Polly Hayes, Autor en Travel Guide by Shuttle Direct

Party the Night Away at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

17 February, 2017

It may be hard to imagine but right now, as you sit reading this blog, one of the world’s biggest parties is in full swing on the sunny streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

As you read this, Carnival Queens are appearing in sequins and exotic plumage, dancers are parading through the streets accompanied by Latin and Samba beats and crowds (many in fancy dress) are partying in the city’s many squares. Makes you wonder why you’re still sitting there reading instead of booking the next flight over to Tenerife, doesn’t it?

Spain is a country famous for knowing how to throw a good party, with similar Lent festivals held in Cadiz and Puerto de la Cruz, but the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the country’s very best and biggest fiesta. In fact, it is second only to Rio de Janeiro in the stakes for best carnival of the world.

Benidorm for the Young at Heart

14 February, 2017

While the peak summer months may get hot and crowded, for the rest of the year Benidorm is an oasis of hospitality for older generations who want the warmth of Spain’s sunshine and its hospitality.

Set on the Costa Blanca, just a short drive from Alicante airport, Benidorm rises out of the rocky coastline like a city of tourism, ready to welcome and entertain its guests. With an average 5 million visitors a year, there are almost as many hotels in this resort as there are in Paris. What that means for visitors – or at least to those who are free from the restraints of school holidays – is that many of the hotel rooms are offered for bargain prices during non-peak periods.

The combination of recent development, which has take accessibility into account as part of its design, cheap prices during low season, and so many things to see and do make Benidorm a great choice for the mature market looking for a little Spanish sun.

Austria on a Shoestring: Skiing in Söll

13 February, 2017

It can be difficult choosing a resort if you’re planning a ski holiday with a group of people who all have different skill levels and different budgets. However, if the one thing you all have in common is a love of après ski, then Söll is definitely the place for you.

The village of Söll is situated in the north east of Austria’s Tyrol region in the heart of the Ski Welt area. While the Ski Welt’s 280km of pistes are not to be sniffed at, it also links by lifts and bus to the vast Kitzbüheler Alpen with its 700km of runs, giving skiers the opportunity to notch up the miles on a ski safari.

When the skiing is done in Söll, there is still a lively après ski scene to enjoy. Although it is not as wild as its reputation back in the 1980s would have you believe, this Tyrolean town still knows how to party. There are a number of great bars and clubs and the prices are amongst some of the most reasonable in the Austrian Alps.

A Weekend Break in Nerja

12 February, 2017

Often referred to as the ‘jewel’ of the Costa del Sol, Nerja on the east of Spain’s most famous coast is a relatively tranquil and reassuringly Spanish destination.

Just an hour’s drive east of Málaga, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Almijara, Nerja has managed to fight off the over-development of much of this stretch of coast so that, especially in the town’s low-rise heart, it remains resolutely Spanish.

Of course there are souvenir shops and it does get its fair share of day trippers but, so long as you avoid the peak summer season, you’ll be able to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful beaches without having to share them with too many crowds.

A weekend in Nerja is a blissful combination of relaxing on a beach, swimming in the sea (sea temperatures are still a little chilly in February at around 15ºC but the water is clear and inviting for those brave enough to give it a go), and a little gentle sightseeing.

Here’s my suggested itinerary for the perfect weekend break in Nerja.

Top Off the Ski Season on “Top of the Mountain” in Ischgl

11 February, 2017

Ischgl is probably best known for having one of the most raucous après ski scenes in all of Austria with everything from pole and lap dancing clubs to all night bars and restaurants. But the real highlight of this party capital in the Alps are the three Top of the Mountain music festivals held in the resort every year.

Kicked off in 1995 with Elton John as the headline act, Top of the Mountain events are held at the beginning of the season, Easter, and at the end of the season in the last week in April (although actually, thanks to the high altitude, Ischgl often stays open into May). Created by the resort to draw skiers to the village, one of the best things about this event, which regularly attracts crowds of up to 24,000 people, is that it’s completely free for ski pass holders.

Sun’s Out Fun’s Out: A Fantastic Family Holiday in Dénia

10 February, 2017

Trying to find a summer holiday destination which not only has the sunshine and beaches you’re looking for but also enough activities on offer to keep young children happy can be a chore. If you’re looking for the guaranteed sunshine and beaches of Spain without the crowds, bustle and prices of Benidorm, then Dénia could be just the ticket.

Less than an hour up the coast from Benidorm, Dénia is a compact town of around 30,000 people which lies at the foot of the stunning mountains of the Montgo National Park and looks out over the Mediterranean. Its several pretty Blue Flag beaches offer views of the Balearic Island of Ibiza, which lies just 146km off shore.

Thanks to its size Dénia is very easy to get around, even with young children in tow, so you will quickly become familiar with the traditional narrow streets and old-world charm of its harbour and old town.

Ice Driving: Be Lewis Hamilton for a Day in Alpe d’Huez

9 February, 2017

Have you ever watched James Bond or Jason Bourne throwing their high performance cars around ice-covered roads and thought you’d like to try that? Well on the Alpe d’Huez ice track in France’s snowy Alps, you and a group of your mates could do just that.

The Evodriver Driving School runs ice track experiences where you will not only learn how to drive safely on snow but you’ll also have the chance to have a go in a choice of high performance cars including BMWs, Audis and Mercedes.

While on your next ski holiday to Alpe d’Huez, you and your mates will have the choice of whether to go around solo in cars or take on race conditions in Evodriver’s high speed ice buggies for the ultimate Fast & Furious challenge.

The Happiest Place in Europe: Surviving Disneyland Paris With Young Children

8 February, 2017

Okay, I’d better come clean from the start: I love Disneyland Paris. Taking my young children there remains one of my happiest family memories (in fact if you could see the grin on my face in the picture of us all posing with Mickey Mouse you might wonder if it was me or the children who was having the most fun).

That being said, I’m not going to pretend that the weekend we spent in France at the theme park didn’t present certain challenges. Queues, arguments over which rides we should go on next and where to have lunch were all a feature. In hindsight though, these challenges could have been largely avoided with a bit of preparation and organisation on my part before we’d set off.

Sun, Submarines and Water Parks: A Teen-Friendly Holiday in Corralejo

4 February, 2017

Fuerteventura, in Spain’s Canary Islands, is famous for its great year-round weather, guaranteed sunshine and truly beautiful stretches of golden sandy beaches. It is the perfect beach holiday destination.

But what if your demanding teens want more from a holiday than just lying on a beach? Well, don’t worry, because in Corralejo there is so much to do that they might well end up begging you for a day off to soak up some rays on one of those beautiful beaches.

If you are the parents of teenager adrenalin junkies then Corralejo is the place for you, as just along the coast are some of the world’s best surf beaches. Whether they want to try their hand at traditional surfing, kite surfing or wind surfing, there are a range of schools along the shore ready to help them get started.

But family holidays (even with teens) are about spending some quality time together, so if you don’t fancy learning to surf, don’t fret – there are loads of other activities designed to appeal to all ages. From water parks to camel rides, this is the perfect place to create some family memories that will last you a lifetime.

Shop Until You Drop With Tax Free Shopping in Livigno

2 February, 2017

The historic population of Livigno, a cluster of hamlets set high up in Italy’s Alpine region, would hardly recognise the place today. Back then they were granted tax-free status to alleviate the poverty caused by their remote location, but all that changed in the 1960s with the construction of the Munt La Schera tunnel. Since then the people of Livigno have taken full advantage of its tax-free status by selling some of the world’s leading brands at low prices in the tiny hillside town.

Today, more than 250 shops re spread out over the Lombardy resort’s tiny and cosy pedestrian centre. Livigno has become a mecca for shopaholics looking to combine a winter or summer Alpine break with a search for some great bargains, from fashion and footwear to food and drink.

Whether you come here for a short break in the winter to enjoy the skiing, or the summer to enjoy the scenery, one thing’s for sure: there’s plenty to appreciate in the shopping all year round.