Helena Ord

Athletic Activities in the Alps: Our Route from Innsbruck to Ischgl

Whether you’re looking to strap on your skis, scramble up steep slopes with your hiking boots or conquer challenging routes on your mountain bike, the Alpine village of Ischgl is a go-to destination for athletic adventures from A to Z. This classic mountain town, situated in Austria’s Tyrol region, is bustling with adrenaline junkies at any time of year, who spend their days zooming up and down the Verwallk, Samnaun and Silvretta mountains. But while Ischgl is the ideal base

Sun, Sea and Spa: Our Route from Munich to Salzburg

Soaking up the sights of Salzburg on your next getaway? Sehr gut! If you fly into Munich Airport, Shuttle Direct’s transfer service will whisk you off to Mozart’s birthplace in no time. But while you may think that your holiday adventures only begin once you’ve reached your accommodation, this is a big mistake: our scenic airport transfer route from Munich to Salzburg passes by several natural and cultural troves that you may want to ask your driver about – and return to if you want to spice up your city break!  Although our route is peppered with more picturesque places

Springtime Sensations, Part II: White Asparagus

White gold. The king of vegetables. Edible ivory. These superlatives describe the springtime sensation that floods Europe’s supermarkets between April and June every year: white asparagus. While the green variety is more common in the UK, other European nations, such as Switzerland, France and Italy, have bought into the hype surrounding this vegetable wonder. The leader of the pack, however, is Germany: no nation takes the cultivation and consumption of the vegetable as seriously as the Germans, who eat around

Beyond Maspalomas: Get a Glimpse of Gran Canaria’s Gems

Laidback and lovely: that, in a nutshell, describes a holiday on Gran Canaria, an island that’s widely known for its black lava landscapes and white sand beaches. If you’re looking for a leisurely escape from your everyday responsibilities (and the joke that is summer in the UK), why not recharge your batteries in Maspalomas, one of Gran Canaria’s top destinations for sun seekers? While there’s often nothing better than a lazy day of basking in the sun and a refreshing

Mailand

The Essential Milan Travel Guide

Ah, Milano! While the capital city of Lombardy may not be at the top of most Italophiles’ bucket list, it really should be. Whether you’re looking to spice up your wardrobe, go wild at a football game or treat your ears to an opera, Milan’s sights and sounds never fail to impress culture vultures, sports fanatics, foodies and party animals. If you’re ready to wave buon giorno to Italy’s hub of fashion and business, say grazie to The Culture Trip,

Springtime Sensations, Part I: Strawberries

You can decorate your cake with them, add them to your smoothie, have them with your ice cream or smear the jam version on your bread. It’s no surprise that we’ve dedicated countless songs, poems and books to the humble strawberry, one of the most well-loved and versatile culinary protagonists in the world. From its distinct sweet flavour to its delightfully juicy consistency, there’s virtually nothing not to love about this berry sensation, which is undeniably a celebrity among its

Soak Up the Sun in Cala Ratjada: A Beach Guide

The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming and the days are getting longer – it’s your cue to rummage through your closet and find your favourite shorts and T-shirt! Right? Well, not quite. Spring may have arrived, but as any long-time UK resident (sufferer?) will know, your chic shades and tank topsquite often remain covered in a layer of dust, anxiously awaiting the rare sighting of a sunray. But instead of throwing your Vitamin D supplements at the problem,

Please Your Palate in Port d’Alcúdia

Finally booked that carefree holiday to Port d’Alcúdia that you’ve been talking about for so long? Spreading out on the beach, gentle sightseeing, shopping, pulsating clubs… it couldn’t possibly get better than that, right? Actually, it can. While most sun-seekers are already sold when they see the words “world-class beaches” and “Port d’Alcúdia” in one sentence, foodies need to dig a little deeper to discover one of the resort’s most underrated selling points: its top-notch restaurants! From glitzy eateries to

Scenic Sensations for Nature Lovers: From Alicante to Granada

History buff? Party animal? Foodie? No matter where your interests lie, a visit to Granada will be right up your street. From a history that dates back over two millennia to a bustling clubbing scene, this eclectic city never fails to delight and surprise thousands of tourists at every time of year. But while the homey tapas bars, architectural wonders and clubs adorned with colourful graffiti may be enough to keep you enthralled for the entirety of your stay, it

The Splendour of Southern Italy: Our Transfer from Bari to Matera

If you’re off to spend a blissful few days in Matera, that can only mean one thing: you’re a complete and utter history lover! Situated in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, this city has been around since the tenth millennium BC, and is considered one of the oldest known settlements in the whole world. Marvelling at Matera’s old-world charm is enough to make every avid explorer’s jaw drop; it’s guaranteed to further fuel your travel thirst. Lucky for you,

Detox Destinations, Part 2: Sweden

Last week, we introduced you to Ireland, which is an ideal post-Christmas detox destination. Of course, this isn’t the only country that’ll help you snap out of your food-induced Christmas coma. Europe is full of health-conscious nations, whose attractions and nourishing cuisines are ideal for getting rid of your post-holiday blues. Next up on our list: Sweden! This country is notorious for its wholesome food, which explains its minute obesity rate (11%) and long average life expectancy (81 years). Let’s talk about what’ll tempt your taste buds as you’re strolling through Stockholm or enjoying the sea views in Gothenburg. 1.

The Algarve: The Big Facts

Wondering when the sun will next grace us with its presence in these dreary winter months? Although you could keep staring at the grey, overcast sky, obsessively check the weather forecast and plead with the unrelenting weather gods, we have a solution that yields reliable results: chasing after the sun by jetting south! If you’re ready to fuel up on a few months’ supply of Vitamin D on a relaxing getaway, there’s arguably no better destination than Portugal’s Algarve. Why, you ask? Travel Republic’s infographic has the inside scoop. Fundamental Fun Facts First and foremost, The Algarve is conveniently located

The Benefits of Travelling

Looking for an excuse to pack your bags and jet off on an adventure? While you may feel guilty for blowing off your work for a little while, new studies suggest that you shouldn’t: letting your wanderlust carry you to new destinations can actually be beneficial to your education, career, relationships and overall health. The next time your classmates or colleagues frown at you for scratching your travel itch, dazzle them with the fun facts in this infographic by Kaplan, Inc. – and inspire them to leave their everyday life behind more often, too! Relationships We’ve all heard about disastrous