Alcúdia

Parents Recommend: 10 Things to Do with Little Ones in Alcúdia

The beautiful town of Alcúdia, on Spain’s sunny island of Mallorca, is a fantastic place for a memorable family holiday. With inviting sandy beaches, a well-preserved Old Town surrounded by impressive Medieval walls and a peaceful ambience throughout the town, this is a great setting for those travelling with youngsters. Read up on the historic and cultural jewels of Alcúdia here. I understand that taking kids on holiday can be daunting as you want to keep them entertained, but equally, you do not want to break the bank as you have to factor in travel, accommodation, food etc. Fear not,

Bohinj

Breathtaking Lake Bohinj, Slovenia: Paradise for Nature-Lovers

If you’ve visited Britain’s Lake District and have explored the Italian lakes and you’re dreaming of finding an area of equal natural beauty that is unscarred by the pressures of tourism, then Bohinj in Slovenia may be just what you’re looking for.

Nestled in the Julian Alps and set in the stunning Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj is the country of Slovenia’s largest permanent lake. Fed by the glacial melt waters of the surrounding mountains, the water is as clear as glass, and in summer it is warm enough to entice bathers, kayakers and sailors to its pristine beaches.

But, despite the natural beauty of the lake, I found one of the most appealing aspects of a holiday here was the sensation that I’d stepped off the tourist trail and into an authentic Alpine way of life that has been consistent here for hundreds of years.

From the unspoilt natural beauty (with some of the most beautiful displays of Alpine flowers I’ve ever seen) to the traditional food, this was a holiday in which I felt enriched by discovering a country I’d hardly known anything about before I arrived.

Aix-les-Bains: A Spa Town Worthy of Royalty

ix-les-Bains, nestled on the shores of France’s biggest freshwater lake in the foothills of the Alps, offers an entirely unique, elegant lakeside retreat.

Bursting with grand Belle Epoch architecture, reflecting its heyday during the late 19th and early 20th century, it is one of the grande dames of French spa towns. Amongst its famous historic visitors, it can lay claim to having been Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday destination and, still today, seems to carry its Victorian-era fame with something of a refined pride.

Like its neighbour Annecy, Aix-les-Bains combines a rich cultural history, dating back to the Roman times, with a quiet, tranquil Alpine charm which makes it a wonderful place to visit for a relaxing spa break or a captivating, cultural lakeside holiday.

Levico

Must-Dos in Lake Levico

While the summer crowds and the families flock to Italy’s famous Lake Garda, those looking for a more tranquil lakeside holiday should head north to the stunning mountains of the Vigolana range and the beautiful Lake Levico.

With its dramatic mountain scenery and steep banks, many locals describe Levico as a ‘fresh-water fjord’, and it does indeed have some of the majesty and appeal of the Norwegian shoreline. But what makes this area so special is the combination of its warm climate and peaceful environment.

Set on the shores of the lake is Levico Terme, a nineteenth-century spa town which has offered therapeutic aquatic treatments to those coming to experience the unique thermal waters for more than 150 years.

Alicante

Alicante Shore Excursions

Located on the south-east corner of Spain, Alicante is best known by European holidaymakers as the principal gateway to the popular resorts of the Costa Blanca. As a cruise ship destination the city has seen an astonishing growth in the number of passengers in recent years, a trend shared with the nearby ports of Cartagena and Almería. Most visitors to Alicante enjoy taking a stroll along the Paseo de la Explananda de España and visiting the Castillo de Santa Barbara and the Old Town before relaxing in the marina or at the blue flag city beach located next to the

Achensee: A Family Reunion Holiday Destination

Sometimes it feels as though our modern lives are so busy that there just isn’t enough time for all the family to get together. Whether it’s trying to fit in with the busy schedules of your children – or worse, the hectic social calendar of your grandchildren! – finding time to really connect with each other can be a challenge.

That’s why a cross-generational holiday can be such a special experience, a space in which you all have time to relax, have some fun, and maybe even try a few new things together as a family. Of course, if your idea of a good time is wandering leisurely around museums, while your daughter-in-law just wants to relax on a beach, and the kids want a range of activities, working out where to take your extended family on holiday can be a bit of a headache.

But believe me, it’s worth the effort. There are places out there that make the perfect destination for a family reunion, places like the idyllic Achensee region in Austria.

Just a short drive from Innsbruck, Achensee boasts a sparkling, clear water lake set against the beautiful backdrop of the Alps of the Tyrol. With lakeside beaches, watersports, hiking, golf and, if that all gets too much, luxurious world-class spas to relax in, Achensee can actually delivers on the much-made promise ‘something for everyone’, no matter what their age.

Business Travel: A Guide to Lisbon

Apart from its obvious charms – great weather, beautiful architecture and fascinating history – Portugal’s capital is emerging from the economic downturn of recent years as somewhat of a creative force. In fact, the hip, creative industries springing up all over the city are part of a government initiative, and this mini-Renaissance is, in part, responsible for an upsurge in the appeal of the city as a corporate destination.

I absolutely love coming to Lisbon. The city has a very cool, positive vibe with a focus on innovation and new technologies. All in all it’s pretty inspiring, so if you do find yourself heading there on business I hope my tips are helpful.

Almería

Almería Shore Excursions

Located in Andalucía on the south-east coast of Spain, the province of Almería is best known by European tourists who flock to its holiday resorts during the summer months. Few of these holidaymakers take time to visit the capital of Almería province as they rush from the airport to their hotels in Roquetas de Mar and Mojácar. Their loss is your gain as your cruise ship docks close to the centre of this historic city where you can spend your time in port wandering around its ancient streets or heading out on a shore excursion to the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

Lagos

Love Surf? Head to Lagos

Surf’s up! Summer is finally here and this means that now is the time to start planning your next surfing adventure. This year I’m recommending Lagos in Portugal’s sunny Al-garve region as this cool town has fantastic beaches, great surfing opportunities and a thriving surfer community. It is also a beautiful part of the world with a scorching climate! What could be better?

Looking for a great meal after a day on the beach? Read our guide to the cuisine of Lagos here.

Here is all you need to know about catching the curl in Lagos this summer.

Zante for Clubbers

It’s that time of year again so assemble the troops, inform your significant others and start planning for a week of mayhem on the ultimate lads’ holiday. There are loads of great options, but this year I reckon that Zante (Zakynthos) is the place to be – particularly if the boys like clubbing!

Zante is a Greek island which is bursting at the seams with lively bars, cool clubs and amazing beaches (the weather is scorching in the summer, so remember your sun cream!). It is, essentially, a party island and each summer it attracts hoards of party animals looking to enjoy themselves to the max and soak up plenty of sun.

One of my favourite things about this great island is the fact that everything quite close together. This means that you are always in the thick of it and there is a cracking atmosphere throughout the island.

Read our guide to non-booze related activities in Zante here!

You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to let loose, but here are a few of Zante’s highlights and places that the lads will love.

Sunny Beach: The Ultimate Clubbing Destination

Summer is almost upon us, which means that every true lad will be thinking about one thing: where to go for a booze-fuelled boys’ holiday this year! Ibiza will, understandably, be one of the first places mentioned, but where are some alternatives?

I think that Sunny Beach is a real hidden gem that surpasses Ibiza in many respects. This resort is located on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast – perhaps not the first place you think of for a summer holiday, but, as the name suggests, this place offers plenty of sun, sea and sand. It also has a pulsating nightlife which any party animal will love. Those who have been seem to return year after year and this could easily become a new favourite with your troops.

Another reason I love this destination? It is ridiculously cheap with pints costing less than 50p! Perfect.

Check out our guide to top lads’ activities in Sunny Beach here!

Here is a closer look at the fun that you and the lads could have once the sun goes down:

Bilbao

Bilbao Shore Excursions

Located on the Bay of Biscay in Northern Spain, the port of Bilbao has served as an important maritime destination for centuries. During the 19th and early 20th centuries the city was one of Spain’s most important industrial centres without a tourist in sight. The key industry of shipbuilding was in severe decline by the 1980s creating unprecedented levels of unemployment. The turning point in Bilbao’s fortunes came a decade later when the Basque government and the Guggenheim Foundation agreed to build a museum in the city’s old port area. The Guggenheim Museum has proven to be a catalyst for urban regeneration which has seen soaring numbers of tourists arriving in the city including almost 100,000 cruise ship passengers who arrive at the new cruise terminal at nearby Getxo.

Ciutadella

One Beach a Day: 7 Sands to Explore from Ciutadella, Menorca

In my humble opinion, you simply cannot beat a good family beach holiday. Whether you are chilling out with a good book whilst catching some rays or playing with the kids in the waters, the serenity and sense of calm that comes with these breaks are what a hard-earned holiday is all about.

So, what is better than heading to the beach on a family trip? How about visiting a different beach each day! The beautiful island of Menorca has seven inviting sandy beaches to check out – each with their own distinct character and atmosphere, so you will never get bored exploring this great island.

This “family beach crawl” is possible when you stay in the pretty town of Ciutadella, where you can simply hop on a bus in the city centre and set off to a different part of the island each morning. This also means that you don’t need a car!

Looking for teen-friendly activities in Ciutadella? Check out our handy guide here.

So, pack your suncream, book, swimming costume, bucket, spade and anything else you need and head to these top spots.

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