Polly Hayes

Insider’s Guide to the Best Dining in Estepona

16 May, 2017

How exactly Estepona, just a short trip down the coast from Marbella on the busy Costa del Sol, has managed to hang on to its pretty, authentic Spanish charm is something of a mystery. But, despite several (it has to be said, tasteful) developments along the waterfront, kept it it most certainly has.

The old part of town is still an enchanting network of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings decorated by colourful flowers in pots. In short, Estepona is something of an oasis of authentic Spanish charm, in a wilderness of tourist development along Spain’s popular Costa del Sol.

Fall in Love with Lake Maggiore on a Stay in Stresa

15 May, 2017

Nestled on the shores of the beautiful Lake Maggiore in Italy’s Alpine Piedmont region, Stresa is a wonderful place to spend a short summer break. But if you really want to see everything this region has to offer… you might need to stay a little longer.

From beautiful parks bursting with Alpine flora to 18th Century villas and ancient mountains, there is so much to see and do in this pretty Alpine town that you might find yourself coming back again and again.

More than just the beauty of its surroundings, the elegance of Stresa is highlighted in its refined Belle Époque architecture, particularly in the façades of the grand hotels and villas which line its waterfront.

In the 19th Century the Italian lakes were where the ‘great and good’ came to take in the mountain air, and Stresa still carries an air of grandeur from its bygone days.

Amongst the famous artists and writers who flocked here in its heyday was Ernest Hemingway, who convalesced here after the First World War. The lake obviously left a lasting impression on him, as he later set scenes in his novel A Farewell to Arms in the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees in Stresa, in which a young American soldier recovers from his wounds.

A Lakeside Guide to Geneva

14 May, 2017

Well-known as a convenient starting point for holidays in Switzerland, particularly in the winter ski season, Geneva is a place which has a lot to offer in its own right as well. From excellent shopping to beautiful lakeside eateries, there is more than enough to keep you occupied for a weekend break here.

Those who think of Switzerland as a winter destination, with its extensive winter sports and beautiful snow-covered landscape, are missing out. In the summer, the country and its most famous lake city come alive in the warm sunshine with outdoor markets to explore, restaurant terraces with lake views to enjoy, and, not to mention, the possibility of simply strolling around this beautiful city in the warm summer sunshine.

Still not convinced that Geneva is anything more than a starting point? Here’s a potential itinerary for a weekend summer getaway to help you visualise your lakeside break.

Alanya

Have Fun in the Sun on the Best Family Beaches in Alanya

12 May, 2017

Picking the ideal location for a family holiday with small children can be tricky; obviously you want sand and sea but you also need to think about paddling depth, play areas and local facilities. Luckily in the Mediterranean resort of Alanya in Turkey, they’ve thought of all these things for you. A combination of nature and planning means that the beaches in Alanya are soft sand with calm, shallow water and all the facilities you’ll need for a day by the sea with young children. Add to this the perfect summer climate with average temperatures of around 28ºC throughout July

Clubbing in San Antonio on a Budget

11 May, 2017

So you and the lads fancy getting away for a boozed-up party break in Ibiza? You want to go to the super-clubs and have a great time on Spain’s famous party island but you’ve only got a limited budget? Relax, there are some great ways to save and still enjoy all the fun the White Isle has to offer. The secret to a budget holiday to Europe’s party capital is to plan ahead, set a limit to your spending each day (and stick to it!). There will, of course be some nights which cost more than others – after all

Albufeira

Albufeira: A Teenage Watersports Wonderland

10 May, 2017

Getting from the airport to the hotel with a family in tow can be a little stressful, so take the easy option and book a Shuttle Direct transfer online before you even leave home. As the leading provider of private and shuttle transfers in Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct offers group or private transfers across a wide range of holiday destinations so wherever you’re going, they’ll deliver you to exactly where you want to be.

Cala Ratjada

Why Cala Ratjada is Great for a Holiday with Young Children

9 May, 2017

Set on the east coast of Majorca – the biggest of Spain’s Balearic Island’s – Cala Ratjada is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for great beaches, guaranteed sun and plenty for the little ones to do.

A former fishing village, the resort still retains some of the charm of its traditional past but has long since bowed to the necessary demands of tourism. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along the resort’s harbour and in the town’s centre, a good range of watersports, and plenty of facilities to make its beaches the perfect place to spend the day with young children.

It may be unlikely, but if the kids ever do tire of playing in the sand and paddling in the calm waters around the resort, then there’s a local forest for you to explore with them, a nearby waterpark and, of course, the town itself to wander round.

Calella

What to Do in Bustling Calella: A Family Guide

8 May, 2017

The compact beach resort of Calella, on Spain’s Costa Maresme, is a great choice for a family holiday if you’re travelling with teens. There is so much for them to do here you won’t have to hear that dreaded phrase: “We’re bored.”

Whether your kids are into watersports or sunbathing, shopping or art, there are enough activities in this historic-fishing-village-turned-tourist-resort to keep them happy for as long as your holiday lasts. And, just in case that isn’t enough to prize your teen away from their beloved social media devices, there’s also Europe’s largest waterpark just half an hour away, a Universal Studio’s theme park within a couple of hours’ drive and Barcelona with its cool cosmopolitan vibe just 50 minutes away.

The Fine Diner’s Guide to Taormina

7 May, 2017

Sicily is famous for its delicious, unique cuisine. Influenced over the centuries by settlers from across the water like Greece, Africa, the Middle East and, of course, Italy, what has emerged is an island with a cuisine all of its own.

The Sicilians are rightly proud of their culinary traditions, in which rich Middle Eastern spices mix with vibrant Mediterranean flavours, so most of the restaurants here serve local dishes, prepared with the very freshest local ingredients.

With the kind of bullish self-assurance the islanders are famous for, the locals are happy to export their produce around the world but are reluctant to import food (why would they when they considered what they raise on the island to be the best?). The result is that Sicily is pretty much the ‘home’ of local cooking. Even the island’s Michelin-starred chefs prefer to buy their produce from the excellent local food markets rather than importing from abroad.

Despite being part of Italy, you can’t really begin to understand Sicily itself until you have eaten here, drunk its wine and relaxed in the welcoming, friendly atmosphere of its many restaurants. And there’s no better place to do just that than in the luxury resort of Taormina.

Calpe

Calpe with Kids: A Mom Recommends

6 May, 2017

With its blue flag beaches, sparkling seas and average of ten hours of sunshine throughout the summer months, the Costa Blanca in Spain is an obvious choice for a family beach holiday. But once you’ve decided on the area, picking the resort for your young family can be a little more tricky.

Do you go for the huge names like Benidorm or Alicante, where there are tons to keep the little ones busy but the beaches are heaving during the summer months, and you worry the kids might get lost in the crowd? Or do you pick somewhere along the coast which is quieter but still has access to the big resorts’ facilities if you want them?

Because I’m not great with crowds (I don’t like having to get the kids up and dressed early so that I can bag a tiny square of sand on the beach), I’ve taken several holidays along the coast in Calpe.

Playa del Inglés

Playa del Inglés: A Clubbing Bonanza

20 April, 2017

So you and your mates have all agreed that you’re overdue a serious lads’ holiday – no other halves, no kids and definitely no killjoys! You’ve probably already worked out that Spain’s Canary Islands offer everything you need, from loads of sunshine and beaches to clubs, pubs and a full English breakfast the morning after (or let’s be honest, more likely the afternoon after). But which of all the great resorts on all the different islands should you choose?

Well, I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that if you’re looking for a full-on party holiday where you can drink until dawn, collapse on a sunbed all day and then do it all again the next night, the location for you is Playa del Inglés on Grand Canaria.

Tossa de Mar

Magnificent MTB Trails in Tossa de Mar

19 April, 2017

The bustling resort of Tossa de Mar on Spain’s Costa Brava is a great place for a family holiday – especially with older kids – because, from the beaches and watersports to the shopping and people watching, there’s so much for teens to do here.

But what if you’re looking for more from your family holiday than just shopping and sunbathing? If what you really want from your time away is to re-forge those family connections, blurred by the hustle and bustle of everyday routines, then why not try an exhilarating, fun activity to bring you all together.

Tossa de Mar is famous for its mountain bike trails which run through the Catalonian hills and forests behind the town. Mountain biking is great fun for the kids and you, and what’s more, it’s challenging enough to bring the whole family together in a way that lying next to each other on the beach never will.

Here is my selection of my favourite mountain bike trails in the area – they may not be easy, but believe me, you’ll finish the day exhausted and enthused. And, keep in mind, while you’re panting and aching the kids will be having the time of their lives!

Vera Playa

Fine Dining in Vera Playa

18 April, 2017

If you’ve already booked yourself a holiday to Vera Playa, chances are that one of the things that attracted you is the world famous naturist beach. But once you’ve honed that perfect all-over tan, you’re going to discover there’s much more to Spain’s leading naturist resort than nude sunbathing: there are also some fabulous restaurants – although, of course, you will need to get dressed to visit them.

Set on Costa Almería on Spain’s south coast, the modern beach resort is linked to the pretty historic town of Vera which lies 10 kilometres inland. Without doubt its biggest claim to fame is its naturist beach – the only year-round naturist beach in mainland Europe. Vera Playa is beautiful stretch of more than 2 kilometres of golden sand which is designated for those who want to sunbathe naked. But that’s not all: a section of the resort itself (shops, restaurants, hotels and all) is also designated a naturist area, so if ‘baring all’ is your thing, you’ll feel part of a welcoming community of like-minded people here.

Of course there’s more to this resort than just nudity. There are a number of other ways to have fun in the sun here, and once the sun’s gone down, there are some fantastic local restaurants to seek out.

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