Mary Rice

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik in a Day: Making the Most of Your Cruise Stopover

For the modern traveller, cruises offer all sorts of benefits: comfortable accommodation, on-board entertainment, excellent prepared meals, and of course, the chance to tick several destinations off your bucket list in one trip. During the stopovers on your cruise, you’ll have only a little bit of time – usually one day – to see some of the most incredible cities in Europe. Take Dubrovnik, Croatia for example, ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’. One of the best-preserved medieval cities in the entire world (despite a massive earthquake and armed conflict during the 1990s), Dubrovnik is attracting more tourists than ever before,

Kopenhagen

24 Hours in Copenhagen

You can probably think back to a time you could barely pay for groceries – let alone international travel. But now, in your later years, with your hard-earned cash saved up and your offspring (finally) self-sufficient, seeing the world looks a whole lot more doable. And for more mature travellers, cruises are just the ticket. With accommodation, transportation, and entertainment rolled into one, cruises are ideal for the un-hassled globetrotter. Not to mention the amazing sights to see along the way! If a Scandinavian cruise is on your wish list, you can bet you’ll be passing through Copenhagen. You might

Köln

Cruising Through Cologne

You’ve scrimped, saved, and sacrificed for decades. You’ve worked overtime, skipped weekends, passed on treats and splurges – so now what? For many couples adjusting to retirement, the simple answer is: travel. With a tidy nest egg saved up, you don’t have to backpack or couch-surf like a twenty-something. Rather, many fellow mature travellers like to turn to river cruises – particularly in Europe – for their comfort, convenience, and culture-packed itineraries. For cruises on one of Europe’s most magnificent waterways, the Rhine, the journey is a gateway to the wonders of Germany. You can be sure you’ll be making

Venise

Your Own Venetian Love Story

Close your eyes and imagine the romantic getaway of your dreams. Are you seeing gondolas and canal-side kisses? Romantic candlelit dinners with a bottle of Italian red? If so – Venice is calling you. This famously beautiful city is a magnet for couples – take it from someone who knows! With its winding canals, romantic waterside palaces, and of course its crooning gondoliers, there’s no city I have visited that radiates romance the way Venice does. If you’re looking for a picture-perfect backdrop for a weekend with the one you love, take a page out of my book – here

Algarve

What’s on for Kids in the Algarve?

No one ever said travelling with young kids was easy. With temper tantrums, sibling quarrels, and the urgent potty breaks that somehow always have to happen when you’re 30 miles from the nearest toilet, sometimes leaving home seems like more trouble than it’s worth. You begin to think, Why don’t we just skip this holiday altogether? That’d be a mistake, because there are plenty of locations ideal for families with young children. One such location is Portugal’s Algarve coast. From Albufeira to Lagos, the Algarve is packed with breath-taking beach towns offering plenty of surf, sun, and sand. But it’s

Belek

Belek: A Breath of Fresh Air for the Whole Family

With the weather warming, you might be turning your thoughts (somewhat apprehensively) to the summer holidays. Mom and dad know that once school’s out for the summer, the task of entertaining the kids will indeed weigh heavy on their shoulders. If you can’t stand one more summer by the paddling pool, consider trying something a little more exotic. Belek, on Turkey’s south coast, is a vibrant resort town that boasts Blue Flag beaches, ancient Greek ruins, and top-notch golf courses. But this popular location has plenty for the kids to do too. From leaping dolphins to secret caves, Belek is

Alcúdia

Is Alcúdia Teen-Friendly? Yes It Is!

For some teens, there’s no worse punishment imaginable than being forced to spend a whole week (or worse, two!) with their family at some boring holiday resort. But while you may not be as cool as their friends, and while you may still be in the dark about what a ‘Snapchat’ is, there’s are ways to ensure everyone, teens included, enjoys the holiday. Next time you’re planning a family getaway, consider Alcúdia, Mallorca. From waterslides to zip lines, Alcúdia has enough to entertain even the most reticent adolescent! Recommended read: 3 Top Attractions to Enjoy in Alcúdia What to Do

Budapest

See the Best of Budapest on Your Cruise Stopover

For many travellers in their later years of life, a river cruise is the perfect way to sample the wonders of Europe with comfort, convenience, and style. After all, once you’ve earned your retirement, backpacking and hostels are somewhat less than appealing. With their gentler pace and minimal logistical hassle – no hotel rooms to book here! – river cruises are often popular with older globetrotters, yet they offer a treasure trove of sights and experiences to satisfy even the most restless explorer. The Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, is one of the most popular waterways for cruising. Passing through some

Fuengirola

A Teen-Friendly Holiday in Fuengirola

You may know Spain’s Costa del Sol as the winter retreat of British retirees, but don’t let that fool you: there’s plenty here to entertain the younger set – even the perennial tough customers, your teens. There are many fun-filled towns along the coast in Málaga province – try Fuengirola on for size with your family! What to Do Bioparc Fuengirola More than simply another zoo, Bioparc Fuengirola is committed to the conservation and preservation of its animals’ habitats. In keeping with this, all of the park’s species are housed in extremely naturalist settings – as close as possible to the

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, Spain with Teens in Tow

When your offspring begin to cross the threshold into their teenage years, the phrase ‘family bonding’ suddenly has all the appeal of ‘week-old leftovers’. Where they were once eager to hang with their parents, your little darlings are now prone to sullen silences, boredom, and oh-so-cool indifference. What happens, then, to the time-honoured tradition of the family holiday? Fear not: teen angst need not spell the end of your annual getaways – provided you choose the right location! For a successful holiday with your teens in tow, you’ll need one that provides adventure, amusement, and independence (within reason). Puerto Rico,

Rom

Making the Most of Your Cruise Stopover in Rome

When you reach your golden years, it’s time to finally dedicate some attention to that travel bucket list you probably made long ago. Treat yourself and your partner to a cruise on the Mediterranean – a great way to savour retired life while also ticking off a few famous European capitals along the way. For lovers of art, culture and history (not to mention romance!), Rome often tops the list – and for good reason. This ancient city’s port is a popular stop for Mediterranean cruise ships. However, many onshore stopovers usually last only one day. In a city like

Marbella, Espagne

A Budget-Friendly Family Holiday in Marbella

Holidays on a budget are always a challenge, but add in a few kids and that challenge starts to look impossible. The good news is that a budget family holiday is achievable, even in a major tourist destination like Marbella – provided you do your research. This southern coastal Spanish town, known for its sprawling beachfront estates, luxury yachts, and sumptuous ‘Golden Mile’ proves to be surprisingly friendly to the family on a budget. You just have to know where to look! Our money-saving guide to Marbella can help you and your family navigate this popular destination, while ensuring that

Porto, Torreira

Surf’s Up in Porto, Portugal

With its broad, sweeping beaches, cool bars, and relaxed atmosphere, Porto is a surfer’s dream come true. In summer, this coastal city teems with young adults looking to catch some swells. If you and your mates aren’t all equally steady on your surfboards, there are plenty of surf school and easier beaches where everyone can have a good time. For those bringing their own boards, don’t forget to read our handy guide to travelling with windsurfers or surfboards. Where to Surf The beaches in Porto itself tend to be quite rocky, so you’re best off going slightly north or south