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

Get the Inside Scoop on Oktoberfest

Jetting off to Munich’s Oktoberfest this year? If your answer is a resounding “Jawohl”, it’s best to get a proper introduction to the world’s biggest – and weirdest – beer festival. But before you start buying guide books (yes, there are entire books on this one-of-a-kind festival!) and frantically consulting your search engine, check out this handy infographic from HomeAway. From fun facts to practical tips, you’re sure to find everything you need right here. Bitteschön! What to Eat and Drink Let’s start with the most important stuff: food and drink, i.e. the main reason you’re going to Oktoberfest. Did

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,

gulf of Elounda

Discover the Secrets of Spinalonga from Plaka Elounda

When holidaying in Plaka Elounda, it is definitely worth taking a day trip to Spinalonga. This famous island, which is visible from the Cretan village’s coast, hides a wealth of history and human tragedy. Though Spinalonga is now mainly inhabited by archaeologists exploring its ruins, it still has a great story to tell. You can explore its turbulent past as both a strategic defence mechanism for Elounda harbour and as a former leper colony. A Fortress with a History Though it is only a small island, Spinalonga hides many interesting secrets. Located near the Elounda harbour, many civilisations saw this

Discover the Pearls of Portugal: Faro Airport to Albufeira

Picture it: you’re flying low over Portugal’s Algarve region, marvelling at the beauty of the baby blue coastline, golden sands, medieval architecture and gorgeous greenery below you. Although you’re spending your sunny holiday in Albufeira, a picturesque fishing village, you’re determined to scratch your travel itch and explore the area’s many cultural and natural highlights that you saw from the plane. Fortunately, you’ve booked Shuttle Direct’s private taxi service to drive you from Faro Airport to Albufeira, a 40-minute rouFarote that will take you past some of the prettiest and most fascinating sights that deserve a visit during your stay

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura Shore Excursions

The island of Fuerteventura is the most easterly of Spain’s Canary Islands lying just 105km (65 miles) off the coast of Morocco. Although it is the 2nd largest of these islands it is inhabited by more goats than people! The mild year-round climate has seen the development of package tourism but to a lesser extent than on some of the neighbouring islands. Two of the most popular resorts for family holidays are Corralejo on the north coast and Caleta de Fuste in the east. Cruise ships arrive in Puerto de Rosario which is the capital of the island.   Port

Costa Teguise, Lanzarote

Lanzarote Shore Excursions

Although Lanzarote is the 4th largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, it is only 60km long and 20km wide allowing cruise ship passengers enough time to visit most of the island during a day in port. Best known as a year round package holiday destination thanks to its sub-tropical climate Lanzarote exhibits a unique ‘lunar landscape’ created by volcanic eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries. Features resulting from such seismic activity are the island’s main tourist sights together with more recent artistic attractions created by local artist César Manrique.   Port of Lanzarote Cruise ships visiting Lanzarote arrive at Arrecife

alicante-to-valencia

Superb Spanish Routes: Alicante to Valencia

In search of a holiday that strikes the perfect balance between leisurely beach time and sophisticated excursions? Look no further than Valencia, a natural and cultural gem situated on Spain’s sunny east coast. But if you’ve booked Shuttle Direct’s airport transfer from Alicante to Valencia, you’ll soon realise that it’s also very worth embracing your inner explorer and venturing outside of your holiday destination. Why not plan a few full- or half-day trips to visit some of the picturesque places that you spotted on your car journey? Here’s a list of noteworthy spots that you’ll pass by during your two-hour

Lindos

Fall in Love with Lindos This Summer

Disappointed by the characteristically chilly temperatures of the northern European summer? You’re not alone. But while you – arguably – can’t change the weather gods’ wishes, you have a choice: you can either sit around the house and mope, or you can leave the near-arctic temperatures behind by jetting off to a warm and sunny destination. If you’re like me, you’ll find that the latter option sounds significantly more appealing. But how do you avoid the crowds of eager holiday goers who inevitably had the same idea as you? Let me tell you about Lindos, a scenic and off-the-beaten-path spot

Gümbet (Bodrum)

Get Your Adrenaline Fix in Gumbet

For travellers in search of an adrenaline-fuelled holiday, there’s nothing worse than an uneventful beach getaway. If you’re looking to escape the chilly temperatures of northern Europe, but you aren’t keen on lying in the sand with absolutely nothing to do, don’t despair: a retreat in Gumbet is sure to keep you warm and entertained. Situated in the southwest of Turkey, this coastal resort is not only sunny and scenic, but also boasts a large variety of thrilling activities that are perfect for burning the candle at both ends. Let me introduce you to two of my favourite ways of

Limassol

Unearth the Historical Treasures of Cyprus in Limassol

Greek heroes, Roman settlers, Crusader knights and Ottomans alike have all left their mark on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, which deserves to be known for much more than its beautiful beaches and agreeable climate. Despite the island’s turbulent past and history of destructive earthquakes, many amazing attractions remain scattered across the landscape in varying states of preservation. Most notably, you’ll find many momentous landmarks in the region of Limassol, situated in the far south of the island. Want a more comprehensive overview of Cyprus? Check out our detailed country profile here. Ancient Kourion Cyprus can rightly be considered a