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

Thirty years ago, Sharm el-Sheikh was a sleepy, Bedouin fishing village. Now, as the most popular tourist destination in the Arab world, the city bustles with locals, tourists and traders all year round. Though much of the bay area, with its modern apartment blocks and sun loungers, no longer tells of the city's rich Egyptian heritage, Sharm Old Market retains an authentic cultural flavour.

Continue reading... Arabian Charm in Sharm el-Sheikh

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.

After the great success of Locals about Greece, the Flythomascook team decided to gather a panel of seven Portuguese men and three Portuguese women and ask them the same questions about their country, culture and cuisine.

Continue reading... Locals about Portugal: He who warns you is a friend

If you need to escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life, leave yourself behind during your vacation and experience Greece like a local. As well as cheap flights to Zante, Corfu, Heraklion and many other Greek airports, Flythomascook can now offer you the inside information you need to really get away from everything.

Continue reading... Locals about Greece: When people make plans, God laughs

There is a vast amount of places within Antalya where people are able to enjoy dining out. There are a lot of tourists that enjoy dining out in this area and they also make the most of the frequent flights to Antalya. It is true to say that Turkish cuisine is amongst the best cuisine anywhere in the world, however this is alongside Cantonese and French cuisine. The Turkish cuisine is diverse and rich due to the Ottoman Empire, which stretches from the gates of Vienna along to the strip, which is part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Continue reading... Dining Out in Antalya

The Biosphere Market is a monthly market, which is held within Fuerteventura. This market is very popular with a vast array of people who come to the area in order to enjoy all that the island has to offer. A lot of the people that come to this area enjoy the frequent cheap flights to Fuerteventura.

Continue reading... Biosphere Market in Fuerteventura

Cooking within the Canaries is a very simple and straightforward process and this is certainly the case for Fuerteventura. Before this area became popular with tourists it was actually just a hide away, which had a small population. This cuisine within this area is based mainly around vegetables, fresh meat and fish. All of these foods are cooked in a no nonsense way which is practical. There are a lot of tourists that enjoy using the cheap flights to Fuerteventura in order to enjoy the weather and also the local cuisine.

Continue reading... Eating Out in Fuerteventura

Fethiye market is a very popular market that takes place in Dalaman. This market is held on Tuesday and it is popular with a large array of people both tourists and local alike. This market is popular with a large number of people and a lot of these people make the most of the cheap flights to Dalaman.

Continue reading... Fethiye Market in Dalaman

Banjul market is commonly referred to as Albert Market. This market is the biggest urban market that is held within Banjul. This market was named after Queen Victoria's husband who was Prince Albert Gotha and Saxe Coburg. This market tends to be very busy and it is also very lively. There is a vast amount of items on sale within this market and these include wooden masks that are carved, designed fabrics that are vivid and there is also a wide range of fresh produce that is available. This market is laid out within the alleys and there are hundreds of stalls and shops that have been purposely built. The market is open from eight in the morning to seven at night. A lot of tourists that visit the market enjoy the regular flights to Banjul.

Continue reading... Banjul Market

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

Continue reading... Argostoli in Kefalonia

People come to the city of Banjul to enjoy its different aspects, some are lured by its scenic beaches, while others would like to track down its historic past. The city bustles with activity as you move among shops and houses. The National Museum, Court House and the Heritage Museum are some of the main attractions at Banjul. There are several flights to Banjul from every major international airport in the world, including charter flights by Thomas Cook Airlines from different parts of Europe.

Continue reading... Banjul Albert Craft Market

For such a small country, the Mediterranean islands of Malta have a rich and vibrant history. With North African and Arabic influences, theres been an incredible mix of rulers and occupiers over the centuries, yet all of these markson this beautiful, sunny nation create something individual with a distinct andcharming character.

Continue reading... malta guide art holidays

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

Continue reading... Dining in Ibiza

Wrestling is a national sport in Turkey, particularly Oil wrestling. In fact, the country is famous for its various annual wrestling festivals. Elmali Oil Wrestling festival, similar to the historical Kirkpinar Oil wrestling tournament, is one of the oldest festivals in Turkey which attracts more than a 100 wrestlers from all over Turkey to Elmali to compete for the wrestling title. From the 6th of August to the 8th of August, this wrestling festival - which is over 600 years old - will be held in a large stadium in Elmali, a town in the Antalya district. If you have already booked your flights to Antalya around this period, it is a great opportunity to enjoy this lovely sporting event.

Continue reading... Elmali Oil Wrestling festival in Turkey

From the 2nd to the 4th of August, Tunisia will celebrate the spread of digital technology with the International Internet Festival. You can't celebrate this festival from behind your computer - if you want to see the ship full of brand new computers and other pinnacles of the latest technology arrive in El Kantaoui Port (Sousse), you're going to have to look for last minute flights to Monastir. Locals and visitors are welcomed onto the ship, where they can try out the flashy equipment.

Continue reading... International Internet Festival in Tunisia

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

If you want to make sure you start practicing on time for the Virgin London Marathon in april 2011, book your flights to Sharm now and take part in the half marathon that will be held the 5th of November 2010. The international event called SharMarathon will start at 9.00am in Sharm-El-Sheikh, and the route will lead runners and joggers through Ras Mohamed National Park. The 21.1 km long track passes by Hidden Bay, the salt lake and back to the coast by Yolanda Bay and features sand dunes, rough mountains and mangroves. Even if you're not in shape yet, you don't want to miss out on this stunning setting for a marathon route. If your family is not impressed with your time, just tell them you were distracted by the view.

Continue reading... The Charm of Sharm in November

For a break from museum hopping, the Funchal region offers a wealth of botanical gardens and parks in which you can relax and enjoy the vistas in the area.

Continue reading... Wine and Gardens in Funchal

In Santa Cruz every Sunday morning there's a flea market at Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa, Calle San Sebastian. Some of Tenerife's other main markets are located in the Costa Adeje, the Los Cristianos area and in Santa Cruz, including a notable open-air flea market along the Avenida Jose Manuel Guimera, which takes place every Sunday morning. You can find inexpensive items to bring back home plus lots of local produce and handicrafts. Some of the items to look for are hand-crafted lace tablecloths, pottery and ceramics, and local wines.

Continue reading... A Taste of Tenerife

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

This summer, every village in Corfu will host at least one paniyiri, a local festival with live music, dancing, delicious food and - it's Greece after all - Ouzo. The newspaper "The Corfiot" lists the major paniyiri, but there are many others that only the locals know about. Don't be shy and ask them about it: they will be happy to invite you so they can show off their intricate dance moves and share their special dishes with you. Though you should book your flights to Corfu well in advance, you can't plan what you're going to do on the island until you're there.

Continue reading... Corfu's Food and Festivals

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.

Continue reading... Happy in Hurghada

For shopping, visit the Workers' Market (Mercado dos Lavradores), an open market that is alive with activity, noise, color and the hustle and bustle of the locals. Here you can buy any Madeira's specialties such as fresh fish, vegetables, spices, exotic flowers and local handicrafts. The building is in the late 1930s art deco style and designed by Portuguese architect Edmundo Tavares. Local handicrafts in the region include hand made embroidery and lace items, ceramics, tiles, and wicker objects. Locally made honey is a perfect souvenir.

Continue reading... Feel Free in Funchal

Bulgarian cuisine is not known for its international appeal. But if you understand what the strengths are in terms of food choices, you can eat well while visiting here. Bulgarian food shares characteristics with other Balkan cuisines. Due to the climate and diverse geography, Bulgaria has excellent growth conditions for many vegetables, herbs and fruits. So vegetable dishes are often a good bet when eating in restaurants here. The tomatoes, aubergines and other assorted vegetable dishes are staple here. Meat eaters will see lamb and rabbit on the menus. Bulgarian cuisine also offers variety of hot and cold soups. There are many different Bulgarian pastries to try such as banitsa. You will often see rich salads offered at most meals, which are almost a meal unto themselves.

Continue reading... Bulgarian Bites

Unusual Atlantic weather patterns for this time of year may still be rolling into southern Spain and Portugal, but for one traditional event on the Algarve, the inclement weather actually seems rather fitting.

Continue reading... Spring on the Algarve

Visitors to the island of Fuerteventura may be interested in going along to a new monthly market that aims to promote the produce of local farmers. Alongside tourism, Fuerteventura's next commercial strength is its agriculture, with farmers using the island's clement weather to grow everything from wheat crops, to tomatoes, onions, garlic and even bananas. Much of this activity takes place away from the main tourist areas and unless people make a specific effort, this side of the island can easily be missed.

Continue reading... Fuerteventura's Biosphere Market

Restaurants in Banjul offer international style menus. You can also try local dishes such as domodah (a peanut stew served with either meat or fish) and benachin (a spicy risotto). For a simple Gambian meal of rice and sauce, you can visit the market stalls. For a quick snack, street vendors sell fruit, nuts and homemade fritters.

Continue reading... Musical Magic in Banjul

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