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There are many advantages to combining your flights to Bodrum with renting a car. Not only is it very convenient to get from the airport to your villa or hotel and back, it also allows you to discover the numerous other beaches and resorts in the wider area, and get to know sides of the Turkish country side that remain hidden for most tourists.

Continue reading... Turkish Travel Tip: Drive

When the architect Cesar Manrique, born on Lanzarote, recognized the tourist potential of his island, he successfully argued for strict measures to protect Lanzarote's fragile environment and culture, resulting in the law that all new buildings on the island must be low rise and traditional in design. That means that the walls must be white, the exterior woodwork green or plain varnished wood or blue by the sea. The visual effect is absolutely astonishing.

Continue reading... The landscapes of Lanzarote

We're challenging all bloggers to convince us that TomTom XL IQ is their ideal holiday partner. All you need to do to be in the running is post a story, article or picture about losing or finding your way on your own blog, embed the competition banner in your blogpost and leave a comment on our site with the web address of your entry.

Continue reading... GPS Competition - Win the TomTom XL IQ (UK, ROI, EU)

It wasn't easy for the jury, as over 27 travellers gave our Photography Competition their best shot - and amazing shots they were! Especially Italy turned out to be a very photogenic destination, with pictures of Milano, Venice, Rome, Florance.

Continue reading... Photography Competition: We have a winner!

Paphos, the ancient capital of Cyprus and birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, is also a bustling city. All the trappings of a modern resort are found here including shops, night-clubs, bars, restaurants and supermarkets as well as plenty of culture, history and ancient architecture. If anything, we think it might be difficult to choose what to spend your time on! Here's our top 10 activities to do once you've arrived at this delightful destination.

Continue reading... Top 10 things to do in Paphos

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

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

What is your favourite comic book? And what would you wear if you were to dress up as one of the characters? All travellers who have booked flights to Gran Canaria between 3 - 21 February 2012 will have to ask themselves these questions before packing their suitcases. Why? Because between these dates, the entire island will be celebrating Carnival and the official theme of the Carnival is Comic Heroes! If you want to experience this festival to the full, we recommend donning a fancy dress costume. Don't worry if you don't fancy making a public appearance your Spiderman pyjamas or shiny Superman leggings. When it comes to outfits, pretty much anything goes, but for those need some inspiration, we have listed our top 10 comic characters. We'd also love to hear your ideas for Carnival costumes!

Continue reading... Top 10 Cartoon Characters - what to wear to GC Carnival 2012

1. Mask with integrated camera

Continue reading... Christmas pressies for travellers

With snow slowly creeping across parts of the UK, what better time to escape in search of some winter sun? If you can't decide where to go, here are just a few suggestions.

Continue reading... Top 5 Locations In The World For Winter Sun

For all those budding photographers who want their sunshine holiday to offer more than just beautiful beaches to look at, the Spanish islands are ideal destinations. Flights to Gran Canaria take just over 4 hours and transport you to the most wonderful sights to train your camera on and indulge your passion for taking pictures.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria's top 5 photogenic sites

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

This November, the entire world is coming to London. Before you start to worry that it's going to get a bit crowded, we're talking about one of the best travel events in the yearly calendar - the World Travel Market. Today, 7th of November, is the first day of this annual gathering of the great and the good from the travel industry, and this is the perfect opportunity for anyone involved in the business to get the real inside tips from their counterparts from across the globe. Thomas Cook is be there, ensuring that we find out what the 'must-visit' destinations for 2012 are. If you're at the WTM2011 as well today, drop by at the Thomas Cook Sport stand on UK1350 and have your picture taken with the Barclays Premier League trophy.

Continue reading... World Travel Market in London

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

So you've taken the plunge and booked a trip alone - whether you're a first-time solo traveller or just looking for a change, increasingly affordable flights to Zante mean that now is the perfect time to take a trip. Travelling solo can be a liberating challenge, so follow these travellers' top tips to be sure that you make the most of the holiday of a lifetime and meet interesting people along the way.

Continue reading... How to travel alone and meet interesting people

Zante, or Zakynthos as the Greeks call it, is the third largest of the Ionian Islands, and is the one number choice for many when it comes to planning their summer holiday. An abundance of affordable flights to Zante may have triggered the influx of tourists from the UK and elsewhere, but it's the unique charms of the island that keep them coming back.

Continue reading... Get both party nights and lazy beach days in Zante

For football fans and groupies, Paphos is the place to be this summer. The trendsetters, Manchester United and England football star Rio Ferdinand and Swansea City player Ashley Williams, stayed at the town's five-star Elysium Hotel in June 2011. They were spotted at sandy beach, the hotel swimming pool bar, the trendy Lime Cocktail Bar and The World Famous Linekers Bar, both near the seafront in Kato Paphos. Book your flights to Paphos now and check out the venues of Rio's choice!

Continue reading... 2011 Football Pilgrimage leads to Cyprus

We all know what it's like to come home from a dream holiday. You're all tanned and relaxed and you can't wait to impress your friends with photos of the wonderful buildings, beaches and beautiful girls that you've seen. It can be quite a disappointment to discover that most of your photos are either out of focus, overexposed, quickly shot or badly posed. You'll be glad to hear that these problems can easily be avoided and with just a bit more forethought and effort, your acceptable snapshot can be raised to the level of art. Check out our top 5 photography tips for travellers who have booked flights to Dalaman or one of our other sun-blessed holiday destinations!

Continue reading... 5 simple tips for spectacular summer snapshots

To make sure even the youngest holidaymakers enjoy their trips to the full, flythomascook has launched the new Kids' Club on their website with loads of great games, facts, stories and travel advice for the little ones. The Kids' Club has four sections: Before we go, At the airport, On the plane and At the beach.

Continue reading... Extra Holiday Fun for Kids

Keeping the little ones occupied on the flight to your holiday destination can be a struggle. Over the past few weeks we have been bringing you lots of exciting ideas to entertain tots and make even a long flight fun and interesting.

Continue reading... Spot the 5 Differences on our Printable Game

Few weeks ago we introduced our new fun sheets for our younger passengers with a great colouring game. This week we have something new for you - can your little ones 'join the dots'? This week's great game is a challenge to see if your tot can figure out what the hidden picture is by joining the dots together. This free, downloadable game is available for all our customers and is a great way to help our younger passengers wile away the time on their flights to Dalaman and other fabulous Thomas Cook destinations around the world.

Continue reading... Join the Dots Game For Our Younger Passengers

Barranco del Infierno is another name that is given to Gorge of Hell. This is a very popular tourist attraction that is only a short drive from the busy resorts that are known as Las Americas and Los Cristianos. This gorge is located high up above the area that is known as Adeje. It is true to say that this gorge is a paradise of natural beauty and it is enjoyed by a vast array of people who enjoy the spectacular beauty of the flora and fauna within Tenerife. A lot of the people that enjoy this spectacular scenery make the most of the cheap flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Gorge of Hell in Tenerife

If your little ones are too young for a Nintendo but old enough to take their first trip abroad, keeping them occupied on a long flight to Lanzarote or any other sunny destinations can be a tough job.

Continue reading... Fun time for little ones when you Fly Thomas Cook

Assos is a very small village on the island of Kefalonia and it is very picturesque. This small village curls and clings around the neck of a peninsula heading toward Fiskardo. The taverns within this small village have tables that are shaded and this allows you to relax and enjoy the atmosphere without melting in the sun. Assos is a tourist destination and there are a lot of flights to Kefalonia.

Continue reading... Assos in Kefalonia

Ibiza is packed with some of the best places to visit, so be sure you catch flights to Ibiza this holiday season and enjoy on this paradise island. Whether you wish to party on the awesome Ibiza beaches or simply explore the museums here, you can do it all on this picturesque island. One of the well known museums is the Archeological museum that is located in Dalt Vila in the Cathedral square.

Continue reading... The Archaeological Museum in Ibiza

Santorini is one of the most popular travel and vacation destinations in Greece. The reasons are varied and one of the most important factors for this is its rich history and cycladic architecture plus the heavenly beaches all over the city. You should book your flights to Santorini in advance if you are traveling with family as every season in Santorini is a tourist season.

Continue reading... The folklore museum at Phira in Santorini

Ibiza is one of the most picturesque islands among other Balearic Islands and is widely known for its white houses. For the same reason the island is called as a White island. It is an undisputed tourist destination for party goers from all over the world. Ibiza has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and the entertainment for visitors is incomparable to any of the islands in any other part of the world. Catalan is the official language of the island but you will find people speaking in Spanish. You can plan your holiday to Ibiza at any time of the year. Ibiza is reachable by air and flights to Ibiza are available almost every day from a number of locations.

Continue reading... Dalt Vila in Ibiza

Kos is a beautiful town in Greece filled with several museums, beaches and castles. There are a number of flights to Kos throughout the year, so you can plan your holiday at any time. One of the widely known castles is its Castle of the Knights. The prodigious castle is located at the Kos Harbor. The castle was constructed by St Johns Knights. It was skillfully designed in order to exercise control over the small strip of water located amid the mainland called Asia Mino and the Island. Another aim of building this castle was to defend the town which was initially surrounded by a moat and was more of an island.

Continue reading... Castle of the Knights in Kos

Gran Canaria is known a lot for its sandy beaches but the southern part of the island is popular too for its delights such as Puerto de Mogan. The village is also known as Little Venice. Other attractive destinations include Playa del Ingles, Puerto Rico, Maspalomas, San Agustin and Meloneras. You can reach Gran Canaria by air as there are daily flights to Gran Canaria from numerous foreign locations. The northern as well as the western coasts are also picturesque and really should not be missed. Plan your holiday visit for at least 10 days to enjoy the whole place. The island boasts of a pleasantly warm weather almost throughout the year.

Continue reading... Santa Lucia in Gran Canaria

The Big Mosque at Monastir a great site that you can explore during the day. Dont forget to have a look at it during night also as it looks fabulous with lights all around making it a spectacular monument you wouldnt want to miss.

Continue reading... Bourguiba Mosque in Monastir

Ibiza is known for its attractive clubs, brilliant sandy beaches, boat rides, excellent restaurants with exquisite cuisines and several other things. And these several other things include Cova des Culleram along with its fascinating past, the shops at Paseo Vara de Rey, the Ponylandia and the Casita Verde Ecology Centre. If you are planning your next vacation at Ibiza, it can be reached by air as there are multiple daily flights to Ibiza. Although Ponylandia is mainly for the kids but even adults will enjoy the awesome rides provided they are in their true holiday mood. The Casita Verde Ecology Centre happens to be one of the most notable attractions on the island of Ibiza.

Continue reading... Casita Verde Ecology Centre in Ibiza

Preveza is the capital of a Prefecture consisting of the same name. The city of Preveza is located inside the boundary of Epirus. If you really want to explore the interesting culture of Greece then Preveza is a great place to start from. You can book a flight to Preveza in advance and reach here to unveil the exciting mysteries wrapped up in the surrounding churches and monasteries. You can even explore some of the natural settings around the city. Preveza happens to be a central location in case you are also visiting a couple of other places of attractions such as Thesprotia, Lefkada, and Aetolia. While staying in a nearby hotel you can easily go and visit other places and come back on the same day.

Continue reading... Acheron springs in Preveza

Crete is the largest in area among all the Greek islands. It is situated towards the southeastern edge of Greece. This picturesque Mediterranean island is 260 km in length and 12 to 60 km in width. The island sits cozily between Africa, Europe and Asia. You can book flights to Crete to enjoy the antiquity in form of its churches, palaces and museums as well as the modern locations such as its vast golf courses.

Continue reading... Knossos in Crete

Gran Canaria is a multi faceted island where you can spend your holidays. You can book your flights to Gran Canaria through any of the major airlines including Thomas Cook and enjoy the beauty of the island throughout your stay. The island has some great sandy beaches, water parks, picturesque small towns and villages. You can visit the caves at Galdar village or beautiful landscapes at Telde. The original inhabitants of the island are known as Guanches. Canarian Museums presents itself with a number of findings that the Guanches left for the people of Canary Islands.

Continue reading... Aquasur Waterpark in Gran Canaria

Funchal is a place full of picturesque gardens growing all kinds of trees to preserve its natural beauty. If you are planning your next vacation to Funchal, there are several hotels and resort where you can stay. Regarding your journey, there are many flights to Funchal from almost all the major international airports. Funchal consists of Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Quinta Magnolia, Quinta Das Cruzes, Quinta Palmeira, Santa Catarina Park, Botanical GardenThis property, now belonging to the Blandy family, boasts some of the most valuable and rare exotic plants on the island.

Continue reading... Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro

Ibiza is one of the most picturesque of Balearic Islands. It is also called as a white island because of the white colored houses all around the place. It is a modernized island that has a great atmosphere, offering unlimited sources of entertainment. While planning your vacation here you can book your flights to Ibiza online through websites of different airlines, including those offered by Thomas Cook.

Continue reading... Monographic Museum Punic Necropolis in Ibiza

Las Palmas is set amidst magnificent scenery comprising of two vast bays and picturesque beaches named Playa de las Alcaravaneras and Playa de las Canteras. Las Palmas was founded in 1478 and it boasts of significant cultural and historical heritage especially in a district called Vegueta. Vegueta happens to be the oldest part of the island. The place was even proclaimed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. There are several airlines that provide flights to Las Palmas including Thomas Cook. You can always look for some discounts offered when planning your vacation to Las Palmas.

Continue reading... Santa Ana Cathedral in Las Palmas

Every zone of Gran Canaria is worth visiting, north, east, west or south. You need to plan a longer trip if you want to enjoy the place thoroughly. There are several flights to Gran Canaria that will take you to the place safely.

Continue reading... Casa de Colonand Gran Canaria Las Palmas

Ephesus is one of the greatest places of historical importance in Dalaman, Turkey. Ephesus has been linked to various myths and the Amazons since the 5th century B.C. Ephesus had come under siege from the Cimmerians during the 7th century BC but retained its freedom a little later. To come and visit Dalaman on your vacation to view the great museums and other historical buildings here, you will have to take flights to Dalaman. Dalaman has an airport where the flight lands you amidst picturesque mountains and sparkling waters of the adjoining Mediterranean Sea.

Continue reading... Ephesus

During the 18th century, a property was bought by Charles Murray, who was also the English Consul at the time. The property was none other than the Monte located to the southern part of the church. It was bought and converted in to a heavenly estate. It was called Quinta do Prazer which means The Pleasure Estate. As the 19th century arrived, a few rich families from Madeira, who had some vast estates themselves, came to live here whenever they came to visit Funchal.

Continue reading... Funchal Monte Palace Tropical Garden

The County Home, as the local people call it, houses the Museum of Seminole County in Sanford. This historical building dates back to 1926 and has been a home to several homeless people or even those people who dont have a family and are roaming the streets. The Museum, however, is aimed at preserving the lifestyles of people from the olden times. The museum can be reached by boarding any commercial flight to Sanford from numerous locations.

Continue reading... Sanford Museum of Seminole County

Cueva de Can Marca can be a great destination if you wish to get away from all the partying and beaches in Ibiza. Located near the Portinatx resort in northern part of Ibiza, the caves are truly fascinating not only for children but for grownups as well. Your flights to Ibiza would land at the Ibiza Airport which is the only airport for the entire region of Balearic Islands. Pretty crowded during the peak seasons, the airport is about 7 km from the main town of Ibiza.

Continue reading... Ibiza Cueva de Can Marca

The Cyprus International 4 Day Challenge is an event that brings out the adventurous streak in participants. Those who want to participate or maybe witness the event can catch a flight to Paphos from any major international airport nearest to your city. The event mixes conventional road running and remarkable trail running through a National Park called Akamas National Park situated in Paphos. The participants take part in 4 events and the final winner is the person who achieves best scores in all four events.

Continue reading... Paphos Cyprus International 4 Day Challenge

Paragliding is probably one of the most adventurous and exhilarating sports in the world, probably close to bungee jumping. It is also one of the easiest things to learn if you are interested in adventure sports. Every year the International Paragliding Festival is organized by the Town Council of Los Realejos. The idea behind starting this festival was to promote the flight area of Los Realejos along with booting the tourism in the region. Though Tenerife is quite famous for other activities and events, most holidaymakers look to indulge in some adventure activity during their time off. Water sports are quite famous all over the world, however paragliding as an activity for foreign visitors is quite unique.

Continue reading... Paragliding Festival Tenerife

Fuerteventura is known to be the 2nd largest Island among the Spanish Canary Islands. The initial settlers are known to have landed on the Island from Northern parts of Africa. In fact, the term Maho or Mahorero is used even today to explain the people belonging to Fuerteventura. The term is actually derived from the ancient word mahos which means a kind of goatskin shoe. These types of shoes were used by the original residents of Fuerteventura.

Continue reading... FuerteVentura Christmas

ARC is the abbreviation used for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers which is a regular rally held on an international level and is much to do with sailing. The sailing calendar features the cruise every year without fail. Sailing enthusiasts look forward to the cruise and take part to experience the excitement during the event. It is a transatlantic rally that commences from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria on its journey to the Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia which is a Caribbean island. St.Lucia is a beautiful Island in the Caribbean that has some picturesque views to enjoy. As the cruisers reach the Island they are blinded by the clean blue waters and diverse flora and fauna all over the Island.

Continue reading... Atlantic Rally for Cruisers

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

There is no one in the world who does not get attracted to the colorful fragrant flowers. It does not matter which color you are fond of. When you enter an area completely carpeted by flowers and only flowers, you will probably lose your senses. This is what the Anthestiria Flower Festival is all about! You can also expect to be fed well with some amazing varieties of delightful recipes made for the tourists. The festival rouses a great amount of curiosity among people all over the world and hordes of tourists visit Paphos during this time of the year. The weather is amazingly pleasant and the view of these vivacious flowers unfailingly impresses everyone.

Continue reading... Paphos Anthestiria Flower 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

Remarkable gardens, deep blue sea and picturesque landscapes are some of the things that greet you as you enter the city. Surrounded by huge mountains on one side and clear waters on the other, Funchal is truly blessed by nature. Music is an inseparable part of cultural heritage of Portugal, which is amply reflected in the music festivals held in the city.

Continue reading... funchal jazz festival

Menorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands, although it is smaller and quieter than its neighbour Mallorca. With a beautiful coastline and idyllic rural villages, Flights to Menorca are ideal for creative breaks any time of the year, with virtually guaranteed fine weather in a wonderfully inspirational setting. High quality Menorca villas give visitors the chance to experience this wonderful island at their own pace.

Continue reading... Arts holiday in Menorca

If you want go jet skiing this summer, you should book flights to Kos because this Greek island is the perfect location this exciting sport. At least, that's the opinion of Jet Ski authorities, which is why they organised National Jet Ski Championships here last summer.

Continue reading... Discover Kos

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

Valldemossa is a beautiful town in the west of Mallorca, 10 miles north of Palma. It is also where the composer and pianist Frederic Chopin lived for a short period in 1838 with his partner Baroness Dudevant - better known as George Sand. His stay on the island was only 3 months long and not particularly enjoyable for the composer. His beloved French piano was delayed by the Mallorcan customs and Chopin was forced to play on a rented piano. He was not in particularly good health at the time and Mallorcan doctors feared for his life. Also, because he was not married, the deeply religious people of Mallorca made it difficult to find accommodation, which is why he found his way to Valldemossa, where he stayed in a former Monastery. Eventually, worries over his health forced Chopin to leave Mallorca, leaving behind his piano which remains in a museum in the town.

Continue reading... Chopin Piano Festival in Valldemossa

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

If there is one thing Orlando is known for, it is the fact that it's got all its attractions right when it comes to tourist satisfaction. And considering the media attention, the glamour and the reports surrounding this major city in the centre of Florida, it is safe to assume it's a place for only the rich and famous. But whoever says a dream holiday in Orlando is unaffordable? If you are considering your budget, there are a number of cheap flights to Orlando and discounts on travel packages every year to help minimize your cost. So there is really nothing stopping you from going on that holiday you have always dreamed of.

Continue reading... Live a magical dream in Orlando

All of those who have been longing to indulge in another culture should stop reading right now and book last minute flights to Larnaca immediately. The 8th of July, the Larnaka Festival 2010 will take off with an impressive performance of Anna Vissi in the Pattichon Municipal Amphitheatre. For three weeks, Larnace will host outdoor concerts, theatre, dance, a poetry night and film screenings in the Amphitheatre, the Medieval Fort, Skala (the regional theatre on Larnaka Pier) and the Kamares Old Aqueduct.

Continue reading... Last Minute Flights to Larnaca

Flights to Rhodes are extremely popular with singles, families, couples and those wanting a restful yet invigorating holiday. For good beaches and a sedate pace of life, consider the resorts of Lindos, Haraki, Kalathos, Kremasti, Stegna and Kolymbia. Resorts with nice beaches and a bustling night life include Rhodes Town, Faliraki, and Pefkos.

Continue reading... A Holiday In Rhodes

Dalaman is a central town in the Mulga province in the west of Turkey. This region is well known for its natural appeal, beauty and culture. It is also known for its bustling international airport where a lot of flights to Dalaman arrive.

Continue reading... Make the most of your leisure time on the splendid coast of Dalaman

Nestled amongst the hills of the Grand Lisboa region of Portugal is the picturesque city of Sintra. Famed for its fairytale castles and inspiring architecture, for the last 51 years the city has also hosted the Sintra Festival. This month-long event brings together major names in chamber music and ballet from around the world. In recent years, the festival has witnessed performances by the Soprano Ann Murray and dance companies such as the Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve, the Spanish Compania Nacional de Damza and the Scottish Dance Theatre.

Continue reading... Sintra Festival

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

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

Almost three years ago, the small harbour in Skiathos was full of excitement and expectation as film crews descended on the town to film part of what would become one the biggest box office hits of the following year: Mamma Mia!

Continue reading... Skiathos Anniversary

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

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

If you're tired of Glastonbury or feel too old for festivals, then maybe it's time you thought about travelling to the Greek coast for a music festival like no other. From July 1st to the 4th each year the idyllic town of Preveza plays host to the International Choral Festival. Now in its twenty seventh year, the event is unique in that it is split into two distinct parts.

Continue reading... The Soundtrack of Greece

Did you stay in to watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and The Goblet of Fire on ABC Family this weekend? And did that get you and the kids in the mood for a magical holiday? Of course you could go to Oxford and view the university buildings where all Hogwarts school scenes were filmed. But though it definitely is an enchanting city, you won't exactly see students flying around on broomsticks. For the real Harry Potter experience, you should visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.

Continue reading... Play a Part in a Potter Adverture

Calendars have already been flipped over to March and now on to April, and Spring has certainly arrived on the island of Mallorca. Temperatures are nudging their way towards 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the island is a picture of new life with orchards all over the island proudly displaying their almond blossom.

Continue reading... Spring Forward in Mallorca

If you love holidays in the French Riveria, you might want to try going a bit closer to the Italian border and visit the town of Ventimiglia to see the famous Friday market. The town's weekly market attracts thousands of people from both France and Italy and provides a spectacle of vendors selling everything including fruit, flowers and fish. But would you still go there if you knew it was also reputed to be the biggest black market in Europe?

Continue reading... The Friday Market in Ventimiglia

The Mediterranean resort of Antalya in Turkey claims to have grown its January tourist numbers by over 30 per cent in 2010 compared to the same month in 2009. This claim is based on the number of tourists arriving at Antalya airport during the month.

Continue reading... Antalya Tourist Numbers Climb

Discovering that you're one of the top ten contenders in line for Britain's most prestigious sports award might be enough to persuade most people to venture up the motorway to Sheffield. For Jenson Button and Mark Cavendish the journey to the BBC awards night was a little longer, as earlier in the month they were both on the island of Lanzarote getting in some warm weather training.

Continue reading... Sports Celebrities in Lanzarote

The Challenge, or to give it its full name the Malta International Challenge Marathon, took place again in November for the 19th time. The format of this popular running event is very different to that of your typical London or New York marathons. In this race the distance to be covered was split into three more manageable pieces and tackled over consecutive days. It gave runners more chance to see different parts of this remarkable island whilst at the same time making the challenge of running a marathon slightly more accessible.

Continue reading... Malta Marathon Challenge

The normally quiet town of La Oratova on Tenerife opened its doors to the La Semana de Juventud y Cultura or Youth and Culture Week that concluded on 23rd October.

Continue reading... Tenerife Youth Culture Week

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

The fifth annual Volta Menorca is a three day off-road mountain bike challenge that was held this year on the 10th, 11th and 12th of October.

Continue reading... Volta Menorca 2009

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

The beaches of Eastern Crete are often referred to as some of the more secluded on the island, but when windsurfers discover perfect conditions, things tend to get livelier.

Continue reading... Go Freestyle on Crete

With year round sunshine and warm temperatures, a treasure trove of ancient landmarks and cultural sites, and the backdrop of coastal Cyprus, Paphos is a dazzling and exciting place to visit.

Continue reading... Paphos A Cultural Delight

Set aside your preconceptions about Rhodes and its hard partying image. Rhodes is supremely picturesque, a predominantly slow-paced sanctuary of sunshine,beaches, and ancient history with lots of natural beauty to behold. Rhodes holds a timeless appeal with visitors.

Continue reading... Rhodes - Part 1

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

Picturesque coral reefs and brilliant azure waters that are ideal for windsurfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling have made the spectacular Hurghada, on Egypt's Red Sea Coast, a popular resort town. Within easy reach of the gorgeous Giftun Islands and the Eastern Arabian Desert, the captivating resort of Hurghada has experienced massive amounts of development in the past decade. The Hurghada area now runs 25 miles along the Red Sea. There is so much to enjoy in Hurghada that it is a perfect place for couples, singles, and families who want a wonderful break under the hot Egyptian sun.

Continue reading... Hurghada Eygpt Part 1

Sunny, picturesque Malta has been invaded by the Romans, Turks, Knights, and then the British. Now it's time for you to enjoy this sun drenched island country in the Mediterranean and the culture, food and hospitality of this very special slice of paradise.

Continue reading... Escape To Malta

Deciding on a new destination for your next holiday is both exciting and difficult. The prospect of discovering new and wonderful places is set against the worry of potentially being disappointed with your choice of location. Travel brochures have pages of tempting pictures of beautiful scenery and attractive descriptions and the resorts themselves use all kinds of marketing strategies to attract as many visitors as possible. As part of this promotion you may have heard some resorts describe their beaches as "blue flag", but what does that actually mean?

Continue reading... Blue Flag Beaches

Set aside your bias about Corfu strictly being a mass market package holiday destination because in reality, this beloved Greek island has many beautiful beaches and cultural attractions for all kinds of holidaymakers in search a of a memorable getaway.

Continue reading... Corfu Part 1

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

With an abundance of ancient ruins, rich cultural traditions and panoramic beaches, Larnaca is an irresistable holiday destination. Holidaying in Larnaca means never having to choose between a beach vacation and a cultural experience because Larnaca is blessed with both: truly magnificent beaches and some of the ancient world's most riveting historical sites.

Continue reading... Larnaca - Cyprus - Part 1

The regatta that took place in June last year consisted of a series of 5 races and included one race over the direct route from Marmaris to Rhodes that took the winning boat just under 3 hours. Sailing is an important part of the economy for Marmaris with several marinas in the area and the main port being one of the busiest along this part of the Turkish coast.

Continue reading... Rhodes and Marmaris Sail Together

The coastline around Antalya in Turkey is proving increasingly popular, with more and more tourists selecting the area for a summer break. The Turkish authorities are keen to promote the location but are equally concerned about sheltering it from over development. There are no high rise buildings and restrictions on building styles exist to keep development sympathetic to the area. There are also some areas of natural significance that are even more highly protected. But to experience the real Antalya, just as it was thousands of years ago, you don't need to travel very far out of town.

Continue reading... Step back in time outside Antalya

There's a beach on the island of Zante that has been voted one of the most popular beaches in Europe and was given the title of best beach in Europe for tots and toddlers by The Times in 2005. But you won't find any water parks, amusement parks or stalls selling buckets and spades here.

Continue reading... Gerakas Beach in Zante

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

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

Following the opening of new terminal buildings at the airport and recent plans to start development on a new marina this year, the resort of Dalaman is bound to become a must-visit destination for many European travellers.

Continue reading... Dalaman Attractions

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

The Rod Stewart concert, on the 16th May, is expected to be the biggest of the 3 main rock and pop events to come to Tenerife over the summer and the organisers have chosen to put on the outdoor concert at the Golf Costa Adeje resort in order to cater for the demand expected. This is easily the biggest concert to come to the island since Sir Elton John played to 20,000 people there in January 2008.

Continue reading... Tenerife Gears up for Musical Summer

The Lanzarote Ironman event has taken place annually for the past 17 years and has become one of the premier races on the world triathlon calendar. Competitors face a 3.8km sea swim, followed by a 180km bike leg looping around the island's volcanic terrain and finally a gruelling marathon distance run around 4 laps of a course at Puerto del Carmen.

Continue reading... Lanzarote plays host to Sporting Ironmen and Women

So named after it's location near to the point where Aphrodite, the goddess of love allegedly emerged from the waves, Aphrodite Hills, the resort that includes the newest gold course in Cyprus, is receiving great reviews from all those who have played there.

Continue reading... Aphrodite Gets Rave reviews near Paphos

On May 23rd this year the skies over the Port of Hania (Chania) in Crete will roar to sound of fast jets as the RAF Red Arrows come to town to put on their flying display to help mark the 68th anniversary of the Battle of Crete that took place in 1941.

Continue reading... Veterans to See Red in Crete

The streets and squares of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria are preparing to welcome the world's best freestyle skaters as the first round of the 2009 World Cup Series for the sport comes to the island in the middle of May.

Continue reading... Street Skating comes to Gran Canaria

The island of Fuerteventura in the Canaries has its own unique mix of wildlife dictated largely by its climate. The weather is rarely cold on Fuerteventura and warm dry days are the norm almost all year round. It is because of this that the island has a very limited number of animals living wild. There is however a zoo on the island at Oasis Park that is home to 200 species but hardly any are native to the island.

Continue reading... Find the Wildlife in Fuerteventura

If you've ever been to Corfu, or Kerkyra, during your younger years then you probably spent most of your time either on the beach or in a bar or nightclub, but a return to the island later in life may reveal a different side. Traditional holiday hot spots for the twentysomethings include Benitses on the East coat and Kavos in the extreme south. Both have the benefit of the sheltered and warmer waters that lie between Corfu and the mainlands of Albania and Greece which are visible in the distance on a clear day.

Continue reading... A Return to Corfu

Fantastic beaches are what most people expect to find when they travel to a holiday island like Rhodes and they will not be disappointed.

Continue reading... Beaches of Rhodes

The town of Larnanca in Cyprus is famous for all kinds of reasons. It has a large modern airport, is a popular destination for holidaymakers from all over Europe and also hosts a large Summer festival that features all kinds of music, dance and theatrical events. Many international performers are booked for this year's festivities.

Continue reading... Larnaca Prepares for Summer Season

Bitez Bay, a stone's throw from Bodrum on the Southern Turkish coast, may just be the perfect holiday bay. The weather during the long summer season is ideal, the almost perfectly circular shape of the Bay is enchanting and the lack of highrise blocks and apartments around the bay help it to retain its charm and beauty. It offers a quieter alternative to the livelier and busier Bodrum beaches of Gumbet and the main beaches closer to the town.

Continue reading... Bitez The Perfect Bay

Mount Teide in Tenerife is the spectacular high point of the island. In fact, as well as being the highest point of the Canary Islands, it is also the highest mountain in the whole of Spain which is all the more remarkable when you consider that Spain is also home to the Pyrenees. In the Pyrenees, which strech from the Atlantic coast across to the Mediteranean between France and Spain, there are almost fifty peaks higher than 3000m but none are as high as the 3718m peak of Mount Teide.

Continue reading... Tenerife High Point

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

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

Anyone taking a holiday in Tenerife is probably heading there to enjoy the warm temperatures and beautiful beaches but if that is not quite enough then there are other attractions to enjoy on the island.

Continue reading... Theme Parks in Tenerife