Charm and Culture in Cyprus: Our Route from Larnaca to Paphos

The icy temperatures are here to stay, but that doesn’t mean that you have to! Instead of putting on countless layers every morning, why not dig out your summer clothing, throw it in a suitcase and wave goodbye to winter for a few days? Winter jackets off, sunglasses on… warmer weather, here you come. But if you believe that variety is the spice of life, you don’t simply want a balmy beach holiday – no, you want a sunny getaway that strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and excitement. Well, how do 340 days of sunshine every year, myriad Blue

Ski

The Snowy Surprises of Gerlos

You may not have heard of it before, but that could just be because those who have discovered it don’t want to share the secret. Those who have stumbled upon its uncrowded slopes, vast ski area and wide range of snow-based activities may not want to share Gerlos, in Austria’s Tyrol region, with anyone else. At the moment, skiers here enjoy uncongested slopes, lifts – which take them around the wonderful Zillertal Arena ski area – without massive queues, a free ski bus, and restaurants, cafés and hotels that are not bursting at the seams. In addition to these perks,

Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia (Rome) Shore Excursions

The Port of Civitavecchia lies on the west coast of Italy and is the gateway to the magnificent city of Rome for cruise ship passengers. Such is the wealth of ‘must-see’ tourist attractions in the Eternal City that a one day shore excursion provides little more than a glimpse of what the nation’s historic capital has to offer. For this reason many passengers return to Civitavecchia time and time again on different cruises or add on a cruise extension at the beginning or end of their holiday.   Port of Civitavecchia The Port of Civitavecchia, which is commonly referred to

The Essential Travel Guide to the Netherlands

How about a holiday that strikes the perfect balance between art, nature, good food and hair-raising fun? While it may sound impossible to find a place that meets (and exceeds) all of these diverging expectations, you’re in luck: Holland has everything you’re looking for. What’s more, the research portion of your trip just got significantly easier, thanks to The Culture Trip’s infographic. We’ve condensed its take-away advice for you, making your getaway to the land of tulips, cheese, windmills and clogs easy as pie (which is also delicious in Holland, by the way). Have a look!

Frosty Family Fun in Val Thorens

There are so many reasons to choose Val Thorens for a family ski holiday that it’s hardly surprising that the resort is so popular with French and English skiers alike. When I decided to visit, the choice was driven by a slightly obsessive hankering for the very best snow. After all, Val Thorens is the highest resort not just in France, but in the whole of Europe, with guaranteed snow from November through to May. What’s more, I was pleasantly surprised by all of the other things that the resort has to offer. Here’s my guide to this snowy spot!

Lausanne

Eccentric Fun in Lausanne

When you think of the beautiful medieval city of Lausanne, situated on Lake Geneva, you probably don’t think of counter-culture art, avant-garde architecture or of trendy international cuisine. But Lake Geneva’s second largest city has much more to it than just historic charm: in fact, it has contemporary cool by the bucket-load. Thanks to its new exhibition spaces, bars and restaurants, the city is beginning to become a hub for hip culture. And what better time than the present to discover the edgy, contemporary charm of Switzerland’s most historic city? Even in the old parts of Lausanne, which feature cobbled

Whales, Vikings and Glaciers: Take on the Family Adventures of Reykjavik

Set in the dramatic Icelandic landscape of lava fields, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and wild, windswept oceans, Reykjavik feels like the perfect place for an arctic adventure. From jet skiing on glaciers and horse riding along ancient Viking trails, to boat trips promising sights of whales swimming and puffins diving for fish – there are plenty of activities to try here. Families can enjoy a range of activities together in a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Iceland’s welcoming capital city, whether swimming in natural thermal baths, hiking Mount Esja or, of course, watching the spectacular northern lights. The city of Reykjavik is the

Geneva

Beyond the Big Ones: Alternative Galleries of Geneva

Geneva airport is one of the busiest in Europe with a constant flow of European business travellers, seasonal skiers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. But many of the people who travel through the transport hub each year are so busy trying to get to their final destination that they miss the unique, quirky experience of the city itself. Switzerland’s second most populated city may be famous as the headquarters for such illustrious international organisations as the Red Cross and the World Health Organisation, but it is the unique Swiss hospitality and sense of humour which makes the more curious visitors fall

The Scrumptious Seafood of Portugal

If you’re a fan of floral and fruity wines, you’ll know that few things in life are as satisfying, soothing and invigorating as taking a sip of refreshing Vinho Verde (‘green wine’). And what better place to tantalise your taste buds with this luscious liquid than in Portugal, its country of origin?

Courmayeur

A Touch of Class in the Italian Alps: Fine Dining in Courmayeur

Courmayeur in the Italian Alps is quite unlike any other ski resort I have ever visited. That’s because, while it has more than its fair share of excellent, challenging skiing, wintersports is only one small part of this Alpine village’s special appeal. The fact is, Courmayeur is much more than a ski resort; it is an exclusive, elegant holiday destination which knows full well that satisfying its elite Italian and international clientele requires more than just great skiing. That is why, despite being a small Alpine village, it boasts an extraordinary concentration of some of the region’s best restaurants, which

Rave About the French Riviera: Our Route from Nice to Monaco

Did you know that Monaco is the world’s second smallest city-state? (Bonus points for you if you know what the smallest one is!) If you’re travelling to this Mediterranean haven to uncover its wealth of cultural and natural landmarks, it couldn’t be easier: Nice Airport is merely a skip and a jump away. But while the 32-kilometre journey from Nice to Monaco takes an hour – or more – if you opt for public transportation, a transfer with Shuttle Direct will whisk you to the door of your accommodation in half the time. What’s more, you’re sure to have a

Seville Shore Excursions

For many people around the world Spain is a country of flamenco dancing, bullfighting, sherry and tapas. Whilst not a true reflection of the country as a whole such a perception is close to the truth where the Andalucian city of Seville is concerned. Most cruise passengers arrive in Seville on shore excursions from the Port of Cádiz which lies 120km to the south. However, the Guadalquivir River is navigable for 75km from Sanlúcar de Barrameda on the Gulf of Cádiz to Seville for some smaller cruise ships. This allows a growing number of lucky passengers to slowly navigate their

Tarragona

Tarragona Shore Excursions

The earliest references to the Roman city of Tarraco date back to the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) which marked the beginning of the Roman conquest of Hispania. Over the coming centuries it would become an important port city which provided supplies to Roman forces all over the peninsula. Today Tarraco is better known as Tarragona, a Spanish city lying 100km south-west of Barcelona on the coast of Catalonia. Its ‘archaeological ensemble’ is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site which is home to some of Spain’s finest Roman ruins. The Port of Tarragona has long played an important