Housing countless marine species, Coral Reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. It is this perfect combination of plant life and marine animals that makes these reefs a place of interest among scuba divers.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The earth’s only living structure visible from the outer space, the Great Barrier Reef is clearly huge! Comprising of 3000 individual reef systems and over 400 different types of corals, this popular marine ecosystem is a beautiful place to explore.

Located off the coast of Queensland, the reef features over hundred islands and is perfect spot to enjoy snorkelling and scuba-diving and other water sports. Bare boat tours, submarine tours and helicopter tours are available as well. After all the water adventure, do sit down and enjoy some local delicacies served at the nearby restaurants!

Great Mayan Reef, Cancun

Touching along the coast of five island countries, the Great Mayan Reef is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and the second largest in the world. Home to over 65 species of stony coral, 350 species of mollusk and around 500 species of fish, the Great Mayan Reef is lovely place to enjoy a holiday at.

Located in the warm waters of the Caribbean, it offers its visitors a chance to enjoy adventure sports like snorkelling and scuba diving. The reef is home to one of the world’s largest populations of manatees and whale sharks.

Apo Reef, Philippines

Often referred to as one of the best dive sports in the world, Apo Reef is the second largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines. Situated in the Mindoro Strait, the coral reef is home to over 285 water species, including fish, snappers, giant napoleon wrasse and yellow margin triggerfish. You can enjoy water sports and other recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, bird watching, dolphin watching, reef cruising, kayaking and lagoon rafting.

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Featuring over 1500 small islands, cays, and shoals, Raja Ampat is yet another famous reef region in the world.  Located off the coast of West Papua, this beautiful place is home to 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of coral fish and 700 types of mollusks. Owing to the low lying ocean currents and warm waters, snorkelling and scuba diving are the most popular activities here. Although there are not many fancy restaurants here, several small shacks serving authentic cuisines can be spotted.

Great Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean

Comprising of over 55 islands, Great Chagos is the least polluted and the most protected reef in the world. Located off the coast of the Maldives, it is known for featuring over 370 species of corals, 784 types of fish and around 17 species of breeding seabirds. The endemic brain coral, Ctenella Chagius is a unique coral found here. Boat tours and submarine rides are organised here all the time.

Exhibiting a range of items, objects and artefacts, museums have always been a major attraction among the tourists. Located all over the world, they allow visitors to study and understand the rich past and traditions of different countries/cultures.

As per the World Museum Community, there are over 55,000 museums located in 202 countries. Here are just 5 of the most visited ones from across the world.

The British Museum, London

Dedicated to the human history, The British Museum is one of the largest in London. Established in 1753, it is home to a collection of over 71,000 objects of all kinds including painted books, manuscripts, prints and drawings by prominent artists and painters. Artefacts from the tomb of King Khasekhemwy from the 2nd dynasty, flint knife with an ivory handle (known as the Pit-Rivers Knife) from Sheikh Hamada, Egypt, Colossal limestone bust of Amenhotep III, Obelisks, and sarcophagus of Pharaoh Nectanebo II are among the popular exhibits displayed at the museum.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Presenting over 5000 years of art from across the world, Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States and the most visited one in the world. It features an amazing collection of art and artefacts dating back to the early 18th century. The Statuette of Amun, Votive stela of Userhat, Marble Statue Group of the Three Graces and numerous ancient European paintings are displayed here. The museum is divided into 17 curatorial departments.

The Louvre, Paris

A prominent landmark in the city, The Louvre is the world’s largest museum and a historical monument in France. Located on the bank of river Seine, the structure is known for featuring a wide collection of objects and artefacts. Officially established in 1793, the museum is home to over 38,000 objects including 500 paintings and around 10,000 artefacts. Papyrus scrolls, tools, clothing, jewellery, musical instruments and weapons including the Gebel el-Arak Knife, and The Seated Scribe are among the popular exhibits here. Regular exhibitions and workshops are organised for the visitors at The Louvre.

Acropolis Museum, Greece

Opened to the public in 2009, Acropolis Museum is a recent addition to the list of museums across the world. A former Turkish garrison built during the colonial period, the museum is home to ancient artefacts dating back to the era of the Byzantine Empire and Greek Bronze Age. Sculptures and figures of Kritios Boy, Goddess Nike, Peplos Kore and Moschophoros are among the popular items on display here. Be a part of the weekly exhibition and weekend workshop to understand the country’s rich history and culture.

Vatican Museum, Italy

Founded by Pope Julius II in 1506, Vatican Museum is one of the oldest museums in the world. Located in the beautiful Vatican City, the museum contains a total of 54 galleries displaying around 70,000 objects and over 20,000 paintings and sculptures. The works of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Perugino and Raphael are displayed here. A collection of maps from different periods in history can be located at the popular Gallery of Maps.

Planning a trip can be all fun and games till you land in your destination and realise you didn’t pack the essentials!

Imagine being on a beach where the sun is burning your skin and realising you forgot to pack your sun block; or hiking up to a picturesque sight and realising you don’t have your camera to capture the beauty of that place.

Here are some handy tips for your next holiday!

1.    Pack light- Yes you love choices and yes you pack a hundred outfits even for a weekend’s trip; and then realise when you are dragging huge bags of clothing when you are actually going to wear the same pair of jeans and a couple of tees in the course of your trip. According to the days you are going to spend and the type of activities you are going to indulge in, pack the bare minimum plus a few choices. You will thank yourself for keeping it light.

2.    Check the weather forecast- Been to a holiday and realised you should’ve brought more warm clothes with you? Or did you miss your shorts on a hot summer day? It seems like an obvious thing to do to pack according to the weather at the destination of your holiday; but when you skip to remember it; you may end up messing up your entire trip. Do check out the weather forecast, it will help you pack only the kind of clothes and shoes you will need. For example if there are rains expected around your visit you might want to pack clothes and shoes suitable for the same.

3.    Must haves- No Matter what part of the world you are travelling to, these essentials will never fail you. A good pair of sunglasses, a chap-stick for dry lips, a good camera( if you are into photography), moisturisers and sun-blocks, chewing gum and a small first aid kit that can help you deal with cuts and bruises on your own.

4.    Comfort over style- Packing for a holiday can be tough. One can go ahead and pack unrealistic outfits and shoes, that turn out to be uncomfortable according to the weather and the conditions of the place you are visiting. This is why it’s essential that you always choose comfort over style, so that you thoroughly enjoy your time off and don’t have to worry about a thing.

5.    Strategize your packing- So you pack your shampoos in your handbag and they leak and spoil your bag; while your socks were in your luggage when you most needed them! Don’t we all face problem when we pack up the most essential things in our suitcases and trivial stuff in our handbags?  One has to understand that packing according to what you are going to use the most is important. This way everything you need will be handy and you won’t have to unpack and restack your clothes.

Shopping at every market in the world is impossible, so here is our list of the most recommended ones from the lot. Take a look!

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Located in the heart of Istanbul, the ancient market is home to over 4000 shops and numerous other stalls and outlets. Established shortly after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the bazaar is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world. Rugs and textile are among the biggest sellers here. Apart from shopping, most tourists come here to appreciate and admire the architecture and design of the building which is home to the market.

Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

Along with other attractions of Bangkok, traditional markets are big favourite of the tourists. One of the largest markets in the city, Chatuchak Market is a must visit. First established in 1942, the commercial shopping area today has over 8000 stalls divided across 27 sections. Plants, antiques, pets, ceramics, furniture, home decor, clothing, books, and food and drinks are available here. Most of the goods sold here are reasonably priced.

Camden Market, London

If you are looking to buy clothes and accessories in London without burning a big hole in your pocket, Camden Market is the place to be. Established in 1974 as a local foodstuff marketplace, the market today is a popular attraction among visitors and locals. Open mostly on Sundays, products sold here include crafts, clothing, bric-a-brac and other daily essentials. Originally known as ‘Buck Street Market’, it is best known for its jewellery and antiques. There are as many as 200 stalls and outlets here.

Castries Central Market, St. Lucia

Castries Central Market is one of the largest markets in St. Lucia. The market has authentic goods and other interesting items, which are loved by the tourists who are looking for souvenirs. If you plan to laze around the beach, you can also pick up some fresh fruits and other essentials from the shops here. There are several restaurants and bars around the market offering visitors a chance to enjoy local cuisines along with other delicacies.

La Boqueria, Barcelona

La Boqueria is the largest covered market in Barcelona. Initially a travelling market for stallholders from Catalonia (tiny administrative region in Spain) and other far off countries, the market today features a fine range of fruits, vegetables and spices. A special area dedicated to fishmongers and butchers is perfect to pick up fresh sea-food and other items used for daily cooking. Once you are done exploring the market and picking up your favourite stuff, treat yourself to a sumptuous range of local cuisines and authentic food delicacies at the nearby restaurants and cafes.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our Instagram #PhotoedAt March contest!

We had a terrific response to this contest and received dozens of fabulous pictures as contest entries. Our panel of judges, including members of Travel Trolley’s Social Media team, had a tough job selecting the winner of the contest but eventually it was a unanimous decision to choose Sally (@Broomside) as the Winner of Instagram #PhotoedAt Contest! Congratulations to Sally! She will win a £150 holiday voucher from Travel Trolley!  Here is her winning entry.

Here are some of the other impressive contest entries.

Click to see all contest entries.

Our Instagram #PhotoedAt April contest is already on. You can post your best holiday picture on Instagram, follow Travel Trolley and include #PhotoedAt in the caption to win £150 Holiday Discount on your next holidays with us.

If reading a book to kill time is not your piece of cake, a long layover can be a tedious exercise. This is the last thing you want when out on a leisure tour for fun. That’s why it is desirable to plan a tour while you are “in-transit” to your destination. You need to learn about the amusements and tours that are offered at the airport where you will be in for a long layover. Some airports offer a free city tour to its major attractions. Let’s learn about some airports that offer the best layover experience in the world.

Doha’s Hamad Airport

If you are travelling through Doha and the layover is more than 5 hours, the tourism authority of the country takes you through the city’s popular tourist attractions which include the Katara Cultural Village, a traditional Arabian market called the Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art. As this tour is managed from the comfort of air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking guide takes you through the sights and sounds of the city, you never feel out of place by the heat and language of the place.

Dubai Airport

Emirates offer free visa for one-night stay as a stopover offer for travellers whose layover is scheduled at Dubai. As you don’t need to pay for your Visa to visit Dubai for a day, this allows you to spend money on the Dubai City Tour. Another planned tour that you can take is known as the Capital Adventure of Abu Dhabi. Emirates will give you a brochure of the available tours, expeditions and even Safaris during the Dubai Stopover.

Seoul’s Incheon Airport

You would never feel stuck in Seoul as you can choose to visit an interesting place even when your layover is no longer than an hour. The Yonggungsa Temple in Seoul has a Zelkova tree that has stood there for more than 1300 years. If you need to wait for more than 5 hours, visit the Insa-dong Street or Gyeongbokgung Palace to revel in the vibrant South Korean culture.

Suvarnabhumi Airport of Bangkok

You can take a short tour if your stopover is around 6 hours at Suvarnabhumi Airport of Bangkok, which includes a visit to the city’s museums, temples and a boat trip on the picturesque canals and rivers. If you have more time, you can opt for the long version of this trip that includes shopping, spa and massages, and night-time amusements at bars and markets.

Get ready to rock and roll at the largest winter carnival in the world – the Carnaval de Québec 2017! Québec Winter Carnival, its popular English name, is a way for the Canadians to show their love for the winters! Carnaval de Québec 2017, which started on January 27 and will go on till

February 10, is considered to be the oldest of all winter festivals held in the country. Be a part of this fantastic festival which celebrates Canadians’ love for winters and collect lifetime memories of pure fun and merry-making with your family and friends!

Festival Events and Activities

The festival holds a number of fun-filled activities for visitors of all ages including snow bath, ice canoe race, night parades, snow slides, giant foosball, snow sculptures and skating. Read on to know more about some of the best activities and events of the carnival in 2017.

Snow Racer Grand Prix

Snow Racer Grand Prix is a racing event where participants will race down a snow track on their motorless snow racer. Participants, who must be 5 years or older, will be required to wear the 2017 Carnival Effigy for the event. Adding more excitement to the event will be the presence of popular radio host Marto Napoli and live music being played in the background by a DJ from Mexico.

Upper Town Night Parade

Be sure to attend the Carnival Night Parades to feel the pulse of the festival. The Upper Town Night Parade will introduce you to a land of dreams, with the celebrations being held out in the open on the streets of Quebec City. The parade will see people dressed up as giant animals and iconic characters giving the illusion of a winter Atlantis full of secrets to be explored.

Duproprio Polar Mission

DuProprio Polar Mission is a fun activity for children. The activity will test the strength, dexterity and wits of your children with its many obstacle courses, memory game, maze, puzzles and many more challenges. This amazing multi-stage journey is sure to be a hit with your kids as they resolve twisted scenarios and undertake fun trials to retrieve the stolen polar star from Sisi Otentis, the queen of Hiverness.

Ice Skating With Bonhomme

Head straight to the historical square of Place d’Youville in Old Montreal to enjoy ice skating with the carnival’s famous ambassador Bonhomme. Bonhomme will be at the venue to skate with you and your family on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 in the evenings until for around 45 minutes.

Hula-Hoop Quebec

Don’t forget to visit Bonhomme’s Ice Palace at the Loto-Québec Zone on 28 January and 3 and 11 February to catch artists from Hula-Hoop Québec displaying their skills with the vibrant halos of luminous hula-hoops. This unique dance performance by two artists is sure to light up the venue and make your day!

Snowga

Are you a fitness freak? Or a yoga enthusiast? Or both? All those who wish to keep fit amidst all the feasting and celebrations during the carnival should try the Snowga on the snowy grounds. Try the Snowga and feel the therapeutic virtues of this fitness activity which includes outdoor meditation, stretching and breathing exercises.

Camp Games

It is one of those places where you can do what you want – go about breaking ice, chat with friends or strangers or just groove to the music to party hard! The highlight of the camp is the different lively games that will be held at the camp, which include drop the ball and the duo table hockey games.

Uniprix Ice Slide

An exciting activity for the young and the old alike is the Uniprix Ice Slide, where participants can rent a sled on-site and then ride down a slope made out of ice. It is a must-do activity at the carnival for snow-lovers as well as adventure seekers.

Morocco is a charming country in North Africa, which mesmerizes travellers with its multicultural yet strong traditional identity that is a blend of African, Arab and European influences.

This multiculturalism makes Morocco an extremely diverse destination for holiday of all types – an adventure tour, a historical or cultural trip, or a leisurely beach holiday. Read on to know more about the many ways to experience a quintessential Moroccan holiday.

Explore Historical Asilah

Explore the historical fortified town of Asilah, located on the northwest tip of the country’s Atlantic coast. Walk along the Portuguese fortification walls to circle the entire town, visit the ancient St Bartholomew’s Catholic Church and the even older Grand Mosque, which is located in the medina.

Go On a Trekking Adventure

Morocco has an amazing landscape including breathtaking mountain ranges, expansive desert and a stunning coastline. You can choose package trekking tours or self arranged treks, short half-day treks or trekking trips of over a week! For instance, you can enjoy a trek along the sands of the charming city of Agadir!

Relax By Its Beaches

The country has a long coastline surrounded by brilliant seaside towns and cities. The beaches of Taghazout and Mazagan are popular destinations for surfers. Moreover, visit the kite-surf resort of Essaouira, relax by the sandy beaches of Agadir or enjoy a secluded beach holiday at the exotic Plage-Blanche.

Go On Desert Treks

Don’t forget to explore the beautiful golden sand dunes of the largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara desert, at least once during a visit to Morocco on desert treks. Or you can go for desert treks, which are held either on camel-backs or on 4-wheelers, to view the world’s tallest dunes in Erg Chebbi.

Bathe In a Traditional ‘Hammam’

A visit to Morocco will be incomplete without a visit to the traditional public steam bath systems called ‘Hammams’. The Moroccan hammams are not just places to bathe, they are an integral part of the local culture and excellent places to relax and gossip with friends. The entire hammam experience includes steaming, exfoliating scrubs and exotic massages by local experts.

Go Golfing!

Morocco is emerging as a top-class destination for golf holidays among enthusiasts from around the world. Don’t miss out on some golfing action at one if its many international-standard golf courses including Golf De L’Ocean and Golf Du Soleil. Cities such as Marrakech, Agadir, Rabat and Casablanca have excellent golf courses, resorts and infrastructure in place.

Experience Its Cultural Festivals

Listen to tranquil traditional music at the World Sacred Music Festival at Fez; visit the age-old Honey Festival at Argana; get the thrills of camel races at the Sahraoui Festival; or visit the more contemporary Marrakech Biennale festival for innovative modern art, photography and filming across North Africa.

Get Wet With Kayaking, Rafting

This North African country offers some splendid opportunities to kayakers and rafters. Paddle through the Ahansal River and enjoy the thrills of white water rafting down the Cascade d’Ouzoud as well as the fast-flowing rivers of Fez.

Try Kite Surfing

Whether you are a novice or an expert, adrenaline-pumping water sports such as kite surfing, kite boarding and windsurfing is something you must try while on a holiday here. Essaouira is one of the best places for kite surfing in the country.

Cycling Holidays on Your Mind?

The country has some brilliant cycling routes running through towns, along the Atlantic Coast and even up the mountains! Off roading is also a popular choice with cyclists here. Ride through the Sahara, go up the Atlas Mountains, tour the seaside city of Agadir or explore the Souss-Massa National Park!

Taste It!

Taste sumptuous and authentic Moroccan cuisine and its irresistible seafood. Enjoy the delicious tagines, pastillas, spicy hariras and chermoula. Opt for the national drink Berber whiskey, which is a type of mint tea available at its numerous restaurants, cafés and market food stalls. You can head to the Talborjt district of Agadir for some traditional Moroccan meals.

Simply Shop!

Morocco is home to many world-class shopping malls and smaller markets filled with shops selling everything from authentic handicrafts to other local gifts and souvenirs. Head to its indoor traditional markets called ‘Souks’ to experience authentic Moroccan shopping experience. Haggle your way through the souks and buy the best traditional stuff at good bargains.

Barbados, an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation, is a natural wonderland with myriad charms.

Anyone planning to visit the destination, especially for the first time, should get a little familiar with it. That’s precisely why we have put together a little bit of vital information on Barbados.

Best Time to Visit

Planning to visit Barbados on a shoestring budget? July to November is the perfect time for you! The hotel tariffs drop significantly making your stay way more affordable, while frequent fun-filled parties keep you entertained. Nevertheless, one should be aware that fierce storms can hit the island any time of the year. The peak season is from December to April. Due to heavy tourist rush, hotel and resort tariffs increase manifolds during this period.

Foodscape

Foodies will be in for a treat. The must-have dishes include Cou cou, Flying fish, Salt bread, Fish cakes, Pudding and Souse, and Conkies. Cou cou, a staple dish of cornmeal and okra, can be added to almost any meat or fish dish. Another item called ‘Fish cakes’ are small rounds of delightful fish fritters served with hot pepper sauce.

Accommodation

Don’t compromise with luxury when you are in Barbados. There are many luxury hotels and resorts such as Colony Club Hotel, Cobblers Cove, Sandy Lane, and Hilton Barbados Resort. Furthermore, lots of mid-ranged and budget hotels provide absolute comfort and praise-worthy service. These are most popular among people who don’t have deep pockets but need a fairly decent place.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Barbados is offered by the Barbados Transport Board – the state-owned transport authority. A ride in these buses costs only $2.00BDS. Non USD change is accepted for the convenience of the passengers. When you de-board to change the bus for another route, you need to pay a certain amount again. People can find bus schedules for several routes throughout Barbados on the official Transport Board website.

Things to See and Do

There are certain things that you must see and do in Barbados. These include walking tour of Bridgetown, visiting the Garrison Savannah, admiring the flora and fauna from the Andromeda Botanic Gardens, and also checking out the gigantic and magnificent Baobab Tree at Hunte’s Garden. Of course, there are many other attractions and activities.