It is hard to sum up a country as diverse as Turkey. From its beautiful wide plains to its wild mountain ranges and rugged coastlines with sensational beaches, variety is the only consistent feature of this captivating country. Even Turkey’s cities are an enchanting combination of bustling, modern life and ancient culture in which historic architecture sits beside impressive contemporary structures.
The Greek island of Kos is best known as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of western medicine. It was here that the ancient physician learned his trade and wrote the Hippocratic Oath which is still sworn by newly qualified doctors to this day. The main excursion for cruise ship passengers arriving in Kos Town is to the nearby Asklepion Temple where Hippocrates studied and taught as well as founding its renowned Medical School.
Trying to decide on a fun winter holiday for the family? It is much trickier to decide on a winter destination when you have teenagers than it is in the summer, as you will need somewhere with plenty of activities to keep them entertained day and night. This is why a ski holiday is a great choice, and resorts like Breuil Cervinia boast plenty of options both on and off the slopes for a fun-packed, memorable and valuable trip.
I think that taking a festive break in December is a great way to unwind, escape the stresses and gloomy weather back home and get in the mood for the holidays. Europe is rife with enchanting cities that come to life around this time of year, but there is one place which is a fantastic destination for any traveller looking for something a little bit different and off beat – Geneva.
We all have enormous lists of destinations that we’d love to visit on a city break. One place that I think is somewhat of a hidden gem is Granada, which is located in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Located off the west coast of Greece the Ionian Islands consist of seven main islands of which Corfu, Zante and Kefalonia are the best known. Kefalonia (or Cephalonia) featured in the 2001 film entitled ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ starring Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz. It tells the story of the thousands of Italian soldiers who were executed on the island by Nazi forces after the armistice was signed between Italy and the Allies in September 1943. The film also portrays the 1953 earthquake which destroyed most of the island and led to the emigration of much of its remaining population. The 25,000 people who stayed behind rebuilt much of what we see today.
Just because you’ve got a young family doesn’t mean you have to give up your annual trip abroad – in fact, it’s even more important to your collective sanity! What it does mean, however, is that while you certainly don’t have to go entirely mainstream, you do have to choose your destination with the children in mind. A traditional bucket and spade beach holiday always goes down well, but for something a little different, Augsburg, in the German state of Bavaria, has everything you’re looking for.
Greece has always been a firm favourite as a touristic destination, and as one of the most important cities in world history its capital, Athens, attracts a diverse range of visitors. Some come specifically to immerse themselves in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, while some are just stopping off before heading out to party on the islands. But more and more people are showing up simply because the word is out that this is a pretty cool city.
Think of Switzerland and you’ll probably conjure up images of breath-taking mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes and dense pine forests – and you wouldn’t be wrong, but there is also a fascinating other side to this small Alpine country.
El invierno. Heard of it? No? Well, if you’re planning an escape to Benidorm around the tail end of the year it’s one Spanish phrase you’re not going to have to learn – because el invierno means “winter”, and it seems they didn’t get that memo down on the Costa Blanca.
If you’ve got teenagers, you may have thought your days of spontaneous city breaks were behind you. But if you’re looking for a safe, accessible destination that has enough personality to appeal to everyone in the family, Amsterdam rates high.
There’s nothing more quintessentially English than a game of cricket on the village green during the summer months. What a surprise it is to run into such an event when visiting the Greek Island of Corfu! The sport was introduced to the island during almost 50 years of British rule which began in 1815 following the Napoleonic Wars and is still played on five cricket grounds around the island. The most impressive of these is located in Spianada Square in the heart of the Old Town of Corfu city providing quite a novelty for English visitors.
Planning the annual family ski break? Yes? Read on! No? Read on and you just might be tempted! If you’ve got a house full of teenagers and a long, cold winter stretching out ahead of you, a ski holiday is pretty much the only thing this time of year’s got going for it.
