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Gran Canaria is famous for its diverse microclimates, stunning coastline with spectacular beaches and sand dunes, inland forests, mountains, volcanic craters, exotic fauna and flora and picturesque towns and villages.

Continue reading... Top 7 resorts in Gran Canaria

Flares, tie-dye clothes, platform shoes, kaftans, peace-signs and funky sunglasses - the theme for the 2012 carnival in Tenerife is Flower Power of the Swinging Sixties! If we could relive this brilliant era anywhere in the world, we could not have thought of a better location than the Island of Eternal Spring with its peaceful beaches and exotic flowers. The Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the biggest of the Canary carnivals and is always held during the weeks before Ash Wednesday. In 2012, the official dates are from 15th February until 26th February. If you're in Tenerife between these dates, look for a hotel near Santa Cruz, as this city will be turned into a magnificent circus of colours, costumes, music and light shows.

Continue reading... 2012: Low Budget but High Quality Carnival

If you're thinking of booking flights to Lanzarote, you're probably looking for a fix of sun, sea and sand. Take it from us: the most north-eastern of the seven Canary Islands won't let you down. Especially Playa Blanca, at the centre of the southern coastline, is a brilliant resort for beach lovers. Because it is sheltered from the wind by the Femes Mountains on one side and Montana Roja on the other, on average, this is the warmest area of Lanzarote. Visitors keep falling in love with the sandy beaches, the picturesque fishing village with its white washed walls and paved lanes, the live music venues, designer shops and high-end restaurants at Marina Rubicon. But... where will you be having your royal breakfasts in the morning, enjoying beauty treatments in the afternoon, resting your head at night or receiving the new friends you met at one of the hip clubs in town? We've selected 3 super-classy hotels that will make your stay at Playa Blanca truly unforgettable.

Continue reading... Top 3 luxury hotels in Lanzarote, Playa Blanca

Christmas in the UK can become more of a stress than a celebration, with crowded shops, checkout queues and motorway traffic, celebrating abroad often works out as a peaceful option as well as being a Christmas to remember. Though it may not be a traditional white yuletide, spending Christmas in the sunny Algarve is less commercial and, culturally, more family orientated, not to mention, a comfortable 15-16 degrees Celsius.

Continue reading... Father Christmas in Faro

The main attractions for 2011 also include the Atayde Brothers Circus. This record-breaking circus, established over a century ago, has performed globally and boasts some of Central and South America's greatest acrobats and gymnasts as well as 7 Bengal tigers. More theatrical entertainment comes from the foremost Latin American magician and illusionist Eriko Trevensoli. Trevensoli's Extreme Magic Show promises mind boggling illusions, involving motorbikes and deadly animals, as well as a death-defying finale. There will also be a, more peaceful, aquatic show at the 'Dolphinarium' where dolphins, seals and a variety other marine animals perform to an arena of guests.

Continue reading... Feria Yucatan Xmatkuil 2011 - A Traditional Celebration of Contemporary Mexican Culture

If you spend your lunch-break googling last-minute flights to Lanzarote and day-dreaming about that depressingly distant summer break, then it's time for you to think about getting a little winter sun this year. It's often more affordable to travel during the winter months, you see a different side of your favourite summer spots, and you'll even avoid the perennial airport queues. So if you're looking for the perfect way to relax on holiday, read on for a five step stress-busting guide to Lanzarote.

Continue reading... 5 activities that will help you relax and forget about stress during your holiday

Wherever you and your family choose to go in Turkey, it's likely that you'll choose this sunny stretch of coastline in the Southwest to land. Not only are flights to Dalaman the most economical available, but the district in the Mugla Province is home to the best family entertainment in Turkey. Read on for an access-all-areas guide to all of Dalaman's unmissable holiday events and outings.

Continue reading... Top 5 holiday activities that will bring your family closer together

Faro's club scene is the stuff of legends, with a reputation for being the place to head for in Portugal if you want to party long and hard into the night. But travellers who use Faro as a base to explore the more remote areas of the Algarve in the off-season will experience much more of the real Portugal - a relaxed, easy going way of life that in the villages and towns further down the coast hasn't changed for centuries.

Continue reading... The place to head for in Portugal: Faro

There are a lot of tourists that enjoy the regular flights to Mallorca and they enjoy the vast array of attractions that are on offer within this area. The Carthusian Monastery reached its peak level of fame during the winter of 1838 when it welcomed two controversial guests and this was Frederic Chopin who is a Polish composer and pianist and the other person was a female romantic novelist from France. The area where the two guests stayed is still laid out in the same manner and tourists can view this.

Continue reading... Carthusian Monastery in Mallorca

Porto Cristo is located on the eastern coast of Mallorca and it is located within the municipality that is known as Manacor. The main attraction within Porto Cristo is the large harbour. Although Porto Cristo is a popular resort with tourists it is home to a traditional Mallorcan atmosphere and there is a lot of local trades that are located within this area. A lot of the tourists that enjoy a holiday within this area also enjoy the regular flights to Mallorca.

Continue reading... Porto Cristo in Mallorca

Gardiki Castle is a very popular tourist destination on the island of Corfu. This castle is very attractive and it is probably one of the most attractive attractions on the island. There is another castle located just south of Gardiki Castle and this other castle is known as Byzantine Castle. Both of these castles are located close to the village that is known as Agios Matthaeos. Gardiki Castle was established during the thirteenth century. There is a number architectural buildings located around the castle that can be classed as antique.

Continue reading... Gardiki Castle in Corfu

Gardiki Castle is a very popular tourist destination on the island of Corfu. It is easy to get to as there are regular flights to Corfu. This castle is very attractive and it is probably one of the most attractive attractions on the island. There is another castle located just south of Gardiki Castle and this other castle is known as Byzantine Castle. Both of these castles are located close to the village that is known as Agios Matthaeos. Gardiki Castle was established during the thirteenth century. There is a number architectural buildings located around the castle that can be classed as antique.

Continue reading... Gardiki Castle in Corfu

Skiathos is a great place in Greece which has good beach resorts and many tourist facilities if you want to see more known places of Skiathos. Skiathos is reachable by air and there are a number of flights to Skiathos from major airports all over the world. Alonissos is a beautiful place to visit if you are here for some relaxation. It has been occupied from the prehistoric times. This is quite evident from the excavations that were carried out at site of the acropolis wall belonging to the Classical period. It is said to have been from the ancient city of Ikos that today can be seen in form of Kokkinokastro.

Continue reading... Alonissos in Skiathos

Rhodes is known for preserving its natural beauty and setting as people and the state make constant efforts towards it. If you are planning to take a holiday here, be sure to book your flights to Rhodes in advance. Among other tourist attractions one of the places to visit is the Petaloudes. It consists of a famous Valley of the Butterflies where millions of Jersey Tiger Moths come from various regions of the Island. This is more pronounced and becomes quite evident during July and August. There is an entrance fee of 5 Euros to the Valley.

Continue reading... Petaloudes in Rhodes

As you reach Bodrum you will discover adventures of different flavors to suit every persons taste. Bodrum has a well equipped airport so if you intend to visit Bodrum in the near future book your flights to Bodrum now. Whether you are traveling to Bodrum to relax and spend some leisurely days or you are keen on exploring the historical attractions in form of ruins of the harbor walls and castles, make sure you come with a lot of time on your hands. Bodrum is known for the St. Peters Castle, Amphitheatre, The Mausoleum, Myndos Gate and the City ruins.

Continue reading... Gumusluk in Bodrum

Corfu is a spectacular tourist destination that hosts highly attractive coastline, extending towards north east of Greece. There are several flights to Corfu, so you can plan to reach Corfu by air. As you land here you will find the beaches full of white pebbles scattered all over the place. Corfu offers an excellent combination of old time and cosmopolitan style Greece. There are some grand and lively resorts at Kassiopi and Ipsos and some old style hotels available in the old town of Corfu.

Continue reading... Pontikonisi in Corfu

Kefalonia is situated on the western coast of Greece and is governed by a moderate climate where walks on the beaches can be enjoyed thoroughly. The shooting of the film called Captain Corellis Mandolin was organized here and since then the island has become a great holiday destination. Kefalonia has some of the cleanest beaches among the Greek islands. As your flight to Kefalonia lands you will instantly be tempted to explore the island. It has some mysterious caves that stay cool and pleasant no matter what, as they are full of stalagmites and stalactites in some very attractive colors.

Continue reading... Monastery of St Gerassimos in Kefalonia

If you are looking for a peaceful destination for your next holiday, then Kos is really not your place. It is a hot spot for people coming from all over the world, to enjoy the sun and sand. The peak holiday season is quite exciting and full of activity, making Kos a great place to visit with family.

Continue reading... International Health Film Festival-Kos

The capital city of the Portuguese region of the Algarve, Faro is an ideal base for exploring the areas fabulous range of local arts and culture, with a range of creative things to do such as cooking, painting, crafts, and literature. With great weather all year round and a beautiful environment, holidays in Faro provide a wealth of inspirations.

Continue reading... faro guide art holidays

The festival is about 40 years old, and actually marks the end of the watermelon harvest and includes an interesting competition that takes place at Placa Tomeu Penyato, where local farmers are invited to enter their biggest fruit. One of the recent winning melons was weighed in at the incredible mark of 17,780 g. That is quite impressive!

Continue reading... festa del melo in palma de mallorca

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 best way to discover Crete may just be on foot. The island is ideal for walks, with mountains, valleys, villages, plains and an expansive coastline to explore. Crete has over 200 gorges which are accessible by walking

Continue reading... Discover Crete

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

A boat trip on the Koycegiz lake near to Dalaman is an interesting adventure which contrasts with the cosmopolitan atmosphere most tourists will experience on the resort beaches close to the main towns and hotel complexes in this part of Turkey.

Continue reading... Dalaman Lake Trip

Even during the days when Ayia Napa was at its peak of popularity, you could lie on beaches barely a few kilometers away and sense nothing of the party scene that was in action along the coast. The coastline east of Larnaca is one of the best in Cyprus and quiet, relaxing locations can easily be found.

Continue reading... Beyond Ayia Napa

The peaceful island of Menorca seems to be quickly emerging from its typically quiet off-season period and all over the island there are events taking place for visitors to enjoy. Locals also get their first opportunities of the year to get outside and take part in some sporting competitions with tennis being one of the sports on offer. The 21st edition of Jaime Mascaro Open tennis tournament took place on 11th April. Mr Mascaro is not some former tennis champion from the island but a local shoe manufacturer who sponsored the tournament. Sailing is also popular in Menorca and April saw various regattas taking place with the La Caixa Trophy held between 4th and 18th April. Also, the Sa Nostra Trophy event for the smaller laser and optimist boats was held on 12th April in Es Castell.

Continue reading... Menorca Emerges

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

Ibiza is one of those holiday islands that enjoys a bit of a break from September onwards. The busy summer crowds have subsided and the vast sandy beaches are more easily admired. The tourists who take their holidays in September, having waited until the school-age children have returned home, have been able to enjoy a more peaceful time on the island. Once October arrives everything eases back to a slower pace, the international nightclubs that Ibiza is famous for have had their end of season parties and the islands is given back to the locals for a few months.

Continue reading... Christmas on Ibiza

If you are looking for a high energy New Year party followed by some peaceful relaxation in the sun away from the cold, wet weather that is currently shrouding the UK, then Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt may be just the ticket.

Continue reading... Plan your New Year Party in Sharm

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

Portugal's Algarve coastline will become a film set for part of summer 2010 when production staff and celebrity stars including Brad Pitt will use locations near Portimao for a classic remake. The new race track on the Algarve will be the base for filming over two weeks next summer.

Continue reading... Algarve Film Set

During the summer months the resort of Alcudia on the northern coast of Mallorca transforms into a buzzing beach location, fringed with a huge selection of luxury hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and one of the best sandy beaches on the island. Once the peak months of the summer are gone, everything starts to move at a slightly slower pace, although the resort doesn't quite return to the peaceful, quiet rural zone it once was before tourism discovered it.

Continue reading... Alcudia Fair in October

Exciting things don't usually seem to happen in the small mountain town of Keri on Zante. Tourism has hardly touched this place and even during the earthquake that shook the island in 1953, Keri was just about the only place where no damage was caused. Quaint old houses remain as does a bold yellow chapel and bell tower. Things are still fairly quiet down on Lake Keri or Limni Keri, the small gulf on the coast down from the village. Here a small harbour is home to mainly fishing boats and the small shingle beach is a relaxing place for tourists who venture to this part of Zante. There is a little more in the way of tourist accommodation and a smart new hotel has recently been built to the north of the beach providing spectacular views across the waters to the island of Marathonisi and beyond to the Vasilikos Peninsula but things are still quiet and peaceful here.

Continue reading... Scientists Excited at Keri

Menorca is often quoted as being preferred over Mallorca as a holiday destination for Spanish tourists and it may be the quieter, more relaxed feel of its resorts that attracts them. Certainly Menorca is a great place for a family holiday.

Continue reading... Peaceful Menorca

The town of Rhodes owes much of its wonderful architecture to the Knights of St John who came to the island in 1309 and built their dwellings, fortifications and churches on the remains of structures left by previous Roman and Byzantine rulers. In 1291 the Knights had been forced out of Jerusalem and after a brief, unsuccessful period in Cyprus, they selected Rhodes as their new domain. The initial years on Rhodes, and some other small islands that also formed part of their occupation, were not entirely peaceful and some disquiet saw the knights attempt to assassinate their leader. Grand Master Foulques de Villaret, had instigated the conquest of Rhodes, but found himself seeking refuge in the castle at Lindos on the island, while another Grand Master was appointed to replace him.

Continue reading... Medieval Knights in Rhodes Festival

The Balearic island of Menorca is often overshadowed by its larger neighbour Mallorca, but there are some wonderful places here that have remained largely unknown to many. Menorca is often quoted as being preferred over Mallorca as a holiday destination for Spanish tourists and it may be the quieter, more relaxed feel of its resorts that attracts them. Certainly Menorca is a great place for a family holiday.

Continue reading... Peaceful Menorca