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Welcome to the paradise. Young adventurers, honeymoon couples, active families, culture enthusiasts and of course lazy beach bums will fall in love with this island. Gran Canaria is the last place on Earth where you can feel bored. We share with you our 20 favourite things to do on holidays there.

Continue reading... Top 20 things to do in Gran Canaria

Today, Monday 23rd of January 2012, processions with Chinese drums, grand dragon and lion dances, colourful festive flags and firecrackers will welcome the Year of the Dragon all over the world. The traditional celebrations will last for 15 days, resulting in the lovely Lantern Festival. The Year of the Dragon reoccurs ever 12 years as part of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Chinese dragons are a symbol of power, strength, good luck and control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. In 2012, the celebrations will be extra special for people who were born in another Year of the Dragon, such as:

Continue reading... Happy Chinese New Year... even in Cyprus!

This year the Islanders of Lanzarote are attempting to take their Christmas celebrations to record breaking lengths. The annual Father Christmas Parade, held on the 23rd of December, in Puerto Del Carmen is a tradition long observed and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The main attraction, Santa himself, is led down the promenade aboard his magically decorated, horse drawn sleigh, from 18.00-20.00, and throws gifts and sweets to all the children that come to join the parade. But children are not the only ones expected join in: this year, everyone has is asked to don a Santa suit and aid the Islanders in their attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most Father Christmas' holding hands. Shops all along the waterfront are set to sell costumes for reduced rates, so there is no excuse not to join in.

Continue reading... Festive Fun in Lanzarote - Christmas 2011

Can't face another last minute dash to the shops for Christmas presents? Does the thought of turkey and sprouts fill you with dread? Why not escape the usual Christmas routine this year and make the most of flights to Paphos for a Yule season to remember in Cyprus? Not only do you get to celebrate in style, but you'll also have the chance to laze on a sun-drenched beach after Christmas lunch too. (You couldn't do that in Margate...).

Continue reading... Christmas in Cyprus

Where will you be on New Year's Eve? In Parliament Square, squashed up against thousands of other revellers? Sat in front of the telly with a glass of cheap plonk and a leftover Christmas party hat? Or do you fancy dancing in the New Year under the desert skies of Egypt while some of Ibiza's top DJs spin some pumping tunes?

Continue reading... New Year's Eve in Sharm for Clubbers - Pure Pacha

If Christmas has come and gone in a blur of wrapping paper, cold turkey sandwiches and bad Christmas jumpers, revive yourself and your family with a New Year trip to Tenerife and rediscover the magic of the season. On this beautiful island, not only can you find sun-kissed beaches, family resorts and a host of activities, but on 5th January they celebrate one of the most important festivals in Spain - the Procession of the Three Kings.

Continue reading... Procession of the Three Kings

While in the UK we may occasionally hang out a St George flag on April 23rd, that's about as far as our Saint celebrations go in this country. However, in Spain the Saints' days are a chance for Spanish people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to celebrate in style with a fiesta, festival or street party. The 8th December is one of the most important of these feast days - the Day of the Immaculate Conception. Jet off for a winter break with flights to Gran Canaria around this time of year and you can become part of one of Spain's most important festivals.

Continue reading... Day of the Immaculate Conception in Spain

Instead of spending another raining weekend talking about how depressingly-soon Christmas is, why not transport yourself to some sun, beach and a fantastic little Spanish festival. On Sunday 13th November, the picturesque little village of Tao, in the centre of Lanzarote, hosts its annual fiesta. And flights to Lanzarote will have you enjoying its mid-20s weather in only four hours.

Continue reading... Fiesta in Tao, Lanzarote

On the 28th of October every year Greece celebrates the power of the negative. Military parades, coastal celebrations and special Greek Orthodox Services commemorate the day, in 1940, that Greek President Yanni Mextaxas declared 'Ochi!', 'No!' in Greek, and rejected Benito Mussolini's ultimatum that Greece be occupied by Axis forces or face war. Against all odds, and to their own amazement, the Greeks defeated advancing Italian troops, driving them back into Albania. Although Greece went on to be occupied by Germany, Greeks still celebrate Mextaxas' tenacity, their fierce resistance and unlikely victory with great pride.

Continue reading... Greeks Say 'No Way' on Ochi Day

People from all over the world will soon be able to admire the beautiful Perseid meteor shower again and make a wish for every shooting star they see. This meteor shower is annual and extremely regular in its timing. Depending on the weather and your location, it can be visible for weeks in the late summer sky. The meteor shower activity usually peaks around August 12th, when over 60 meteors per hour will streak across the Northeast sky. This year, the night of August 13th is predicted to be the most intense night.

Continue reading... Calling all Stargazers

The best way to make a holiday really memorable is to immerse yourself in the local culture. Faro is renowned for playing host to some of the most prominent festivals and fiestas in the whole of the Algarve - and the low cost and convenience of flights to Faro makes them easily accessible all year round. Whether you're interested in sporting events, religious festivals or cultural celebrations, Faro is the Portuguese HQ for a range of vibrant and spectacular parties.

Continue reading... Festivals in Faro

The town of Arrecife is home to a wide range of different fiestas and events. A lot of these fiestas and events are popular with people from all across the world and they tend to make use of the flights to Arrecife. One of the biggest events that are held in Arrecife is the fiesta of San Juan.

Continue reading... Fiesta of San Juan

Turkey celebrates a range of different festivals and events and most of these are Muslim events therefore a lot of these are celebrated in other parts of the world. There are other festivals and events that are held within Turkey and one of the biggest is the International Istanbul Film Festival. There are a lot of people that come from all across the world in order to enjoy the festivities that are part of this festival and these people find this easy to do due to the various flights to Turkey.

Continue reading... International Istanbul Film Festival in Turkey

There are a lot of events that take place throughout the year on the island of Gran Canaria and these events are popular with a wide range of people. Most of the villages and towns on the island have their own celebrations that they use to reflect the culture and heritage of the area. Most of the events on the island take place on an annual basis and this includes the festival that is known as Las Palmas Opera. This festival is popular with people from all over the world and they have a tendency to make use of the flights to Gran Canaria.

Continue reading... Las Palmas Opera Festival in Gran Canaria

There are a lot of different festivities that take place on the island of Gran Canaria and these take place all over the island. It is true to say that there is no village or town on the island that does not celebrate at least one event. Due to the vast amount of festivals and events that take place on this island no one is left out, as there is a suitable event for everyone. During the festivals the friendliness and hospitality of the island shines through. A lot of tourists make use of the cheap flights to Gran Canaria in order to join in the celebrations of some of these events.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Carnival

There are a lot of different festivals that take place on the island of Gran Canaria. These festivals take place at various times throughout the year and they all have their own trademark. These festivals are all designed to cater for a wide range of ages therefore there is something for everyone. These festivals allow the local people on the island of Gran Canaria to show their friendliness and hospitality. The regular flights to Gran Canaria enables tourists to take part in the various different festivals as they make the island easy to get to, from all across the world.

Continue reading... Las Palmas International Film Festival in Gran Canaria

During July the island of Lanzarote holds the festival that is known as Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen. This festival is celebrated on an annual event and it usually takes part on the sixteenth of July. This festival is very popular with both locals and tourists alike and a lot of the tourists that take part in this event tend to make use of the regular flights to Lanzarote. This is a catholic festival that takes place in order to celebrate this patron saint and she was also the protector for sailors and fishermen. This is one of the largest festivals that have been set up to commemorate a patron saint. This festival takes place in the northern part of Tenerife in the resort that is known as Puerto de la Cruz. Every year there is thousands of people that gather on the sea front in order to celebrate this festival.

Continue reading... Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen in Lanzarote

Our Lady of Sorrows Festival is a very popular event on the island of Lanzarote and this is annual event. This festival takes place during September and this event mainly focuses on the resort of Mancha Blanca however there are a lot of things that happen all across Lanzarote. This festival has been designed to play homage to the patron for the resort of Mancha Blanca. The patron was known as Virgin de los Dolores and this translates as the Lady of Sorrows, hence the name of the festival. This festival is a religious festival and it includes a church mass, massive craft fair, folkloric festivities and also a religious procession. A lot of the tourists that enjoy taking part in this festival tend to use the cheap flights to Lanzarote.

Continue reading... Our Lady of Sorrows Festival in Lanzarote

There is a wide range of different celebrations that take place within the resort of Antalya. A lot of these events are classed as major events and national festivals all across Turkey and some of these are even on the Islamic calendar. Some of the dates will vary from year to year. The city of Antalya also has a number of festivals and events that are celebrated within the city and these are seen as a good way to promote the city and to encourage people to make the most of the cheap flights to Antalya so that they can take part in these events. A lot of the festivals and events within this area are designed to show people the characteristics and culture of the city.

Continue reading... Festivals in Antalya

There is a vast amount of different festivals and events that take place within Lanzarote. One of the popular events within this area is Teguise Carnival and this event is popular with both locals and tourists alike. A lot of the tourists that enjoy taking part in this carnival use the regular flights to Lanzarote. This carnival normally takes place during February. This carnival usually starts with birth of the sardine and it finishes with either the burial or burning of the sardine. This carnival is actually very similar to the harvest festival. On the evening prior to the carnival parade there tends to be a band that are based on the back of an open lorry and they play to the crowds that gather to celebrate the start of the festivities. The start of these festivities is also marked by a torch light procession and this is normally held by German people although a wide range of people tend to take part in it.

Continue reading... Teguise Carnival in Lanzarote

During April the main festival that is celebrated in Tenerife is Easter and this festival is a weeklong event. Normally this festival is the start of the better weather on the island of Tenerife and this makes it a popular time with tourists. A lot of the tourists that come here to enjoy the sunshine make use of the regular flights to Tenerife. There are tourists that come to this area all year round however the numbers tend to increase when the weather is warmer and the schools have more holidays.

Continue reading... Festivals in Tenerife During April

There is a vast amount of different festivals and events that are held within Tenerife and a lot of these are held on an annual basis. One of the largest events that are held in this area is Santa Cruz Carnival and this is amongst the most spectacular events that are held anywhere in the world. This large event is popular with both locals and tourists and it is normally held during February. This carnival event can be classed as a historical event and it has the ability to attract millions of people every year and these people come from a wide range of places. This carnival is classed as the second most popular event on an international event. A lot of the tourists that want to experience this event also make the most of the regular cheap flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Santa Cruz Carnival in Tenerife

There is a vast amount of different festivals and events that are held within Tenerife and a lot of these are held on an annual basis. One of the largest events that are held in this area is Santa Cruz Carnival and this is amongst the most spectacular events that are held anywhere in the world. This large event is popular with both locals and tourists and it is normally held during February. This carnival event can be classed as a historical event and it has the ability to attract millions of people every year and these people come from a wide range of places. This carnival is classed as the second most popular event on an international event. A lot of the tourists that want to experience this event also make the most of the regular cheap flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Santa Cruz Carnival in Tenerife

Sant Jordi Festival is referred to locally as the Festa Sant Jordi and this festival takes place around the twenty third of April. This festival is to celebrate the feast day of the patron saints from various towns across the island therefore there is a lot of different areas that celebrate at the same time despite being slightly different. This event is popular with both locals and tourists alike. A lot of the tourists that enjoy this event also enjoy the frequent flights to Mallorca.

Continue reading... Sant Jordi Festival

The annual festival that is known as Semana Santa is held on the Thursday, which is known as Maundy Thursday. This festival takes place in the resort on Palma on the island of Mallorca. During this festival there is a procession that leaves the church that is known as La Sang and the procession carries a crucifix. There are a lot of tourists that make the most of the regular flights to Ibiza.

Continue reading... Semana Santa

The popular attraction of Orotava Botanic Gardens is located within the historic town, which is known as La Orotava and this is in the northern part of Tenerife. This town is located at the bottom of the mountains known as the Teides. This town is also about five kilometers from Puerto de la Cruz and this is the main resort within the northern part of the island. A lot of the tourists that enjoy this area make the most of the regular flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Orotava Botanic Gardens in Tenerife

Angel Sunday is an annual event, which takes place during March. Angel Sunday is a festival, which is celebrated at Bellver Castle and this takes place on the first Sunday after Easter. This is a popular festival that is celebrated by the locals and also a vast number of the tourists that come to this area and a lot of these people make the most of frequent flights to Mallorca. Angel Sunday is a traditional event and in previous years bread was blessed during this festivals and then given out to the poor people. Angel Sunday is known within the local area as Domingo del Angel and this is a big celebration within the local area.

Continue reading... Angel Sunday in Mallorca

The carnival celebrations do not only take place within clubs as it also happens on the surrounding streets. One of the biggest things that take place is the massive street parade and this is very popular attraction. These parades and festivities tend to involve a lot of people from the GLBT community. It is true to say that these events are a lot of fun and they are also very colourful. All of these qualities mix together to create a very good atmosphere for a street party.

Continue reading... Ibiza Carnival During February

Ancient Nikopolis is an incredibly impressive location to visit in Preveza. Apart from this, there are a number of places to see in Preveza. For your vacation, you can easily reach Preveza by air as there are numerous flights to Preveza from several locations.

Continue reading... Archaeological Site of Ancient and Early Christian Nikopolis

The month of august in Kefalonia welcomes you to the unique Snake festival held at the Church of the Virgin in the village of Markopoulo. Dont miss out on this opportunity to witness this one of a kind festival as your flight to Kefalonia lands. The festival is held on 14th and 15th of August, so you can plan your trip around this time.

Continue reading... Snake Festival Kefalonia

Varkarola is a popular festival of Corfu that is held here in every summer season. The festival has got everything to do with Saint Spyridon. It is the belief of the locals of Kalami that Saint Spyridon saved the people of the Island from the persistent attacks of the Turks. The event celebrates this miracle that took place on 11th August 1716 in the most incredible manner. The festival is celebrated by performing nautical fights among sailors of the Island. It is a depiction of how the Turks were defeated and sent back from the Island.

Continue reading... The Varkarola Festival of Corfu

The National Day celebrations of Malta were held on May 14 at the Shanghai World Expo. The celebration began at the Pavilion and continued with other events to display the rich heritage of the country. The evening was made special and extremely memorable by a concert from Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja held in the Expo Center.

Continue reading... Malta National Day Celebrations

Just like all other amazing locations in Greece, Kefalonia is no less and holds great importance in terms of many celebrations and religious festivals. Flights to Kefalonia can be planned according to the events you wish to attend, as the city offers numerous events all through the year and more so in the summer season. The festival, especially the Kefalonia Carnival, is organised with great amount of joy and excitement around the picturesque villages.

Continue reading... Kefalonia Carnival

Easter also known as Paska, is considered to be the most important day in Greece traditionally. While Easter is on, it spans almost a weeks time and that week is termed as the Great Week or Megali Evdomada. During the Greek celebration of Easter, you will witness deep devotion and rich pageantry. There are celebrations and the excitement is quite contagious. Prior to the arrival of the festival traditional Greek people keep a fast of 40 days called nisteia as Easter is welcomed with preparation of elaborate meat, milk products and pastries. They are all the more excited because of the restriction they undergo during the fasting period.

Continue reading... Easter in Santorini

Before 1928, the festival known as St Johns Bonfires was celebrated just as it was celebrated in any other part of Europe. The huge gathering of people coming together to burn things such as old furniture is quite a spectacle. But, during the same year, a man from Alicante called Jose Maraa Py improvised the idea of similar nature. In a short span of 3 months the first such Bonfire was planned and organized in Daa de San Juan.

Continue reading... Alicante-St John's Bonfires

Apokrias Carnival in Crete is celebrated to appease Dionysos, the God of Feast and Wine. Traditionally it is supposed to prepare the people for the 40 day fast or Lent, during which there is are no parties, weddings or celebrations of any kind. The carnival is held as a form of last time of celebration before Lent begins, when people are not allowed to have meat or drink wine. It is held over a period of three weeks filled with fun and festivities, more to compensate for the abstinence to be held during the 40 day fast.

Continue reading... Crete Apokrias Carnival

With a festa being held almost every weekend, its hard not to bump into one of these during your holiday in Malta. No matter which time of year you visit Malta, you are sure to find at least one festa being organized in one of the villages. Its hard to believe that such a small island can have so many events in a single year. Its strategic location left it bare to several attacks, where the country ended up being ruled by Greek, Roman, French and British rulers. This is probably the reason for its unique culture and a whopping 60 festas held every year from May to September.

Continue reading... Malta Festa - The Village Feast

The rich history and culture of Kefalonia is marked by the numerous festivals and events held throughout the year. After a round of museums, castles, monasteries and other places of interest, attending the festivals at Kefalonia can be a great addition to your holiday package.

Continue reading... Union of the Ionian Islands

Kefalonia, Greece is one of several islands within the Ionian group of islands. It is the largest island of the group. There are many villages located throughout Kefalonia both in the mountainous terrain and on the coastline. The fine sand beaches with its turquoise waves lure tourists from all over the world to them during the summer months.

Continue reading... Ever thought of a holiday in kefalonia in Greece

If you are a big fan of carnivals, festivals and any forms of parties, then Lanzarote is the place to be. This island hosts a vast number of events for any one calendar year and of course, 2010 is no different. Some of their famous festivities have already occurred, but you can attend those next year if you missed them this year. They are the February carnivals, the festivities for Holy Week at Marchs end, the Day of the Cross celebrations in May, Junes Lanzarotes Corpus Christi celebrations and of course the Heineken Jazz festival which takes place every July.

Continue reading... year-round festivities in lanzarote

For the rest of this year, there are still many events to come and you can still make this island your number one vacation spot for this year. You have already missed the Heineken Jazz festival, but its annual so you can go next year, it takes place in July. You would have also liked the Easter celebrations, but as stated before, there is always next year. Lets take a look instead on the events that are coming up.

Continue reading... tenerife for the holidays

Anatalya, Turkey actually celebrates every national festival and other important events, therefore if you plan to visit or spend your vacation there, you will get to enjoy all the festivities that Turkey has to offer. They even celebrate the events that are derived from the Islamic calendar. Antalya, however also have its own festivals that it celebrates that are meant for and celebrated to highlight the city and its own characteristics and culture.

Continue reading... Fun, Frolic and Food in Antalya

On the island of Fuerteventura, there is no lack of festivities and celebrations. There calendar of events is extensive and even though most of the year has already passed, there are still many reasons for you to book flights to Fuerteventura today.

Continue reading... Enjoy the luxuries of eventful Fuerteventura

A Celebration of Sainthood in Menorca Among the many annual festivals celebrated in the Balearic Islands, the upcoming Processio de la Beata is considered one of the most important. It is a celebration in honor of Saint Catalina Tomas, the patron saint of the town of Santa Margalida.

Continue reading... Processio de la Beata

In Rhodes, Greece there is a festival known as the "Medieval Rose Festival of Rhodes". You are given the opportunity to take part in the witches and fairy dance or watch the fire eater with his amazing tricks, there are jugglers and other street performers or you can just participate in eating the gorgeous foods on offer. This festival is now a tradition of the town and is put on by the Medieval Rose which is an organization that operates in a non profit way.

Continue reading... Celebrations in Rhodes Greece

The Virgen del Pino festival, also known as the 'Feast day of the Virgin of the Pine', will be taking place on the 8th of September in Terror, a beautiful village in Gran Canaria. During the time of this festival, a lot of flights to Gran Canaria bring thousands of pilgrims to this annual religious festival. If you really want to know more about the culture and history of the Island, then this is an ideal destination for your holiday.

Continue reading... Virgen del Pino Festival in Gran Canaria

Kefalonia is known as one of the more tranquil and un-touristy ones of the Ionian islands. It is also the largest and seems to absorb its visitors seamlessly. There are regular flights to Kefalonia International Airport throughout the year, yet it manages to retain its own essential character. But this beautiful island is not just about languid beaches, peaceful villages and panoramic scenery.

Continue reading... August in Kefalonia is festival month

The biggest of all the Greek islands, you could be forgiven for thinking that Crete was in fact a whole country. Steeped in ancient history and home to the infamous Minotaur, Crete retains a mythical quality that many other countries have since lost. Book flights to Crete and experience the timeless traditions of this island while you catch one of the intimate celebrations that take place over the summer and autumn months.

Continue reading... St. Minas Parade in Heraklion

An island which is very much the epitome of Greek history, Crete offers nothing short of a continual succession of seasonal festivals and things to do over the summer months. For those who want to sample these festivals, book your flights to Crete now to catch the highly anticipated annual Music Festival in Paleohora, which takes place over the first ten days of August.

Continue reading... The Paleohora Music Festival

When it comes to celebrations, the Spanish don't do things by halves. On the 5th of August, Alicante will be hosting the Virgen del Remedio festival, a cultural festival in honour of the matron saint. Among the floods of summer celebrations in Alicante, this festival manages to stand out. It is definitely worth visiting if you have booked flights to Alicante.

Continue reading... An open-air summer fiesta in Alicante

A trip to the small Greek island of Skiathos will leave you with one thought in your mind: have I been here before? Well, you may not have been here in real life, but you will have certainly seen its blissful surroundings in the blockbuster film, Mamma Mia.

Continue reading... Skiathos Religious Festival

From Faro to Lagos, the Algarve just doesn't seem to slow down in August. All along this holiday coastline, there are sporting events every week to keep competitors and spectators alike happy. If you want to be part of this, it's wise to book your flights to Faro now. The warm weather doesn't put people off either with everything from athletic races to high profile motorsport events on the calendar.

Continue reading... Algarve Sports Fest during August

The island of Menorca hosts several celebrations and festivals during the summer and, unusually, many include horses as part of the programme.

Continue reading... Horses and Events in Menorca

Madiera, known for holding a Guinness World Record for the largest firework display, looks set to hold yet another birthday celebration as judging by last years 502nd they would be mad not to repeat proceedings on the 21st August. As well as the main parade, with participants dressed in various costumes, there will be outdoor concerts, theatre performances and other celebrations.

Continue reading... Funchal set to celebrate its 502nd birthday!

Greece is famous for its ancient history and warm climate. Usually, when people hear the word Greece, the first destination that comes to mind is Athens. But there are other places in Greece that boast beautiful historical sites: Corfu is one of them. Its treasures of Greek civilization make it hard for other interesting places in the world to compete against Corfu. The island is well known for both its history and amazing beaches.

Continue reading... Massive Vegetable Pies in Corfu

The Festival of San Juan on June 24th is a major event in the Spanish calendar as it is associated with the coming of summer. The Spanish never need an excuse for a party and the day is celebrated in both urban and rural areas with bonfires and festivities. These fires are particularly popular in the Catalonian and Valencian communities, and in some areas the date is also celebrated as Catalan nation day.

Continue reading... The Festival of San Juan

Gran Canaria is an island famed for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. However, there is a hidden world of exotic festivities and colourful celebrations that most tourists remain unaware of. If you can drag yourself away from the idyllic coastline and head inland for a day or two then you can get in touch with a vibrant local culture that has stayed intact for hundreds of years.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Fiestas

The Maldives are a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean to the south west of Sri Lanka. As flights to Male increase in popularity with holiday makers, many tour operators are offering package holidays to many of the better known resorts that are literally a boat ride from the airport. However, for those who want to experience the luxury and tranquillity of atolls that are unspoilt by comparison, the South Nilandhe Atoll has recently opened its luxurious doors.

Continue reading... South Nilandhe Atoll, the swankiest of them all

With its blue skies and balmy climate, Menorca is a hotspot all summer long. For a guaranteed scorcher of a holiday, though, the time to visit is during the midsummer festival of San Juan held from the 20th to the 24th of June this year, when the island is ablaze with bonfires and fireworks and every school kid is armed with a bagful of bangers!

Continue reading... More Bangers For Your Buck

If you happen to be in Spain on June 3rd then expect to get caught up in one of the major festivals of the Spanish calendar. Corpus Christi is a feast day that celebrates the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Spanish never need an excuse for a celebration, and as a country with a strong Catholic heritage it is hardly surprising that there are major festivities across the country on this day. However, what makes the festival so exciting for an outsider is that each region celebrates the day in its own unique way.

Continue reading... Corpus Christi celebrations in Spain

For those travelling to the Greek island Zakynthos early in May, a visit to the village Maherado is a must. Here, the celebration of Agia Mavra takes place annually on the 3rd of May. The day traditionally begins with a religious ceremony in the church of Maherado, which is calles Agia Mavra too. After the ceremony, the feast continues with banquets and traditional dances on the village's square.

Continue reading... Quieter Beaches on Zakynthos

Next Wednesday, most USA citizens will celebrate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on the 5th of May, 1862. Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "fifth of May", is celebrated all throughout the USA because the 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated the much better-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for half a century and, since the Battle of Puebla, no American country has been invaded by an army from another continent.

Continue reading... Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

By far the biggest occasion during April was the two day visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the island, an event that commemorated an unfortunate event that happened almost two thousand years ago. That was the time when St Paul's boat was shipwrecked on Malta while he was on a voyage to Rome. The Saint remained on Malta for 3 months and there are many locations around the island that exist due to this unfortunate accident. In Rabat there is St Paul's Grotto and Church that was built in the 17th Century. It is claimed that the grotto was also used by the Romans as a prison and it was also an air raid shelter during the 2nd World War.

Continue reading... Malta Spring Celebrations

We've already mentioned some of the sporting events planned to take place on the Algarve during April, with a round of the World Superbike Championship being one of the most high profile. This event represents a great opportunity for British bike fans who may struggle to get tickets for the home round of this series. Book some time off work, secure some cheap flights with flythomascook.com and spend a long weekend enjoying the Portuguese round of the series in the warm sunshine of the Algarve.

Continue reading... Algarve Arts in March

The capital of Mallorca has always taken pride in its ability to attract and showcase the best of art, culture and music and at any time of year there is always a great choice of concerts, performances and exhibitions to choose from.

Continue reading... Palma Exhibitions Open

For many holiday resorts the off season is often a period of complete downtime as far as events are concerned, but places like Malta always seem to have something going on to interest visitors.

Continue reading... Malta's April Offerings

The celebrations of Easter, or Paska, are some of the most important of the year in Greece and for anyone on the island of Crete for a break during early April, the events will add a dash of local colour to their stay.

Continue reading... Easter In Crete

Many of the larger carnivals like the famous one in Rio de Janeiro and the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife were held on the official carnival weekend of 13th and 14th February. Santa Cruz claims to host one of the biggest carnivals after Rio and this year the capital city of Tenerife had four live stages, an 84,000 Watt sound system and lighting rigs totaling almost 140,000 of power.

Continue reading... Maspalomas Carnival Details

During the winter period, flythomascook.com offers flights to Paphos in Cyprus from three UK airports, namely London Gatwick, Nottingham East Midlands and Manchester. Once we get to April, however, the schedule adds departures from a further seven airports and lots more flights. There are a number of ex-pats living in Cyprus, so flights from the UK are always popular, but Cyprus also makes a great destination for a winter or early spring break, particularly as the weather can be kind at that time of year.

Continue reading... Approaching Spring in Paphos

Visitors to Orlando in Florida who travel with flythomascook.com during the summer will arrive at the Florida Sanford airport. In addition to visiting all the theme park attractions of nearby Orlando it may be worth checking out Sandford itself. The town is well- known for its "Alive after Five" street festivals that take place every month.

Continue reading... Sanford Street Parties

Here are some more details about this year's Carnival that was held in the town of Rethymnon between the end of January and 15th February. This Crete carnival is slightly unusual in that the event programme was made possible due to the participation of several "teams". These teams were made up of locals who either belong to a sporting or social club, or are perhaps a group of friends or family. In addition to the usual street parades and musical performances, there were also lots of "team" parties held in different venues across the town. The dates and locations of these parties were published and everyone was invited to come along.

Continue reading... Rethymnon Celebrations

After a string of big cultural events during early January, Mallorca switched to music for the remainder of the month with a varied mix of concerts in Palma and other towns across the island.

Continue reading... Mallorca Music

Just when you think the carnival celebrations are over on Lanzarote and the streets of Arrecife have returned to normality, then things kick off again in another resort.

Continue reading... More February Celebrations on Lanzarote

If you happened to be spending a break on Malta during the second half of February then carnival tradition and sporting excellence awaited as two of the island's main annual events took place before the end of the month.

Continue reading... Malta in February

Colourful costumes, street parades, plenty of parties and of course great food and drink are the ingredients for most carnival events and things are not too different on Ibiza. For five days during February the main towns on the island seem to stop work and get down to the serious business of letting their hair down. If you can't quite imagine what goes on there, then think back to the best fancy dress party you ever went to and multiply it by a factor of ten. Everyone, whether part of an organised group in the parade or just watching from the pavements, is encouraged to dress as brightly, even as outrageously, as possible.

Continue reading... Ibiza Celebrations

We've already posted information about several of the big carnival events planned for the Canary Islands and the Balearics but Greece is another country that celebrates at this time of year.

Continue reading... Greek Carnival in Crete

The carnival season is an important time of the year in Gran Canaria and because the resort of Maspalomas and the capital Las Palmas are the two biggest towns on the island, it is not surprising that the most spectacular carnivals are held there. We will cover those events in more detail as they approach, but there are also other towns on the island that host their own programmes.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Celebrations

For an alternative winter sun getaway why not consider Funchal on the island of Madeira. The typical winter sun locations like Malta, Egypt or the Canary Islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote are all popular destinations for those seeking to spend a week or two escaping from the UK winter weather, but the island of Madeira is also a great option.

Continue reading... Funchal For February

When Malta puts on events, they are normally very ambitious. For such a small island you do wonder where they get all this desire to host big promotions. From music concerts and sporting events to international trade fairs and cultural celebrations, things are not done by halves in Malta.

Continue reading... Chess, Opera, Jazz and Pop on Malta

While many towns and cities across Spain are gearing up for their annual carnivals during February and March, the island of Mallorca steals a march on them with its Fiesta of San Sebastian during January.

Continue reading... Celebrate San Sebastian in Mallorca

We've been writing about the forthcoming carnival events in our various holiday destinations for quite a while now. The celebrations in the various resorts are spread over several weeks during February and March, with the majority of the larger events being held on the weekend of 13th and 14th of February.

Continue reading... Carnival - The Big One

As well as many tourists from Britain, the Canary Islands are also popular with Scandinavian visitors, who probably also value the region's mild winter weather as means of escape from their naturally cold climate at home. Take the Swedish for example who have a shorter working week than anywhere else in Europe and, according to a 2008 study, take an average 33 days annual leave each year, much higher than the European average of 25.2 days. The Danes and Germans are both calculated to have 30 days annual leave, while in the UK, workers have to make do with a meagre 24.7 days, ranking them only 13th in Europe. Estonia and Cyprus come bottom with only 20 days per year.

Continue reading... St Lucia Day on Gran Canaria

If you travel to the island of Menorca during January for a quiet winter sun break and you may stumble across an unexpected national celebration.

Continue reading... Celebrate National Day On Menorca

The island of Mallorca and its capital Palma , like many places in Spain, prepare for a traditional Christmas and New Year that centres around four main events. Christmas Eve is important with concerts and Midnight Masses held in many churches, including the famous Seu Cathedral in Palma itself. Christmas Day is a time for relaxation and spending time with family. New Years Eve sees another excuse for celebration, with parties and fireworks displays illuminating the island's skies and then finally the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6th sees children receiving gifts in much the same way as UK children do on Christmas Day.

Continue reading... Mallorca Beyond New Year

One of the best ways to experience the true Gran Canaria is to take part in the annual carnival that started this year on the 26th January 2010.

Continue reading... Las Palmas Carnival

In Cyprus the towns of Larnaca and Paphos are favourites of both British tourists and ex-pats who have gone there to live and enjoy the milder climate. As you might expect the Christmas cultures of the towns are both a mix of Greek Cypriot traditions and those more modern derivatives that the mix of nationalities brings to the area.

Continue reading... December Culture in Larnaca and Paphos

The month of November on the island of Madeira is certainly one when food seems to take the centre stage.

Continue reading... Madeira Food Focus

As a holiday island that relies on tourism for much of its commercial activity, the authorities in Mallorca have a responsibility to their business community to provide a continuing stream of events and attractions that help bring visitors to the island all year round. Mallorca has slowly developed a tried and tested seasonal shift that sees the springtime favouring the activities of cyclists and athletes, who come to the island for warm weather training. Then the long summer panders to the millions of sun and beach lovers who enjoy the island's many perfect resorts. Autumn sees a switch to sailing and also culture that brings art and music festivals to the island. At the end of the year Christmas provides a perfect bridge to the golfing season that takes over in the New Year.

Continue reading... Mallorca's Seasonal Shift

For many the Christmas period presents the perfect opportunity to take a short break and get away for a little rest and relaxation. For some a cosy chalet in snow covered mountains is the ideal break while others yearn for some warm sunshine. Being only a short flight from the UK, Lanzarote offers the combination of convenience and value for British tourists seeking some warmer weather.

Continue reading... Lanzarote Christmas

The normally quiet town of Inca, lying 17 miles north east of Palma on the island of Mallorca, suddenly became the centre of attention during November. The Autumn fairs of Inca are traditional events that go back many years and attract huge crowds over the 4 weekends which started on 24th October.

Continue reading... Dijous Bo on Mallorca

New Years Eve celebrations seem to be getting bigger and bigger every year. London now stages a major public fireworks display, centred on the London Eye on the Thames, while TV news broadcasts always show the New Year being welcomed in different parts of the world. These reports usually show fireworks displays in Edinburgh, Paris, Sydney, Copacabana beach, Hong Kong and or the million or so revelers who converge on Times Square in New York. The New York celebrations are interesting as they first started in 1904 to commemorate the opening of the New York Times' new offices, when 200,000 people came to enjoy an all-day party put on by the newspaper. It is now estimated that 1 billion people worldwide watch the Times Square celebrations.

Continue reading... New Years Eve on the Algarve

December is now upon us and Christmas celebrations are starting to begin in earnest with many countries seeing traditional Christmas fairs and markets springing up in their towns and villages.

Continue reading... Christmas Fairs and Markets

Tourists heading for Gran Canaria early in 2010 will be interested to know about some of the important dates on the events calendar for the island.

Continue reading... Planning for 2010 in Gran Canaria

The town of Sa Pobla is one of the larger towns in Northern Mallorca, but being situated around 20 miles to the north of Palma and set inland it doesn't receive much attention from tourists visiting the island. This is a town populated largely by native Mallorcans, without the abundance of holiday homes that are a feature of some of the more picturesque parts of the island. The main industry around Sa Pobla is agriculture and the flat countryside around the town is a patchwork of well cultivated fields growing all kinds of produce.

Continue reading... Sa Pobla Autumn Fair

You don't have to go to Germany to enjoy the traditional German Oktoberfest celebrations. The state of Florida is just one of many in the United States that is hosting its own versions of the traditional beer festival.

Continue reading... Oktoberfest in Florida

Malta's annual Rolex Middle Sea Yacht Race set sail from Valletta on the 17th of October 2009. Around 80 yachts took part in this year's 600 mile race. The excitement and buzz that surrounds international yacht racing came to the harbour at Valletta and the start and finish celebrations were a wonderful spectacle for anyone on Malta during the week of the race.

Continue reading... Malta Middle Sea Yacht Race in October

The Teatro das Figuras in Faro was the venue for a Dance Gala evening on the 10th of October 2009.

Continue reading... International Dance Gala in Faro

Gran Canaria in October is much the same as Gran Canaria in September and November. The usual warm Autumn weather, lots of tourists arriving on the island for a late summer break and plenty of things going on. However the first weekend of October this year did seem to have an unusual combination of events on the calendar.

Continue reading... Cheese, Rock and Art Celebrations

As the summer parties and cultural festivals came to an end, the island of Kefalonia continued to entertain its visitors with several artistic celebrations.

Continue reading... Autumn Festivals on Kefalonia

For anyone visiting the island of Madeira during the middle of October, the town of Ribeira Brava provides the chance to experience some traditional local music and culture.

Continue reading... Autumn events on Madeira

During September the island of Fuerteventura celebrated one of its most important annual festivals.

Continue reading... Fuerteventuras Lady of the Rock

The night clubs are well known but dancing of a different type took centre stage on Ibiza during August.

Continue reading... Dance and Celebrate on Ibiza

Visitors to the Greek island of Kefalonia during August have the choice of a number of traditional local events during their stay, with wine featuring prominently.

Continue reading... August Wine Events in Kefalonia

The town of Polis lies 20miles north of Paphos in the north west of Cyprus. It is a popular town with visitors to the island and the local community provides an interesting selection of artistic and cultural events for tourists to enjoy during there stay in the area.

Continue reading... Summer Nights in Polis near Paphos

The area around Paphos in the south of Cyprus has changed during the last 25 years on the back of better provisions for tourists and an increasing popularity of the area for second-home investors. Control of development is still a concern with conservationists but at least the authorities can see the issues created when developers are given too much of a free rein. What Paphos has to offer, apart from its own cultural attractions, is its proximity to two areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Continue reading... Paphos a gateway to the real Cyprus

The annual Kataklysmos Fair starts on 5th June in Larnaca, Cyprus with a performance of Greek dancing and music on the seafront stage, followed by a fireworks display. The word "kataklysmos" means flood and the celebration is unique to Cyprus, coinciding with the Greek Pentacost. The celebrations are thought to link back the birth of Aphrodite who emerged from the waves and turned the ground around her into a sea of flowers. The flood is celebrated as something that cleanses mankind and enables new life, and is a event marked in a similar manner in many cultures around the world.

Continue reading... Annual Kataklysmos Fair in Larnaca

The popularity of Egyptian resort location Sharm el Sheikh seems to be continuing while some other destinations are feeling the effects of the global slowdown. Reports suggest that visitor volumes to Sharm are showing increases of up to 20 per cent this year and building development projects are underway to cope with the extra tourists.

Continue reading... New developments open in Sharm el Sheikh

Hilton Hotels Corporation is obviously placing a huge amount of faith in the future of this part of Turkey, having announced plans for 11 new hotel contracts last year, which effectively doubles their footprint in Turkey. Ongoing plans are reported to include 40 hotel openings in Turkey over the next 5 years.

Continue reading... New Hilton Dalaman Resort on track for Summer opening

A varied mix of over forty events are planned across the seven islands, featuring cultural performances of music, film and theatre, sporting competitions and traditional celebrations.

Continue reading... Plans Announced for Canaries Celebration Day