Destination Archives - Page 35 of 44

July 17, 2013 by jfalbelda

Language Travel in Malta

Language holidays are becoming increasingly popular among travellers who want to discover the culture and traditions of a new country and combine this experience with learning, developing or perfecting their skills in a foreign language. As a major world language in both business and tourism, English is much sought after, whether for professional progression or effective communication on holiday and one of the most effective ways of learning English is to completely immerse yourself in the language, speaking to fellow English students, teachers and locals on a daily basis.

A former British colony and therefore one of the world’s few truly bilingual countries, Malta is the ideal location for an English language holiday, offering language tuition against a stunning backdrop of historical architecture, beautiful beaches, colonial culture and, the pièce de résistance, a pleasant climate.

architecture in Malta

July 12, 2013 by jfalbelda

Like to Be Beside the Seaside? Brits and Beach Resorts

The British are obsessed with weather; this is not a secret, as it is the go-to opening conversation topic for nearly everyone in England. It’s no surprise then that British people, fed up with unpredictable and often disappointing weather, favour warm climates when heading on holiday. For the ultimate in sun-seeking, search for beach hotels so you can chill out by the sea without packing a “just-in-case” rain mac. Here are two fantastic beach resorts to consider.

Costa Del Sol

On the south coast of Spain, this popular holiday destination is gloriously hot during the summer months and has some beautiful beaches to relax on. Costa del Sol literally translates to mean “the sunny coast” and has temperatures of 25-30 degrees in the summer. Even during the winter months the Mediterranean climate means that it doesn’t drop below 14 degrees during the day. Sample tapas and sangria at one of the regions bars and soak up the Spanish culture before heading back to the shore for another helping of sun, sea and sand.

Sharm el-Sheihk

The top holiday destination in Egypt is Sharm el-Sheihk with its Red Sea coast and views of Mount Sinai. The white sand beaches and azure blue seas are draw enough to visit the resort, but for those who think beach breaks are too chilled, Sharm el-Sheihk is home to some of the best water sports around. The wonderfully clean blue water lends itself to snorkeling and scuba diving both of which are recommended and there are plenty of facilities around for you to give them a go.

Beach holidays are great for the whole family as adults can enjoy reading a book in the sun or trying watersports, while kids are content to play by the water. Beaches in the UK are great, but the weather is temperamental at best. Guarantee yourself sunshine to go with the sea and sand by booking a hotel on a beach resort.

July 11, 2013 by jfalbelda

Bagging a bargain with cheap package holidays

It’s never been easier for enthusiastic travellers to hit the road or take to the skies. Thanks to increased competition in the market, improved transport links and the internet, it’s now possible for holidaymakers to take advantage of superb deals to a plethora of destinations. However, for the best results, people need to think carefully about what sort of deals they are after.

Anyone who wants to completely relax and cast their money worries aside while they’re taking trips to traditional holiday destination can make the most of cheap package holidays. As a general rule, packages like this tend to work out cheaper for seven, ten or 14-day trips to traditional holiday destinations. However, it’s worth noting that holidays of different lengths or to less visited spots can be cheaper on a DIY basis, meaning consumers can sometimes save themselves cash by booking transport and accommodation separately themselves.

On the other hand, it’s definitely worth bearing in mind that certain all-inclusive package deals that include food, drink and entertainment can represent a real bargain and are the ultimate in stress-free vacationing. Once holidaymakers arrive at their destinations of choice, they can forget all about finances and simply enjoy themselves.

Package holidays can be ideal for anyone who wants to catch some winter sun and places like the Caribbean have long been a favourite among travel lovers. Its turquoise waters and white sands provide the perfect backdrop to a relaxing break and no matter what sort of holiday people are looking for, they can find it among these islands. OK, so it’s possible for people to spend a fortune on luxurious breaks to this part of the world, but by choosing their location and travel provider carefully, individuals can benefit from surprisingly low-cost packages. Other winter travel options for budget-conscious consumers include Tunisia, the Canary Islands and North Cyprus.

Certain European destinations also offer low-cost package deals. Those after some sunshine should make sure they travel in late spring, summer and the early fall period. Northern Spain can be inexpensive and it is less crowded than the south of the country. With plenty of wide, empty beaches, picturesque mountains and friendly resorts, these areas are ideal if you want to discover a different side of Spain.

Moving East, Croatia has also been a destination to watch as of recently. With its blend of rustic authenticity and stylish glamour, it offers stunning and unspoiled inland areas, which might just be the ideal alternative to some of the more visited coastal areas and their heftier price tags during the summer.

Finally, bargain hunters can also cast their sights east of Croatia to Bulgaria. With its sandy beaches, lush forests, magnificent mountains and cosmopolitan cities, it’s no surprise that this country is a hit among holidaymakers. That said, it still offers excellent value for money.

July 8, 2013 by jfalbelda

Photo of the Week: A View of Pest from Buda

Last month I had the pleasure of heading to one of my favorite cities for the second time, Budapest, Hungary. Last time I was there was back in 2008 when I was in college. I must say, I feel like in the five years since I have been back, a lot has changed. It has become a very popular touristic destination for those exploring Central Europe with it’s close proximity to other great cities like Vienna and Bratislava and things just seem much more organized. Read More »

June 28, 2013 by jfalbelda

Alicante’s Top Summer Festivals!

Alicante, Spain is a brilliant holiday destination to visit at any time of year, though I think it really comes alive in the summer. While it has fantastic weather in the spring, autumn and winter, come here between June and August and you’ll discover the conditions to be even better. Add to that the great variety of festivals that are happening over this period, and I’m certain that you’ll have a memorable getaway.

Indeed, with a spectacular range of events set to take place in the coming months you can be sure of coming across something truly spectacular, no matter what your interests are. To give you a helping hand deciding which to attend, I’ve put together a bit of information about a few of the city’s top summer festivals.

Jazz Festival

I’m a huge music fan and, upon taking a Monarch flight to Alicante last summer, I headed to the local Jazz Festival. If you’re planning on visiting the city this year, it is certainly a spectacle that I recommend you check out.

Commonly referred to as Fijazz, this fantastic festival sees some of the leading names in world jazz converge on Alicante each July to perform in venues across the city.

Although the line-up for the 2013 event is yet to be announced, Grammy-winning singer Concha Buika, Spyro Gyra and the Roy Haynes Trio are among the acts to have performed in previous years so I’m more than confident that this year’s line-up will prove to be top-notch.

Bonfires of San Juan

To get a true taste of local life, I recommend you attend the Bonfires of San Juan festival (one of the best festivals in Alicante!). This traditional extravaganza marks the beginning of summer and, although it has been an official public event since 1928, the tradition of lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks goes back much further than this.

While much of the fun is traditionally centred around June 23rd, the Bonfires of San Juan has been extended to a fortnight of celebrations, featuring firework displays at the Plaza de los Luceros and a medieval market in Alicante’s historic centre. You’ll also get to see dance troupes from across the world perform, as well as observe floral tributes being offered to the Virgin of El Remedio, the city’s patron saint.

This year’s festivities last from June 14th to June 29th, so there should be plenty of opportunity for you to be part of the action, especially if you plan to go on a break before the start of the school summer holidays.

Feast of the Assumption

Lastly, I’m going to look at the Feast of the Assumption (or Virgin de la Paloma, as it is known in Spanish) which takes place every year on August 15th. Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to attend this event when I visited Alicante last year, but I really wish that I did!

This national holiday celebrates the life of the Virgin Mary and is marked by locals tucking into a delicious feast to mark both her passing and the assumption of her body up to heaven. Make sure that you’re in Alicante when the festival is on and you can expect to have the chance to enjoy some traditional Spanish fare.

If you’re thinking of visiting Alicante this summer, let us know by leaving a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!