The start of February traditionally sees one of the first professional races of the European season taking place on the island of Mallorca. Many of the top European riders use the event to test their form and get used to racing with new teammates. This year the event clashed with another top level race taking place in Qatar, with several teams attracted to the warmer desert weather as a place to start their 2010 campaign.

Continue reading... Pro Cyclists in Mallorca Race

For many people, primarily those who have never been there, Mallorca creates the impression of being a typical beach-based resort, often filled with rowdy twenty-somethings on a cheap week away, but for those who have visited the island and ventured away from the one of two resorts that seem to make the holiday headlines, Mallorca is a real jewel in the Mediterranean.

Continue reading... Mallorca Has Hidden Charms

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

Cycling around the roads of Lanzarote may be the choice of professional racing teams for their pre-season training camps or keen amateur cyclists escaping the uncertain conditions of a wet British spring, but Lanzarote has more to offer than just road-based routes.

Continue reading... Mountain Bike Around Lanzarote

Ask anyone to name the islands in the Canaries and most would, without much trouble, come up with the main four islands of Tenerife , Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. After all that's where most of the holiday companies and airline operators provide services for. However there are actually 8 main islands, the others being La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa, the smallest of the inhabited islands of the Chinijo Archipelago off Lanzarote.

Continue reading... La Gomera In The Canaries

Rapidly turning into Turkey's hottest new kid on the block in terms of tourism, Belek is a region on the coast of southern Turkey which includes the town of Belek itself, the city of Antalya and the stunning Aspendos amphitheatre. Here the coastline is scattered with "blue flag" quality beaches, newly developed tourist centres and a variety of historic and cultural attractions.

Continue reading... Glorious Golf in Belek

The 17th December, was the shortest day of the year in Funchal on the island of Madeira in 2009, dusk arrived at 4 minutes to five in the afternoon only 600 minutes after sunrise. Compare that to London whose shortest day came a day or two later and was only 470 minutes long. So a winter break on the island of Madeira will not only provide more sun and warmer temperatures, but the days will be over two hours longer too.

Continue reading... Funchal's Shortest Day

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

Music and the island of Mallorca seem to be very closely linked and the pretty port of Soller hosted its own series of concerts during September and October this year.

Continue reading... Port de Soller Festival on Mallorca

Reputed to have the world's best climate, Gran Canaria is a tourist destination with so much to offer, entertainment and marvellous beaches, antiquities and culture, outdoor sports and nature. More than just an island paradise, GranCanaria is an experience to savor.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Much MoreThan Paradise

Incredibly picturesque and utterly laidback, Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece. With it's ruggedly beautiful topography, fine sand beaches, and gorgeous sunsets, Kefalonia is easily one of the most ravishing islands in the Med. Although it welcomes tourists warmly, it is conversely, one of the least touristy places in all of Greece.

Continue reading... Kefalonia - Part 1

For a real Greek village experience try Vamos. The town is situated between Chania and Rethymnon, in the rolling foothills of the White Mountains. The sea is less than four miles away, with sandy beaches complete with water-sports facilities at both Kalives and Georgioupoli.

Continue reading... Crete - Part 2

Located on the azure Aegean Sea, the Dalaman region of south west Turkey (also known as Turkey's Turquoise Coast) is a place of wonder and natural beauty that is truly unbeatable.

Continue reading... Dalaman - Part 1

The eastern most island of the Canaries, Lanzarote is a place of spectacular natural beauty. This unspoilt volcanic island will bowl you over with its extraordinary rock formations, mountains, seascapes and desert plains. With so much to enjoy here, Lanzarote is a superb beach break for a relaxing or active holiday.

Continue reading... Lanzarote - Part 1

Despite so many opportunities to relax here, Palma also is a city that encourages activity and exploration. Main tourist beaches offer a range of activities such as volleyball, windsurfing, water and jet skiing.

Continue reading... Palma Part 2

July and August are busy months in Crete as towns and villages all over the island celebrate with different types of festivals. For visitors to Crete the local festivals present an ideal opportunity to experience some local culture and learn a little about the history and traditions of the island.

Continue reading... Festival Time in Crete

Rediscover the true Crete: Beyond the noisy, crowded resorts lies the true heart of Crete which encompasses stunning regional flavours, exceptional land and sea scapes, and the hustle and bustle of traditional village life.

Continue reading... Crete Part 1

The wilder parts of Crete are already well known for Gorge trekking and even some skiing high in the mountains, but places like the beach at Plakias are home to some challenging climbing locations. At Plakais, a sheer limestone wall rises directly off the beach, making it a great spot for some recreational climbing. The location is becoming more popular and additional routes are being documented.

Continue reading... Paradise for Climbers

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 largest of the Greek islands is not merely a place for beach holidays. The landscape here is both varied and challenging once you move inland. Crete is also the location one of Greece's Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO's World Network of 553 Biosphere Reserves are recognised as places which innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. There are only two Biosphere Reserves in Greece, the other being Mount Olympus on the mainland and the highest mountain in Greece. Both sites became part of the scheme in 1981.

Continue reading... Samaria Gorge Crete

The island of Lanzarote is a great place to relax for many people, but on one long day in May there were plenty of people doing just the opposite. The Lanzarote Ironman triathlon is regarded by many as the toughest triathlon in the world. Besides having to contend with the huge distances and endurance challenges involved, athletes also have to battle against the unique conditions the island throws at them. These normally include the high temperatures and windy conditions that prevail on Lanzarote's volcanic landscape. There is very little in terms of vegetation when you get up onto the higher mountain roads on the island and the wind can feel relentlesss for a tired cyclist.

Continue reading... Lanzarote's Longest Day

The islands are no strangers to motorsport events as the larger Rally Islas Canarias takes place earlier in the year and usually attracts large crowds. As a nation the Spanish are great fans of all motor sports. Fernando Alonso is their top Formula One driver while Jorge Lorenzo, who was born in Palma de Mallorca, is a top Moto GP rider.

Continue reading... Fast Cars in Gran Canaria

Described as a walker's paradise by many, the island combines a mild, dry climate with spectacular high mountains, coastal paths and, in places, wonderful isolation. A huge network of ancient walkways and traditional trails used by shepherds links together hundreds of small villages which provide places to stop and gather refreshments as well as places to stay overnight.

Continue reading... Walking and Climbing in Crete

If your holiday to Mallorca needs to include more than just endless lazy days relaxing on the beach then the island has plenty to offer those willing to explore the island. Mallorca has dramatic coastal scenery but inland the Tramuntana mountains provide a completely different geography. Almost one hundred years ago a railway line was built to link the capital Palma with the town of Soller in the north west of the island. The purpose of the 27 kilometer line was to ease the commercial development of the Soller area as previously the only way to reach the capital was the long journey over difficult mountain terrain.

Continue reading... The Old Train to Soller in Mallorca