Polly Hayes

Jerusalem

Coffee and Tattoos: a Hipsters’ Guide to Jerusalem

Most of us have grown up hearing about Israel – and Jerusalem in particular – as the spiritual centre for three of the world’s largest religions and a place of ongoing political turmoil. But something we don’t hear so much about is the way the young people here have responded to this history and culture of conflict. Jerusalem is a modern, vibrant city with a hip café culture and an edgy, experimental art scene, unafraid to confront difficult issues. So next time you visit, by all means go to the well-known spots such as the Western Wall, The Old City

Lisboa

48 Hours in Lisbon

There’s so much to see and do in Portugal’s mesmerising capital that you could return over and over again and always discover something new. But that’s not to say that a weekend break to Lisbon isn’t perfectly long enough to fall in love with this vibrant city of fado music, gastronomic delights and stunning historic architecture. It may be a tall order, but two days is plenty of time to scratch the surface of Lisbon and discover a thousand reasons to return. A weekend break can sometimes turn into a race against time, and that is no way to really

Oludeniz

The Sky’s the Limit: Paragliding in Ölüdeniz

I don’t know about you, but this summer I decided that I’d had enough of lazy beach holidays, during which the most exciting thing I did was to choose which cocktail to try at sunset. Instead I wanted to shake things up a little. No more boring Instagram posts of me enjoying the sunshine – this year I was going to shock my friends and followers by taking to the air! Now, I’m not your average adrenaline junkie, but when I heard that Ölüdeniz in Turkey (where I’d just happened to book my latest beach holiday) was also a world

Protaras

Sun, Sea, Sand and Cyprus: Discover the Best Beaches of Protaras

When you book a beach holiday for yourself and a group of friends there are certain key ingredients which you will want guaranteed: glorious sunshine, warm inviting seas and, of course, beautiful beaches. Well, with a holiday to Cyprus’ popular resort of Protaras you can rest assured that you and your mates will get everything you want, and more. Not known for its cultural heritage or the natural beauty of the countryside, Protaras was built for one reason, and one reason only: so that tourists could enjoy the stunning local coastline and excellent weather conditions that the east coast of

Alanya

Say ‘Serefe’ to Alanya’s Best Nightlife!

If you and your mates are celebrating the end of Uni exams, the end of term or even if you’re just looking to let your hair down in the sunshine, Alanya (on Turkey’s south coast) could be the perfect destination. More than just a party capital – although, boy, does this town known how to party! – Alanya offers beautiful golden sand beaches by day, and a club and bar scene which would put most European resorts to shame by night. There are even beautiful ancient historic buildings which, while you might not want to spend your holiday exploring them,

Marmaris

Splashing Around in Marmaris

There is no shortage of things to do in Marmaris, Turkey’s largest resort. From partying in town to a full raft of water sports to enjoy, a group holiday here has plenty to keep you entertained. Marmaris has something for everyone. So even if you’re holidaying with a group of mates who all want different things, you’ll all have the time of your lives. Set on the south-west coast of Turkey and nestled against the sparkling Mediterranean, Marmaris is the biggest resort town on the country’s Aegean coast. During the holiday season, it attracts a whooping 400,000 visitors every year.

Cascais

Cascais: The Town of Kings and Fishermen

In the nineteenth century, King Fernando II of Portugal visited Cascais and declared it his favourite summer retreat. Since then, many well-heeled Lisboetas have travelled to this fishing village on the Atlantic coast to enjoy its elegant seaside charm. Today, the resort still draws crowds from and around Lisbon, who come here for the golden-sand beaches, beautiful architecture, elegant eateries, lively bars and charming cafés. But the Portuguese couldn’t keep this stylish seaside resort a secret forever. The summer months now see a stylish international crowd descend on the cobbled streets and modern marinas of this most regal of fishing

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa: Where the Party’s At in Cyprus

If you dream of lazy days spent basking in the sun on a Mediterranean beach and hedonistic nights of bars, clubs and parties, then Cyprus’ Ayia Napa is the place for you. Well-established as a party resort, Ayia Napa now regularly draws a massive party crowd from across Europe. Big name DJs play at the local clubs throughout the high season from June to August. In fact, there is so much going on at night in the Cypriot resort that it can be quite a mission to make sure you hit all the top spots (while also making your holiday

Irlande

The Best Pubs and Grub in Dublin

If you’re heading over to Dublin for a long weekend to soak up some genuine Irish atmosphere, you’ll need to look beyond the usual tourist haunts. Ireland’s capital is much, much more than a tourist destination: it’s a thriving, vibrant city with its own unique character and plenty of Irish charm. You don’t need to be a culture vulture to enjoy wandering its cobbled streets or taking in the beautiful sights of its historic architecture. And if, at any point, you feel that things are getting a little too serious and cultural, there’s always a local pub, café or restaurant

Agios Nikolaos

Tranquil Agios Nikolaos: A Family Guide to Crete

Crete has long been an ideal holiday destination for parents in search of some relaxed family fun. Thanks to its clear, crystal shorelines and whitewashed beaches, I’ve always enjoyed visiting this beautiful destination with my kids. But in recent years, when I tell people about idyllic holidays spent in Crete, they often look at me in horror because they assume that the whole of the island has been taken over by party-goers in resorts like Chersonissos and Malia. The fact that for every party resort there is another which is quiet and tranquil, like the beautiful Hersonissos, seems to have

Split

What, When, Where: An Alternative Guide to Split

The eternal dilemma of any traveller looking for an interesting, authentic experience of somewhere which is already firmly on the tourist trail is how to get the most out of your visit while avoiding crowds of happy-snapping tourists. Recently, I was faced with just this dilemma when I organised a trip to the historic town of Split on Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian Coast. The port was an important Greek, and then Roman, settlement with one of the world’s oldest Catholic cathedrals and fascinating Roman buildings. The trouble is, of course, that Split is well and truly on Europe’s busy tourist trail,

Calella

A Guide to Beaches in Estepona

While you may be drawn to the character and charm of Estepona’s narrow streets, historic buildings, and quaint old town, your teens will only be interested in one thing: the beach. Luckily, they won’t be disappointed — the town and surrounding area of Spain’s Andalucían Costa del Sol boast no fewer than 18 of them, all offering something a little bit different. Whether you want to stick close to your hotel (from Estepona to Marbella, the local hotels stretch along the coastline) or prefer to find something a little more secluded, you’ll discover what you’re looking for along these stretches

Playa de Levante, Benidorm

Top Tips for Family-Friendly Benidorm on a Budget

If you want to take your family away on a summer break in the sun but are worried about the cost, then don’t despair. With a bit of careful planning, and some handy money-saving tips, you’ll be able to have the summer holiday you deserve, without blowing the budget. When it comes to money saving, it’s always worth putting the time into searching out a great deal on a package which includes flights and accommodation as this can seriously save you some dosh. Spain is a great destination for cheap holidays, with a wide variety of package holidays on offer