HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS.
Introduction:
Today, I am going to review with example, features that contribute to the appeal of different types of European holiday destinations. And Explain how different feature combine to create the appeal of two European holiday destination, and I will analyse the main feature that contribute to the appeal of one European holiday destination.
My main focus going to be France and Italy
France:
France is one of the richest countries in the world, and also France is member of the European Union, as a member of European Union France uses the Euro as their national currency.
Natural features in France:
France has beautiful lakes such as Lake Annecy Golf. Lake Annecy Golf offers different types of activities; the lake is located in middle of two mountains. Lake Annecy Golf is the second largest Lake and famous lake in France, the lake is also known as the cleanest lake in Europe because of it strict environmental regulations introduced in 1960s.
The lake offers different types of activities, such as swimming, sailing, water-skiing, cycling, golf, climbing, diving, mountain biking, fishing and walking etc.
The region where the lake is locate also plays an important role in France’s winter sport, and the region is also famous for its accessibility to tourists, the region has more than 25 hotels starts from three* stars hotels. Most of its visitors, guests or tourists recommend Lake Annecy Golf is a great place to visit. The lake’s temperature in summer is about 20-26°.
Lake Bourget is the largest and deepest lake in France, max. Length 18km, max. Widths 3.5 km, surface area 44.5 sq km, average depth 85, max. Depth 145 m and surface elevation 231.5 m which makes it the largest lake in France.
Lake Bourget offers different types of activities such as swimming, sailing, fishing, diving, skiing, and walking.
These two natural features can be found on summer sun and winter sport brochures.
Local attraction in France:
In 2007 around 81.9 million tourists visited France (surpassing its population), 3.8% increase compared to 2006, and making France the most visited country in the world surpassing Spain, Italy, USA and Turkey.
Local attraction in France, France has different types of local attraction, such as Stade de France hosted the final of the 1998 world cup; it became one of the local attractions in Paris capital of France.
France has one of the popular festivals in Europe such as Bastille Day; Cannes film festival is the world most prestigious film festival in the world. French tennis open, Rolland Garros is the second grand slam tennis tournament that takes place in Paris.
Nice Jazz festival, the city of Nice in France receives more than 45,000 visitors each year, the concert are held each night at 7pm according GMT+1.
France has 33 national museums. Museum of Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums, and the most visited museum in the world. The museum was established in 1793, types of exposition: Arts, Design, historic, and so much more. Around 8.5 million of visitors visited the museum in 2009.
Eiffel Tower is one the most visited tower in the world, and the tallest tower in Paris, around 6.2 million visited Eiffel Tower in 2003, France has a lot of local attraction such as Sacred heart, Notre Dame du Paris, Le Marais, Arc de Triomphe, museum of Louvre and the most famous one Disney Paris etc.
Religion in France also becomes a local traction, the majority of the French population are Roman catholic, talking about catholic in France one thing comes first in our mind is Lourdes, Lourdes is a place that Roman catholic believe that Mary the mother of Jesus had appeared eight times there, About 5million pilgrims and tourists visit Lourdes every year, which makes it the second largest Roman Catholic place most visited after Vatican City.
France is a country that has received the highest number of tourist than any other country, thanks to the historic buildings, and wealth heritages.
Tour de France is one of the tradition heritages and also local attraction, it all started in 1903 when the first race took place Paris. This represents France’s culture of ‘yellow shirt’ this prestigious trophy is part of French culture and local attraction.
Climate also plays a significant role regarding in local attraction,
Paris | Maximum | minimum | average |
winter | 6° | 1° | 5° |
summer | 23° | 12° | 15° |
spring | 21° | 9° | 13° |
Some time it gets even hotter and become dangerous, in 2003 summer the temperature across the country went high than previously year with temperature of 40° (104.5 F°) were recorded in Auxerre, Yonne between June/July to August in 2003. There were around 14,802 heat-related deaths, mostly among elderly reported the French Nation Health security.
Tradition and culture:
When we are looking at French Tradition and Culture, the thing comes first in our mind is French food, wine, cheese, fashion and literature.
Talking about fashion, France has one of the biggest fashion designers in the world such as Coco Chanel, Yves Saint-Lauran, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Pierre Cardin and Lanvin. This is part of culture, everything they design it automatically represent French culture.
France has played an important role for centuries, as well as cultural building across the country which also reflects the culture of France. Regarding French literature, France has one of the greatest literatures in the world, such as Arthur Rimbaud wrote. “No one's serious at seventeen.
--On beautiful nights when beer and lemonade
and loud, blinding cafés are the last thing you need
--You stroll beneath green lindens on the promenade.”
The author wrote lots of things such as books, novel and poems example like "A Season in Hell", and Victor Hugo described him as an infant Shakespeare. Arthur Rimbaud was the one who created the modern French literature, music and art.
France also attracts the outbound tourist cause of its tradition and culture. Reported in 2006, Christianity is the largest religion in France around 65% of the population are (Christian)Roman Catholic, 24% are atheist, Islam has 6% and 2% of the population are (Christian) Protestant. Regarding religion France is a multi-faith-society.
Rage of accommodation and Facilities:
France offers different types of accommodation such as hotel, camping, home exchange, caravan, and cheap accommodation, B&B, castles and so much more. Booking a hotel in France is easy and the accessibility of the country is high. French hotels has European standard.
I have tried to book a hotel in the heart of Paris for one week, and I found out that the accommodation in France is accessible and it appeals to everyone. The hotel here in the UK costs twice expensive than accommodation in France.
Hotel: A la villa Saint-Martin
Italy:
Italy is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Italy plays a significant role in modern politics, Italy also is member of the European Union, as well as member of G8 (eight richest countries in the world)
Natural feature in Italy:
Italy has lots of natural feature such as lakes, and so much more. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, the lake is famous for its accessibility and it’s one of the lake most visited in Italy.
Lake Garda is a community to live; most of its visit, guest and tourists recommend Lake Garda is a place to visit with family.
Lake Garda offers different types of activities such as, theme parks, swimming, diving, golf, sailing, fishing, spas& beauty centre, parks& zoos and gardens, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and so much more. The Lake Garda has one of the best theme parks in Italy called Gardaland; The Lake Garda itself also offers many local festivals, such as Verona Opera around 16,000 visitors take part on the festival every year. Lake Garda also offers its cuisines and wine testing to tourists, this local festival gives tourist opportunity to discover Lake Garda’s culture and tradition. Lake also gives opportunity to tourists and guests to discover Lake Garda shopping centre, the cost of Xbox 360 slim in Lake Garda is €160 but here in the UK it costs £194.
This is the Lake Garda’s temperature
Dec - Feb 5° - 15° | Oct - Nov 10° - 15° |
Mar - May 15° - 24° |
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Jun - Aug 24° - 32° |
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September 20° - 28° |
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San Vito Lo Capo is a beach locate in northern-west Sicily, the beach is famous for its cuisine and Panini con Panelle, this Panini con Panelle is traditional food from Sicilia. San Vito Lo Capo offers different activities for its tourist or guests such as swimming, spas and beauty centre, parks, shops, cycling and sailing.
Local attraction:
Regarding local attraction Italia has one of the greatest historical buildings across the country. Duomo of Florence is a catholic cathedral church built in 1296, this cathedral was build for the passion of Italian culture as well as catholic culture, the building has welcomed visitors from every corners of the world, around millions of visitors visited the cathedral in 2009.
Milano Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) known as the fifth largest church in the world and one of the most visited in the world, the cathedral belongs to Catholic Church, the building was built in the beginning of fifth century, in 1075 the fire had damaged the building, it was when the architects came up with the new Duomo (cathedral of Milano)
Rome is a historical place; Rome has one the greatest buildings in the world such as the famous Colosseum also known as Colosseo, the Colesseum was built in the capacity of 50,000 seats, the building has great history, the building was used to host the Gladiatorial show, this show had big impact in every roman at the time. The building is one of the most visited buildings in Rome and was built in 70-80 AD.
Vatican City is one of the most visited states in the world, Vatican become a local attraction as well as international attraction, and Vatican has welcome more than five million tourists, making Vatican the Roman Catholic place most visited in the world just before Lourdes in France.
Vatican is the home of millions of Roman Catholics; Vatican has its own church St Peter’s Basilica has the great interior than any other Christian church in the world.
St Peter’s Basilica became a local attraction by its accessibility; the church is carrying catholic tradition and passing it down to future-generation.
Most of St Peter’s Basilicas’ visitor recommends Vatican City is a place to visit, place to feel the present of God. Italy has one of the greatest historical buildings such as Leaning of Pisa Tower is the third oldest buildings in the city of Pisa locate in northern-west Italy, the building was completed in 1272, during the World War II the building was used to observe the US army from the tower of Pisa. Now on the building has welcomed more than millions of tourists.
Italy has one of the best Theme parks in Europe, such as Gardaland, Gardaland is the third most popular theme parks in Europe, in 1975 it was when the theme park officially opened, in 2007 about 3.6 million tourists visited the theme park.
Gardaland offers activities such as Bleu Tornado, Magic Mountain, Sequoia adventure, Orto Bruce, Mammut and Fuga da Atlantide. In total Gardaland has six roller coasters, seven water rides and 32 rides. Gardaland operates in spring, summer holidays.
Tradition and culture:
Italy is a country in Europe full of culture and tradition. Traditionally Italy is a Catholic country, regarding culture and tradition, Italian people love to keep their Christian identity about 91.6% of the population are Christian, and Roman Catholicism is the largest religion in Italy about 87.8% of 91.6% are Roman Catholic. Roman Catholic Church was created in Italy by St Peter who lives in Rome, Italy (the fisherman, which Jesus described as the rock who I will use to build my church). As a catholic country Italy doesn’t allowed divorce, Euthanasia and abortion because they believe in sanctity of life.
Italy is not just about religion but also painting, Italy had produced some famous painter such as Leonardo Da Vinci was painter, musician, scientist and architect. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all of all time, Leonardo Da Vinci who produced the Last Supper covering the back wall of Santa Maria Delle Grazie (Saint Mary of Grace).
He also produced one of the most famous paintings of all time, Mona Lisa the painting is owned by the Government of France, the painting is on display at the museum of Louvre. The painting is valued for $2.5 million for fake one but the original one is valued for more than $500 million, making the painting the greatest painting of all time.
Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the most recognisable artists for his work, and also he became famous across Europe, all his works were dedicated to the poor, society and humans. Leonardo Da Vinci was described by the King of France as Legend and said; "He towered above all other artists through the strength and the nobility of his talents."
Regarding literature in Italy, Italy is a country full of cleaver people such as Alessandro Manzoni was an Italian poet and novelist; he became famous and national hero for his novel The Betrothed was the first Italian historical novel.
Opera is the most popular music in Italy; Italy has produced musicians such as Alessandro Scarlatti famous for his Baroque music composer, Niccolo Paganini famous for his violin technique, and Giacomo Puccini became famous for his sensational opera voice, and national hero for his “O mio babbino caro” means ‘Oh my dear papa’ this song O mio babbiono caro made him famous and popular across the world. The song was original wrote by Gianni Schicchi. As a fan of Puccini, I think Puccini had inspired people to listen to Italian opera.
Original Opera was found in Italy in the small cities of Mantua and Venice.
Regarding Italian cuisine, Italy has one of the greatest cuisines in Europe. Talking about cuisine in modern Italy we see Pasta, Pizza, Lasagna, Focaccia, and Gelato, these foods are the most famous Italian food. Pizza is originally from Neapolitan cuisine, Pizza became famous in 1885 when the Italian Queen had banned from the royal palace, but in her visit to Napoli she was severed a Pizza in Italian flag, from that day Pizza’s popularity has increased, In Brazil around 1.4 million pizzas are consumed per daily making Sao Paolo the capital of Pizza.
Lasagna is originally from Italy, Lasagna is 14th century cuisine in Italy. The word lasagna might come from Greek meaning ‘Chamber pot’ but in Latin means ‘cooking pot’. Lasagna is very popular in the United Sates. Gelato is popular Ice cream in northern Italy, Gelato was the first ice cream made in European Soil, made in 1565. Gelato became popular in 1920s-1930s, and the northern Italian city of Varese became popular to tourism destination where the first mobile Gelato was developed.
Regarding Fashion Italy has one of the best fashion designers in the world such as Gucci, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino etc. Roma came 4th in world capital of fashion.
Climate:
Roma | Maximum | Minimum | Average |
Winter |
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Spring |
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Summer |
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In 2009 around 308 people were killed by the earthquake in L’Aquila earthquake making this the most deadliest earthquake to hit Italy since 1980 Iprinia. The building of the city still under constructions.
Rages of accommodation and Facilities:
When we talking about ranges of accommodation, Italy has European standard, most of Italian hotels are five, four and three stars hotel, and it also popular. Hotel in Italy is less expensive compare to booking one here in the UK.
E.g. Hotel Club Isola Sacra, Fiumicino locate in western Rome, 15 minutes to get to the city centre of Rome. 1.4 miles to get to the international airport of Da Vinci Fiumicino. Full board and all inclusive costs €360.00, and half board costs €180.00, and bed and breakfast costs €90.00 and €25 for short breaks. This hotel is a three stars hotel.
Italy offers one of the cheapest accommodations in Europe, low cost of €25 for short break compare to short breaks in UK costs £30.50 per person according Hotelshop.com, still looks expensive.
Talking about sport leisure in Italy, the Italian national football team has won four world cups; the fourth world cup came in Germany 2006 world cup. Italy has one of the best football clubs in the world, such as A.C. Milan, A.C. Milan has won seven European cups also known as Champions Leagues and seventeen league titles. The club has fans across the world; in 2007 A.C Milan played Manchester United in the 2007 champions League, this sport event had draws Manchester United’s fans to visit the city of Milan. A.S. Roma played Manchester United; the event had drawn Man U’s fans to visit the Italian capital Rome.
Some people travel to Italy cause of its facilities of buying Jewries, shoes, hand bag, and the most famous for celebrities is Ferrari’s cars. Jewries in Italy cost less expensive than England. Finding a club (nightlife) in Italy can be quite difficult compare to other places in Europe such as UK, France,
Netherland because, you’ll find single, parent, old-people and children with their parents.
City Sightseeing also operas in 14 cities in Italy include Milan, Rome and Florence. City Sightseeing is a global sightseeing bus tour operator, the bus operas in 70 countries, it became famous back in 1999 when it opened its doors to the world. The company operas in eight different languages in the Italian capital Rome, Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese. Tour prices, adult €18.00, child (5-15 yrs) €10.00, and family (2 adults + up to3 children) €51.00, according to Travelweekly.com the tour price in Italy is less expensive than England, having a tour in English capital London for adult cost £25.00, and £12.00 for a child. Beware having a tour in Lombardy capital Milan for adult is more expensive than Rome, €20.00 the cost of adult.
FEATURE INFLUENCING THE APPEAL OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EUROPEAN HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS.
Two different types of European holiday destinations (for example a summer sun and a city breaks destination) in two different countries, produce a booklet to explain how the various features contribute to the destination specific appeal.
I am going to do Barcelona and Greece
Barcelona: Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia, and the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is known across the Globe for tourism, finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trades, education and sport.
Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain surpassing Madrid and Valencia. Barcelona has one of the greatest cathedrals in Spain such as Sagrada Familia; Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1882, expected to be complete until 2026, this building has drawn attention to the British public because it’s cheaper to visit, €12 for adults, €10 for students, €8 for children. The price is less expensive then it could cost, even it stills under construction it’s less expensive to visit, the building’s reputation has expended across four corner of the world.
The building became famous and local attraction and also national attraction in 2004 when around of 2.26 million of tourists visited the building, and making the building one of the most visited buildings in Spain, according to the local newspaper El Periodico de Catalunia.
Catalonia is the home of Bullfighting, Bullfighting is popular in Catalonia, south-America, and southern France, the game became popular in 1726 when Francisco Romeo killed the bull. The thing about this bullfighting attract tourist is the Catalonian’s tradition, people love to watch it because it’s cheaper to enter, €25 for adults, €12 for student and €8 for children (10-15 year old) and children under ten can enter for free.
Barcelona has one of the popular football clubs such as Barcelona fc and RCD Espanyol, Barcelona football club has become local and national pride, Barcelona has become popular destination for events sports such as the Champions League, and so much more.
Accommodation in Barcelona, Hotel Arts Barcelona is the city leading hotel in Barcelona, the price for one person is €300 includes staying at the hotel for 11 days. This price contributes to the appeal of the destination because it’s less expensive than book hotel in the UK.
Barcelona has the European standard starting from three stars to five stars hotel. To compare the price of accommodation in Barcelona goes the same, for example in Pullman Barcelona Skipper Address four stars hotel €250.80 the price for 11 days, that’s why people love to travel to Barcelona.
Barcelona is a city with full of facilities; fly to Barcelona according to British Airways costs £80 duration of 2h 12, and flying by Emirates cost £90 duration of 2h05.
Barcelona has Mediterranean climate, the lowest temperature ever registered in Barcelona came in 1956 -10ºc
| Winter | spring | summer |
| 10ºc | 20ºc | 27-30ºc |
Natural feature, Park of castell de l’Oreneta is one of the most visited parks in Barcelona, the reason why people visit this park because it’s suitable to anyone, it costs less expensive than other parks in Barcelona, it’s free entrance. Ranges of transports bus, Taxi, Metro, and subway.
Barcelona appeals to everyone, the price to travel there is less expensive compare other European destination, and Barcelona is suitable to Children, Families, and Couples. Out of hundred 99% agreed that Barcelona is a nice to rise a family.
Greece:
Greece is also known as Hellenic Republic, the first country in Europe to advance civilization, Greece is one of the most visited country in Europe locate in southern Europe near Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Rep. Macedonia.
Greece is the home of the Olympic Game; Olympic game is popular in Greece, also across the world. People love to travel there because of the sport facilities; in 2004 Greece hosted the EUFA Euro 2004, and people love to go there because of the sport events.
Greece is a country full of culture and tradition. This is Acropolis of Athens built in 6th century BC; Acropolis is the most visited building in Greece; people love to visit this building because it tells the all story of the beginning of Civilization in Europe, according the local newspaper Kathimerine, most of the visitors who visited the Acropolis in 2007 were students in majority. To visit the building cost 12/6 euro per person according creteTrave.com.
This is Aegean Sea locate between Greece and Turkey. Aegean Sea is one of the natural feature most visited in Greece, millions of tourists visited the sea last year. People love to visit Aegean Sea because of the sea temperature, in summer the sea temperature goes up to 21°- 26°c sometime even 30°c, in winter is 10°- 18°c.
Rage of accommodation in Greece, Greek accommodation has the European standard starting from 3 to 5*, Greek accommodation is considered has the best in southern-east Europe.
Acropolis Museum Boutique Hole is one of the best hotel in Athens locate in the heart of Athens. People love to visit Athens because of the hotel prices short break costs €32.00, family room costs €280, single €57 and double room costs €65. For example 11 night costs €173.89. I think that’s why people love to visit Athens.
This is Greece’s climate: Greece has Mediterranean weather which means 10°c in winter and summer 22°c, the weather also play a significant role in Greece.
| winter | summer | Spring |
| 10°c | 28-30°c | 19°c |
Greece is a country with the best accessibility that we can compare to other country in west Europe. According to British Airways a fly to Athens costs £65.50 duration of the flight is 3h 40’.
Greece does appeal to everyone mid-class, high-class can visit Greece; it costs less than inbound in the UK according to Travelweekly.com, Greece is the heart of European civilization, 99.9% believe Greece is a place to visit, and study. Greece is the home of rest with its histories and beautiful weather of Mediterranean, a country which inspired the rest of European country to develop.
Analyse the main feature that contribute to the appeal of one European destination: Greece
Greece is the home of European civilization, and democracy. Natural feature in Greece Aegean Sea, to analyse this in detail, I think people or tourist love to visit Aegean sea because of its facilities and accessibility of the area.
Accommodation there; is less expensive compare to Athens it costs €25 per night. I think what attract English out band to visit Aegean because of Santorini is locate in southern Aegean Sea and the city is one of the most visited city in Greece, accommodation in the city is less expensive according to the Santorini-web.com, Santorini has Mediterranean climate, during the summer the temperature is between 25-35°c perfect for swimming. Activities in the Santorini city swimming is popular, according to the Santorini-web.com, around of 76% of English out band believe Santorini is a place to visit because of the Ancient buildings, wine industry, agriculture, and architecture. 65% believe is a place to learn about the European culture and Greek as well.
Acropolis of Athens is one of the most visited building in the world and Greece, I think what attracts English out band tourist to visit Athens is the Acropolis, when we look at the Acropolis it shows the beginning of European civilization and it automatically represent Greek culture, the price of building tour is 12/6 Euro and it attracts English and other people to visit Athens. According to local newspaper Kathimerine the majority of the visitors who visited acropolis of Athens are students, England has the largest universities in the world and it means it’s the favourite’s destination for learning about the European Civilization.
Accommodation plays a significant role in a destination; in Athens accommodation like Acropolis Museum Boutique Hotel locate in the heart of Athens, the hotel prices short break costs €32.00, family room costs €280, single €57 and double room costs €65. For example 11 night costs €173.89. I think that’s why British out band love to visit Athens. Flying to Athens International Airport by British Airways costs £65.50 duration of 3h 40’
Climate is what also attracts British out band tourists, Greece has less natural disaster compare to other European countries, and Greece has Mediterranean climate means hot in summer, cold in winter and wet in spring.
Greece has contributed in the European development, and Greece is also one of the most popular destinations in Europe with its facilities, accessibility, culture and history. Because of its climate of Mediterranean has drawn attention to British people.
This coursework worth P3, P4, M1 and D1
