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Whether you're running on empty already or hoping to hit the ground running this year, the Cyprus Marathon on Sunday 11th of March 2012 might be just the thing for you. Training up for this marathon will help you get in shape, deal with the stresses of everyday life better and give you more energy in general, while the winter sun in Paphos will do you a world of good too.

Continue reading... Put your best foot forward in Paphos

There is only one great classical music festival during winter in Europe: The Canary Islands Music Festival. With the start of 2012, the 28th edition of this festival took off. Unsurprisingly, this festival is a reason for music lovers from around the world to book flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the other islands.

Continue reading... Bach on the Beach

When the bells in the square clock tower of Teguise's parish church toll, they attract people from all over the Lanzarote - not to pray but to visit the island's largest street market. Teguise market takes place from 9am to 2pm in the square in front of the church and through the narrow, cobbled streets in the area. Though Teguise itself only has about 3000 inhabitants, the market attracts both locals and tourists from all over Lanzarote, because the stalls are the best place to buy Canarian lace and linen, trainers, leather handbags, clay pottery, jewellery and traditional leather masks. The market is also a popular day trip because of its delish food stalls and fascinating street entertainment.

Continue reading... Lanzarote's levitating man

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

Paphos is one of Cyprus' most ancient towns and the backdrop of many a dream holiday because of its beautiful coastline and diverse landscape.Flights to Paphos only take four and a half hours, making it an easy get away from the UK. Here's our top 3 reasons to visit this dream destination this winter.

Continue reading... Three Reasons To Go To Paphos This Winter

Located on the Red Sea, the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheik has been developed to cater for all types of visitors. It's a very popular winter sun destination for families because its location means that the weather is still in the mid-20s at this time of year and because flights to Sharm only take five hours. If you do take the kids, you'll find there is plenty for them to do. To give you an idea, here are five of the best ideas for keeping them entertained:

Continue reading... Top 5 Kids activities in Sharm el Sheik

World triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee and his brother Jonny, who came second to his brother in Beijing this September, have an unsurprisingly grueling training schedule in the lead up to 2012. The British brothers, who are based at cosy student digs in Leeds, stick to a regimented 35 hours of training a week, including weekends. The pair swim, run and cycle, all before midday, and then go for long runs again in the evening. The boys claim to do 95 percent of their training together and believe their consistent top 10 positions come down to tactical co-operation and teamwork.

Continue reading... The Brothers Brownlee Swap Rainy Leeds For Sun Drenched Lanzarote

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.

Continue reading... December in Gran Canaria

This year the Islanders of Lanzarote are attempting to take their Christmas celebrations to record breaking lengths. The annual Father Christmas Parade, held on the 23rd of December, in Puerto Del Carmen is a tradition long observed and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The main attraction, Santa himself, is led down the promenade aboard his magically decorated, horse drawn sleigh, from 18.00-20.00, and throws gifts and sweets to all the children that come to join the parade. But children are not the only ones expected join in: this year, everyone has is asked to don a Santa suit and aid the Islanders in their attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most Father Christmas' holding hands. Shops all along the waterfront are set to sell costumes for reduced rates, so there is no excuse not to join in.

Continue reading... Festive Fun in Lanzarote - Christmas 2011

Do you think that Lanzarote is all about cheap package holidays, sun, sea and sangria? Think again. This island paradise is quickly becoming a Mecca for Hollywood A-listers, bored with the usual glamour of Monte Carlo and the south of France. So what is it that's making this beautiful island so popular with the celebs as well as us 'ordinary people'?

Continue reading... Glamour on Lanzarote

While in the UK we may occasionally hang out a St George flag on April 23rd, that's about as far as our Saint celebrations go in this country. However, in Spain the Saints' days are a chance for Spanish people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to celebrate in style with a fiesta, festival or street party. The 8th December is one of the most important of these feast days - the Day of the Immaculate Conception. Jet off for a winter break with flights to Gran Canaria around this time of year and you can become part of one of Spain's most important festivals.

Continue reading... Day of the Immaculate Conception in Spain

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!

The Greeks (despite their current financial worries) love a party. They'll take any opportunity to celebrate their identity and to finish it off with a firework display that lights up the entire Mediterranean. On November 17th, it's the kids' turn to party on Polytechneio Day - a celebration and a chance to remember the students who died during the Greek resistance to German occupation in the 1940s. Polytechneio day was founded in 1973 after a tank was driven in to the gates of the Polytechneio Polytechnic during the Greek military junta of 1967-1974. So although it does have a more sombre side, the Greek people hate being too serious about anything, so the day is now celebrated throughout the country as a public holiday.

Continue reading... Polytechneio Day in Greece

Remember last Christmas in the UK? Blizzards? Storms? Freezing temperatures? If you want to avoid that happening again this year, 'Playa' in the sun with a Christmas break in Playa De Las Americas. No, not in the US, but in gorgeous Tenerife, a destination that hardly ever sees five feet of snow and a wind chill factor of -20.

Continue reading... Christmas at Playa De Las Americas

Discover the artistic skills of Michael Westall and Leonidas Papasavvas in a stunning exhibition of paintings this October. These two talented artists bring the culture, landscape and people of Cyprus to life, capturing the unique light and spirit of the Mediterranean. A selection of their finest work can be seen at the Gallery Kypriaki Gonia in Larnaca from October 6th - 15th.

Continue reading... Art in Larnaca: Michael Westall and Leonidas Papasavvas

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

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

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

Every year in October, a festival locally known as the Bodrum Cup is held to celebrate one of the Turkish city's most notable products, the "gulet", a kind of small, wooden yacht that is still made there today. Although the festival is becoming increasingly popular with travellers keen to see local colour and something truly out of the ordinary, it is nonetheless surprisingly economical to get flights to Bodrum in October and catch a little winter sun. So join the sailing enthusiasts, artists and travel photographers who head for the festival in droves every year, and go and see this singular event for yourself.

Continue reading... Wooden Yacht Festival in Bodrum October

The capital city and main port of Majorca in the Balearic Islands, Palma is a paradise for holidaymakers seeking sun, sea and sand (and possibly sangria). In the heart of the Mediterranean, the island has a climate that favours holidays at any time of the year - the temperature stays pleasantly in the high twenties during the summer and remains mild even in winter. Add to this the many great attractions to be found in the city and the surrounding area, and it's no wonder there are millions of people boarding flights to Palma each year.

Continue reading... Palma de Mallorca: a paradise for holidaymakers

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

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

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

Turkey has become the 'must see' destination in recent years, and its popularity as an affordable destination with a touch of the exotic East has sent travellers scurrying to explore its many delights. Dalaman, on the southwestern coast of Turkey, is one of the boom destinations, suitable for families looking for a sun-drenched beach holiday, and for more independent travellers who want to dip a toe into the mystery that is Turkey.

Continue reading... A must see destination in Turkey: Dalaman

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

Continue reading... Carthusian Monastery in Mallorca

The island of Ibiza is a perfect location for water sports as the water temperatures between May and August tends to be between eighteen and twenty six degrees so grab your goggles and flights to ibiza. This island is perfect for a wide range of different water sports that includes jet skiing, water skiing, sailing, parasailing, relaxing pedalo and also banana boats to name some of the many water sports that are on offer within this area.

Continue reading... Water Sports in Ibiza

The Puerto del Carmen Carnival is a time of revelry and riotous fun and this creates the perfect reason to escape the routine, which is normally followed on a daily basis. This is also a good time to get rid of the daily attire and enjoy some fun. There is a lot of tourists that make the most of the cheap flights to Lanzarote in order to take part in this carnival. This carnival normally starts on Shrove Tuesday. The things that happen as part of this festival varies depending on the individual municipalities, as the activities will vary based on their culture and heritage.

Continue reading... Puerto del Carmen Carnival in Lanzarote

Magaluf is a popular resort that is located within the Balearics. This resort was originally popular with Scandinavian and British package holidays. There is a lot of tourists that make the most of the regular flights to Balearics in order to experience what this resort has on offer. This popular resort is located within Calvia municipality and the main airport is located about twenty-four kilometers from this popular resort.

Continue reading... A Guide to Magaluf in Balearics

There is a vast array of things that people can enjoy within the Gran Canaria however one of the most popular activities is the vast array of water sports. There is a vast array of people that enjoy the regular flights to Gran Canaria in order to enjoy all of the water sports that are on offer within this area. Gran Canaria is the perfect location for water sports due to the mild weather, which it is able to enjoy all year round. This area is very popular with tourists that want to explore the water sports that are on offer. The temperature within the sea very rarely falls below eighteen degrees during the winter months and during the rest of the time the average temperature it twenty-three degrees.

Continue reading... Water Sports in Gran Canaria

The Jumaica Tropical Park is very popular with tourists and it is located between the areas of Porto Cristo and Porto Colom. This park covers about twenty five thousand square meters and it incorporates some very stunning gardens, which feature exotic plants. This park offers you the opportunity to eat bananas straight from the trees. This park is also home to an excellent restaurant. This park is very popular with tourists from all across the world who make use of the regular flights to Mallorca. Mallorca is one of the most beautiful islands in Spain and it has a party atmosphere. This island allows people to get away from everyday stress and enjoy a Mediterranean paradise.

Continue reading... Jumaica Tropical Park in Mallorca

Corfu is a wonderful tourist destination in Greece especially because of its mild Mediterranean climate and plenty of rains during winter. For the same reason Corfu has abundant vegetation as well as wild plants. You can plan a holiday here as flights to Corfu are available from a number of cities. Apart from the natural environment being conducive for tourism, there are some very interesting historical places as well as museums that have successfully restored the heritage of Corfu.

Continue reading... Byzantine Museum in Corfu

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

Paphos, being an important city in Cyprus, enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate implying that there will be sunshine throughout the year. If you plan to visit Paphos for a vacation with family, any time in the year is the right time. The winters here are shorter compared to other nearby cities and moderate too. There are several flights to Paphos almost every day and the International Airport is situated about 15km from the city of Paphos. Flights can also be booked online and you get to save money on the tickets too, especially if booked in advance.

Continue reading... Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church in Paphos

Burgas is a great place to be especially in winters because winters are mild and there is constant breeze to make you feel refreshed at all times. Burgas also happens to be the largest seaport in the whole of Bulgaria. Burgas can be reached by air as there are daily flights to Burgas from a number of European as well as other airports. The city of Burgas was made a duty-free zone in 1989 and the reason was simply that the state wanted to promote tourism and trade. It consists of total population of about 230,000 and has become one of the most famous destinations for tourists.

Continue reading... State Puppet Theatre in Burgas

Menorca is an ideal holiday destination for those looking for some peace and quiet. Apart from beaches and partying, the history of the place cannot be ignored. Whether you are planning your trip in winters or summers, there are several flights to Menorca throughout the year. however, peak season sees a large crowd and you may have to book your flight well in advance.

Continue reading... The fortress of Isabella II on La Mola

Being at a scenic spot on the southern coast of Cyprus, Larnaca is both a popular tourist destination and a busy business center. You can take a flight to Larnaca, from where its various resorts and interesting locations can be reached by a car.

Continue reading... Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca

A city of 200,000 people, Burgas is the second largest among all other Bulgarian cities touching the coast of Black Sea. It is fourth largest in the country that comes only after Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna. There are several commercial flights to Burgas. This makes it quite accessible to the tourists and casual visitors alike.

Continue reading... The Burgas Archaeological Museum

Larnacas residents welcome the procession of their patron, St Lazarus, with great cheer. The portrait of Saint Lazarus is brought from the St Lazarus Church for a while. It is then taken through the procession covering all the streets of Larnaca. The procession is led by the priest, who provides a service just before starting off from the church. The feast day of the St Lazarus is considered to be a significant event and the liveliness of Cypriots becomes quite evident during the procession. It is great experience and Larnaca is worth visiting at this time of the year.

Continue reading... Procession of St Lazarus

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

A friendly, green island, of mountains and beaches, volcanoes and forest, the island of Las Palmas is packed with adventurous things to do. With villas in Las Palmas both on the coast and away from it all, a holiday in Las Palmas is ideal in both summer and winter with some great activities to try both on land and water.

Continue reading... Las Palmas guide to adventure holidays

This is the known haven by the ancient times of history as Kition. This particular cocoon of paradise paraded all sorts and kinds of ruins from Neolithic periods then onwards. This is a place of prominent museums that enjoyed historical structures by people said to be the gateway of Cyprus, Larnaca.

Continue reading... a night of cold entertainment

Lanzarote's sporting connections are well established. The famous Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon is held there during May every year and athletes use the island as a base for winter training because of its mild weather. During autumn the athletes tend to return to the island and a number of competitive events are organised for them. They are usually open to entry for everyone, so if your fitness is up to standard why not take part?

Continue reading... Run and Cycle on Lanzarote

If there is one DJ that is worth flying to Cyprus for, it's the Dutch dance legend Armin Van Buuren. Worldwide, he has been the number 1 DJ for 2 years in a row, which means his place in history as this decade's most influential DJ is secured. He has won more awards than any other DJ and his State of Trance Radio show has 26 million listeners a week from all over the globe. Glenn Morrison, one of America's biggest up and coming dance icons, will join Armin in his mission to blow the minds of Cypriot clubbers. If you want to see Armin Van Buuren and Glenn Morrison live on Mackenzie Beach in Cyprus, book your flights to Larnaca now and make sure you're there on Thursday the 19th of August.

Continue reading... Armin van Buuren Live in Larnaca

Festivals are a constant feature throughout the year with many small local feast days celebrated in towns and villages, the fabulous Sardine Festival at Benitses and the acclaimed Varkarola Music Festival at Paleokastritsa, both held around mid-August. But this year sees a new attraction added - surely unique among the Ionian islands - The Corfu Cricket Festival.

Continue reading... Corfu welcomes a new festival

The world's biggest optical telescope will celebrate its first birhtday. In July 2009, the Gran Telescopio Canarias was completed on the island of La Palma.

Continue reading... Biggest Telescope in the World celebrates 1st birthday

If you're in Cyprus between the 26th of July and the 1st of August this summer, the Koumandaria Festival may be worth attending. The locals of the Kourris Valley, one of Cyprus' better known wine producing areas near Paphos, celebrates the wine called Koumandaria with this annual festival. You are guaranteed to fall in love with this sweet, amber-coloured dessert wine. The main participating villages are Alassa, Agios Georgios, Doros, Laneia, Monagri and Silikou.

Continue reading... Celebrate ancient wine from Cyprus

Palma has many cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, festivals and theatre productions both in summer and winter. In September, for example, Palma de Mallorca will host the Mare de Deu de la Salut fiesta. This means that processions and floral offerings will take over the city. There will be music and theatre entertainment, as well as a solemn mass in honour of the Virgin Mary at the church of Sant Miguel.

Continue reading... Palma for Party animals

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.

Continue reading... Alicante Festivals and Gourmet

Lanzarote is just 125 km from the coast of Africa, and like its neighbour, enjoys a dry hot climate with little rainfall. With average midwinter temperatures about 21 C and mid summer temperatures around 29, Lanzarote is a perfect year round destination.

Continue reading... Experience Lanzarote's Landscape

The answer to why Lanzarote is perfect for competitive endurance events is quite simply the fact that it has perfect weather throughout the year. Rain is an almost non-existent event throughout the months of winter, and the summer maintains a perfect heat.

Continue reading... Non-stop adventure Sports in Lanzarote

Paphos is one of the most visited and the most attractive cities on the west coast of Cyprus. It's boasting with big and famous hotels with their own beaches. And if you are looking for accommodations within a smaller budget, there are quite a number of affordable ones with good quality too.

Continue reading... Good reasons to visit Paphos

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

Have you ever considered a holiday by the Red Sea in Egypt but haven't really got a clue where to go when you get there? Well, Sharm El Sheikh is one destination you should consider. It's got all the attractions a holiday maker could wish for. Attractions such as historical monuments, ancient tombs, monasteries as well as exclusive resorts.

Continue reading... Where you need to go in Egypt

Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands. It is reported to be a favourite wedding location and honeymoon destination. The island's climate is fantastic albeit somewhat predictable, as there is no large difference in the temperature between the summer and the winter (around 25-30 C/ 77-86 F). You're guaranteed to find a good number of flights to Tenerife any time of the year.

Continue reading... Discover the Secret Bliss of Tenerife

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

Continue reading... Discover Crete

The coast of light or Costa de la Luz is in the far south west of Spain, a full 300km of stunning coastline beside the Atlantic Sea. It stretches from the Portuguese border to the Straits of Gibraltar and features some of Spain's loveliest fine-sanded beaches.

Continue reading... Costa de la Luz

One of the unfortunate tourists that got stuck on Tenerife due to the volcanic ash cloud were Gary Lineker, his wife Danielle and their five children. After spending Christmas and New Year's even in Barbados, they were polishing up their tans in the Canary Islands right before the ash cloud halted all flights in Europe. Though the journey back to London must have been extremely stressful, the tan the Welsh lingerie model acquired during their prolonged stay seems well worth it. For those who want a holiday tan like Danielle's, flights to Tenerife have resumed.

Continue reading... Where Danielle Got Her Tan

Fly across the Atlantic and discover the wilds of Canada.

Continue reading... Expedition Canada

Everyone is asking when the severe winter weather in the UK, the harshest for the past 30 years, is finally going to let up. But the UK shouldn't feel too bad, because there are plenty of other European countries that have experienced equally poor weather. Countries like Belgium and Germany have also been suffering under very cold, wet and snowy conditions for several weeks now.

Continue reading... Storms Force Tenerife Events To Be Postponed

Inspired by the Winter Olympics? If you still want to have a go at it this season, now is pretty much your last chance to book a holiday to one of the ski resorts in Europe.

Continue reading... Happy Skeaster Holidays!

Friday 12th February was the date for two spectacular opening ceremonies. In Vancouver, Canada the 2010 Winter Olympics started on that day when the hosts set to stage a stunning event in the BC Place arena. The organisers went to great lengths to ensure everything went according to plan, even asking the audience to arrive early to take part in a rehearsal an hour before the official start.

Continue reading... Opening Parades on 12th February

During the winter period, flythomascook.com offers flights to Paphos in Cyprus from three UK airports, namely London Gatwick, Nottingham East Midlands and Manchester. Once we get to April, however, the schedule adds departures from a further seven airports and lots more flights. There are a number of ex-pats living in Cyprus, so flights from the UK are always popular, but Cyprus also makes a great destination for a winter or early spring break, particularly as the weather can be kind at that time of year.

Continue reading... Approaching Spring in Paphos

Well, for those looking forward to some winter snow, the UK was able to compete with the alpine resorts with their ample blanket of the white stuff during early January. If your preference is for warmer weather, then any of these flythomascook.com winter sun destinations would have provided a stark contrast. In the Gambia, the early January weather in Banjul was hot sunshine, day after day, and daytime highs of 34 degrees Celsius. Short flights to the Gambia from the UK make Banjul a convenient location for UK travellers who prefer to guarantee their winter sunshine, without having to fly to Australia or South Africa.

Continue reading... Sun Not Snow

Many new marathon runners in the UK will know if they have a place in this year's London Marathon and will already be training hard, but experienced marathon runners may be looking at events abroad to satisfy their running hobby. The big races in the United States like the Chicago Marathon and the New York Marathon don't take place until October and November, so places like Egypt or Malta could allow you to race earlier in the year.

Continue reading... Run In Luxor or Sharm

Winter sun tourists quite often focus their attention on the popular resorts of the Canary Islands, the Red Sea beach resorts of Egypt or the slightly longer flight to the hotter climate of The Gambia. But there are also some nearer resorts like the island of Malta and the Monastir area of Tunisia that can also provide the sun and sand that many yearn for at this time of year.

Continue reading... Remember Monastir

If you've ever wondered what the main reasons are that make thousands of winter holiday fans book flights to Hurghada in Egypt, then you've probably quickly come up with sun and sand. And you'd have been right. So what else, if anything, does this resort have to offer that makes it stand out from other winter sun destinations?

Continue reading... Reasons to visit Hurghada

One of the biggest carnivals on Gran Canaria has the green light to go ahead having been given assurances by its local mayor that proper finances would be available.

Continue reading... Maspalomas Carnival Get Go Ahead

The rest of Europe may be settling back for a quiet few weeks to help get over the Christmas excesses but the Algarve region of Portugal is still busy at this time of year. The southern coast of Portugal is a long strip of beaches, holidays resorts and golf courses that attract visitors all year round and especially during January and February when its mild weather can provide a welcome break from the harsher winter days of the UK.

Continue reading... January Algarve Events

For an alternative winter sun getaway why not consider Funchal on the island of Madeira. The typical winter sun locations like Malta, Egypt or the Canary Islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote are all popular destinations for those seeking to spend a week or two escaping from the UK winter weather, but the island of Madeira is also a great option.

Continue reading... Funchal For February

If anyone doubted the importance to the Portuguese of sport and getting into the great outdoors, then a visit to the Algarve in Portugal during February will have put those doubts to rest. Of course the weather in the region is a crucial factor, with dry, mild conditions during the early part of the year permitting sporting events that could only take place during summer in the UK. Another factor is the attitude of the local communities towards sporting activities and events. Whether these be football tournaments, water sports events in the sea or motorsport competitions, there seems to be an endless stream of options for both spectating and taking part.

Continue reading... February Sports Bonanza on The Algarve

If we are talking about the January weather in the UK too much, it's because it seems to be the only talking point around at the moment but also because it provides a stark contrast to the conditions in many of our winter sun destinations.

Continue reading... A Far Cry From Fuerteventura

Dance music fans have their favourite venues around Europe where the world's top DJs and dance music performers typically appear. These include of course Ibiza during the summer months but also, in the earlier part of the year, several other holiday resorts get their chance to promote dance music events featuring the stars.

Continue reading... Dance Music in Malta, Sharm and Cyprus

When Malta puts on events, they are normally very ambitious. For such a small island you do wonder where they get all this desire to host big promotions. From music concerts and sporting events to international trade fairs and cultural celebrations, things are not done by halves in Malta.

Continue reading... Chess, Opera, Jazz and Pop on Malta

If you go to the Canary Islands for a winter break, don't be surprised to find the locals with a healthy appetite for watching football. The islands currently have several successful teams, one that competes in the top Spanish League and others that play more locally.

Continue reading... Canaries Football Spotlight

The southern coast of Portugal, better know as the Algarve region, is staking it's claim as one of Europe's top surfing locations. There are now numerous surf-friendly locations along the coast and a series of events for both amateurs and professionals.

Continue reading... Algarve's Surfing Crown

Tourists on Gran Canaria during December may have been lucky enough to witness one of the more unusual events on the island.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Winter Solstice

The Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh is best known as a winter sun destination and a favourite location for Scuba divers, but other, more unusual, events also find their place there.

Continue reading... Unusual Events in Sharm

Tenerife is dependent on tourism for much of its commercial activity and is working hard to overcome the issues presented by the recession. Resort improvements and hotel renovations are taking place all over the island. Reduced consumer spending power has meant a drop in tourist numbers for many destinations across Europe, with some places seeing as much as a quarter of previous trade disappearing.

Continue reading... Tenerife Counts Tourism Figures

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

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

Winter breaks to the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh are proving very popular this season and flythomascook.com had some very competitive prices for journeys during January 2010.

Continue reading... Sharm Flights In January

Add running to your next holiday. More and more people seem to be turning to the sport of running as a method of keeping fit and healthy. As far as equipment is concerned running comes a close second to swimming for not needing any expensive or specialist kit.

Continue reading... Running on Malta and Ibiza

If you travel to the island of Menorca during January for a quiet winter sun break and you may stumble across an unexpected national celebration.

Continue reading... Celebrate National Day On Menorca

The social calendar during December on the island of Malta has a familiar British ring to it and that's no surprise given Malta's history and its long associated with Britain.

Continue reading... December Events in Malta

Body Boarding or Boogie Boarding is not a new sport, in fact this easier version of surfing is claimed to have been invented in California almost 40 years ago. But don't be fooled, those Californians have a habit of picking an ancient custom and skill, adding a twist and claiming it as their own. The Californian surfboard designer who carved his first body board from a chunk of polystyrene foam was in fact doing exactly what Polynesian natives had done thousands of years earlier to allow them to float and surf the waves around their islands.

Continue reading... Boogie Boarding Lanzarote

The 17th December, was the shortest day of the year in Funchal on the island of Madeira in 2009, dusk arrived at 4 minutes to five in the afternoon only 600 minutes after sunrise. Compare that to London whose shortest day came a day or two later and was only 470 minutes long. So a winter break on the island of Madeira will not only provide more sun and warmer temperatures, but the days will be over two hours longer too.

Continue reading... Funchal's Shortest Day

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.

Continue reading... End Of Year Events On Cyprus

While much of Britain still experienced cold, snowy weather and temperatures in Scotland plummeted to as low as minus sixteen, we thought a round up of the weather in our key winter sun destinations would warm you up a little.

Continue reading... Festive Weather Round Up

The Gran Canaria International Marathon took place on the 24th January 2010. Local council and tourism authorities saw the potential of hosting an international marathon race after witnessing what they called the "magnetic" effect of similar races in other Spanish cities. They quoted the success of cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Saragossa and Palma de Mallorca as some of those that have put on marathon races and attracted huge crowds in addition to the runners themselves. For Gran Canaria the obvious choice was to make the most of the island's mild winter weather and entice runners to take part in one of the only European marathons to be held during January.

Continue reading... Countdown to Gran Canaria Marathon

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

Continue reading... Christmas on Ibiza

During January Tenerife hosts the Festival de Musica de Canarias, a celebration of classical music that first started in 1985.

Continue reading... Music Festival in Tenerife

Some of the big sporting events in Lanzarote during 2010 have been announced and are already attracting entries from competitors.

Continue reading... Sport 2010 on Lanzarote

The first weekend of December saw the skies of Tenerife filled with colourful paragliders as the island hosted an international competition.

Continue reading... Paragliders in Tenerife

When we report on big music concerts in some of the resorts we fly to, it's often the older stars that are performing. Earlier this year Rod Stewart performed in Tenerife and Alice Cooper played a concert this summer in Cyprus.

Continue reading... Tom Jones Performs Concert in Malta

Lanzarote's Open de Canarias de Ala Delta hang gliding competition took place between the 6th and 12th December this year.

Continue reading... International Hang Gliding on Lanzarote

For the first time Banjul,in The Gambia, will host its Fine Arts Festival to run for two weeks from 4th January 2010. The organiser of the event, Yusupha Kula, claims to be taking a small, local art show and transforming into a fine art festival that will attract up to 150,000 visitors and showcase talented and emerging artists from all over the world.

Continue reading... Banjul Fine Arts Festival

New Years Eve celebrations seem to be getting bigger and bigger every year. London now stages a major public fireworks display, centred on the London Eye on the Thames, while TV news broadcasts always show the New Year being welcomed in different parts of the world. These reports usually show fireworks displays in Edinburgh, Paris, Sydney, Copacabana beach, Hong Kong and or the million or so revelers who converge on Times Square in New York. The New York celebrations are interesting as they first started in 1904 to commemorate the opening of the New York Times' new offices, when 200,000 people came to enjoy an all-day party put on by the newspaper. It is now estimated that 1 billion people worldwide watch the Times Square celebrations.

Continue reading... New Years Eve on the Algarve

If many resorts, even winter sun destinations, seem very quite during November and December, then those looking for a little more activity may be interested in a visit to Portugal's Algarve region. Although the weather there may not quite be able to compete with the Canary Islands or the resorts of Egypt and Gambia for reliable warm sunny days, it certainly will not be as cold or as wet as the UK during those months.

Continue reading... The Algarve During November and December

With the festive season just a few weeks away, plans for getting away for some seasonal sun may be uppermost in the minds of those who prefer to spend the period in a warmer climate.

Continue reading... Christmas Getaway

Plan ahead now if you have Disney's World Marathon Weekend in mind for January. The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will be the stage for a 4 day running festival planned to take place between 7th and 10th January 2010. Taking alongside the running events is a health and fitness expo or exhibition. With an accent on family fun, the marathon weekend runs start on Friday with a short 5 kilometer race for all the family.

Continue reading... Disney World Marathon Week

November and December are the perfect months to explore the lesser known areas of Mallorca. Hire a car, hop onto a bus or use Mallorca's rejuvenated rail network to travel to some of the islands traditional towns and villages. Many visitors to Mallorca stay in the beach resorts either side of the capital Palma, the coastal areas in the north around Alcudia and Pollenca or the beach resorts on the east coast like Cala Millor or Porto Christo.

Continue reading... Exploring Mallorca

Plan ahead now if you have Disney's World Marathon Weekend in mind for January. The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will be the stage for a 4 day running festival planned to take place between 7th and 10th January 2010. Taking alongside the running events is a health and fitness expo or exhibition. With an accent on family fun, the marathon weekend runs start on Friday with a short 5 kilometer race for all the family.

Continue reading... Disney World Marathon Week

Visitors to Florida during the month of October have a choice of local festivals to try out as an alternative to lazy days on the beach.

Continue reading... Florida Festivals in October

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

Reputed to have the world's best climate, Gran Canaria is a tourist destination with so much to offer, entertainment and marvellous beaches, antiquities and culture, outdoor sports and nature. More than just an island paradise, GranCanaria is an experience to savor.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Much MoreThan Paradise

Tenerife is an exotic island that's known for a large ex-Pat British community delivers so much more ithan what you've come to expect. It is a scenic volcanic island, the largest of the seven Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of north west Africa. Tenerife is the most populated island of the Canary Islands and Spain and is famous as the "island of eternal spring" (Isla de la Eterna Primavera) as the average winter temperature is 22 degrees Celsius while in summer average temperatures remain about 28 C. Tenerife is sunny all year round.

Continue reading... Tenerife Island of Eternal Spring

The small but perfectly formed island of Menorca is somewhat overshadowed by its flashier and more famous neighbours Ibiza and Mallorca. But this compact slice of paradise which lies off the coast of Spain in the Med is a Balearic jewel, too, and a great getaway for families, couples and singles.

Continue reading... Minorca - Part 1

The eastern most island of the Canaries, Lanzarote is a place of spectacular natural beauty. This unspoilt volcanic island will bowl you over with its extraordinary rock formations, mountains, seascapes and desert plains. With so much to enjoy here, Lanzarote is a superb beach break for a relaxing or active holiday.

Continue reading... Lanzarote - Part 1

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

The birthplace of ancient healer Hippocrates,Kos has everything for a healthy holiday: fresh air; sunny skies; clear seawater; and great food. Additionally, the idyllic beauty of this island paradise is perfect for relaxing holidays as well as sporty and cultural getaways. You can experience so much in Kos as the island has everything one would desire for a great beach and cultural holiday all in a splendid setting.

Continue reading... Kos Part 1

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.

Continue reading... More To Ibiza Than Clubbing

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

Sharm el Sheikh's impressive coral reef and crystalline waters have deservedly garnered its reputation as one of the best scuba diving locations on earth.

Continue reading... Sharm el Sheikh Part 1

Sensational Santorini,located in the southern Aegean Cyclades, is a tranquil island set on dramatic cliffs and amongst amazing seascapes. With panoramic views of sweeping lagoons and breathtaking sunsets, this a romantic holiday destination. Santorini has a well deserved reputation for it's natural geological wonders and the beautiful skafta (cave houses built into the rock) that will not disappoint the discriminating traveller in search of a truly unforgettable, sun soaked getaway.

Continue reading... Santorini Part 1

Most tourists simply pass through Faro airport en route to their resort destinations in other parts of the Algarve. But if you're hankering for a cultural city break with wonderful food and year-round sun, then Faro is a delightful retreat.

Continue reading... Faro Part 1

Exotic Monastir, Tunisia is a glistening tourist resort located on the north east coast of Tunisia. The city has a marina, stunning beach, an impressive fortress that serves as a landmark, and a traditional medina in the old town. Monastir is a blend of east meets west, beach holiday and cultural break, ancient ruins within a modern edge.

Continue reading... Monastir Part 1

FlyThomasCook have announced an additional weekly flight to extend the existing offerings to three flights per week between Manchester and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Continue reading... Extra Flights to Fuerteventura

Extra flights have been added to the schedules at FlyThomasCook which bring greater flexibility for passengers travelling to the island of Lanzarote from Manchester, East Midlands and Gatwick.

Continue reading... Extra Flights to Lanzarote

Turkey provided the world of Formula 1 with a great track, warm weather and fantastic spectacle, but the teams did seem to struggle with the hot track that warmed up to over 50 degrees Celsius during the event and tested the car's tyres to the limit. The air temperature was a very nice 30 degrees and those forced to sit in uncovered stands decided to take to the shade, hence the empty spaces that appeared around the track.

Continue reading... Hot Work in Turkey for Drivers

The area around Paphos in the south of Cyprus has changed during the last 25 years on the back of better provisions for tourists and an increasing popularity of the area for second-home investors. Control of development is still a concern with conservationists but at least the authorities can see the issues created when developers are given too much of a free rein. What Paphos has to offer, apart from its own cultural attractions, is its proximity to two areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Continue reading... Paphos a gateway to the real Cyprus

Club La Santa in Lanzarote is regarded by many as one of the best sports resorts in Europe. It certainly has plenty to offer in terms of facilities and the mild winter climate helps to attract thousands of sports people to the island throughout the year. The club first opened in 1983 and has grown in stature and size consistently ever since, however a recent issue has brought a temporary halt to development work aimed at expanding facilities.

Continue reading... Additional Sports Facilities in Lanzarote

Talking about the nightclubs on the island first. One of the most famous is perhaps Pacha, which is a large venue and the only club that is open all year round, with others not opening until late May. The claim of being the largest club is now owned by Privilege which has an unusual history. The club started life as a local swimming pool which became popular after a bar was added and it started playing music under the name Club Rafael. Name changes, storms, closures and new investment has brought the club to where it is today, the biggest nightclub in the world.

Continue reading... Discover Ibiza

The features that attract people to the Greek island of Rhodes include the weather, the beaches, high quality resorts and a typically warm welcome. These are all things that other locations can claim but very few have the history of Rhodes and a place like Lindos shows that side of Rhodes very well.

Continue reading... Old Rock in Lindos Rhodes

With a lush and dramatic landscape and so much to do both on sea and land, Fuerteventura possesses riches to attract both the budget and discriminating traveller all year round.

Continue reading... Fuerteventura - The Canary Islands - Part 1

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