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

Growling engines, screeching tyres, fumes of burning rubber, cheering pit girls, the hot sun on the tarmac and a refreshing breeze that smells of the sea... From 15th - 17th of March 2012, Gran Canaria will be the ultimate pit stop for motorsports fans from all over the world as the island will host the 36th edition of the Canary Islands Rally.

Continue reading... Full throttle holiday

The Canary Islands are to botany what the Galapagos islands are to zoology, because approximately 600 plant species that became extinct in the rest of the word during the ice age are still flourishing on these islands. OVer 100 species can only be found on Gran Canaria, which is why flights to Gran Canaria are very popular among biologists from all over the world. Almost half of the island's territory is under protection from the Canary Islands Network for Naturally Protected Areas (Red Canaria de Espacios Naturales Protegidos). The 33 protected sites (667 km2 in total) are divided in six categories:

Continue reading... The unique flora of Gran Canaria

It may have been over 1400 years ago, people throughout the Islamic world will be celebrating the birthday of Muhammad ibn Abdullah again soon. In countries such as Pakistan, India and Indonesia, homes and mosques are decorated and people take part in carnivalesque street processions. In other areas, it is a quiet, respectful event where children recite poetry and parents tell children stories about the Prophet's birth, youth and adult life.

Continue reading... The Prophet's birthday

Why sit at home in the drab English winter watching 'Strictly' on telly when you could quick step your way over to Egypt for the ultimate Tango dance-off? This year's TangoConSharm takes place in the idyllic Domina Coral Bay Resort in gorgeous Sharm el Sheikh from the 13th - 20th November. And with plenty of flights to Sharm available across the country, there's never been a better time to dance under the desert stars.

Continue reading... TangoconSharm - quick step to Egypt!

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 historic city of Palma within its winding lanes, baroque mansions and traditional shop fronts conceals a hoard of great restaurants, old and new, to suit any budget. So, avoid the brightly lit, tourist filled tapas bars and gloomy, overpriced taverns and seek out Palma's culinary jewels.

Continue reading... Palma de Mallorca - The Balearic Food Capital

We interviewed sixteen Spanish people who live in Spain to get an insight in the true culture of this popular holiday destination. To start with, we asked them to translate their favourite Spanish saying for us. Their responses included a couple of familiar ones, such as "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs", "there is always something good after something bad" and "the past is past". A typically Spanish proverb they mentioned was "when the toreador is bad, he complains about the bull". The one thing all proverbs had in common was that they encourage a positive attitude, even while acknowledging that life isn't always easy. A young man in his twenties summarized them all with "A beber y a tragar, que el mundo se va a acabar" - eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow the world will end."

Continue reading... Locals about Spain: Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow the world will end

If you have booked flights to Dalaman, Izmir or Bodrum, this article is for you. We have asked 15 people living in Turkey for advice for tourists. They have told us all about the do's and don'ts, foods and drinks and the experiences you don't want to miss out on. It became clear from the interviews that these tips are only the tip of the iceberg - when you get to Turkey, you will find it easy to mingle with the locals and build up more and more knowlegde about their wonderful culture. Or, as they say: "Damlaya damlaya gol olur" (Drop by drop the lake is formed).

Continue reading... Locals about Turkey: Drop by drop the lake is formed.

More and more Britons are starting to see a week or two of winter sun as an integral part of the year. In theory, it's a great idea: the minute the leaves start to fall and temperatures start to drop, you recharge your batteries and top up your tan with a visit to sunnier shores. However, if you don't get your timing right, you could find yourself looking out of your hotel window at the downpours of the rainy season or travel too far and you could spend valuable time recovering from jet-lag. Here's our pick of where to go in winter:

Continue reading... Where to go to catch some Winter Sun

Most locals eat their Tapas while standing at the bar because it's cheaper and more sociable than sitting down. It's easy to find out which Tapas bars are best as they're always crowded with locals. If you've been on your feet all day, you might want to sit down and enjoy your Tapas in your own time, in which case it's recommended to book a table in advance. It might even be an idea to give one of the following restaurants a call as soon as you've booked your flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Top five Tapas bars in Tenerife

There are a lot of festivals and events that are held within Lanzarote. The town of Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote. A lot of the festivals and events within this area attract a number of people from all across the world and the flights to Arrecife make this easy to do. There are a lot of tourists that plan their holiday around an event that they would like to enjoy.

Continue reading... Fiesta of Corpus Christi

Mallorca international classic car rally is a very popular attraction with both locals and tourists alike. A lot of tourists make the most of the regular flights to Mallorca in order to enjoy this international event. This international car rally attracts a vast amount of car enthusiasts and these people come from all around Europe.

Continue reading... Mallorca International Classic Car Rally

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 Guinate Tropical Park in Lanzarote is a great day out for all the family, for both the young and older generations of the family. The park is located within forty-five square meters of gardens, lakes and waterfalls. This park is home to one thousand three hundred exotic birds and animals. This bird enclosure covers an area of twenty five thousand meter squared of walk through aviaries. This bird enclosure is the biggest in Europe. This spectacular arena is filled with a stunning range of exotic birds, waterfalls, fish and streams. This area is certainly an attractive place for people that enjoy nature and want to explore the wonderful habitats, which are home to a hundred different species. This park is very popular with tourists from all across the world and they make use of the regular flights to Lanzarote.

Continue reading... Guinate Tropical Park in Lanzarote

There are several places in Greece that are well known worldwide for their architectural heritage, beaches, especially along the various islands and their natural wonders. Rhodes is one such Greek island that is located at a distance of 18 km SW of Turkey towards from the Aegean Sea. Rhodes is the largest among the Dodecanese islands not just in area but its population too. Rhodes has an airport so traveling to the island is easy as there are constant flights to Rhodes.

Continue reading... Deer Dama Dama in Rhodes

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

Pollenca is situated at the Northern end of Menorcas Tramuntana mountains and it is a special location especially for various festivals of Menorca. If you are planning a vacation here to catch these festivals, you can reach by air as there are regular flights to Menorca throughout the year. Pollenca is characterized by the Lluc Monastery and the Port de Pollenca, the beaches of Menorca, the St Albufera wetlands and the Formentor Peninsula. It is quite close to the Bay of Alcudia. Pollenca has several remarkable churches such as the 16th century museum cum a symbol of baroque style called Convent de sant Domingo, the famous Nostra Senyora dels Angels and the Nostra Senyora del Roser.

Continue reading... Sant Antoni fest in Menorca

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

Tenerife is a bustling city with some amazing tourist spots to explore. You can take flights to Tenerife and plan a stay of about 8 to 10 days to fully enjoy the warmth and attraction of the city. It is full of monuments, museums, pubs, beaches and many other things. Las Aguilas Jungle Park is a unique animal shelter in form of a naturally maintained jungle that will not fail to attract you no matter what your age.

Continue reading... Las Aguilas Jungle Park in Teneriffe

Funchal got its name from a Lisbon Italian sailor who lived in the 16th Century. His name was Joao Zarco and he was exploring the island at that time. Funchal has three beautiful rivers named Ribeira de Joao Gomez, Ribeira de Santa Luzia and Ribeira de Sao Joao. It is truly refreshing to see them while sightseeing. Apart from the natural set up, Funchal consists of urban holiday resorts. Hotels and resorts here offer good amenities and great ambience and some have swimming pools too. Regarding travel, you can expect to travel by air as there are more than 20 flights to Funchal available every day from several international cities and about 50 flights from Funchal to other cities. Funchal is located at 15 minutes distance from the airport.

Continue reading... Funchal in Levada Walks

Antalya is known for its historical riches as well as some good restaurants where you can plan your stay. Keep at least a week to visit Antalya. You can plan your visit to Antalya at any time of the year as it remains sunny almost through the year. You can catch flights to Antalya from anywhere in the world. Kalkan is a town in Antalya worth visiting during your vacation. It is a beautiful town nestled along the Mediterranean coast in Antalya. The word Kalkan literally means a shield. Kalkan has been able to preserve a lot of historical sites and several impressive beaches.

Continue reading... Kalkan in Antalya

Hurghada is a city situated in Egypt that was not known too much until a few years back when the coast of Red Sea became a great tourist attraction. Till then it was a small place that was known only for fishing. There are several flights to Hurghada at comfortable timings from various locations. If you are planning a visit to Hurghada then you should stay long enough because apart from the historical and educational interests there are neighboring islands worth visiting. These islands include Shadwan Island, Umm Gammar Island, Abu Minqar Island and so on. Each of these islands includes a lot of diving, snorkeling and fishing opportunities.

Continue reading... Marine Biology Museum in Hurghada

Akrotiri is one of the remotest villages in Santoirini and as you reach the village by bus you will come across a lot of twists and turns of the road. The village is located around 12 km away from Fira. It is more towards the south-western part of the island. The village of Akrotiri has the underpinnings of the volcanic eruption that is still evident around the village as it had been buried under the destruction for long. Santorini can be reached by air in 40 minutes from Athens and you can plan your vacation accordingly. There are flights to Santorini from other parts of Greece too.

Continue reading... Akrotiri in Santorini

Arrecife is known to be one of the oldest of towns in Lanzarote. Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote and also the administrative and commercial centre of Lanzarote. The word Arrecife is Spanish and means reef. The name comes from all the reefs that surround the town along its coastlines. These coastlines too are very popular and you will find a number of tourists taking enjoyable walk along the seaside. While planning your trip during the peak season, make sure you book your flights to Arrecife well in advance.

Continue reading... Castillo de San Jose in Arrecife

Zante is a great place to be during your vacation with several interesting places to visit. Right from the caves at Keri to the animal park at Askos, Zante has a lot to indulge in during your stay. Most major airlines such as Thomas Cook offer flights to Zante from every corner of the world. Visiting Zante is a must for people who love natural atmosphere, caves and monasteries.

Continue reading... Askos Stone Park in Zante

The volcano of Santorini is one of the most significant features of the island near Crete. The Santorini eruption, also called as the Minoan eruption of Thera was one of the most destructive and largest volcanic eruptions on the Earth, and had completely wiped out the island of Santorini and its inhabitants. Though the volcano had had several eruptions in the past, the one in 1650 BC was one of the most devastating events in written history of the world. One of the must see sites of the island, the volcano simply has to be on your itinerary. Your flight to Santorini would land at the Santorini Airport near village Kamari and takes about 30 minutes from Athens.

Continue reading... Santorini Volcano

Interfest is an internationally acclaimed festival that celebrates classical music of Europe. The festival is organized from October 2nd to 12th every year. The festival generally continues for 10 days which are not only enriching but also brings a whole lot of memorabilia to the fore. This is especially true of people fond of music of the 60s and 70s. The festival welcomes renowned musicians and soloists from all over Europe to form a diverse set of musical performances.

Continue reading... Interfest Festival of Classical Music, Bitola

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

Continue reading... The Varkarola Festival of Corfu

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

The date of celebrating the festival is decided by the Coptic calendar. The festival celebrates the beginning of the harvesting season. Shemu stands for revival of life and onset of the harvesting season. The festival is marked by a great feast in which certain things have to be consumed. The offerings during the feast also hold great significance.

Continue reading... Sharm el Sheikh Sham el Nessim

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

Palma de Mallorca World Folkdance Festival is a great occasion that many art lovers look forward to. The first of its kind was conducted in 1985 at Munich in Germany. Several experienced dancers coming from close to 67 countries have participated in the festival and have entertained the audiences surpassing the expectations of everyone. After 1987 the venue of the festival was shifted to Palma de Mallorca. Various participants travel all the way from their respective countries to Palma de Mallorca to display their talent and craft learnt over many years of practice and hard work. If you visit Palma de Mallorca at the time of the festival you will notice that most of the participants are professionals while some are striving to learn and master the dances.

Continue reading... Palma de Mallorca World Folkdance 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

White sandy beaches dotted with tourists greet you as your flight to Monastir lands at the airport. Well, there is much to look forward to no matter what time of the year you plan your trip. Apart from getting the much needed sun, the city has a lot to offer in the form of shopping, restaurants, festivals and events.

Continue reading... The Manaki Brothers International Film Camera Festival

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

There are tons of exciting activities and events to keep vacationers happy and productive. Dalaman has an annual festival that is kept at the end of June and it generally lasts for three days each year. Of course, the next Kas Lycia festival, as it is called, will be taking place at the end of June 2011. This festival involves the union and participation of local folk dancers and international ones. It is a very colorful and festive event.

Continue reading... dalaman in turkey is a wonderful place for a vacation

In a few weeks time, Gran Canaria celebrates one of its oldest traditions. Book your flights to Gran Canaria now if you're up for an authentic experience of the aboriginal past of the Canary islands.

Continue reading... Fiesta del Charco in Gran Canaria

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

Faro, the Algarve's capital, is a hotspot for festivals, cultural events and rallies - notably its renowned Motorcycle rally from the 16th-18th July. If you are a racing enthusiast and are looking for something to do over this weekend, then book your flights to Faro now to avoid disappointment, for this is a hugely popular event.

Continue reading... Fancy a Weekend of Sun, Sea and Motorbikes

From the 10th of July to the 21st of August, Alicante will be holding its annual Musicas Del Mundo Festival, translated Music of the World Festival. Musicians from all backgrounds from around the globe will be gathering to play near the city's port area with a total of 8 concerts throughout this time. The opening of this exciting event will be by Colombian pop group Fonseca and on the final day of the Festival, the legendary Flamenco guitarist, Paco De Lucia will be closing the show. Other people playing between these dates are Mexican Pop star, Alejandro Fernandez, Puerto Rican group Calle 13, Richard Bona, Bela Fleck, Dr John and so many more acclaimed musicians. Tickets will cost between 15 and 40 Euros. Money well spent!

Continue reading... Musicas Del Mundo Festival in Alicante

Mallorca Rocks is the name of a brand new hotel that was opened in Magaluf earlier this month. And they couldn't have named the hotel better, for it truly makes the Spanish island rock!

Continue reading... Mallorca Rocks!

Ibiza Town is a charming capital steeped in history. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Archaeological Museum contains an impressive collection of Carthaginian treasures, as well as many items from the island's occupations by the Phoenicians, Romans, Turks and Catalans.

Continue reading... Ibiza's Quiet Side

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

For over forty years the Hellenic Festival of Athens has maintained Greece's status as the cultural heart of Europe. It celebrates the country's proud tradition as the birthplace of Western theatre, and is generally regarded as one of the most important events in the European cultural calendar.

Continue reading... Hellenic Festival in Athens

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

From July 12th to 27th the town of Rethymnon in Crete will come to life in celebration of a unique period of history. The Renaissance Festival was created in 1987 as a way for Cretans to reconnect with an era that rejuvenated the island both culturally and spiritually, and the event is still going strong over two decades later.

Continue reading... Crete Renaissance 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

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

I truly feel for all those tourist who got stuck on Malta due to the ash cloud. The only consolation I can offer is that, when it comes to the weather, April is the best month of the year to be on Malta and I really hope they'll make the most of their prolonged stay.

Continue reading... Make the Most of Your Time on Malta

Earlier this year, the inhabitant of Madeira worked together with determination to recover quickly from the destructive storms that hit parts of the island during February. After showing so much resilience, the annual Flower Festival on Madeira during April provided an opportunity for them to put recent events behind them and look forward to another great summer.

Continue reading... Madeira's Flourishing Flower Festival

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

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

Continue reading... St Lucia Day on Gran Canaria

November saw Tenerife showing off its motor racing heritage with roads full of rally cars as various events for modern and historic vehicles make use of the island's spectacular road network.

Continue reading... Rally Cars on Tenerife

Sunny weather and a fresh breeze treated competitors and spectators to a spectacular start of the 2009 ARC Sailing event in Gran Canaria.

Continue reading... Fleet Departs Gran Canaria on Atlantic Voyage

There is so much to do and see in this area of Turkey that children, adults, couples and singles will be spoilt for choice. There are top water parks here,the ghost town of Kayakoyu, and a cruise to Cleopatra Isle. For a relaxing break visitors can indulge in the natural thermal pools at Pammukale Falls or stop in a hammam for a good hot soak. The coast itself is literally crammed with history as the Lycian Tombs are embedded in the rocks here, visible from Dalyan town and very scenic.

Continue reading... Spoilt for Choice in Dalaman

The slowing down of the holiday season and the quieter roads are exactly what motorsports fans on Tenerife have been waiting for.

Continue reading... Tenerife Turns to Motorsport

Cars of all shapes, sizes and age will depart Plymouth in England during December on a long journey to Banjul in The Gambia.

Continue reading... Plymouth Banjul Rally

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

Continue reading... Dalaman - Part 1

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

The coastline around Bodrum has a rich history dating back many through thousands of years of rule by Persians, Ancient Greeks, Crusader Knights and the Ottoman Empire. All that has left the area scattered with enough relics and artifacts to keep today's archaeologists very happy and the museum in Bodrum is a popular attraction for them.

Continue reading... Return of Artifacts to Bodrum

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

Continue reading... Fast Cars in Gran Canaria

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