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A splash of American History


A splash of American History

There's no denying that Florida is famous for its rollercoasters, waterslides and theme parks. These features attract about 60 million visitors every year - the equivalent of the entire population of the UK! Though it's true that tourism is the largest sector of Florida's economy, the historic background of this is equally fascinating.

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Trip to Turgutreis


Turgutreis

Turgutreis, a very well established resort in Bodrum, is known for its 19km of golden sandy beach that stretches out along the coast, backed by rugged mountains and fruit orchards packed with citrus such as mandarins. The resort is charming, with enough going on to make it interesting and fun for all - but not too much to push it over the edge into a tourist trap. Although Turgetreis has grown dramatically over the years because flights to Bodrum are very affordable, it still manages to retain its traditions, character and charm. The idyllic blend of modern and ancient makes it a very popular destination for families and couples alike.

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December in Gran Canaria


Gran Canaria

Scarily, Christmas is already just around the corner. If you're wondering whether you can afford to escape to some winter sun, you'd do well to consider going to Gran Canaria, where the temperatures are in their mid-20s. Flights to Gran Canaria only take about four hours, making it a really manageable winter destination.

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


cathedral palma de mallorca

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."

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Day of the Cross


image or arrecife

There are a lot of different festivals and events that are held within Arrecife and this allows the area to have an impressive calendar of events. There are a lot of notable festivals that are held within this area and one of the liveliest is held during February. A lot of people from all across the world come to this area in order to join in with the various festivities and they use the flights to Arrecife.

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Fiesta of Corpus Christi


image of arrecife

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.

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Fiesta of San Juan


image or arrecife

The town of Arrecife is home to a wide range of different fiestas and events. A lot of these fiestas and events are popular with people from all across the world and they tend to make use of the flights to Arrecife. One of the biggest events that are held in Arrecife is the fiesta of San Juan.

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Religious Festivals In Turkey


image of turkey

There are a number of religious festivals that take place within Turkey and these are normally not on the same date as they are calculated due to the lunar calendar. The festivals of the Feast of the Sacrifice and Ramadan are celebrated about ten days earlier every year. There are some years where there is religious festivals held within all seasons of the year. A lot of people from all over the world make use of the flights to Turkey in order to take part in these religious festivals. The standard aspect for these two festivals is that Ramadan is celebrated within the first three days of the month that is known as Sevval and the Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated within the four days that follow the tenth day of the month that is known as Zilhicce. Both of these festivals are actually popular traditions and although they are still celebrated nowadays they are not as big as they once were.

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Mugam Festival in Ibiza


image of ibiza

The Mugam festival is an international event that takes place on an annual basis. This festival normally takes place within the concert hall that is known as Baku's Chamber and Pipe Organ. This international festival provides the ideal opportunity for people to experience a genre of music that is unique and this music genre is known as Mugam. During this festival dancers that are dressed elaborately perform whilst the music plays. This music festival is popular with both tourists and local alike and a lot of the tourists that enjoy this festival make use of the regular flights to Ibiza.

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Ribat in Monastir


image of monastir

Ribat is actually an Arabic term that is used to refer to a small fortification that was built during the early years of the Muslim conquest on North Africa. These small fortifications where used to house the military volunteers. These fortifications were later used to protect the commercial routes and also as centers for the Muslim communities that were isolated. Over a period of time the Ribats then got used as hostels for the travelers as they were located on the main trade routes. The Ribats are visited by an array of tourists even nowadays and a lot of these people make the most of the regular flights to Monastir.

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National Ethnographical Museum in burgas


image of Burgas

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

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Olive Oil Museum in Corfu


image of corfu

The Olive Oil Museum is one of the most visited attractions on the island of Corfu and it is a main part of the tours around the island. Regular flights to Corfu have made this island very popular with tourists from all across the world. Corfu is a captivating island in the Ionian Sea. The island of Corfu has a rich culture and heritage and this helps to make it one of the most sought after destinations. The island of Corfu has some luxurious sandy beaches on offer and they are scattered with white pebbles. The Olive Oil Museum is just one of the many attractions that are on offer on the island.

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Chania in Crete


image of crete

Crete happens to be the southernmost island in entire Europe and it sure has everything you want! Whether it is the mountain villages that refresh you or the long sandy beaches that relax you, you can just reach Crete without a worry in your mind to simply enjoy every bit of the city. Traveling with friends or family is easy as there are daily flights to Crete from all over the world.

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Cathedral in Faro


image fo faro

Faro is the capital of Algarve and has multitudinous destinations to explore while you are there. You will probably get exhausted but would still want to see every corner of the city of Faro. Faro has an airport and you can easily book flights to Faro once you decide to visit the enchanting city.

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Knossos in Crete


image of crete

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.

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Paragliding Festival Tenerife


paragliding in tenerife

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.

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Traditional Cretan Wedding


curves of crete

Cretan weddings are great fun for both the families and they are definitely lavish compared to any of the other weddings. If you get an opportunity to witness a Cretan wedding, you will definitely get to see several ancient, mostly pre Christian traditions being followed in the wedding rituals. For instance, you will find tradition of the serving of braided cinnamon bread sprinkled with some candied fruits. The dough is usually cut in the shape of stars and moons. The amazing aroma of the dough is believed to represent the hopes and joys of togetherness after marriage.

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The Carnival at Corfu


corfu

Whether you like cultural events or not, the Carnival at Corfu is sure to get you celebrating for no real reason. However, the locals have enough reason to rejoice, as the carnival marks end of evil and beginning of a new year, free from sins. This is the purpose behind the carnival, where Ancient Greeks celebrated it in the beginning of spring to appease the Gods, and get a good harvest throughout the year. Held in February end or beginning of March, it is quite a popular event in the region.

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Madeira Wine Festival


Fresh Colours of Grapes and Wine

For tourists who desire to experience a curious mix of culture, music, history, merry-making, and a hint of wordly sophistication, flights to Funchal this September will take you just in time to take part at the the Madeira Wine Festival.

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Fiesta del Charco in Gran Canaria


Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

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.

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St. Minas Parade in Heraklion


Heraklion coast

The biggest of all the Greek islands, you could be forgiven for thinking that Crete was in fact a whole country. Steeped in ancient history and home to the infamous Minotaur, Crete retains a mythical quality that many other countries have since lost. Book flights to Crete and experience the timeless traditions of this island while you catch one of the intimate celebrations that take place over the summer and autumn months.

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Mallorca festivals in August


cycling in Mallorca

Towards the end of August, Mallorca will be hosting several interesting festivals which are great if you want to make the most of your money and time during your holiday in Spain. In order to secure your summer holiday, it might be worth booking your flights to Mallorca around the dates of these festivals. What these festivals have in common, aside from having their roots embedded in religion and traditions, are entertaining dances and dainties which are way too tempting to resist.

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An open-air summer fiesta in Alicante


Alicante Sunset

When it comes to celebrations, the Spanish don't do things by halves. On the 5th of August, Alicante will be hosting the Virgen del Remedio festival, a cultural festival in honour of the matron saint. Among the floods of summer celebrations in Alicante, this festival manages to stand out. It is definitely worth visiting if you have booked flights to Alicante.

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Religious Pageantry in Tinos


Tinos, Greece

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

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A plethora of festivals for the cultural tourist in Kos this summer


kos, greece

The small island of Kos is rich in culture, having been part of the Greek Empire first, then the Roman, the Byzantine and finally the Ottoman Empire. The verdant green island with its beautiful rugged coast is not only a place to relax and soak up the sun, but also to experience Greek traditions. Each summer the island comes alive with a variety of cultural events and festivals.

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The Feast of Aghios Ioannis in Kos


camp fire on beach

Steeped in antiquarian history, natural beauty, the clearest blue skies and the finest culinary delights, the islands of Greece are understandably popular destinations. But there is much more to Greece then just sea, sand and fine food. Try booking flights to Kos and you will be left speechless at the peculiar island festivals that are on offer over June, July and August.

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Alicante Festivals and Gourmet


Spanish paella

Alicante is a prestigious city in Spain, known for its long summers and mild winters. This city is famous for its love of life, music, fireworks, festivals and gourmet dining. Alicante takes pride in its traditions and cultural values which show through in their festivals. These festivals take place throughout the year, but the summer festivals are more popular with tourists due to the number of flights to Alicante during this season.

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Camel Wrestling in Anatolia


Closeup of a Camel

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

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Kefalonia Festivals


lighthouse of Saint Theodoroi

One of the most interesting things about Kefalonia, aside from its magnificent resorts and amazing beaches is its diversity of festivals. These vibrant festivals portray the rich culture and traditions of the Kefalonians. The festivals take place throughout the year, particularly in the summer.

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


fireworks

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

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Celebrate Spanish wine with the locals: La Festa des Vermar


glass of wine and grapes

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.

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Folk, Food and Fun in Malta


Panorama of Valetta

Malta is the place to be this weekend. If you have already booked your flight, consider yourself lucky. If not, you might want to check out our last minute flights to Malta, because from Friday the 4th of June until Sunday the 6th, the annual Ghanafest will take place in the Argotti Gardens in Floriana, within walking distance from the capital Valletta. This year's edition of the festival will be dedicated to Indri Brincat, the Maltese guitar maker and folk guitarist known as il-Pupa, who passed away on the 24th of March 2010.

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Happy in Hurghada


spices in egyptian bazar

Hurghada is divided into three parts. The downtown (El Dahar or simply Dahar) is the old quarter of the city; Sekalla is the modern section; El Korra Road is the newest, most contemporary part.

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South Nilandhe Atoll, the swankiest of them all


Beautiful white Maldivian beach

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.

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More Bangers For Your Buck


fireworks

With its blue skies and balmy climate, Menorca is a hotspot all summer long. For a guaranteed scorcher of a holiday, though, the time to visit is during the midsummer festival of San Juan held from the 20th to the 24th of June this year, when the island is ablaze with bonfires and fireworks and every school kid is armed with a bagful of bangers!

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Summer in Skopelos


Skopelos Town

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

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Tenerife Castle Tour


puerto del la cruz tenerife

Like many islands, Tenerife has been the subject of attack by invaders numerous times during its history and that's why the traditions of this beautiful island have been created from an unusual mix of cultures that have ruled there over previous centuries. From the original Guanche settlers to long periods of rule by the Spanish, Tenerife has been targetted by French, Dutch and even English invaders in the past.

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Menorca on Land and Sea


port of Ciutadella

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

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Get to know the spiritual wealth of Gambia


boat trip along the Hallehein river

The Atlantic beaches of Gambia are soft, sandy and superb for sunbathing. But the country has so much more to offer than its captivating coast. On a typical day near the coast, you can both chill on a white beach, go for a boat trip along the Hallehein river and explore the rich forest with its stunning flora and fauna. All that without stress. But it's the cultural wealth and warm hearts of the natives that make Gambia a place you'll want to return to.

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Canary Islands Music Festival Schedule


Young girl playing violin outdoor

There may have been a big freeze across northern Europe at the beginning of January but the attractions for tourists soaking up the sun in Gran Canaria were added to on 8th January when the Canary Islands Music Festival started in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

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St Lucia Day on Gran Canaria


Canary Islands street

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.

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End Of Year Events On Cyprus


view of Limassol, Cyprus

On Cyprus the event calendars for the resorts of Paphos and Larnaca are never quiet for long and looking back through the end of the year to January 2010 and beyond that seems to ring true. These holiday destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean always have plenty going on in terms of music concerts, theatre performances, local traditions and sporting events.

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December Culture in Larnaca and Paphos


The moon shining over Paphos, Cyprus

In Cyprus the towns of Larnaca and Paphos are favourites of both British tourists and ex-pats who have gone there to live and enjoy the milder climate. As you might expect the Christmas cultures of the towns are both a mix of Greek Cypriot traditions and those more modern derivatives that the mix of nationalities brings to the area.

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Christmas on Ibiza


Ibiza Beach (Baleares - Spain)

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.

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Food Fairs in Autumn


 spanish smoked gammon at spring fair in barcelona, spain, catalonia

In Europe the Autumn period seems to be the time when many areas host festivals celebrating local produce and cuisine. A little research has revealed that food fairs are now held in many popular tourist areas at the end of the summer season and serve to provide visitors with a taste of local cuisine and traditions.

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Ayia Napa Medieval Festival


Renaissance dancers

This local festival first started back in 2006, despite its name which would indicate it dates back much further than that. The content however does look back many years to the ancient traditions of an island that has plenty of history to recall.

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Crete - Part 2


A general view of the old harbour at Chania, Crete, famous for its Venetian architecture.

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.

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More To Ibiza Than Clubbing


Ibiza harbour

Ibiza is a place where the club scene is nothing short of legendary. But beyond the nightlife, Ibiza sizzles during the languid summer days with sublime beaches, hippie charm, and nature's beauty. The locals are hospitable with long held artistic traditions and inventive culinary skills. In short, Ibiza is much more than the party capital of Europe and has fast become a favourite holiday vacation for families and couples, too.

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Festival Time in Crete


Beach on the outskirts of Crete

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

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Crete Part 1


Vai Beach- Crete

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

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Hot Water and Mud in Dalaman


Thermal Springs in Turkey

The traditions of communal bathing and the geological features around Dalaman go hand in hand to create two special phenomena that are proving a hit with visitors to this part of Turkey.

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Sharm an Egyptian Fashion Enigma


Submerged Pottery in Sharm

There are many things that are different about the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm el Sheikh and traditional fashion culture is one of them. Egypt is a country steeped in history, culture and customs. The native population conforms to many religious and cultural traditions as far as dress is concerned, but those rules seem to be quietly forgotten in the cosmopolitan resorts of Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea. However a new campaign, being promoted by travel magazine Wanderlust, aims to make tourists more aware of local expectations in terms of what to wear and hopes it will encourage people to take more care to be respectful of local traditions when it comes to choosing appropriate clothing.

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Larnaca - Cyprus - Part 1


Larnaca Marina

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.

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Festival in the Old Town of Tavira


Old Town Tavira on the Algarve near Faro Portugal

Travel half an hour East from Faro on the Algarve and you will arrive at the old town of Tavira, a place that ranks alongside Lagos in architectural significance on this stretch of the Portuguese coast.

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