Mary Rice

Barcelona

The 3 Best Apps for Expats in Barcelona

Renowned for its glorious weather, quirky architecture, inventive cuisine, and lively street scene, it’s no wonder that Barcelona attracts visitors from all over the world, keen to soak up this vibrant and colourful city. The city is home to a large and thriving expatriate community, drawn by the Barcelona way of life. As with any big move, moving to Barcelona can be just as disorienting as it is exciting. Luckily, newcomers to this city have a number of tools at their disposal to help them adjust. The versatile smartphone proves itself once more with these expat-friendly apps, which will have

Sauze d'Oulx

Freestyling in Sauze d’Oulx

Every winter, skiers and snowboarders flock to the little town of Sauze d’Oulx, a top resort in the shadow of the enormous Monte Genevris in the Italian Piedmont region. Popular with winter sports lovers because of its natural location, Sauze d’Oulx is one of a string of resorts that make up the famous Via Lattea or ‘Milky Way’ skiing area. Thanks to its mix of intermediate and advanced slopes, Sauze d’Oulx is a hotspot for professional skiers. In 2006, the resort hosted the freestyle skiing events during the Winter Olympics in Turin. If you’re looking for skiing of Olympian proportions,

Marbella

Natural Wonders of Marbella

Nestled on the south coast of Spain between Gibraltar and Malaga, Marbella represents the very best of the Costa del Sol, or ‘Sun Coast’. Its warm climate and excellent infrastructure have long attracted visitors from the UK to Saudi Arabia. Today Marbella is noted for the presence of celebrities, aristocrats, and the ultra-wealthy, who are drawn to Marbella’s luxury hotels, yacht-filled marina, and proliferation of golf courses. However, Marbella has much more to offer than rubbing shoulders with the elite, and is much more than exclusive nightclubs and manicured putting greens. When you visit Marbella, you are in the middle

Méribel Mottaret

Méribel: A British Favourite

With its craggy, snow-cloaked peaks and picturesque chalets like neat gingerbread houses, the ski resort of Méribel is the very image of traditional alpine France. But on the slopes and in the town’s many bars and pubs, it’s likely to be the British accent that you hear. Every year, Méribel sees a vast influx of British tourists and skiers, and this town becomes, as one newspaper columnist terms it, “Little England upon Alps”. Méribel depends heavily upon British tourism – in fact, over one third of the total visitors to the resort hail from the United Kingdom. The Ski Club

Courchevel

Courchevel: “The St. Tropez of Winter Sports”

Located in the largest linked ski area in the world, the sprawling Trois Vallées, the French Alps town of Courchevel is known for its superb skiing and other winter sports. With 150km of alpine runs in Courchevel itself and access to 450km more, the options are endless for skiing fanatics. And with 58 lifts, there are hardly ever any queues at Courchevel, even during busy times. The Playground of the Rich and Famous But aside from its superior skiing, this resort has another, equally pervasive reputation: as the playground of the rich and famous. Courchevel consistently attracts a select clientele

Tignes

Old and New in Tignes

When you look at the tiny alpine commune of Tignes today, you might not realise that you’re gazing upon the new version of a town that was completely wiped from the landscape in 1952. The popular ski resort that hosted parts of the 1992 Winter Olympics was once located further down the slope, nestled in the Isère valley. Unfortunately for the Tignes of the past, post-WWII France desperately needed more sources of electric power. Against the protest of locals, an enormous hydro-electric dam was constructed in the valley between 1948 and 1952, which resulted in the complete flooding and submersion

Los Cristianos

Up Close and Personal with the Wildlife of Los Cristianos

The Canary Islands are teeming with a huge variety of wildlife, and the town of Los Cristianos, on the southern tip of Tenerife, is no exception. In this sun-soaked beach town, famous for its bustling harbour and year-round warm climate, you have the opportunity to observe the exotic animals of these unique and diverse islands. Dolphin and Whale Watching Los Cristianos is perfectly situated for experiencing the diverse wealth of marine life in the Canary Islands. Because of the archipelago’s location, its aquatic wildlife is a combination of North American, Mediterranean and endemic species. Don’t miss a chance to see

Costa Calma

Surf’s Up in Costa Calma

Located on the sunniest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura, the seaside resort of Costa Calma is a beach lover’s delight. The town is situated at the north end of a twelve-mile stretch of pristine white sand beach that reaches all the way to Morro Jable in the south. The beach is always teeming with activity – swimmers, joggers and sunbathers can be found here at any time of the year. But to get the true Costa Calma beach experience, look into the exciting water sports popular in this island town. Surfing the Waters Though Costa Calma translates literally to “calm

Playa del Inglés

Unwind in Playa del Inglés

A place like Playa del Inglés is made for relaxing. This beach resort is known for its sun-soaked beaches, warm waters and gorgeous scenery. Whether you’re coming to Playa del Inglés to decompress from the workday grind or simply to get a tan, here are three ways to relax in this lovely beach town. Pamper Yourself at the Spa Looking to give your mind and body a little TLC? Playa del Inglés has several spas and wellness centres that can help you achieve total bliss! Try Namaste Wellness, Health and Beauty for rejuvenating deep tissue massages or a skin-renewing peel

Playa de las Américas

Playa de las Américas: Built for Fun

Winter sun getaway Playa de las Américas is nestled into the sandy coast of southwest Tenerife – one of the Canary Islands known for its carnivals and bustling tourism industry. Beloved by young revellers all over the world, this sunny beach resort town has built itself a reputation as one of Europe’s premier party destinations. If you’re looking for an unforgettable night out in Playa de las Américas, here are three nightlife hubs you won’t want to miss. Starco’s Starco Centre is located about 200 metres inland from Playa de las Américas’ famous beaches. This entertainment complex is packed with

Benidorm

Benidorm: The Real Thing

Every year, the Spanish seaside town of Benidorm welcomes over 5 million tourists, eager to experience Benidorm’s white beaches and warm weather. The town attracts all sorts, from young revellers keen to join in on Benidorm’s boisterous nightlife, to elderly Northern Europeans flocking to the winter sun, to families drawn by the proliferation of theme and water parks. But beneath the surface of tourism, hotels, bars and clubs is a living, breathing city with a rich history. On your visit to this breathtaking town on Spain’s famous Costa Blanca, don’t miss the chance to experience the real, authentic Benidorm. Explore

Maspalomas

Maspalomas: Pride of Gran Canaria

With its picturesque beaches and waving palm trees, the Canary Islands resort town of Maspalomas is a true tropical paradise. You might be tempted to spend the entirety of your holiday in your swimsuit, but if you can tear yourself away from that deck chair, here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss. El Faro de Maspalomas It’s impossible to miss the 184-foot tower of El Faro de Maspalomas. This 19th century active lighthouse is the most distinctive landmark in Maspalomas, and its flashing white light can be seen for 19 nautical miles. Located at the west end

Limassol

Layers of History in Limassol

Over the course of its four thousand year history, many groups have made their mark upon the Cyprus port city of Limassol. Though very little is known about the city’s founding, Limassol has played host to King Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade in the 12th century, and has been passed from the Anglo-Normans, to the French, to the Ottomans, to the Venetians and eventually to the British. Today, the Republic of Cyprus is a self-governing country, except for the British-controlled Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Limassol’s complicated and ancient past means that there are layers of