Tag: attractions

Italy’s most romantic spots

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Italy's most romantic spots include the Stone Bridge of Verona ... photo by CC user pcdazero on pixabay

La bella Italia, the country of love and romance. How does one ever go about choosing where to pass a romantic Italian vacation with that special someone? There are just too many options, all enticing and romance evoking. Don’t get overwhelmed, I have compiled a list of the most romantic Italian destinations, from Sicily’s gorgeous villas with pools to Juliet’s balcony in Verona, you are sure to find the perfect spot (or spots) to pass that romantic vacation with your sweetie.

Sunset cruising in Sicily

Rent that gorgeous Sicilian villa, but tear yourself away from the house for a private sunset cruise along Sicily’s pristine, breathtaking, exquisite coast. You can even sail out to the Egadi islands, or the Aeolian for that matter. I can’t recommend one over the other, as they are both beautiful, I just insist you go! Crack open that bottle of champagne, or go Sicilian style with a Passito di Pantelleria. Watch the sun say goodnight to the Mediterranean, caressing her salty waves with orange and pink kisses, and you’re sure to wind up smooching in under the Sicilian sunset as well.

Verona

Verona is home to Shakespeare’s most famous doomed and star-crossed lovers. In Verona, you can take your lover to the house that belonged to Juliet in the classic Shakespearean tragedy. Stand below the balcony where our good ol’ Romeo declared his ever-loving devotion, and touch the breast of Juliet’s bronze statue for good luck (and good love).

Amalfi Coast

While Italy is packed with majestic views, cities, and towns, one of the most magical is just a bit south of Naples. It is called the Amalfi coast, and it is dotted with picturesque little towns clinging to the edge of steep cliffs, overlooking a turquoise Mediterranean below. Rent a car and take the most romantic, memorable, and adventurous drives of your life down these pretty little country roads.

Rome

Rome, the mother of all romance. History is everywhere in Rome, but I recommend ditching the guidebook and wandering down her picturesque cobblestone paths holding hands with your loved one. Savor the sights and sounds, enjoy the chic little shops, eat some of Italy’s best cuisine in romantic mom-and-pop restaurants. If you’re looking for real luxury, get a room in the Hotel Hassler, which is where Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise stayed before they were married in Italy. It is at the top of the Spanish Steps, which are arguably the most romantic stairs in the entire country (maybe the world!)

A helicopter over Mount Etna

Come fly with me, baby, right over Mount Etna and out to the Aeolian islands. Take a helicopter for a bird’s eye view of Sicily’s major active volcano, then head out to another island, much smaller, with another active volcano, Stromboli. Talk about a flaming romance! Stop for a massage, lunch and a swim at Capofaro on the island of Salina before jetting back to your romantic villa. Now that is hot, if I’ve ever seen it!

Top Tips For A UK Tour

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Stonehenge is an essential part of any UK Tour ... photo by CC user francescovolpi on Flickr

TAKE A COACH TOUR

A coach tour of the UK is a unique way of getting around the regions that make up the United Kingdom. Though it is not as fast as taking trains or flights, it is affordable and gives you an opportunity to explore the most famous places closely. There are many private coach companies across the UK, and you can choose one that best suits your tastes and budget. Enjoy fantastic rides past the English countryside through to the gorgeous cities and to through scenic coast routes. Coach tours are a great way to see the UK; they may take a few days and may include stopovers in hotels and famous sights.

STAY IN UNIQUE AND INTERESTING ACCOMMODATION

One of the ways of making your tour of the UK more exciting and unforgettable is by staying in unique accommodations rather than ordinary hotel rooms. Fortunately, the UK boasts of a remarkable number of interesting accommodations ranging from Iron Age round houses with thatched roofs to towering windmills and tree houses. Whatever your imagination may be, unique accommodations in the UK go beyond the ordinary. Some of the quirky accommodations include Wanderlust Gypsy Caravans in Cumbria, Clay windmill in Norfolk, Log House Cabins in the Cotswolds, Chapel Studio in Sommerset and Safari tents in Devon.

TAKE A SELF DRIVE TOUR

A self-drive tour is a great way to explore the amazing regions of the UK. The UK has numerous attractions in the cities, the countryside and along the coast. Enjoy scenic rides across the inspiring English countryside, stop over major cities, soak up in history and culture, and do not forget to stop over a village and enjoy local cuisines and drinks. The UK has a great network of well-marked roads, which makes it easier to travel from one region to the next. A self-drive tour of the UK gives you an opportunity to explore at your own pace and change your routes whenever you wish. If you want to save on accommodation then you can even do it in a campervan like one of these Spaceships and drive to your hearts content wherever you wish!

Contact Great British Trips for more info.

STAY IN LUXURY GROUP ACCOMMODATION

Teaming up with friends and relatives and staying in luxury group accommodation gives you an opportunity to live like royalty in the UK. The UK boasts of a stunning selection of large holiday houses some originally castles or manor houses deep in the countryside. Forget your tiny city apartment and enjoy the finer things in life in luxury group accommodations. Most of the luxury group accommodation offer spacious well-furnished rooms, manicured gardens, gym, tennis courts, swimming pools and well-equipped kitchens.

VISIT STONEHENGE

Stonehenge is a mysterious arrangement of rocks and is a source of numerous debates, assumptions and one of the most famous sights in the world. UK has numerous monuments, castles, parks and other attractions but nothing quite compares to Stonehenge. A visit to these fascinating rock arrangements is a highlight of any UK tour. Visit the iconic Stonehenge, join in the debate, and at the same time let your mind jog in finding meaning to these extraordinary rocks.

The Top 3 Greek Family Escapes

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One of the more tantalizing places to plan Greek Family Escapes is in Santorini ... photo by CC user antoniocastagna on Flickr

Greece has always been one of the best places to visit when it comes to family holidays and weekend getaways. Greece is made up of many islands and islets that are scattered all over the Ionian and Aegean Seas.

Around 227 of these islands are inhabited, so some of the others are island paradises still waiting to be discovered. There are a lot of destinations that you should definitely visit for a family escapade, and they are just waiting for you. Here are the top 3 Greek family escapes that you should definitely stop by once you are in the country.

Kavala

One of the best places to visit first in Greece is Kavala, a stunning seaside city. What you should definitely look out first is the seafront, which is very inviting for the entire family. You and your family members will be able to enjoy the urban beaches on this seaside city.

You can also take a picture of your family by the harbor which is the perfect spot. If you are a history junkie, and want to visit some ruins or the sort, then you can go to the archaeological sites of Philippoi and Mount Pangaion.

Mount Pangaion is especially great since it has a lot of ancient artifacts and ruins, such as the Byzantine monasteries and the traditional villages set amidst the lush nature.

Book at www.cyplon.co.uk

Domes of Elounda

While this might not be a town or island in Greece, it deserves to be one of the best getaways for a family to have a vacation. Domes of Elounda is a luxury boutique hotel in Crete, and is nestled grandly on the Elounda Gulf.

It has some secluded suites, a spa that will invigorate you perfectly, and grounds that are full of shrubs and other plants. You can also enjoy the great food from different restaurants in this luxury hotel. All of them are dishes that you can find all over Greece, and some of them from other countries too.

Now, a vacation is not complete without going to a special spot in the area right? Well, Domes of Elounda has their own patch of beach in which you can enjoy all day long and even at night if you feel like it.

Book at www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

Santorini

If you want a place where you can see a lot of beaches and clear waters, then you should be visiting Santorini. By far, Santorini is the precious gem of the Aegean. After all, it is a sought-after Greek haven known for a lot of things, such as its legendary sunsets, romantic ambiance, caldera, ancient ruins, unique beaches and mouthwatering cuisine.

There are a lot of things to do on this nostalgic island. While the children are away playing on the beach, why not enjoy some romance with your partner on one of their resorts or enjoy some delectable dishes on one of their great restaurants? You can also head to one of the towns if you want to see some great sights, beautiful artwork, and gorgeous locals.

Book at www.tatler.com

Greece is one great getaway for your family. Try to visit these top 3 escapades so you can enjoy your vacation completely.

3 Countries that Have to Feature on Your European Bucket List

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Seeing fine statues in Florence is on the European bucket list of many people ... photo by CC user ashleyhexum66 on Flickr

Europe is a vast continent, and with so many countries offering different experiences for the discerning traveler it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide where to go.

If you have endless time and resource available then you could spend your years visiting every single one, experiencing the sights and people of each country, whilst picking out your favorite. However, if you want three that will satisfy your every need and offer you a trip of a lifetime then these three countries will not disappoint as you tick off boxes on your European bucket list.

Italy

Think of Italy and you think of the ancient historic sites, the wonderful food and wines, and the beautiful landscapes of incredible beaches, rolling hills and great lakes. It is all of these characteristics and more that make this a destination that should feature on your bucket list.

Not to be missed are the cities of Florence and Rome which are jam packed full of incredible attractions such as the Coliseum and Roman Forum in Rome and the Ponte Vecchio and Statue of David in Florence.

Away from the cities, in the Tuscan countryside you can cycle through the vineyards and soak up the postcard perfect views whilst stopping occasionally for a glass of locally produced wine. Top things off with a stay in one of the regions stunning luxury villas like these and your trip will be complete.

Spain

Spain oozes charisma and charm with its passionate people and vast number of great destinations for the traveller. In the south, the cities of Seville and Granada with their Moorish architecture and flamenco soul are perfect for a cultural city break. The coastal city Barcelona is great for a city/beach break in the summer and northern San Sebastian serves up a gastronomic treat.

The beaches of the Costa Del Sol offer the holiday maker some great hotels and resorts perfect for relaxing in the sunshine and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada even provide opportunities for skiing!

Spain really does have everything and is often cheaper than other European destinations such as France and Italy.

UK
The UK may not be known for its fine weather but that shouldn’t put you off a visit as there is still plenty to enjoy come rain or shine! Brilliant London is just as you imagine it to be with its iconic red buses and black cabs and wonderful sites such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

Many people come to the UK and only visit London and if you do this then you are most certainly missing out. In the north of England, the historical city of York with its magnificent minster and old cobbled streets will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Lovers of the outdoors should head to the Lake District where the countryside is simply stunning. Then you have the quaint villages of the Cotswolds where you can sit back in a beautiful cottage (check these out) and explore wonderful countryside and enjoy village life.

In Scotland, the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow each have their own personality with plenty going on and some wonderful restaurants. If you are lucky enough to visit Wales as well then head to the lovely seaside town of Aberystwyth.

What’s with all the hype about Benidorm, Spain?

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When your holiday in Benidorm starts off with views like this, you know you're going to have a great one!

When your holiday in Benidorm starts off with views like this, you know you’re going to have a great one!

Not content to let an entire summer go by without once leaving your home city for a little fun in the sun, you have been aggressively searching last minute deals for a getaway in sunny Spain before it is too late.

After spending several days compiling options that captured your attention, you believe you have finally found a worthy contender. You have been looking into booking an all inclusive hotel in Benidorm, but you want to be sure that the surrounding destination is legit before committing a week long holiday there to your credit card statement.

The following highlights will ensure that you are entertained during the duration of your holiday in Benidorm, which is one of the foremost resort towns on the Costa Blanca, as they have long been favorites of repeat visitors to the region.

Enjoy the cleanliness of Benidorm’s blue flag beaches

Enjoy a dip in the ocean as much as the next person, but recoil at the idea of diving headlong into a breaker and coming up covered in all sorts of plastic trash? Prefer to not catch rays surrounding by tons of loose refuse, blowing around aimlessly across its neglected sands?

It was concerns like this that prompted the founding of the Blue Flag beach program, which recognizes seaside paradises around the world for the quality of their water and the cleanliness of the shore that fronts it.

Benidorm has two popular beaches that meet this program’s stringent criteria, one of which is favored by the party-hearty crowd, while the other is better suited to families and is favored by the locals.

Stay cool and get your adrenaline fix at the same time

If jumping in the ocean doesn’t appeal to you, or if you pine for something a bit more exciting than just a seashore, than spending a day at Aqualandia is allow to you to cool your jets and get your adrenaline fix all in one efficient package.

Those who are continually on the lookout for the best thrill rides out there will love Vertigo, which is the world’s highest enclosed slide in the world, and with nineteen other rides that range from kamikaze drops to rapids, there is plenty of other wet attractions at Aqualandia that will satisfy you until park closing.

Paint the town red in the heart of the Costa Blanca

With 800 bars scattered throughout the streets of Benidorm, there is an alcohol-serving venue here that will meet your needs … you just have to come find it! Irish pubs, sports bars, nightclubs, and Spanish-style cafeteria bars all await you here, and with many serving brews that rarely cost more than €1 per bottle, your biggest concern will be drinking enough water to stave off the inevitable headache the following morning.

Why spend Christmas in the cold? 3 Unique Xmas Travel Ideas

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Of all the Xmas travel ideas you can get, Lanzarote is a marvelous one!

Yes we know … summer isn’t officially over for another month and a half, but with booking season for winter holidays just around the corner, we just wanted to give you a gentle nudge so that you can get your plans set before the rush begins. If you spent last Christmas at home, you might not need much convincing to spend the merriest season of all in the tropics this year.

After all, with the memory of the brutal polar vortex fresh in your head, wouldn’t you feel more joyous with sand between your toes on December 25th instead of having snow in your shoes? I think we can all agree that a silky smooth tropical breeze feels much more relaxing than the sharp bite of a northern gale, so if you are seriously considering a tropical escape this year, we have compiled three Xmas travel ideas for tropical destinations around the world that will allow you to escape the bitter cold of a Christmas in the north.

1) Lanzarote

If you don’t wish to subject yourself to a long-haul flight in order to get somewhere warmer this holiday season, then checking out cheap Christmas breaks to Lanzarote will get you out of the dour weather of the continent, and on to an island that rarely ever sees day time highs fall below 21 degrees Celsius in the winter time. Weather here is the polar opposite of the dampness witnessed further north, with the arid climate virtually assuring rain-free skies for most (if not all) of your visit.

When you’re not unwinding on Lanzarote’s diversely coloured beaches (ranges from white to golden brown to volcanic black), the active can try their hand at some of the best diving and/or surfing in the European Union, while those more artistically inclined can check out Jameos del Agua, a concert hall, restaurant, bar and swimming pool built inside a former lava tunnel.

2) Barbados

If the baby blue waters of the Caribbean are calling out to you subconsciously, then Barbados stands out as one of your best options as a place where one can relax in tropical surroundings, do many enriching activities, and celebrate Christmas in style. Submarine tours and catamaran cruises are both excellent ways to get to know the marine environment of this former British outpost, while those that enjoy a tipple or two will love the Mount Gay distillery, where Barbados’ most famous beverage, dark rum, is conjured up from the sugarcane that grows in abundance in the island’s interior.

3) Goa

If you’re looking for a little Asian flavour this Xmas, but want a place where you can still attend mass on Christmas morning, then Goa will satisfy both of these requirements admirably. While most of India identify with Hinduism or Islam as their primary faith, Goa is an enclave of Christianity, as it was a colony of the Portuguese more than a half milennia ago.

A sizable chunk of the population still identifies as Christian, worshiping God in one of several gorgeous cathedrals in the area. After celebrating in this fashion, or if you are just here for the amazing food and beaches, take advantage of Goa’s other attractions. Flea markets filled with hippie garb can be found everywhere, clubs, bars and pubs are chock full of cheap drink, and the old town of Goa has plenty of centuries old Christian art, much of which has an Indian twist.

For those looking for a piece of authentic India, the cuisine, Hindu temples and volunteer opportunities can be examined just as readily as in other places in India, so don’t be scared off by proclamations that dub Goa a tourist trap.