is much to explore in Mexico from the desert sands and Mayan ruins to the jungle and its two coastlines.
Thus East Midlands, along with other UK regional airports, are continuing to push hard to keep variety, value and choice alive at times when the economic challenges for holidaymakers and businesses are clear for all to see.
Sometime in February there will be half term and many people will either be making for the slopes or looking for somewhere sunny to spend a few days or the week. Which of our great range of holiday ideas will appeal to you? To help we have broken the holiday ideas down into a three overall categories, you can start by going straight to the type of holiday idea or activity that appeals most to you.
February Winter Holiday Ideas and Activities February Sun Ideas (Short haul and Long haul) February Sun Active Holiday Ideas February City Break Ideas February Winter Holiday Ideas and Activities
It is by no means an exclusive list but here are some local and not so local February Holiday Ideas, perhaps for those that relish a bit of snow and ice.
Antarctica
Among most adventurous of holiday ideas Antarctica is an untamed territory of wild, natural beauty, as well as a land of superlatives: the world’s fifth largest continent, the coldest place on earth, the highest average altitude, and the lowest humidity. The continent is devoid of a permanent human population, although what it lacks in the human factor, it more than makes up for in mammals and marinelife, wildlife and scenery. On your Antarctic adventure holiday you can witness penguins sliding on ice, whales emerging from the sea and seals playing along the shoreline – all in their magical natural environment. A huge variety of wildlife inhabits this part of Antarctica including gentoo penguins, leopard seals, orca and the humpback whale. November is best for icebergs and penguins and you can see seal pups from December to February.
Sweden – Lapland: The Adventure company
Geographically, Sweden is the biggest Scandinavian country, yet has a population of barely nine million, leaving much of Sweden a haven of unspoilt natural beauty. Anyone on an adventure holiday in Sweden can explore masses of ancient, coniferous forests punctuated by crystal-clear lakes; discover more than 10,000km of trekking and bicycle paths; see bountiful historical sites, including burial mounds, churches and fortresses; or wander the preserved, unpopulated national parks of Swedish Lapland with the magnificent Northern Lights sparkling above.
Travel into Europe’s northern reaches and explore the winter landscapes of Lapland. This is an active trip with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the snow-covered forests and discover the culture of the Sami people. The Adventure company offer a five day family tours which includes husky safari, snowshoeing, ice hotel, skidoos and other snow based activities and The Northern Lights (although these depend on the weather conditions). There is also an adult only tour, which lasts 7 days.
February Sun Holiday Ideas
Here is a good range of different ideas for getting away to sunny climes during February, we have ordered it by short haul to long haul.
Egypt – Sharm El Sheik
Sharm El Sheik on the Red Sea is the door to a magical underwater world of technicolour fish and coral that draws divers from around the world, it is a very popular, and so far safe destination. It boast a full range of accommodation to suit all budgets from self catering to 5 star spa resorts. Temperatures will be around 22 degrees max daytimes on average in February and flying time from the UK is about 6 hours.
Gambia
The Gambia is mainland Africa’s smallest nation, it is scenically varied, with sandy beaches, lush tropical forests, swamps, marshes and large areas of wooded savannah. The River Gambia, one of Africa’s great waterways, dominates the country. The Gambia is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 540 different species. While the country’s parks, reserves and up-country villages are a major draw for ecotourists and those interested in African culture, for many visitors it is the country’s pleasant tropical climate and relaxing beach resorts which are the star attraction.
Southern Turkey
Sit at a harbour front restaurant eating fresh calamari and sun drenched tomato salad washed down with fresh orange juice. Hike through the pine forests breathing in the scents of pine and wild thyme and oregano. Just stretch out by the pool or one of the amazing beaches and soak up the sun, perhaps browsing a good book and sipping a beer. Southern Turkey and resorts like Dalamar and Marmaris make an excellent February holiday idea, with a balmy climate and lots to see and do, while being accessible to nearly any budget. Buy a package, or get cheap flights with the low cost airlines. Flying time is about 5 hours from the UK.
Bali
Beautiful Bali is blessed with some of the finest landscapes in the Indonesian archipelago. It also has a unique cultural heritage making it a fascinating holiday destination. Choose from the resorts of Nusa Dua and Sanur. Nusa Dua is a purpose-built resort dedicated exclusively to tourists, with clean white beaches and clear waters. More traditional Sanur has a good selection of family-run restaurants and bars and is great for watersports. Take advantage of the regular public transport from Sanur to Denpasar, the capital. Ubud is the place for culture in Bali and is famous for its handicrafts and paintings.
February Sun Holiday Activities
For those who want to escape the Winter but are looking for a bit more than lounging by the beach and the pool, have a look at some of our February active holiday ideas.
India
Stroll through bazaars, discover magical and majestic temples and palaces, learn about India’s colonial past and see its influences particularly the colonial architecture. Visit the Taj Mahal, the Holy River Ganges, the Taragarh Fort or take a rickshaw just for the fun of it.
India by rail Specialist travel agency SD Enterprises sells a one-month rail pass for anyone of any age who wants unlimited travel around India.
Tigers and The Ganges. In the tracks of Mowgli The Indian subcontinent is home to more than 500 species of mammal, but to big game fans the Royal Bengal tiger is the major attraction. This trip not only offers an authentic insight into the great cultural and religious lifestyles of India, but is also a combination of temples, palaces, architecture and of course wildlife. Venture into the heart of Kipling country and visit two of India’s most famous wildlife reserves in search of tigers, the most majestic of all animals.
Maharajas, Tigers and Taj Mahul:
Venture into India on this 12 day tour, and introduce your family to the rich history and traditions of this fascinating and colourful country. This tour takes us to the palaces of Maharajas, past and present, and from small villages to the bustling city of Delhi. We visit the Taj Mahal, the tigers of Ranthambore, a camel breeding farm and wander around the forts of Junagarh and Mehrangah. A mixture of local transport includes camels, bicycle rickshaws and jeeps. We look for tigers and sloth bears in Ranthambore National Park, and we explore the beautiful city of Jaipur, also called the ‘Pink City’ – with its City and Amber Palaces. Discover the abandoned and ruined ghost city and ancient capital of the Mughal Dynasty, Fatehpur Sikri, and visit Pushkar – home of the famous annual camel fair.
Vietnam
This 12 day tour starts with classic Hanoi to Saigon: Your adventure starts in the charming old city of Hanoi, exploring its characteristic markets and backstreets. You’ll travel to Halong Bay (as recently seen on Top Gear and The Best of Top Gear) for an exciting overnight boat trip amongst towering limestone cliffs and hundreds of spectacular islands – a true fairytale setting. Hué & Hoi An: Boarding the famous Reunification Express train, you’ll head south glimpsing scenes of rural life from the train window before arriving in Hué, the cultural capital. Here you’ll travel by boat along the Perfume River to the tombs of the ancient Nguyen dynasty. You’ll have three nights to savour the atmosphere of the old port of Hoi An (our favourite place in Vietnam) so there’s plenty of time to explore its colourful streets and riverside market, or simply relax on a nearby beach. Mekong Delta & Saigon: You’ll spend a night with a local family in the Mekong Delta and travel by boat along rural waterways. Finally, you’ll arrive in vibrant Saigon where you can explore its bustling streets and temples.
Responsible Travel: The Adventure Company supports the Binh Luc Orphanage near Hanoi with $5 per person travelling. They are also supporting the Thai Nguyen Children’s Centre with $5,000 raised from our customers to provide much needed bunk beds.
South Africa / Kwazulu Natal: Rhino watching & Zulu battlefields
Your adventure starts with stunning scenery and culture as you explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon and the preserved Victorian gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Next up is the famous Kruger National Park where you’ll head out on game drives hoping to spot the big five of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – not to mention zebra, giraffe, antelope and numerous species of colourful birds.
After stretching your legs in the Swaziland hills, the wetlands of St Lucia offer a completely different habitat to explore. The game viewing in Hluhluwe with its high concentration of rhino is fantastic. Heading back inland you’ll visit the Zulu War battlefields of Islandwana and Rorke’s Drift before ending up in the Drakensberg Mountains. These dramatic peaks and sweeping amphitheatres of rock offer great walking possibilities and you’ll have two full days to make the most of it. Travel with The Adventure Company.
Sri Lanka
Boasting warm temperatures throughout February, of 27 degrees, Sri Lanka is a perfect destination to visit. The country has seven world heritage sites and is ultimately South Asia’s favourite tourist destination. Natural wonders of the country comprise Golden beaches, abundant forests and rich wildlife habitats. The “Pearl of the Orient” Sri Lanka reflects a strong wealth of both natural and cultural diversity which spans over 2,500 years. Mountains and hills are rich in flora and fauna with waterfalls cascading down the mountains surround the four major national parks. Sri Lanka never fails to captivate with its tropical beaches, diverse culture and ancient cities. Take a walk along a palm-fringed beach or jump in a canoe for something a little more active. Experience the romance, colour and spice of Sri Lanka, a truly remarkable destination that you’ll never forget!
Kumuka offers three tours to Sri Lanka and visits all seven of the Unesco World heritage sites: Sri Lanka uncovered (12 days); Elephants, Fire Walkers and Beaches (12 days);Action Sri Lanka (9 days) all with optional beach tour 4 day extension pack.
Brazil – Carnival
You are greeted with delight, dazzle, and decadence when arriving at the annual Brazilian Carnival. People from all around the world flock to the streets of Rio de Janiero to share in the celebration with locals known as Cariocas. Starting the Friday before Ash Wednesday, seven weeks before Easter Sunday, Rio de Janeiro hosts many festivities that occur throughout the city complete with music, parades, dancing, and renowned Carnival balls. Many activities take place during the carnival, including events that take place before the actual four day festival, including parades and rehearsals. The various gatherings combine to create days of enchantment, energy, and enjoyment, capturing the true sense of Rio’s Carnival. The Carnival is celebrated every year on a different weekend, the official date always being forty days before Lent.
What could North Africa offer the tourist? Year around nice weather and only a six hour flight from the United Kingdom. Their international airport is called Banjul International Airport which is located only 30 minutes from the capital of Gambia, Banjul. The capital is built on St. Mary’s Island on the river Gambia. It boasts a mixture of architecture from its days as a colony while still keeping its shantytown area alongside a modern business section. Outside of being the capital of Gambria, Banjul also produces beer. Its brewery produces Julbrew. Visitors can visit the brewery for a sample of the native beer and then visit the National Museum to see exhibits of the history and the culture of Gambia. They can also visit Arch 22 which was built to celebrate Gambia’s independence from colonial rule.
For American tourists an excursion to the city of Julfureh would be a lesson in history that would be unforgettable. The town became famous when the black writer, Alex Haley wrote his legendary book, Roots. Alex Haley’s ancestor, Kunte Kinte was born in Julfureh. As an added attraction, the tourist can take a trip to James Island which was used as a slave encampment. Studying of the history of American slaves in books seriously lacks the impetus of visiting the country where they came from and the history that led to their part in American culture. The country of Gambia is surrounded by the most perfect beaches the world has to offer. But there are other adventure for a family oriented vacation. Abuko Nature Reserve is on the west coast of Gambia. It is like going back to Eden and finding yourself amidst birds and animals that a loving creator fashioned. You can visit the animal orphanage and take a walk to the Brikama Wood Carving Centre to see some of Gambia’s artists working. There are many day trips to take from your beach resort on Gambia.
Native food on Gambia can take some getting used to as it is highly spiced. But most of the country has international food and a Garden of Eden cornucopia of fruits. Food on Gambia is a gourmet adventure of the known and the selective native unknowns like the Wonjo juice.
Shopping for tourists is almost compulsory for them to feel like they have connected to their vacation spot. But in Gambia souvenirs made from native animals are not allowed out of the country. However, you may purchase native Batik fabric, wood carvings and CD recordings of the fabulous African nation of Gambia. An example of a seven day stay on Gambia would be to book a resort like Kololi. It has to be the most exotic plush version of splendor only imagined in movies of Cleopatra. A room for two with all the amenities and breakfast would run you around 900 dollars for seven days. Of course they is the Sheraton Gambia for 1200 dollars. You can best decide on what package you like by visiting online sites that offer travel and accommodations to the splendidly rediscovered continent of Africa, and your best bet would be to start in Gambia where civilization and the Garden of Eden meet.
A vacation to Gambia may cost just a little over 2500 including flight from the United Kingdom. For an African adventure that is cheap. But you will be treated as if spending like a millionaire by the friendly, courteous Gambian people who speak English and have kept their native customs and beautiful beaches as if untouched by the centuries that has seen them being the hosts for a world full of Europeans who found the northern African coast of Gambia, hospitable and desirable.
The Dark Continent of Africa probably does not Jump to mind as the first destination you would choose when planning a holiday at the beach, but there are many great reasons to give it a try.
The Cape in South Africa has up until very recently always been “the” location to visit if you felt like going to Africa to enjoy the beach as well as all the other great things that only this great continent has to offer.
There are now new kids in town and places like Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, Mombasa in Kenya and the stunning beaches in The Gambia have really come in to their own each offering their own unique perspective of Africa but all wonderful beach holiday locations.
Winter Sun Holiday Destination
An obvious reason to pick somewhere on the African continent is to enjoy the beach during the European winter, breaking up your winter and escaping the summer holiday rush. How often these days do we hear of long delays at airports during the summer peak holiday period, delaying thousands of people going on holiday and destroying their few weeks away from the daily grind of work? So escape the rush and go on holiday out of the peak season.
South Africa and Cape Town as a beach holiday Location
Cape Town, right on the bottom tip of Africa is still the most sophisticated beach vacation location in Africa, with the incredible backdrop of Table Mountain, excellent accommodation options and some of the finest places to eat in the world it would be an excellent place to visit even without the beautiful beaches. On top of that you can also enjoy the finest wines and scenery of South Africa on the Garden Route, which stretches from Mossel Bay to the Storms River in the Western Cape. There are ten nature reserves in the area as well as unique marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life.
Including a round of Golf with your beach holiday has always been popular in places like Spain and The USA, South Africa and the Cape Region have some of the finest Golf courses in the world, now you can combine a beach, golf and safari holiday all in one location, there is nowhere in Europe that can boast that!
So what are the beaches like?
Cape Town has some excellent beaches, False Bay with the long sandy beach which extends from Gordon’s Bay to Muizenberg and includes Boulders Beach and Simon’s Town. The Atlantic Seaboard along the West (Atlantic) side of the Cape Peninsula with well known beaches including Sandy Bay, Clifton Camps Bay, Scarborough and Kommetjie. The West Coast, running Northwards from Cape Town with the windy conditions make these beaches popular for surfing and kite-surfing.
An important point to note is the sea in False Bay is about 6 degrees warmer than the Atlantic Seaboard and the West Coast!
on the negative side, Cape Town is the furthest point in Africa you can travel to from Europe, so expect a long flight around ten hours). Also mentioned above the water can be a little chilly and then it is probably one of the more expensive locations in Africa.
Beach Holiday in Mombasa, Kenya
Kenya is probably mostly thought of for it’s African wildlife safaris on the Masai Mara but also has plenty to offer in the way of beach holidays on the coastline near Mombasa. The city of Mombasa is a typical African city and there is in stark contrast to the sophistication of Cape Town. There are however many excellent restaurants to eat enabling you to sample some more traditional African food as well as those catering to western palates. The old part of Mombasa is also well worth visiting and Fort Jesus, a Portuguese fort built in 1593 by order of King Philip II of Spain, to guard the Old Port of Mombasa, Kenya. It was built in the shape of a man and was given the name of Jesus as a religious reference.
On the coast there are many of places to stay with some of the most luxurious hotels you’ll find anywhere in Africa as well as some fantastic beach huts and cottages as well as basic beach side camp-sites, all in all there is something for everyone.
The scuba diving and snorkelling in Mombasa and the surrounding areas is also excellent and makes a great place to learn to dive with the prices here are much cheaper than many other well know diving locations. Bamburi beach is a great location to base your beach holiday in East Africa, about half an hour from Nairobi, there are some great hotels and beach cottages as well as an excellent PADI dive center located at the well know Travelers Beach Hotel.
Beach and Safari Holiday in Kenya
Obviously no trip to Kenya would be complete without some sort of wildlife safari and they can be organized from Mombasa with a popular destination being the Tsavo National Park, which not as well known as the Masai Mara, but at just over 21,000km sq, Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world with large herds of Elephant and plenty of lions, it is definitely worth visiting if you want to take a break from relaxing on the beach!
With these two very different African beach holiday options, I hope to have given you a just a flavour of what Africa can offer you in the way of your next seaside holiday.
If you are looking for an exciting holiday that will not cost you a fortune, you could consider a holiday in Gambia.
Located in the Gambia River Valley of West Africa, Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland. Despite the size, it offers a myriad of exciting attractions for travelers.
The major attractions and excitements that Gambia offers
One of the prime attractions of Gambia is the Abuko Nature Reserve. Despite being the smallest game reserve in Africa, it is a fascinating place to visit. The lush green vegetation all around soothes the eyes, and the thrill of spotting callithrix monkeys, crocodiles, lizards, bushbuck antelopes and stunning birds makes the visit worth it.
The Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project in Gambia is one of the most successful chimp rehab centers of Africa. It also boasts of being the longest running center. Tourists can stay at one of the guest lodges of the project, and can have a tour of the project under the guidance of the founder Stella Marsden. The project has around eighty chimpanzees and a large number of baboons, hippos, vervet monkeys, western red colobus and a rich population of a variety of birds. Badi Mayo, the Chimpanzee Visitor Camp, is situated almost 270 kilometers up the River Gambia. So it is a time-consuming trip, but one does not seem to notice it in the excitement and thrill of it all
The Nuimi National Park and Jinack Island are enchanting places. The park spreads widely, covering vast areas of the North Bank of the Gambia. It ultimately ends at the Sine-Saloum Park of Senegal. Jinack Island is an ideal place for relaxation and unwinding. Kilometers of sandy beaches are often visited by Atlantic humpback dolphins, ospreys and sanderlings. The middle of the island is ideal for bird-watching. European migrants flock to the island in the winter months and are a treat to watch. Fortunate travelers can also spot a warthog, hyena or even a leopard.
The time from mid-June to early October is humid and hot because of the wet season. This season sees the vegetation grow tall, and as a result, tourists find wildlife viewing difficult. Wildlife becomes easier to see during the period between August and December. This is the perfect time to catch glimpses of dragonflies and beautiful butterflies. The best time to visit Gambia is the time between mid-October and June. It coincides with the prime tourist season, and hence flights during this period are cheaper than the rest of the year.
The best part of a Gambian holiday is that Gambia is only six hours away from London and the other big European cities. This enables one to travel to a different continent with a different culture altogether, with ease. As there is no time difference, there is no jetlag.
The best way to find the cheapest airfare deals and hotel packages is to surf the Internet for websites that give clear comparisons and rate charts.
Gambia is a place that allows one to have a cheap holiday without any compromise on excitement and thrills. Gambia guarantees value-for-money and is entertainment to the maximum. A cheap holiday in Gambia will always be worth it.