There is only one great classical music festival during winter in Europe: The Canary Islands Music Festival. With the start of 2012, the 28th edition of this festival took off. Unsurprisingly, this festival is a reason for music lovers from around the world to book flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the other islands.

Continue reading... Bach on the Beach

World triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee and his brother Jonny, who came second to his brother in Beijing this September, have an unsurprisingly grueling training schedule in the lead up to 2012. The British brothers, who are based at cosy student digs in Leeds, stick to a regimented 35 hours of training a week, including weekends. The pair swim, run and cycle, all before midday, and then go for long runs again in the evening. The boys claim to do 95 percent of their training together and believe their consistent top 10 positions come down to tactical co-operation and teamwork.

Continue reading... The Brothers Brownlee Swap Rainy Leeds For Sun Drenched Lanzarote

The Spanish, as a nation, enjoy a pretty sizable amount of time off with 14 national public holidays, on top of other regional feast days, and an average of 4 weeks paid leave a year. One of the most significant national, secular holidays, 'Dia de Constitution', celebrates Spain's transition into democracy after the death of the oppressive dictator General Francisco Franco. On the 6th of December 1978, in a landslide referendum, the Spanish people voted to establish an advanced democratic society in which welfare, cooperation and liberty where enshrined and promoted.

Continue reading... Spain's 'Dia de Constitution'

Continue reading... Camel Rides: a truly authentic Egyptian experience

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

The island of Fuerteventura is home to about one hundred and twenty miles of luxurious natural beaches. There is some beaches on this island that are nudist beaches as this is acceptable within Fuerteventura, however this tends to be on the more rural beaches therefore away from the main tourist areas. Both tourists and locals alike enjoy these beaches. There are a lot of tourists that make use of the cheap flights to Fuerteventura in order to enjoy the luxurious beaches and the sun.

Continue reading... Beaches in Fuerteventura

The European Diving Center has been offering a range of scuba diving, diving courses and dive holidays, which are all of very good quality. These facilities have all been on offer since 1989. This diving center is very popular with people from all across the world that are interested in diving. A lot of these people make the most of the regular cheap flights to Dalaman. This diving center is owned and operated by British people and it was originally established within the town of Fethiye, which is in Turkey.

Continue reading... European Diving Center in Dalaman

The international classic car rally is held within Menorca and it takes place during March. This event lasts for about two days and it is an annual event. This classic car rally attracts a vast number of rally teams and enthusiasts. Tourists and interested parties come from all across Europe in order to enjoy this event and they make the most of the cheap regular flights to Menorca.

Continue reading... International Classic Car Rally in Menorca

The modern village of Bodrum is located within the area that is known as Bodrum. This village is only small but is still a very popular tourist destination. This village is popular with tourists from all across the world who enjoy the frequent flights to Bodrum.

Continue reading... Torba in Bodrum

The Foundation Cesar Manrique is a popular tourist attraction that is a memorial for the late architect and artist and this is who it has been named after. Cesar Manrique was born in Arrecife on the 24th April 1919 and he died in Teguise on the 25th September 1992. There are a lot of tourists that enjoy taking in the sights and history whilst within the area and a lot of people make the most of the regular flights to Arrecife.

Continue reading... Cesar Manrique Foundation in Arrecife

Parque Las Aguilas is commonly referred to the jungle park. This jungle park is very popular with tourists and a lot of these tourists make the most of the flights to Tenerife. This park is home to a beautiful botanical garden and zoological park and it covers seventy five thousand square meters of jungle style ground. This park is home to over five hundred different animals and there is an array of suspension bridges, walking paths with tunnels, caves, lagoons and waterfalls. The park also offers visitors that chance to enjoy exotic birds, which includes birds of prey.

Continue reading... Parque Las Aguilas in Tenerife

The Florida Aquarium is a very popular tourist attraction. This tourist attraction is not operating to make a profit. This attraction is a large organization and it covers and area of about two hundred and fifty thousand square feet. The aquarium is located in an area that is popular with tourists and there are regular flights to Sanford. This aquarium is home to more than twenty thousand different aquatic animals and plants from all across the world. The zoos and aquariums association accredits this aquarium. The Florida Aquarium opened during March 1995 and it is privately owned.

Continue reading... The Florida Aquarium in Sanford

The National Ethnographical Museum is part of the National Museum and it was founded during 1892. During 1906 this museum became an independent museum and it is home to collection of traditional Bulgarian suits, crafts, decoration, woven and musical instruments. A lot of the tourists that visit this area take advantage of the regular flights to Burgas.

Continue reading... National Ethnographical Museum in burgas

The capital of Kefalonia is Argostoli and it is located on a peninsular within a working port that is very busy. The port is busy with freight ships, private yachts and also ferries that operate three hundred and sixty five days. This area is home to some Venetian buildings, however there used to be a lot more but they were damaged by an earthquake during 1953. Nowadays the town has a modern feel. The main attractions within the area are located close to the central plaza in Argostoli. There is a vast number of flights to Kefalonia therefore it is possible to rely on air transport.

Continue reading... Argostoli in Kefalonia

Kefalonia is one of the biggest Ionian Islands and it is one of the modern popular tourist destinations. The flights to Kefalonia make this a very popular destination with people from all across the world. There are some tour operators that have been operating on this island for over twenty years. There is a lot of the things on the island that cater for a vast array of different tastes and this includes luxurious sandy beaches, water sports, excellent food and local wines and also wonderful photography opportunities and luxurious scenery.

Continue reading... Boat Excursions in Kefalonia

Sanford is an exciting place to be in North Carolina, United States. It is full of various art galleries, museums and amazing naturally beautiful atmosphere to admire. Sanford has an airport so you can book your flights to Sanford now if you want to enjoy various tourist destinations of Sanford. One of the known museums of Sanford includes the Morse Museum of American Art.

Continue reading... The Morse Museum of American Art in Sanford

Rhodes is a beautiful city widely known for its excellent architecture in form of monuments such as Deer Dama Dama, museums and several others places to visit. Rhodes can be reached by air and if you are planning to visit this wonderful tourist destination then dont forget to book your flights to Rhodes much in advance. Rhodes Aquarium is another good place to take your children to.

Continue reading... Rhodes Aquarium

Preveza is located in Greece and is known for its beautiful beaches on the coast of the Ionian Sea. Apart from the beaches the city boasts of the Byzantine monasteries, wetlands of Amvrakikos Gulf and Venetian castles. Preveza has the Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airways that operate about three to four flights to Preveza every day. The Aktion Airport also offers several flights from some of the major cities of Europe. The monument of Zalogo also has historical importance and is known as a place of love of freedom and sacrifice.

Continue reading... The Aheron Delta and the Amvrakikos Gulf in Preveza

Imagine yourself sitting in a wonderful garden looking at an amazing flower. In the beginning you are able to admire its beauty only from a distance and that too for a few seconds. Once you come closer to it you touch its smooth colored petals and enjoy the feel of it. Tasting wine at Santorini is something like this. When you notice it from a distance in your own country or town you are able to just admire the Wine making from a distance not fully appreciating the effort and the charm of a wine. Thats why it is a good idea to visit vineyards of Santorini which has been commercialized to a limited extent so that its charm is not completely overwhelmed by the tourism industry.

Continue reading... Santorini Wine Tourism

Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is an extremely popular festival in Turkey. It is organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture from June 10th to July 22nd. Aspendos is around 45 kms away from Antalya airport. You can easily reach Aspendos by taking a flight from the airport at Antalya. There are several flights to Antalya, international as well as domestic.

Continue reading... Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival

Monastir is a city of rich history and varied tradition, and has become a popular destination for tourists coming from all over the world. From historic structures to unique festivals, Monastir is a great place to be at any time of year. If you are planning a trip to the city, there are several flights to Monastir available from Europes major airports.

Continue reading... Monastir Ilinden Days

As summers approach you can get ready to expect a world of art and culture at Heraklion. Starting in July till late September each year, the city of Heraklion situated on a Greek island Crete hosts a small arts festival. Although it is a small scale festival but people involved in art are attracted to places that are not too loud or too noisy. If you are one of those art lovers then Crete is worth visiting at least once in your lifetime. Flights to Heraklion can be taken from any part of the world and can even be booked online. Apart from the summer arts festival, there are many places you will find interesting.

Continue reading... Heraklion Summer Festival

Picturesque mountains looking down on the sun kissed beach is a typical scene in Tenerife. For an island, the city has very peculiar landscape having one of the highest mountains in Spain, the third largest volcano in the world and tropical forests. Naturally so, these are the most popular attractions of the island, pulling in more than 10 million tourists every year from all over the world. Apart from the beautiful geography, the island also offers lots of entertainment with events such as fiestas and carnivals organized all through the year.

Continue reading... Tenerife Opera Festival

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

Medieval Rhodes Festival will happen next in May-June 2011. It is an annual festival organized by the Medieval Rose Foundation along with the co-operation from the Municipality of Rhodes. The event happens in Perfecture of Dodecanese which is a cultural and architectural heritage monument of the world.

Continue reading... medieval festival of rhodes

The Canary Islands are located in Spain and are known for their year round festivities. Gran Canaria as the name suggests, is one of the largest islands within the set and it lives up to the name by offering a calendar of events that makes the island worth visiting any time of the year. The vents are often kept in and around the area of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria which is also the capital of the island. Many of the big festivals took place earlier in the year, but there are still many more to come. You may have missed the Music festival in January; the Opera festival in February or even the Jazz Festival in July, but they will be here again next year and there are still many of the good ones that you can still experience this year.

Continue reading... Festivity Non stop on the Gran Canaria Island

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

For a classic autumn holiday of sun, sea and sand, there can be few more hospitable destinations than The Gambia. Flights to Banjul International Airport are a very do-able six hours and since there is no time difference, there is no jet-lag to spoil the start of your holiday. Set off in the morning and you could be sipping freshly mixed fruit cocktails before sun-down.

Continue reading... Gambia, paradise in the sun

If you've booked flights to Ibiza this summer, chances are you've heard some great stories about clubs such as Pacha and Space. We don't doubt you'll find your way to the legendary We Love parties, KM5 (a Bedouin-style garden club) and all the other parties in Ibiza. But do you have any idea what to expect when it comes to food? Dining in Ibiza is more than just lining your stomach! There are so many dining choices that you can take your summer love to a different eatery every day and try all the wonderful traditional dishes together - instead of bringing a different date to the same restaurant every night.

Continue reading... Dining in Ibiza

If you've ever taken a holiday trip to Paphos, you know that this stunning coastal city in Cyprus has got many extensive attractive choices for visitors. But to crown it all, they also organize a huge annual festival to promote the culture and taste of the land. During the festival, a lot of flights to Paphos are usually overbooked as most of the tourists who have been part of the great event once wish to return. To secure your place at the festival, book your flights via flythomascook and buy a ticket to the festival online.

Continue reading... The Glitz and Thrills of Paphos' Aphrodite Festival

Are you a 21st Century Hippy? Are you concerned with the environment and our planet? Are you into Goan trance techno music? Then the Boom Festival in Idanha a Nova Lake in Portugal is the place for you. Taking place between the 18th-26th August (during the full moon), the Boom festival is dedicated to all free spirits. The idea behind the Boom is to create a space in this time continuum where people from all over the world can live an alternative reality. "It's a celebration of intuition and telepathy as we watch how communication changes along these few days and how in the end there is no more need for words."

Continue reading... Set your holiday off with a Boom

The city of Canakkale, on the Marmora coast, is the second city to be situated on two continents after Istanbul and is the nearest major town to the site of ancient Troy.

Continue reading... A mix of infamous military and ancient history at the heart of Canakkale

Music festivals are very popular on the island of Majorca and its smaller neighbour Menorca. On Mallorca it seems that even smaller towns are organising their own summer music festivals, with jazz proving to be one of the more popular styles. On Menorca, festivals are equally popular and one of the biggest is the annual Music Festival of Mahon, which features mainly classical performances. This festival may be smaller than some of its Mallorcan equivalents, but the quality of the performers is very high.

Continue reading... Music Festival in Menorca

Sousse is perhaps most famous for its annual international festival, running this year between 14th July and 8th August. The 52nd Festival International de Sousse includes around twenty different cultural events including orchestral performances, operas, jazz evenings, theatre productions, dance performances and concerts by popular Tunisian artists. Artists on the programme this summer include Taher Guizani's troupe 'Arabesque', pop group Samsa, Nawel Ghachem, and Lebanese virtuoso Marwan Khouri.

Continue reading... Sousse International Festival

Between the 15th and 25th of August, the patron saint of Lanzarote's Capital Arrecife is celebrated in style. During the daytime, much of the activity is concentrated around the El Charco area itself, where traditional island sports such as Canarian sailing and wrestling are celebrated and a new Miss Lanzarote is elected annually. The whole event then culminates in an impressive fireworks display on the main beach promenade on the night of the 25th.

Continue reading... Festa de San Gines and the Juego del Palo

The capital of the Canary Islands, Las Palmas, plays host to the International Festival of Theatre, Music and Dance. The festival is in its fourteenth edition from 8 July to 14 August and has been gaining in strength and recognition every year. Las Palmas is a candidate for the prestigious award of European Capital of Culture for 2016, spurring large investments in everything cultural happening within the city.

Continue reading... Paving the way to becoming European Capital of Culture

Very few things are more glamorous than late summer sailing whilst rubbing shoulders with royalty. Head to Palma de Mallorca in late August as, during the Copa del Rey regatta, 16th to 22nd August, the Spanish Royal family, celebrities and sailing fiends will spill out onto the bay to enjoy a week of the finest Mediterranean sailing by day and glamorous galas by night.

Continue reading... Royal Sailing in Mallorca

How about doing something different for your summer holiday without compromising on some R and R on a sandy beach? If you want to satisfy your environmental conscience and spend some time in the sun, then head to the Greek island of Zakynthos this summer.

Continue reading... Help the turtles in Zakynthos

The ancient Cypriot town of Limassol, visited by Richard the Lionheart in 1191 during the Third Crusade, is the home of the Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute. This was founded in 1977 and hosts the 14th International Festival of Greek Drama from the 1st to the 27th of July.

Continue reading... International Festival of Greek Drama in Limassol

Santorini is one of the most popular destinations in Greece and is known as the home of one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. With its large numbers of beautiful sandy beaches and guaranteed summer sunshine, it is the ideal destination for those looking for a relaxing break. Book flights to Santorini in time to see the world renowned International Music Festival which takes place from the end of July until the beginning of September and you won't be disappointed with what's on offer.

Continue reading... The International Music Festival of Santorini

Ballet buffs should quickly book their flights to Bodrum, because the 8th Bodrum Ballet Festival is scheduled to take place in August this year. Like last year, the historical Castle of St. Peter will be the main venue.

Continue reading... Bliss for Ballet Buffs in Bodrum

The cultural heart of Tunisia is Monastir, where Islamic architecture historic sites are the backdrop for a thriving scene of contemporary art and tourist attractions. Located on the central shore of Tunisia but other than that surrounded by deserts, Monastir is an enchanting oasis. From the 10th of July until the 8th of August 2010, the city will celebrate the El Jem festival for the 25th time.

Continue reading... Top concerts in one of the oldest Roman amphitheatres

The small Cycladic island of Tinos is home to a very special icon. The icon of the Virgin Mary, founded by the nun Pelagia in 1922, is homed in a spectacular neoclassical church called Our Lady of Tinos. It is believed that the nun found the icon as she was directed by the Virgin Mary herself in a dream. Our Lady of Tinos is not only attributed to have performed a number of miracles, being known as the Greek Lourdes, but it also reflects national identity as it was founded within the first days of the declaration of Greece as a modern independent state and is the Patron Saint of Greece. The icon is encased in gold, silver and jewels, and is surrounded by gifts, while outside the church pilgrims make their way up to the building on a special rubber mat on their hands and knees.

Continue reading... Religious Pageantry in Tinos

Everyone has heard of bull fighting, but how about camel wrestling? This rather unorthodox and much less gruesome sporting tradition derived from Anatolian semi-nomadic custom survives in the city of Selcuk in Turkey. Known for its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus, Selcuk is the capital of camel wrestling. The national Camel Wrestling Championship takes place in the outskirts of the Aegean coastal city in January - but do plan ahead if you want to catch a glimpse of something extraordinary!

Continue reading... Camel Wrestling in Anatolia

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a Roman Patrician? Well, in Tunisia, over 2000 years later, you may get a small taster. In the months of July and August, the ancient city of Carthage, the birthplace of the infamous Hannibal, becomes alive with its International Festival.

Continue reading... International Festival of Carthage: party in Phoenician Style

Much the same as their Spanish neighbours, food is a big thing in the Algarve. This popular Portuguese coastal region is peppered with eateries for all pallets and budgets, from local taverns to internationally renowned Michelin starred establishments. The locals however believe that food should not only be tasted, but also celebrated.

Continue reading... An Epicurean's delight in the Algarve

Paphos is one of the most visited and the most attractive cities on the west coast of Cyprus. It's boasting with big and famous hotels with their own beaches. And if you are looking for accommodations within a smaller budget, there are quite a number of affordable ones with good quality too.

Continue reading... Good reasons to visit Paphos

If you are a beach lover, at the same time looking for other fantastic attractions to make your holiday a fulfilling one, you will love this beautiful and popular province in Turkey. Antalya is famous for its long summer, coastal attractions, mountainous scenery and natural beauty. Its beaches are unique for their long sandy stretches, rocky nature, and sparkling water. One of the most popular amongst families is the Lara beach for its beautiful long length of golden sand, curved cove and turquoise crystal clear water. There are various collections of recreational amenities available on the beach for holiday makers like water slides for kids, Turkish bath, sauna and aqua therapy at a much reduced rate. You will also find water sport activities like jet-skiing, wind surfing, parasailing and boat trips.

Continue reading... Sun, Sand, Sights and Side attractions in Antalya

Are you looking for a last minute break with a difference? Are you bored with beach driven holidays? Would you like the chance to experience a traditional Catholic country festival? Then the Mediterranean island of Malta is the place for you.

Continue reading... Two day feasting in Malta: Imnarja-feast of St Peter and St Paul

The Balearic island of Mallorca is known for its hip and happening bars and clubs, its luxurious villas and yachts as well as for being the summer playground of the Spanish Royal family. While basking in the late summer sunshine, this iconic Spanish island deeply steeped in tradition also offers the discerning tourist a chance to experience medieval Spanish custom, and wine, at its best.

Continue reading... Celebrate Spanish wine with the locals: La Festa des Vermar

There are some interesting international events coming up in the most popular resorts of Turkey. If you haven't booked a holiday yet, it's worth checking out the last minute flights to Antayla and Bodrum.

Continue reading... International Festivals in Turkey

Istanbul has always been a cultural melting pot and is traditionally known as the gateway to Asia, where East meets West. Throughout June the city truly lives up to this reputation by playing host to one of the major events in the cultural calendar, the International Istanbul Music Festival. The festival is a summer extravaganza that straddles every genre from opera and ballet to classical and traditional Turkish music.

Continue reading... Istanbul International Music Festival

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

As is the case in this corner of the world, Lefkas has an ancient and mysterious past. Legends abound from tales of Aphrodite the Goddess of Love and Homer's Odysseus to the story of Sappho's leaping to her death from the 75m high Cape Lefkata cliffs in the 7th Century BC. The Romans also had a thing about throwing people from the cliffs there, however these days, other than the odd hang glider, things have quietened down!

Continue reading... A trip to the myths of ancient Greece

Lefkas is a beautiful location you'd probably miss if you weren't in Greece on an island hopping trip. Surprisingly, because it technically isn't an island at all. Lefkas was not an island until the locals dug a channel through the sandbanks to sever it from the mainland in the 5th Century BC. Today, it is reattached to the mainland by long causeway and floating bridge that have replaced the original ferry introduced in Roman times by the Emperor Augustus.

Continue reading... Is Lefkas an Ionian Island?

Skopelos island is part of the Sporades islands in the Aegean Sea to the east of mainland Greece. The Sporades islands offer travellers a different atmosphere to the usual Greek island getaways. Instead of bare hills and packed villages, the Sporades are pine forested and feature some of the best beaches along the Aegean. What is more striking is the difference in architecture that is less whitewashed and features stone roofs. Skopelos is known for its exceptionally gorgeous beaches, hidden away coves and crystal blue water. The capital city is charming and was built around a bay in an amphitheatre design.

Continue reading... Summer in Skopelos

If your only image of the Greek islands is of package holidays, then prepare to have your horizons broadened. From May 15th to June 27th, the island of Rhodes is transported back in time courtesy of the Medieval Rose Festival. Rhodes is an island steeped in history, and the festival is an incredible chance to watch the past come alive in front of your eyes.

Continue reading... The Medieval Rose Festival at Rhodes

Hundreds of Brits are looking forward to a visit to Malta in May and they will travel there for all kinds of reasons. The first reason that comes to mind is the weather, but another reason why so many have booked flights to Malta is the omnipresence of historic and cultural treasures on the island.

Continue reading... May in Malta

The waters off the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm el Sheikh are home to some amazing coral reefs. The authorities in the region are working hard to protect the area with various initiatives.

Continue reading... Coral Reefs at Sharm el Sheikh

Last Friday, a remarkable exhibition was opened on Lara Beach in Turkey, showing over 100 massive sand sculptures by thirty artists from ten different countries all over the world. One of the sculptures is 15 meter tall and depicts several characters from Avatar, the world's most successful film ever. The exhibition is part of the Antalya International Sand Sculpture Festival, and each round, participating sculptors only have a couple of days to turn 7,500 tons of imported sand into art.

Continue reading... Taking Sand to the Beach

The world of the performing arts can take many forms, from theatre and opera to classical music concerts and choral recitals, but April on Malta sees two other varieties taking centre stage.

Continue reading... Malta Performances

The Castle of San Jose on the island of Lanzarote is the unique setting for a series of concerts taking place over a four month period this year.

Continue reading... Lanzarote Museum Concerts

Visitors to Gran Canaria during May and June will have the opportunity to see some of the world's best known operas performed on the island as part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's 43rd Festival of Opera.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Operas

A consortium that was recently awarded the contract to design, build and operate a new marina complex at Larnaca in Cyprus will have to wait a little longer to find out if the decision that went in their favour still holds. The two companies who also competed for the project during the tendering process have had their complaints upheld and the review procedure must be done again. Work on the development is due to start at the end of this year for a planned completion date in 2013.

Continue reading... New Larnaca Marina Award

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

If you are planning to spend a holiday on the island of Menorca during April then, in addition to the wonderful beaches that are just perfect for lazy days in the sun, the island has plenty of plans for other activities and attractions that will encourage you to get out and about in the countryside and on the water.

Continue reading... Menorca on Land and Sea

March was the time when Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt received hundreds of hardy athletes, ready to tackle the 4th annual Sharm El Sheikh Half Marathon.

Continue reading... Half Marathon in Sharm El Sheikh

Two contrasting styles of music were set to be performed on the island of Malta during March and April, and the culturally aware audiences on the island were bound to appreciate both.

Continue reading... Music Styles on Malta

Relatively few resorts were promoting large events during march, preferring to wait until the new holiday season really starts at Easter. In Tunisia, music festivals are relatively thin on the ground anyway, so it was unusual to find a new festival taking place during March this year.

Continue reading... Music in Monastir

One of the nicest settings to appreciate art on the island of Lanzarote is the International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC). This interesting museum is housed in the old Castle of San Jose and was opened in 1975. The building itself is an unusual semi-circular structure built over 300 years ago to protect the town from invasion from the sea. This castle is situated to the northern side of Arrecife harbour and a similar building, the Castle of San Gabriel, sits on a sea wall at the other end of the town.

Continue reading... Art and Music in March on Lanzarote

Anyone who visits Malta will be immediately struck by the island's appreciation of art and culture. Malta is not only a great location for a sunny beach holiday, but also a fulfilling place for anyone with an interest in history or culture. The island's past is full of invasions, ownership changes and strategic involvement in many of the region's past conflicts. Valletta is not only a great monument to the island's legacy of architectural influences but also a centre for much of the art culture on the island today.

Continue reading... Spring Exhibitions on Malta

Many holiday resorts around Europe will be putting the finishing touches to their summer event plans, with several places set to hold music festivals. These multi-act events usually last several days and can attract huge audiences, especially if the mix of artists caters for a wide range of tastes.

Continue reading... Tenerife Announces April Pop Concert

Just like the authorities responsible for tourism in the Spanish Balearic islands, the Canary Island tourist authorities are also working hard to promote their resorts his year. One segment that they seem to be targeting is the sports tourist, an emerging focus for many resorts because they represent an opportunity to attract high spending clients during parts of the season outside the main peak periods.

Continue reading... Sporting Holidays a Target for Fuerteventura

If you've ever wondered what the main reasons are that make thousands of winter holiday fans book flights to Hurghada in Egypt, then you've probably quickly come up with sun and sand. And you'd have been right. So what else, if anything, does this resort have to offer that makes it stand out from other winter sun destinations?

Continue reading... Reasons to visit Hurghada

The general slow down in many industry sectors across Europe is not being taken lying down by the tourism authorities responsible for the Balearic islands that include Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca.

Continue reading... Menorca Benefits from Tourism Investment

The opening date for the newest luxury hotel in Antalya, Turkey has been set for March 2010.

Continue reading... New Luxury Hotel For Antalya

Gran Canaria's 11th International Film Festival is held between the 12th and 20th March 2010. The event which has graced the island since the year 2000 claims not to be seeking to duplicate its more famous counterparts in places like Cannes. The organisers are aiming a whole different segment of the cinema market and are looking to support the creative sector of the independent film industry. Don't expect to find any of the mainstream films that grace the cinemas up and down the country every week, the productions on show at this festival will be more leftfield, more unusual, more boundary-breaking than normal. They even describe some of the entries as bizarre and marginal.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Film festival

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

The operators of Antalya airport in Turkey, which acts as a gateway for tourists travelling to this part of the Turkish Mediterranean coastline, have announced a series of improvements including an improved domestic terminal which is set to open before the end of March.

Continue reading... Antalya Airport Improvements

One of the more unusual sporting events on Lanzarote this year saw over 700 competitors setting off on the 23rd January from the African coast and racing the 100 miles or so to Lanzarote. The cash prize for the first one home was a healthy 6000 Euros, so competition was fierce with only the very fittest and fastest in with a chance of winning.

Continue reading... Race to Lanzarote

The sun is already shining on Mallorca and the island hasn't even got to its main event of the year yet. Just like all Spanish towns, Palma's biggest festive event took place, not on 25th December, but on 6th January.

Continue reading... New Year Arts in Mallorca

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

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

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

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

We have just read an article that questioned whether Menorca effectively "died" during November, meaning did everything shut down following the end of the summer season. The conclusion was a resounding "no", with there being plenty to interest visitors on this beautiful island during Autumn. Of course there are fewer people on Menorca once the main summer season slows down, in fact the people count may drop to as low as 30 per cent of the summer peak, but that just means more space and a more relaxing environment for everyone.

Continue reading... Menorca During November

You are never too far away from a classical music performance in the town of Palma de Mallorca. The cultural roots of this town are deep in Mallorca and all forms of music are frequently represented on the event calendar. From the annual Chopin Piano Festival in Valldemossa to the outdoor summer concerts at the towering Bellver Castle in Palma, Mallorca has more than its share of inspirational venues too.

Continue reading... Mallorca Gets Classical

Whilst many European holiday resorts go through a quite spell before the start of the festive holiday period in mid December, Tenerife still has plenty of activities and events to interest visitors during November and early December.

Continue reading... Forthcoming Events on Tenerife

We knew that Turkey was gaining in popularity as more people discovered the attractions of the Mugla area on the southern coast on the country. The coastline has a number of established holiday resorts with others developing rapidly under the close control of the local tourist authorities. The weather in this part of the Mediterranean is amongst the best in Europe as far as warm sunny days go.

Continue reading... Turkey Celebrates Successful Travel Year

The small island of Gozo, which sits off the North Western corner of Malta, hosted its annual Festival Mediterranea at the end of October and beginning of November.

Continue reading... Festival Mediterranea on Gozo

With the festive season just a few weeks away, plans for getting away for some seasonal sun may be uppermost in the minds of those who prefer to spend the period in a warmer climate.

Continue reading... Christmas Getaway

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 islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote are no strangers to the international film industry. Tenerife hosts an international film festival, the next edition of which happens in June 2010 and the islands have also been used numerous times in films such as The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and also several episodes of Dr Who.

Continue reading... Film Crew in the Canaries

The Mallorca Festival of Music has now concluded, its two final concerts were held in October and November.

Continue reading... Mallorca Festival of Music

New plans for upgrading the airport at Chania on Crete are being made public at last. The Chania airport in western Crete is one of two operational charter flight airports at the moment. The other is at Heraklion, on the central northern coast and is the larger of the two, although there are plans to upgrade the airport at Sitia in eastern Crete to provide a third airport in the future.

Continue reading... Crete Airport Upgrade Plans

Visitors to Florida during the month of October have a choice of local festivals to try out as an alternative to lazy days on the beach.

Continue reading... Florida Festivals in October

A new season of concerts by the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra starts in November.

Continue reading... Tenerife Symphony Orchestra Starts New Season

September is a wonderful month to spend some time in Cyprus and this year was no different. The very hot days of the high summer are gone and milder weather, together with a wide selection of cultural events, make the island a pleasant place to spend a week or two.

Continue reading... September Events in Cyprus

Wine producing co-operatives on Tenerife have joined forces to offer visitors a chance to learn about and sample the wine choices of the island.

Continue reading... Join the Wine Bus on Tenerife

September saw the promotion of the Kypria Festival, with events in all the major towns of Cyprus during the month.

Continue reading... Kypria Festival on Cyprus

Popular tourist destination Gran Canaria was selected to host the World Cheese Awards in 2009.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria gets the Cheese

Continue reading... Banjul- The Gambia Part 1

Faro airport is the primary travel hub into southern Portugal. From the western end of the coast at Lagos right along through Albufeira, Vilamoura, Faro itself and across to Tavira in the east, the international airport welcomes flights from all over Europe. The majority of arrivals however are either from Lisbon or from the UK. Despite some lower traveler numbers this year, airport owners Ana Aeroportos are set to invest around 130 million Euros over the next four years in a multi-phase expansion project.

Continue reading... Faro Airport Improvements Planned

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

Just 35 miles south of Monastir and within easy reach of the airport, the important Roman town of El Jem hosts an annual music festival celebrating symphony music. The concerts are certain to be high quality but it is the setting that brings people to this special event.

Continue reading... El Jem Celebrates Symphony Music

At the beginning of July 2009 a new bus route running between Coral Bay and Paphos airport was started.

Continue reading... New Bus Route to Paphos Airport

The 7th Bodrum Ballet Festival is scheduled to take place in August this year, with the historical Bodrum Castle being the main venue.

Continue reading... Bodrum Ballet Festival

FlyThomasCook have announced an additional weekly flight to extend the existing offerings to three flights per week between Manchester and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Continue reading... Extra Flights to Fuerteventura

Details have been released for the 16th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival that takes in the spectacular 2000 year old amphitheatre near Antalya,Turkey. The fabric of the amphitheatre is amazing well preserved and its location alongside the ancient town together with an amazing capacity to hold 12,000 people make any occasions here very special.

Continue reading... Aspendos Festival at Antalya

AquaShow Park opened at the beginning of June and has various new attractions to excite visitors this year. It trademark ride is a long water roller coaster which, it claims, is the biggest in Europe. The ride is 740 meters long and a trip is said to last around 5 minutes in cars which twist, turn, climb and drop through various water channels. If you can cope with the thrills, it's a great way to cool off. The park also has other rides including a vertical drop slide called White Fall, a water play area suitable for smaller children and a huge wave pool for just bobbing around. A bird park and a wide choice of places to find something to eat and drink, rounds things off. The park, which is only 10 miles from Faro airport, seems to get great reviews.

Continue reading... Waterpark attractions on the Algarve

FlyThomasCook will add a new Tuesday flight to its Manchester - Arrecife route that, together with the existing Thursday and Sunday flights, will bring more choice and additional flexibility for people flying to the island of Lanzarote. The additional flight will operate from 4th August until 27th October 2009 inclusively.

Continue reading... Extra Flights to Lanzarote

Holidays in Turkey are certainly increasingly popular with some remarkable beaches, luxury resorts and a spectacular coastline that changes from developed tourist destination to isolated countryside at the turn of a peninsula. At the western end of the south coast, between the Gulfs of Gulluk and Gokova, lies the city of Bodrum. Although it is surrounded by a varied choice of smaller holiday resorts, Bodrum itself is a popular location that offers an eclectic mix of ancient culture, indulgence in luxury and exciting modern trends. By day Bodrum revolves around two attractive bays, a busy marina full of luxury yachts, an ancient castle and long, palm-shaded promenades. By night in Bodrum comes alive with hundreds of bars and restaurants, outdoor socialising and some of Europe's most exciting nightclubs.

Continue reading... Bodrum Comes Alive at Night

A consortium that was recently awarded the contract to design, build and operate a new marina complex at Larnaca in Cyprus will have to wait a little longer to find out if the decision that went in their favour still holds. The two companies who also competed for the project during the tendering process have had their complaints upheld and the review procedure must be done again. Work on the development is due to start at the end of this year for a planned completion date in 2013.

Continue reading... New Larnaca Marina Award

The first United Nations World Environment Day (WED) happened in 1972 and over the following 37 years the initiative has been gaining traction as a vehicle to generate awareness of environmental issues. Thomas Cook was one company that supported the initiative with action events all over Europe and in Egypt. A sustainable tourism fashion show fashion show was held in Italy and a coastal walk was organised on the Coast del Sol to raise money for a local charity. In Paphos on Cyprus, Gran Canaria and Zakynthos Thomas Cook staff took part in beach clean up initiatives. The company sees WED as a good opportunity to educate both staff and guests about the environmental impact of travel and the means of making leisure travel a sustainable option.

Continue reading... Zante Clean Up on World Environment Day

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 sailing industry forms a large and important part of the travel economy on the southern coast of Turkey. The towns of Bodrum, Dalaman, Marmaris and Antalya are all dependent on the trade generated by large cruise ships, coastal cruise companies and private yacht owners. Supporting and developing this part of the travel sector has been a compromise between conservation and improving facilities. One company that has been responsible for two recent marina developments is about to start a third new project in the port of Dalaman.

Continue reading... Dalaman Marina Development to start soon

Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, got its second tramline route this weekend when operator Tranvia opened an additional link to its network in the city. The new line supplements the existing line by adding a route between the areas of Tincer and La Cuesta. On the opening day the company organised all kinds of events to celebrate the occasion and for the first two days of operation was offering free journeys for all passengers. The existing line runs for a distance of around 8 miles between La Laguna to Santa Cruz and the new line adds a further 2.5 miles of line between Tincer and La Cuesta.

Continue reading... Expansion of Tram network in Tenerife

Most people taking a holiday around the area of Paphos in Cyprus will do so because of the lovely weather. Virtually guaranteed sunshine and mild temperatures make it a great location for beach holidays almost all year round. But if relaxing and enjoying the sunshine is not quite enough for you, Paphos also has plenty of more energetic activities to keep you busy.

Continue reading... More than Sun in Paphos

Visitors planning to take advantage of the special diving conditions available in the waters of the Red Sea off Sharm El Sheikh will have a safer, albeit smaller, selection of dive centres to choose from following a review of operations by Egypt's Chamber of Diving and Watersports.

Continue reading... Safer Diving in Sharm El Sheikh

Just imagine all the ingredients required for a perfect golf holiday coming together nicely.

Continue reading... The Perfect Golf Holiday

The town of Bodrum in Turkey is well known as a gateway to various coastal holidays resorts that lie within reach of the town. But Bodrum itself is a fascinating town and is well worth a visit, if only for a few days, to see the sights and sounds of real Turkey. Tourism is becoming ever more important for Bodrum but the economic roots of the town lie in fishing, boat building and farming and many historical elements of those trades can still be found.

Continue reading... Bodrum Nights