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Country/Town visited: Paris, France
Paris, aka the city of love, is the capital city of France. The city is divided into districts and each has its own look at feel, the Latin Quarter has great bars, restaurants and night life and for all the sights head to Champs Elysees and Seine River Bank (districts).
There’s also plenty of things to keep the children busy as well, like Disneyland Paris where you can spend a good couple of days exploring, click on the following link for our Disneyland Paris Guide.
Whether you’re spending a weekend in Paris or longer we’re sure you’ll have an unforgettable experience. We’ve put together a brief guide to consider when heading to Paris.
CITY SIGHTS:
Eiffel Tower: Standing 300m high it’s hard to miss this world famous monument. You can get a great view of the tower in all its glory from Trocadero (one of the metro stops). Plan to visit the Eiffel Tower during the day and at night. From sunset through to 1am, the Eiffel Tower puts on a great light show every hour on the hour.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Large Cathedral well worth visiting. Get there early if you want to climb to the top of the tower, otherwise you will be queuing for hours in tourist season.
Conciergerie: is just around the corner from the Notre Dame and also worth a visit. It is a former Palace and Prison. One of its most famous inmates was Queen Marie Antoinette. If you are into architecture is a great building inside.
Louvre Museum: Many museums under one roof, here you’ll find the Mona Lisa and other famous art pieces.
Arc de Triomphe: Famous monument and one of the largest if not the biggest roundabouts in the world, you have great views all over Paris from the top but you’ll have to climb roughly 300 stairs.
Champs Elysees: Famous shopping street and starts from the Arc de Triomphe.
Saint Chapelle: Gothic chapel, located near the Palais de la Cité, on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris.
Catacombes: Underground cemetery and the remains of Paris’s stone mines.
Napoleon’s final resting place: Les Invalides, (church) The church is very beautiful and the dome is stunning.
Place de la concorde: One of the major public squares in Paris, a great place to relax after a busy day taking in the wonderful sites around you.
Basilica of the Sacré Cœur: A large Roman Catholic church and minor basilica. Worth a look
Moulin Rouge: Here you’ll find cabaret shows, but be careful in this area at night if on your own.
Jardin Luxemborg: Luxembourg Gardens is the second largest public park in Paris located in the 6th arrondissement (district)
Rodin Museum: Here you’ll see the thinker statue and other artworks.
Some other sights to consider depending on how long you have: Seine River cruise, Disney Land Paris and Versailles Palace. The hop on hop off buses are a great way to see all the sites if your short on time (Lime Green open top bus and Red double deckers).
ACCOMMODATION:
Paris has no shortage of accommodation, when looking for a hotel/motel think about what you plan to do and see. We’ve stayed at The Residence Pelican before, located in the heart of the city and minutes from the Louve museum. It has a lovely romantic feel to it but you’ll need to be fit as there are no lifts and all rooms as accessed by a tight staircase, click on the following link to read our Residence Pelican Paris Review.
GETTING TO AND AROUND PARIS:
Getting around in Paris is easy with its vast and efficient metro system. The RER train offers a faster alternative to the metro, but stops are less frequent. If you are staying more than a week consider purchasing a combined travel pass for unlimited travel on the metro, RER and buses.
By Air: Paris has 3 airports and the main one being Charles de Gaulle airport. All the major airlines service the airport.
By Train: Pairs is well connected to all of Europe by train, the TGV high speed trains and Eurostar services direct from London in roughly two hours.
The Metro: The underground system is very good and easy to navigate, the RER trains are used a lot by commuters and Metro stations are well signed. Make sure you study the map, you can’t interchange at some stations even though the lines cross.
Points to highlight: Watch your step when walking around the city as one thing you’ll notice is the amount of dog poo left on the pavements. Fines are issued for not cleaning up after your pooch but you need to be caught in the act, as a result a number of campaigns have been put in place to reduce the poo problem.
If visiting Paris do yourself a favour and grab some Berthillon Ice Cream (luxury ice cream and sorbet) Located at 31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, 75004 Paris, France. You’ll know the place as you’ll see the queue of people lining up. If your based in London visiting Paris could not be easier, take the Eurostar Train from London St Pancres station and within two plus hours you'll be walking the streets of Paris. Please feel free to comment if you have any other tips/advice on places worth visiting.
Rating system:
Would you recommend this destination: Yes
Overall rating: 4.5 out 5
By: Nick & Jackie
Country/Town visited: Tempa & Orlando, Florida
Date of stay: Oct 2011
Where you stayed: Windsor Hill Resort
Tour or pre planned: Pre planned
Florida is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world for young families so when I was invited to visit family out there I was a bit dubious. I am single and don’t have any children (I’m not really a fan of them!) so my first thought was ‘what exactly am I going to do out there apart from enjoy the fact that I’m not at work?’
Tampa Bay
The first leg of my trip saw me staying at my family’s home in Westchase, Tampa and after I’d gotten over the whole ‘stepford wives’ shock I was pleasantly surprised, everyone was so perfect, tanned, fit and healthy and the houses were immaculate; I’m sure there are parts of Tampa that are not like that but I didn’t get the opportunity to find out. The area was lovely and so clean, something you don’t see in many towns in the UK; not a piece of rubbish or any graffiti in sight! Even in October the air was warm, such a pleasant feeling and perfect for taking my Dad’s convertible for a drive (very slowly and carefully – the driving style out there is worth another blog post all on its own!). I really felt that I got to see what life in Florida is like, something I enjoy when I travel.
One of the best things was seeing America in action for Halloween – they really do go all out. I took a walk around the neighbourhood and it was lovely to see the houses decorated with pumpkins, ghosts and ghouls. I really wish we did that more in the UK – I might not have kids but I love celebrating the fun holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Bonfire Night!
Although Tampa is huge I only got to see a small part of it but the bit I saw I loved. People were friendly and there was the loveliest atmosphere and the ‘town centre’ was quaint and had a great choice of restaurants and a must have Starbucks. Now I know Westchase might not be tourist central but it’s actually a lovely and relaxing place to visit, great for golfers, shoppers, foodies and people who simply want to relax while their other half goes off to play 9 holes.
After over a week of R&R and a weight gain I am not prepared to disclose here it was off to Orlando for a couple of days.
Orlando
You can’t go to Florida without visiting Orlando! I had always wanted to visit Disney World and even in my 20s I was so excited about going. I wasn’t disappointed.
We looked at hotels on the theme park site but, although they looked great, understandably they were designed for families and actually limited the choice of entertainment for people who don’t have young children. So we booked our accommodation through Windsor Hills Private Rentals. Windsor Hills is a selection of properties for holiday rental and all located less than 2 miles from Disney World. They have a great choice of properties and the booking process was seamless, we simply selected the properties we were interested in and then the owners come back with individual quotations. You pick the offer you want to go with, confirm and then you are free to plan your stay! When we arrived the property was in great condition, clean and well kept, very comfortable. I never really knew stuff like that existed.
Having only really been to theme parks such as Alton Towers in the UK, which although impressive isn’t a patch on Disney World; even the drive into the park left me speechless! It was probably a Disney themed drive for 4 or 5 miles before we even got to the park.
"Orlando Top tip" – book your theme park tickets before you leave home – it will save you money!
Once we arrived getting into the park was so easy, the staff are all helpful and their process when dealing with so many people was flawless. We were lucky, because we stayed so close, to be able to visit the park over 2 days; you could easily spend a week here and the kids would never get bored. Favourite part was Epcot fireworks and seeing Disney celebrate Halloween (pumpkins and skeletons everywhere) and the parades, I think I was worse than the kids when I saw some of my favourite Disney characters...worst part was the It’s a Small World ride which, although a classic made my want to scream with boredom!
As well as Disney there are so many other attractions on offer from Universal Studios and Sea World to water parks, museums and a wide variety of entertaining shows, I didn’t get to them because of the time constraints of my visit which is a shame but it’s an excuse to go back!
Orlando really does have something for all the family and seems to follow Walt Disney in their quest to ‘make people happy’. I can understand why it’s so popular and not just with young families.
Rating system
Would you recommend this destination: Yes
Would you recommend your hotel: Yes
Overall rating destination: 4.5 out of 5
By: Claire
Country/Town visited: Cuzco & Machu Picchu, Peru
Date of stay: Nov 2011
Where you stayed: Hostal Quipu
Travelled with: Wife
Tour or pre planned: Pre-planned
Let’s face it; you’re here to see Machu Picchu. And while Machu Picchu takes all the Kudos as the best site in the area, and relegates Cuzco as merely a base for it, take all that away and you’re left with a fantastic city in its own right.
Once you arrive it is highly recommended that you take it easy for a few days and get plenty of rest due to the altitude. If arriving by plane you’ll need longer to acclimatize, but if arriving by bus from another high altitude town you’ll find it easier. Just remember to take it easy, drink plenty of water, chew/drink a lot of coca leaves/tea and if needed pick up some Sorojchi tablets to get rid of the headaches (cheap and available almost everywhere).
Although you might be eager to head straight to Machu Picchu, don’t think for a second that those few days of rest will be wasted, as Cuzco deserves at least a couple of days of exploring. The city is surrounded by mountains and has fantastic squares, tiny alleyways and cobblestone streets, making for quite a unique place seeped in history.
ACCOMMODATION:
Hostal Quipu was our first place to stay, and it didn’t disappoint.
We arrived in Cuzco pretty exhausted after an overnight bus journey, and once we arrived at the hostel there was a big pot of coca tea waiting for us.
Rooms don’t seem the most secure though, with just a padlock holding 2 doors together but it does the job. The showers are the best in Peru, with good pressure and heat (a rarity and a luxury I can tell you right now) and it can get cold at night so be sure to rug up in the wee hours. There’s also a good wifi connection compared to everywhere else, and you’ll get unlimited amounts of coca tea made for you which is a bonus!
Price wise you’ll pay around £15 quid (roughly $20 to $25 US dollars) per night and depending on the season.
CITY SIGHTS:
The main market in Cuzco is great and we managed to smash back many cheap fresh juices and picked up quite a few fancy wares. We just love watching the people too, especially the shrunken shrivelled old ladies with colourful clothes and hats. With a little observation you’ll see that everyone works pretty hard here, and the Peruvians meaning of the word ‘Labour’ is a little different to ours, making the rest of us all seem pretty lazy really.
In the evenings the city lights up and breathes new life into all corners, and the backdrop is a sight for sore eyes. Outside the market just bustles with people playing betting games and foosball and street performers. Although the area is safe just be vigilant for pickpockets.
One interesting evening we ate a huge bowl of chicken soup (only 3 Soles) on the side of the street with all the locals outside just soaking in the atmosphere, when some guy started arguing with a bunch of people and proceeded to punch 3 women in the face. How lovely.
There’s also a great outdoor food market in Plaza De La Almudena, near the cemetery.
Food wise, we weren’t terribly impressed when compared to other exotic places we’ve been in the world, but I can heartily recommend Tacu Tacu (mashed potato & beans) and any form of stuffed chili peppers. Alpaca can be good too, if you feel like chewing on some of that.
THE TOUR:
Firstly, for shorter tours I recommend booking these as soon as you arrive in Cuzco, or even weeks before if you are coming in the peak season. We booked 2 days in advance out of season and got the last few spots available. They fill up fast. Doing the 3 or 5 day trek is a different story, and you’ll need to book months in advance.
We ended up doing a 2 day/1 night Machu Picchu and sacred valley tour, forking out US$160 (s/420) each, which covers buses, trains (the most expensive part, and the reason why you need to book early), guides and accommodation in Aguas Calientes. We just booked with one of the many agents dotted around the city. In the end the whole tour seemed pretty disorganised, but order was somehow created out of chaos and the overall tour was fantastic, I can’t recommend it enough.
Just a couple of tips:
- With the tour you get to choose train times to/from Aguas Calientes. I suggest getting the Ollantaytambo train to Aguas Calientes at 7pm. The Sacred valley tour will finish around 5pm, so you’ll still have another 1 ½ hours to wander around. That’s plenty. Many people we bumped into had to wait around for over 3 hours for their 9pm train, so earlier is better. Then you can hit Aguas Calientes at night, put head to pillow and wake up nice n early the next day to head to Machu Picchu on one of the many buses before all the tour groups arrive. Suggest coming back at 5.30pm too, as you’ll want the whole day to explore the area. TRUST ME.
- It is best to do this as a tour as doing it DIY will either cost the same or even more. Plus you won’t have a guide, which is highly recommended so you know what the hell you are looking at and walking on.
The tour itself covered quite a few stops along the way to Machu Picchu, including all the hotspots along the Sacred Valley, small markets, and view points for photos.
Here’s a rough guide on what the tour covered:
PISAC:
The best market we’ve been to yet. Great variety and quality items, prices are equal to Cuzco, so you’ll have to bargain a bit more. The Incan ruins, Intihuatana, near Pisac are stunning. The views over the Inca Citadel and terraces sliced out of the mountainside are breathtaking. The best view is as you come into the entrance way, although you can climb the citadel itself for another nice view.
URUBAMBA:
Not too much to do here, just a stop for lunch really. The buffet we had for s/20 was pretty good.
OLLANTAYTAMBO:
A beautiful little town, you’ll walk through the old Incan city and climb the terraces. The surroundings are spectacular. Worth staying a night here if time allows.
It’s located amongst the Incan ruins themselves and you can climb the terraces for impressive panoramic views. It was from here that we caught the Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes, the home base for Machu Picchu. The train ride is very scenic, with some Incan ruins and terraces along the way.
AGUAS CALIENTES:
The area where this little town is situated is fantastic, and prepares you for what’s to come. Although quite expensive, you won’t spend much time here but it’s definitely worth an overnight stay. Can’t remember the name of the place we stayed, but it was nicer than what we thought it would be (being part of a tour package), and very close to the train station. Buses to Machu Picchu can be easily grabbed in the morning from the centre of town and return you here also (you have to pay, but it’s cheap).
MACHU PICCHU:
You know those places that are super-hyped up and turn out to be a disappointment when you finally see them? Well, this is not one of those places. Machu Picchu is more incredible than you could ever imagine.
The tour guide was great and we had the whole day to explore, relax etc. All with amazing surroundings that we’ll never forget, whether it be exploring, climbing or just chilling out and taking a nap, it’s a place you’ll never want to leave. We ended up finding a nice grassy spot and played cards for a while, with an Incan city in the background. It doesn’t get any better than that.
I can’t really put anything else into words, as it’s something that you just have to experience for yourself.
Just a couple of tips:
- Despite what you may think Machu Picchu is actually nearly 1km lower in altitude than Cuzco, so you’ll find it a bit easier up here. It also means that it is much warmer, so don’t bring too many clothes. Also bring sunscreen, as you can potentially get cooked.
- You can bring water in. You’re not supposed to bring in food (due to people chucking garbage everywhere) but if you can, sneakily bring in snacks and make sure you keep all waste of course! Buy sandwiches in Aguas Calientes & bring with you as it’s about 1/5th of the price once you get up the top (no doubt you’ll be on a budget, unless you have money to burn!).
- Once all is said and done, ditch whatever leftover coca leaves you have before crossing any borders/jumping on a plane!
If you have any questions about Cuzco/Machu Picchu, drop a comment below and I’d be happy to answer.
Points to highlight:
From the bustling beautiful town of Cuzco with its amazing backdrop and wonderful markets to the breathtaking scenery of the Sacred Valley and the granddaddy of them all, Machu Picchu, you’ll get everything you always wanted in a vacation. If there’s one place on earth you need to go before you die, it’s here.
Rating system:
Would you recommend this destination: Yes
Would you recommend your accommodation: Yes
Overall rating: 5 out 5
By: Luke
Budget Airline Fails
Budget airlines are great for saving money, but beware not to fall into their traps that will cost you an arm and a leg if things go wrong.
I recently had a flight from Israel to England booked with the airline Jet2. The flight was just shy of 100 pounds for a one way flight which I thought wasn’t too bad. My boarding pass said to arrive at the gate 25minutes before the flight time, and as I only had carry-on luggage (and had checked in online) I thought I could turn up at the airport about an hour before, clear security and get to my gate. Oh boy was I wrong. I turned up in the line for security with about 50 minutes to go, and was told I could not get on the flight as the flight had closed 60 minutes before the flight. I was raging. Nowhere had they told me this would apply as I just had carry-on luggage. The initial person I talked to was very rude and did not want to hear me out but to be fair the ladies behind the desk tried to help me out and get me on the flight, but the answer was still no. All in all, I had to pay for a new flight (I changed airlines, but paid over 200 pounds for a last minute flight to London).
Without rambling on, the moral of the story is to give yourself plenty of time at the airport and don’t trust the information given as there are no doubt little catches along the way. Look out for things like making sure you print your boarding passes before the flight (or else you are looking at an expensive print out from the airline), and making sure your luggage is within the size limits of the airline (which can be slightly different depending on what airline you choose). After all, how else do the budget airlines make money?
There are plenty other airlines on the market, so Jet2, sadly you will not be seeing me again.
**NOTE** I have emailed the airline and posted them a letter for them to respond to my complaints. I am not holding my breath for a response as I am sure the airline won’t care about the small fish, but it would nice to have some feedback and I’ll keep you informed with any progress.
Please feel free to comment if you have experience a similar issue.
By: Jeremy
Country/Town visited: Zanzibar, Tanzania Zanzibar, the jewel of the Indian Ocean, drifts like a colorful gem off the coast of Tanzania. With a bright and beautiful culture, Spice Island has been attracting visitors for centuries. Now however these visitors are less interested in pillaging the land and more interested in coming to have fun in the sun and soak up the startling and magnificent atmosphere that is Zanzibar.
Whatever adventure you are looking for it seems Zanzibar can fit the bill, from marveling at the hectic array of colors at the bustling market scene to sampling the dizzying cuisine peppered with rich spices, perhaps you prefer to wander the old ruins and do a little digging into Zanzibar’s history or maybe just relaxing on the pristine white sands is more what you had in mind.
Zanzibar has it all – take a look at these top places to visit in Zanzibar that are guaranteed to leave a lasting memory burning bright in your mind.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the number one must see spot in Zanzibar. From the second you step foot in the winding labyrinth streets you will be blown away by the unique capital. Lose yourself in the maze like streets that twist and curl, stop to sample the local tea as you perch on a sidewalk table and push your way through the hot and humid market scene. Stone Town is an experience like no other and the only way to immerse yourself in local life.
Palace Museum
Those looking to soak up a slice of history should visit the Palace Museum. This lavish palace was the home of the sultan and is simply brimming with decadence. Every step is paved with gold, silk and precious gems and the views out across the Ocean are unrivalled. Visitors can even take a sneaky peek into the life of a princess as they peruse the pages of Princess Salme’s original manuscript ‘Memoirs of an Arabian Princess’.
Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral
History buffs and those who want a glimpse into the darker side of Zanzibar’s history should stop by the old slave market. Once upon a time this was a brutal place of blood, greed and whipping posts but since its closure in 1873 a beautiful gothic Anglican Cathedral has been erected in its place.
Jozani Chwaka Bay Conservation Area
If you want to get a taste of wildlife without stepping foot off the island then make a stop at Zanzibar’s only remaining mangrove forest the Jozani Chwaka Bay Conservation Area. Here you can watch in awe as Red Columbus monkeys swing from the trees, be sure to stop in at the Butterfly Center to discover the bright rustling of wings from these gorgeous and exotic creatures.
Forodhani Gardens
As the sun extinguishes in the Indian Ocean, take an after dark stroll into the Forodhani Gardens. This is the place to be if you want to explore the local cuisine in all its glory. Sip the sugar cane juice, grab a fresh crab claw, and bite into a delicious Pari cake. It’s loud, it’s proud and it’s all part of the amazing experience that is Zanzibar.
Points to highlightIf you are interested in visiting Zanzibar and looking for a good Zanzibar hotel to reside in then look no further than The Zanzibari located on the North-Eastern tip of the island in the quiet fishing village of Nungwi. This boutique beach hotel boasts sea-views, and infinity swimming pool and beautiful tropical gardens.
Rating system
Would you recommend this destination: Yes
Overall destination rating: 4.5 out of 5
By: Tom
Historical Sights To See In England England is a country steeped in history, and with 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites across the UK; there are plenty of historical attractions to take in during your trip.
Starting in the south of England, you'll definitely want to visit Westminster Abbey, a site that has been a magnet for tourists from around the world for centuries, affording them the opportunity to see the final resting place of several of England’s most notable figures, from Charles Darwin to William Blake. Afterwards you can take a walk along the River Thames to the imposing Tower of London, one of the capital’s most famous landmarks.
Head south-west to Wiltshire and you’ll discover Stonehenge, an extraordinary arrangement of ancient rocks that stand as a testament to the country’s pagan past. Visit around the summer or winter solstice and you'll witness hundreds of modern day druids descending on the stone circle to watch the sunrise. Bath is another unmissable sight in the South West, home to some impressive Roman Baths and the breath-taking Georgian architecture of Bath Abbey.
The north of England also has an abundance of charms. Hadrian’s Wall is a remarkable sight, and you can visit portions of it near Newcastle on the west bank of the River Tyne. Liverpool is a great place to gain an insight into England’s industrial past, with the Albert Dock representing the former industrial might of the region. Take the famous ferry across the Mersey and see all that this city has to offer.
If you’re looking to combine a historical holiday with some beach-combing, the Dorset coast is an excellent place to start, forming the world’s first natural World Heritage Site. The cliffs of the so-called “Jurassic Coast” comprise rocks dating back more than 185 million years, and there are hundreds of miles of marked footpaths to help you to experience the natural beauty of the area.
See the historical sights of England and earn bonuses on your holiday spending with one of the travel rewards cards on offer from American Express. An American Express rewards card gives you the chance to earn rewards such as cashback and Nectar points, in addition to the peace of mind of purchase and online fraud protection.
By: Catherine
Country/Town visited: Reykjavik, Iceland
Date of stay: May 2011
Where you stayed: Loftleidir Icelandair Hotel Tour or pre planned: Pre planned package tour
Reykjavik is located in south western Iceland and it’s the capital city. We booked this trip as a package holiday through Icelandair. The package was called Blue Lagoon City Break and included flights, accommodation and a return trip to the Blue Lagoon, this cost £570 for two people. You can book this tour and others directly through the Icelandair website.
One thing you will notice about Reykjavik is how beautiful it is and the locals are very friendly. When we were there in early May it got dark around 4pm which took a little to get used to.
Overall our stay at the Loftelidir Icelandair Hotel was good and the staff were very helpful. Tours can be booked directly though the hotel booking office for reasonable prices, there’s a catalogue to look over and the majority include hotel pick ups. We chose a whale watching tour and the Golden Circle Tour (Geysir and Strokkur hot springs, Charming village of Hveragerdi , Gulfoss waterfall). Many other tours are available including horse riding.
Both of the above tours we’d recommended, we saw a number of Whales and Dolphins (Minke and Porpoises) as well as other sea life (Seals and Puffins) during the Whale watching tour and the Golden Circle tour was also a great experience, see the Geysirs and Gulfoss Waterfall images below.
Temperatures when we visited were mild but nothing to different to the UK winters and our visit to the Blue Lagoon was definitely welcoming to relax in the open hot pools. They say the Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland and were glad we had a chance to visit.
Points to highlight:
We found two good pubs in the city centre that offered great food and a good atmosphere with plenty of locals and tourists. You’ll stumble across both when walking around the city or simply ask someone to point to you in the direction of the Dubliner or The English Pub.
If you have the time, there are various tours which take you to the other side of the island by air. We wish that we had the time to explore the south coast and Jokulsarlon but simply ran out of time, but a great excuse for another holiday back to Iceland.
Rating system
Would you recommend this destination: Yes
Overall destination rating: 4.5 out of 5
By: Nick & Jackie
Outdoor Pursuits in Europe: Where to do What
While thousands of British tourists may head overseas for a relaxing break, soaking up the sun on the beautiful golden beaches or sipping cocktails beside the hotel pool, others crave for activity holidays so that they can rejuvenate themselves and appreciate as much of the resort as possible. Whether it’s exploring the lush hills aided with a pair of walking boots or aboard a saddle, plummeting down the side of a mountain, it’s completely up to you. Whatever you choose, you’ll be sure that there’s a resort suited to your requirements in mainland Europe.
Cycling Cycling holidays come in all manner of variations, including the gentle cycling tours along country lanes and through rustic villages to adrenaline-fuelled mountain biking on the rough terrain of a mountainside.
Reserve a bike for your exclusive use throughout your holiday and benefit from guides who know all the amazing trails to show you. Choose from road biking or mountain biking and enjoy a holiday in the saddle.
The resorts of Teos, Phokaia and Sivota are perfect choices for saddling up.
Walking & Hiking
Take advantage of the free walking map and enjoy walking and hiking holidays in the hills and mountains of Europe. Whether you fancy gentle strolls on level ground or you’re packing your hiking boots ready for a challenge, there’s a resort perfect for you in Europe.
From the mountains of Arinsal, Andorra to Kitzbuhel in Austria, these fabulous resorts aren’t just for the winter season snow fanatics. They’re also the gateway to some stunning, picturesque trails that are begging to be explored.
Watersports
If you’re more akin with water-based pursuits, the beach clubs in Greece and Turkey, such as Adakoy and Lemnos make the perfect base. From windsurfing to sailing holidays, there’s bound to be something that suits your individual style. Plus, the climate and surroundings ensure an unforgettable break.
Start planning your outdoor adventure today. Whether it’s cycling holidays or walking and hiking holidays that appeal, Europe is full of fantastic resorts that will satisfy your dreams.
By: Catherine
Aviv Motel, Eilat Israel
I visited Eilat as I heard the southern Israel/Jordan border was the easiest to cross. I had no expectations of Eilat, and I was pleasantly surprised. Eilat is a laid back surf town (see blog) where there is always something happening on the boardwalk.
I booked the motel on a last minute website, and was really impressed. I was greeted by the man behind the counter and easily shown to my room. The whole place was clean, and had a really pleasant vibe about it. As well as private rooms, there was a shared room with 3 beds (at hostel rates, which is where I stayed for $25USD). Breakfast was included each morning, and the motel has a swimming pool, and parking for rental cars.
I was most impressed by the staff, they were all very friendly and happy to point you in the right direction (including a really nice falafel place nearby)
Staff: Very helpful and friendly, reception is open 24hrs
Room: Shard room with a single bed. It was clean and tidy with linen provided. There’s also private rooms and family rooms. Rooms have TV with sky and refrigerators.
Location: 15min walk to the boardwalk and 2min walk to one of the main streets for food and shops. See location via map below. (126 Ofarim Lane, Eilat 88112, Israel)
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast 7-9am, included bread, eggs, tomato, cucumber a range of spreads with tea and coffee etc
Rating: 5 out of 5
By: Jeremy
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