From spaghetti to penne and from carbonara to Bolognese, if you’re a fan of Italian food then you’ll love this pasta infographic from Sicily holidays specialist Think Sicily. Learn about this popular food type’s colourful history, health benefits and worldwide consumption, as well as many other fun and interesting facts.
As any other mother knows, finding the perfect place and accommodation for the family holiday can be a bit of a nightmare. You’re ready for a holiday by the time you’ve planned it and ensured everyone’s happy.
We love Lanzarote so luckily we could take the actual destination out of the planning as the entire family had already voted that that’s where we were off to. I’ll be honest, I thought that the rest of the planning was going to be just as difficult but that’s the beauty of Lanzarote; there’s something for everyone.
Playa Blanca
We decided on Playa Blanca because it was busy but not overly crammed and I imagined there’d be something for everyone to do whilst we were there.
As many people know, Playa Blanca started out as a small fishing port and over time has developed into one of the most popular resorts on the island, with a sprawling beach in stunning volcanic sand which stretches along the entire coastline. Given however that Playa Blanca translates into “white beach” it’s surprise to find two man made beaches with glistening white sand. For me, there really isn’t a difference between the two types of sand but there are those who prefer white sand to what they might consider to be black sand.
In addition to the huge beach, with a variety of bars and restaurants, there’s also the new Marina Rubicon which is the height of contemporary dining. I knew that my family would love this new area of nightlife, shops and cafes and my youngest, who is a little obsessed with boats would love all of the yachts on the marina itself.
As well as the new developments, Playa Blanca also has the Castillo de las Coloradas/Torre del Águila which dates back to the 18th Century when it was built to fight off pirates. Again, this was a story my son really enjoyed hearing all about
Nightlife
At night, there couldn’t be more to do, whether you’ve got children or not. There are restaurants, bars and party places where those of that inclination can dance the night away. However because the nightlife doesn’t kick off until late, it’s easy to walk around with the family in the early evening and avoid most of the revellers.
The great thing about staying in a self catering apartment in Playa Blanca though is the number of restaurants. Whether you’re looking for English cuisine, fast food or traditional Canarian Food, you’ll find it in no shortage.
Our apartment
We chose our apartment because it was in the centre of town which meant that we were completely centrally located and could get anywhere whenever we wanted to. Although, as I’ve already said there are many restaurants, we loved our catering facilities and there are enough local supermarkets which means that we could buy in what we wanted and enjoy an al fresco dinner on our balcony.
The best thing about staying in Lanzarote Holiday Apartments though is that whilst hotels and the like tie you into their routine, with an apartment you’re free to do as you please, when you please.
Book your accommodation with Wimdu, and become a true Social Traveller! – Discover the Social Travel trend!
If you’re a music fan, you’ll want to add some festivals to your to-do list for this summer. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to spend some time in the sun and see some of your favourite bands. Combine your summer holiday with one of the great music festivals around Europe and before you know it, you’ll be soaking up some sun while listening to some great live music.
This annual festival, held in August from the 16th to the18th this year, plays host to more than 180,000 people each year. Held in Kiewit, a small village, this year’s lineup includes Bjork, The Stone Roses, Snoop Dogg, Keane, The Black Keys and the Foo Fighters. Around 200 bands in total are set to play the three-day festival. The variety of bands appeals to many, and the alternative, relaxed atmosphere bumps this festival to the top of the list. Day tickets are €79 and a three-day ticket is €155.
Held for a week every August, specifically from August 6th to the 13th this year, this enormous festival has about 1,000 musical acts perform every year. If you’re up for a crazy week with thousands of others, on an island no less, this is the festival for you. Held on an island on the Danube in Budapest, this festival is often less expensive in the long run due to many things, including food and drink, being cheaper in Hungary. If you want a break from the festival scene for a bit, you can always head into the city centre to check out the city’s hopping bar and club scene. Day tickets are €45 and a seven-day ticket with camping is €225.
If you are tired of spending big money on festival tickets, think about heading to Poland’s Woodstock Festival, held August the 2nd until the 4th this year. It’s free! With just two stages and many acts from Poland, this festival is smaller and cosier than a lot of others. If you want a festival atmosphere without the madness, this could be the one for you.
Although August will be here before we know it, it’s not too late to get flights to some of these festivals. Look for cheap flight deals online once you decide to go. If flights are still costing more than you want to spend, consider flying into neighbouring cities and taking a bus or renting a car and driving to your final destination.
And if camping’s not your thing, or you simply prefer to not have to queue hours for a shower, look into last minute hotel deals before you go. There are hotels near enough to each of these festivals. You may want the luxury of heading back to a clean hotel room every night, giving you the chance to recharge your batteries and get ready for the next day’s acts.
Jamie Monteath is a keen writer on his passions: music, theatre and travel. After touring around the UK for a number of years performing, Jamie has found time to write about the last minute hotel deals he’s encountered and the benefits of them whilst living out of a suitcase.
At one time, finding an ideal vacation destination pleasant enough for the whole family used to be a tricky task. However, these days a myriad of options are provided by family-friendly resorts, where families relax and entertain themselves. To have the best family vacation ever, planning it down to the tiniest detail becomes necessary, but most importantly, having an amazing family vacation depends on the vacation destination. If you are looking for off-the-chart family fun, then you should consider visiting one of the following amazing destinations for your next family vacation.
This vacation, you and your family has perfect opportunity to act as explorers and discover a lost civilization. The infamous lost continent is recreated by the Atlantis Resort, filled with intrigue and adventure. More than twenty thousand guest rooms, thirty eight restaurants and numerous activities are featured at this amazing destination for family fun. On the resort, there are miles of beach, eleven pool areas where water enthusiasts can take a dip and seven different slides for the whole family. A sixty-foot drop into an acrylic tunnel submerged in a lagoon infested by sharks is featured at Mayan Temple’s Leap of Faith.
If your family gets excited by the very sight of snow, then your family will definitely have an amazing wintry vacation in Snowbird. This resort comprises of 500 acres of 3,240 feet mountain, is situated in Little Cottonwood Canyon. More than 500 inches of annual snow falls are ensured at the resort because of its closeness to the Great Salt Lake. The resort was established 30 years ago. Now, ten lifts, an uphill capacity of sixteen thousand people and eighty-five runs are featured at the resort.
Staying at the Tanque Verde Ranch can prove to be enjoyable for both country folk and city slickers. The more time your family spends at this ranch the more they will begin feeling like cowboys. Tanque Verde literally means “Green Pool”. It is a 640-acre resort adjacent to the Saguaro National Park with a placid oasis snuggled into the Sonoran Desert. Sufficient horse-riding opportunities are offered at this ranch since they have more than a hundred and twenty horses. Riding lessons for newcomers at various levels are also offered at the ranch.
Unprecedented luxury and endless activity are promised by the Hilton Waikoloa Village, which makes it another amazing decision for families who are in search of an island excursion. The village is home to the Camp Menehune where parents can sign up their little tykes in order to ensure a child-friendly vacation. At the camp, children get the opportunity of feeding swans and koi; explore tide pools, hunting for treasure, indulging in golf courses and a lot more, throughout the day. Snorkel sails, seasonal whale-watch sails and kayak trips can also be scheduled at the four-acre lagoon in the village.
While there are many other destinations where families can have a fabulous time on their vacation but mentioned here were some of the most amazing family destinations.
Author Bio: Mark is a keen traveller who loves to explore lesser known places. He much prefers to stay in a little B&B than a five star hotel.
This summer, when London plays host to the Olympic Games, the whole world will arrive in the city and make itself at home. As the preparations continue apace, there is a palpable sense of excitement; billboards and adverts everywhere you look exhort us to get behind Team GB, British Airways suggests we ‘don’t fly’ and rather stay at home for the (hashtag) Home Advantage. But, on the other hand, what if you have no interest in competitive sport? London will be jam packed, the tubes will be a nightmare and what’s more, the rest of the country, if not the world, will be empty! There has never been a better time- if you have no interest in The Games- to get out of London. Here are eight great places to go for an alternative to this summer of sport:
About the author: Ashley Auckle works with B+B Belgravia, a boutique 4-star bed and breakfast in London.
If Wimbledon is making you want to unearth the tennis racquets this summer, but the inevitable rain is putting you off, then why not head for altogether more pleasant weather on a Lanzarote holiday? There are tennis courts a plenty that you won’t have to queue for, the sun shines for 14 hours a day in the summer and you can still finish off a game with some Champagne and strawberries.
Many of the hotels have their own facilities, as well as there being public courts for hire in the main resorts. Here are the best five hotels for a tennis break in Lanzarote –
Blue Sea Costa Teguise Beach
This modern apartment complex in Costa Teguise is just 10m from the beach and has two large outdoor pools which are perfect for cooling off after a game of tennis at the on-site courts. The apartments are set within their own tropical gardens and there is a pool-side bar, perfect for toasting your victories. Prices start from just £10.80 per night and they are only a 15 minute drive from Arrecife airport, perfect if you are travelling with little ones.
Los Jameos Playa Hotel
This five star hotel in Playa de los Pocillos is the ultimate destination for tennis lovers, where there will be no chance that rain will stop play. There are four tennis courts available at this hotel and even an in-house tennis school for lessons, whatever your age or ability. If you need to train beforehand there is a full gym, or to relax after a hard match there is a wellness spa with a steam room, sauna and massage rooms.
Hotel Blue Sea Corbeta
Set in its own extensive grounds in the popular resort of Playa Blanca, this great value hotel has five outdoor pools and is close to the beach, ideal for a swim after a game of tennis. The all-inclusive programme means that you won’t have to worry about anything, leaving you to concentrate all your efforts on being the next Nadal.
Hotel Rio Playa Blanca
If you like your tennis courts with a view then this is the hotel for you. Looking out over the islands of Fuerteventura and Lobos, you can perfect your serve whilst admiring your surroundings. The hotel also offers bicycle hire so you can explore the area and try some of the other great activities that Lanzarote has to offer such as snorkelling and the amazing cycling routes. There are two pools and there is an all-inclusive option at this hotel.
Dream Gran Castillo Hotel
Residents of the hotel have access to the whole resort which boasts 11 pools, two a la carte restaurants and a spa, as well as tennis courts and even has paddle tennis courts, where the nets are lower and the racquets are solid rather than strung. This hotel is close to the Papagayo beaches, which are commonly thought of as the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote.
So, for a perfect tennis holiday Lanzarote has everything you could ever need, including guaranteed good weather, courts with great views and short walks back to the pool and hotel!
Europe can teach the world a few things about caring for the environment. With eco-hotels springing up in all the major cities and more and more emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources, there are now many eco-friendly holiday destinations in Europe.
Sweden
A land of virgin forests, glacial mountains and rugged coastlines, Sweden was one of the first countries to introduce an eco-tourism charter. Stockholm was voted European Green City 2010, whilst Malmo boasts the world’s largest wind farm. A destination for all seasons, in winter you can ski, go husky sledding or take in the wondrous Northern Lights, whilst in summer, take a tip from the Swedish themselves and head to the coast and participate in some sailing or kayaking.
Iceland
Known as the land of fire and ice, almost 100% of Iceland’s power comes from renewable, geothermal and hydropower energy sources. Home to Europe’s largest national park, Vatnajokull, it’s a land of glaciers, boiling mud pools, geysers, volcanoes, and waterfalls. Reykjavik is known for its notoriously eccentric nightlife, its art galleries and stylish restaurants. It’s also aiming to become ‘the cleanest city in Europe’. There are even hydrogen powered buses to transport you around the city.
Switzerland
This landlocked country attracts millions of visitors each year and it has often been said that the quality of life here is the best in the World. Numerous rivers fuelled by glacial melt are harnessed to provide much of the country’s power. The biodiversity is amongst the richest in the world with sustainable forestry being their biggest industry. With crystal clear lakes and stupendous mountains, skiing is very popular here, but in summer walkers and rock climbers flock to the mountains too. Visit Zurich and tour the city on an eco friendly scooter or take a leisurely boat trip on Lake Zurich itself.
Norway
Norway has become a bit of a guru when it comes to being eco friendly, it currently advises the rest of the world on developing renewable sources. With all of its energy coming from renewable sources, mainly hydropower, this is hardly surprising. There is water everywhere, waterfalls, turquoise blue glaciers, fjords. The Norwegians just love the outdoors. So join them and try some hiking in summer or ski in winter on quiet uncrowded pistes where even the lifts are powered by renewable power.
Germany
Perhaps not the first country to spring to mind, but Hamburg held the title of European Green Capital in 2011. Situated on the Elbe River, Hamburg is a lush city with vast public parks, lakeside beaches and shaded woodland areas. Take a boat trip along its winding canals or hire a bike and use pedal power to get around the city. Make sure you stop off at the Fresh Fish market held on Sundays for the last 300 years. If you are lucky enough to be there on one of the city’s ‘car less’ Sundays you can take advantage of free bike hire and free public transport.
As Europe becomes increasingly aware of the need to conserve our energy supplies and create new sustainable power supplies, more and more countries are now vying for a place in the top 5 eco friendly holiday destinations in Europe.
Sue Wright is an avid traveller and writer and has spent many years working with travel companies including Travel and Leisure Group. She has spent the last eight years living and working in Cyprus.
Walt Disney World aren’t just creators of magic and imagination, they also create some amazing food. With thousands of guests visiting each and every day, Walt Disney World need to make sure they have enough food for everyone!
It’s the elephant in the room for tourism. The travel industry has suffered lately. The news has a depressing overtone of recessions and credit crunches which is effecting how we spend our money. Suddenly people with disposable incomes are tightening their belts and sacrificing some of life’s luxuries, including holidays.
Travel Raccoon Blog
