Puerto del Carmen

Sunny Sights & Sports in Family-Friendly Puerto del Carmen

Looking to escape the chilly UK winter and treat your kids to a sunny family vacation? I can’t say that I blame you! If you’re looking for recommendations, I think that Lanzarote is the perfect place to do this. For adventure-seeking families, the welcoming resort of Puerto del Carmen (Lanzarote’s oldest resort) is ideal because it offers a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of shopping opportunities and, of course, sun, sea and sand. It is also a great base with many adventurous activities on offer. Here is what your sunny family getaway could consist of. Beaches The beaches are the main reason

Lake Garda

Intriguing Italian Routes: Our Transfer from Verona to Lake Garda

So, you’ve planned the ultimate holiday by booking a trip to Lake Garda, located in the stunning Italian lakes district? Feeling pretty smug, aren’t you? And rightly so, because the area is truly one of the most picturesque, exciting and culturally important ones in all of Italy. But before you set your itinerary in stone, allow us to introduce you to some of the many attractions that you’ll be able to catch sight of along the one-hour transfer route from the airport at Verona to Lake Garda. There’s a lot more than meets the eye to be found, experienced, eaten

Skiing without Barriers: Val d’Isère for Disabled Skiers

Gone are the days when winter sports resorts could get away with providing little or no facilities for those with disabilities. Today, thankfully, the modern resorts are working hard to improve their accessibility credentials. Thanks to the spotlight that’s been placed on winter sports at the Winter Paralympic Games, neither the resorts nor potential practitioners see the world of winter sports as exclusively for the able-bodied anymore. The resort of Val d’Isère is one of the winter sports resorts in France that leads the way in this field, working hard to ensure that its lifts, ski schools and accommodation welcome

A Self-Guided Tour of Heraklion

The island of Crete has a long and turbulent history of occupation, conflict and resistance. It is a history that is written across its cities and reflected in their architecture, and nowhere is this more evident than in the beautiful coastal capital of Heraklion. As the birthplace of the ancient Minoan civilisation, Crete was first occupied by the Romans and the Byzantines, then by the Arabs, the Venetians and finally the Ottomans. It was not until 1913 that it was declared an autonomous state and united with Greece. Of course, each occupation left its mark on the island and particularly

Detox Destinations, Part 2: Sweden

Last week, we introduced you to Ireland, which is an ideal post-Christmas detox destination. Of course, this isn’t the only country that’ll help you snap out of your food-induced Christmas coma. Europe is full of health-conscious nations, whose attractions and nourishing cuisines are ideal for getting rid of your post-holiday blues. Next up on our list: Sweden! This country is notorious for its wholesome food, which explains its minute obesity rate (11%) and long average life expectancy (81 years). Let’s talk about what’ll tempt your taste buds as you’re strolling through Stockholm or enjoying the sea views in Gothenburg. 1.

Luxury Dining in Morzine: A Restaurant Guide

The French town of Morzine is far more than ‘just’ a ski resort, it is a year-round holiday destination popular with the French and English alike. It is no surprise, therefore, that as well as the cafés selling hot chocolate and vin chaud to winter sports enthusiasts, there are also a range of excellent eateries to satisfy this year-round cosmopolitan crowd. Of course, that’s not to underplay its role as a ski resort, Morzine is, after all, the capital of France’s famous Portes du Soleil ski area, linking it to the resort of Avoriaz and others stretching across the Swiss

Accessible Skiing in Hintertux

A ski trip may not be the first vacation idea to spring to mind when planning a wheelchair-friendly holiday, but there has been a huge effort by the ski industry in recent years to make these holidays possible for all. There are now many spectacular ski resorts around the world that are wheelchair accessible. This is fantastic news, as ski holidays are a unique experience that can show you the great beauty of the world and it is something that everyone should be able to experience. There are a handful of resorts to choose from, but my recommendation would be

The Algarve: The Big Facts

Wondering when the sun will next grace us with its presence in these dreary winter months? Although you could keep staring at the grey, overcast sky, obsessively check the weather forecast and plead with the unrelenting weather gods, we have a solution that yields reliable results: chasing after the sun by jetting south! If you’re ready to fuel up on a few months’ supply of Vitamin D on a relaxing getaway, there’s arguably no better destination than Portugal’s Algarve. Why, you ask? Travel Republic’s infographic has the inside scoop. Fundamental Fun Facts First and foremost, The Algarve is conveniently located

The Hidden Troves of Balmy Benidorm

Benidorm is one of the most popular destinations with British tourists, and for good reason. The resort has excellent beaches, great hotels and plenty of fabulous restaurants and tapas bars. For all its perks, Benidorm is also relatively cheap and is the perfect place for a budget-busting holiday. With an historic quarter filled with small ancient shops and a modern area with good shopping centres and leisure areas, Benidorm has something to offer everyone. Off the Beaten Track Away from the busy main streets and tourist traps, Benidorm has a number of hidden gems. If you are willing to go

Chamonix

A Sophisticated Ski Holiday: Chamonix for Culture Vultures

One of the oldest ski resorts in France, Chamonix is up there with skiing’s most cherished destinations. After all, there are few testing grounds more iconic than the slopes of Mont Blanc, high above anywhere in Western Europe. Chamonix has fantastic ski schools which offer classes for adults looking to tighten up rusty technique or learn new skills for more challenging slopes. These classes can be taken as part of a group or privately, focused on skiing, snowboarding or specific areas such as off-piste tuition. Whichever aspect of your skiing you are looking to improve, Chamonix has a class for

Costa Adeje

A Perfect Day of R&R in Costa Adeje

Planning the perfect day of R&R isn’t easy, especially in Costa Adeje on the island of Tenerife, where there are so many ideal options for stress-free relaxation. To help you out, here is my run-down of the perfect day in this oasis of tranquillity, including a sunny beach morning, an early afternoon activity and an evening of delicious food and drink. Easy and fun! Morning at the Beach Tenerife has loads of remarkable beaches with fine golden sand and clear blue water. However, these tend to get busy in the afternoon, even in the colder months, so it’s best to

Smile, Swig and Shimmy in Sölden: A Party Paradise

Sölden is a high-altitude ski paradise with a lot on offer for every ability. With over 140km of wide, open pistes, the resort sits 1377m above sea level, snow-sure throughout the ski period.  Predominantly the destination of German and Dutch skiers, this resort rests on two adjoining glaciers, which skiers head up eagerly at the start of each day, ready for some of the longest and most rewarding descents in the region. The resort also has great snow parks in addition to some of the finest ski-lifts in Austria, so skiers are always on the move and having fun. Après-Ski

The Benefits of Travelling

Looking for an excuse to pack your bags and jet off on an adventure? While you may feel guilty for blowing off your work for a little while, new studies suggest that you shouldn’t: letting your wanderlust carry you to new destinations can actually be beneficial to your education, career, relationships and overall health. The next time your classmates or colleagues frown at you for scratching your travel itch, dazzle them with the fun facts in this infographic by Kaplan, Inc. – and inspire them to leave their everyday life behind more often, too! Relationships We’ve all heard about disastrous