Europe Archives - Page 4 of 27

December 24, 2016 by Arlene

5 of the Most Breathtaking Properties You Can Rent in the UK

The UK is a country that is known for the glitz and glamour of its accommodations. While there are plenty of five-star hotels that can provide lavish rooms, many prefer staying in stately homes, log cabins, and historic castles, among other alternative choices.

Broughton Hall

This accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales is fit for a king, allowing you to experience royal living even just for a day. This country house is splendid from the outside to the inside. From the vast courtyard to the beautiful interior, it is hard to not fall in love with this place. It has bedrooms that exude distinct character, and most of all, you will enjoy personal service. Here, there are only 15 bedrooms, which makes the place intimate.

Aldourie Castle

Scotland is known for its castles, but if there is one that you should visit, it would be Aldourie Castle. From the outside to the inside, this looks like something taken out of a fairy tale book. You can stay here for a couple of days, or even for several weeks. There is plenty for everyone to do in Scotland. You can host house parties and intimate gatherings. In Loch Ness, this is the only castle that you can hire, making it popular. It is part of a 500-acre estate. With the grandiose appeal of this castle, you may not want to go out at all.

Lismore Castle

When thinking of renting a castle in Ireland, this is one option that should be on the top of your list. It has been around since 1170, making it steep in terms of history. It used to be the residence of the family of the Duke of Devonshire, which is why many of its features are reflective of luxury in a massive scale. They have high-end amenities, including banquet halls that will be perfect for intimate family events. Best of all, you will feel part of the family because of the royal treatment that you will receive from the staff of the castle. If you really enjoy spending your time in castles and stately homes, then you could gain employment in a private household.

Leeds Castle

Located in Kent, Leeds Castle is one of the most popular castles not only in UK, but in the world. Demand is going to be high, so be sure to book in advance. Aside from the well-appointed rooms, one thing that will make you look forward for your stay is the breakfast, which is served at the 17^th century Fairfax Restaurant. Built in the 1120s, the castle has been refurbished several times to keep up with the demands of its guests and to make sure that it will offer an experience that is hard to match.

Tregenna Castle Resort

If there is one thing that sets it apart from many others, it would be the fact that it is not only a castle, but also a resort. This means that you will not only be able to enjoy luxurious accommodation, but you will also enjoy the wonderful coast of Cornwall. It is part of a 29-acre estate and has 80 bedrooms, making it significantly bigger in terms of capacity than most of the castles that we have earlier mentioned.

December 23, 2016 by Arlene

5 Beautiful Stops for a Family Holiday

Planning a family vacation can be exciting, but at the same time, it can also be overwhelming. Being out of the country with kids can be challenging. You need to find a hotel with kid-friendly facilities and choose a destination where there are activities that can be enjoyed by both adults and the little ones. If you have no idea on where to head, keep on reading and consider our recommendations.

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Florida

This state is popular for two things – beach and theme parks. Whether you head to Miami or Orlando, among others, you are guaranteed to have a memorable time. It has some of the biggest adventure parks in the world. The beaches are also hard to match. The best thing is perhaps the warm weather. You can expect that it is going to be sunny, regardless of when you intend to visit. Here is a handy list of packing ideas for your Florida holiday. There are also tons of choices when it comes to accommodation. Whether you would like to stay in a high-end Miami hotel or in a self-catering villa, the options will be limitless.

Mallorca

This Spanish destination will make an excellent choice for family holidays. Regardless of the specific region that you will visit, there will be an endless selection of activities that will make a fun-filled holiday. In Northern Mallorca, for instance, you can visit Hidropark and kids will have fun in their water slides. Meanwhile, in Eastern Mallorca, Coves del Drac is worth exploring, which has a diverse collection of mystical caves. After a long day of exploring this beautiful island, you’ll enjoy relaxing by the pool of your luxurious Mallorca villa.

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Crete

While there are many islands that are worth exploring in Greece, Crete is on the top of the list. This is also the country’s largest island, which is why you can expect a lot of activities for kids. The beach is its main attraction, but other than that, it has more to offer. A walk along the city will be a leisurely experience. It is like a giant museum and art can be seen almost everywhere. There are many family villas, each offering a luxurious accommodation.

The Cotswolds

If you do not want to go far from the United Kingdom, the Cotswolds is one destination that is best for families. Its biggest asset is its rustic charm. This is no place for tall buildings and crowded streets. It has a laidback ambiance, which is why it is ideal if you want a relaxing family holiday. To make the trip more memorable, do not just stay in a traditional hotel. Instead, look for log cabins, which can offer privacy without being devoid of luxury.

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Rome

History and architecture are two of the most important things that make Rome an excellent choice for a family holiday. It is not only fun, but can also be an educational experience. You will surely appreciate its magnificent ancient structures, each with a story to tell. This is also known as one of the holiest sites in the world. With its collection of gothic cathedrals, many Catholics include it in their travel bucket list. They also have beautiful fountains and exciting plazas. Make the most of your visit by going on a brilliant tour with Roma Experience.

September 29, 2016 by Arlene

Morzine vs. Meribel: Which is Best for a Short Ski Trip?

Morzine and Meribel are regularly rated as being among the most amazing ski destinations in the world. So, which one of these resorts would you prefer to visit on your next trip?

There are a number of different factors to take into account when deciding which one to visit. If you fancy a trip to the snowy mountains rather than a beach holiday then the following are some of the points to take into account.

Ease of Access

The good news is that both of these French Alps resorts are far easier to get to than you might think. While they are prettily perched in the mountains they both enjoy good road access from major airports that are pretty close by.

To get to Meribel you are most likely to fly into conveniently situated Geneva Airport, although there are other airports not much further away. From here, it is just a short transfer of a little over two hours to get to your accommodation.

In the case of Morzine, Geneva Airport is also the best option for getting in and out quickly and smoothly. However, the transfer time is even quicker with this resort, as new arrivals can easily get from the airport to their accommodation in not much more than an hour.

This ease of access in both cases means that Morzine and Meribel are both perfect for short midweek or weekend trips when you are short of time. Having a busy lifestyle is no longer an excuse for not get out to ski regularly.

Skiing Options for Beginners

Both of these resorts offer huge skiing areas with facilities for skiers of all levels. For instance, Morzine gives incredibly easy access to the Portes du Soleil area, with many great slopes for beginners to feel comfortable on.

As for Meribel, it is part of the always popular 3 Valleys ski area, with tons of slopes for you to choose from. Both resorts offer very similar opportunities for newcomers to learn the ropes safely, with ski schools, ski lifts and nursery slopes to choose from.

Skiing Options for Experts

As we have just seen, both these French Alps ski towns spoil visitors for choice when it comes to the number of slopes to choose from. This means that both of them are also fantastic choices for expert skiers looking for challenges and adventures.

No matter which of them you travel to, you can get a huge amount of variety in the time that you spend skiing here. You can also discover some of the most thrilling slopes you will ever encounter while you are either Morzine or Meribel.

The Nightlife

It is no secret that a lot of skiers get just as much pleasure out of the après ski scene and the lively nightlife as from the time they spend skiing. In this respect, both Morzine and Meribel offer everything you could ask for in terms of bars, pubs and clubs.

If we start with the Meribel nightlife, we can see that the town has top class bars such as Le Rond Point, Le Poste and Barometer. There are different après ski spots here for different tastes, from laid back lounges to classy wine bar and buzzing bars with live music.

If you decide to go to Morzine on your skiing trip then you will also find a lively ski town filled with great places to spend a few hours in interesting company. This place has world class après ski bars such as Dixie Bar, The Cavern and Coyote Bar.

Attractions for Families

Despite both Morzine and Meribel offering such extensive nightlife options, there is also a lot to be said for them in terms of being classy family destinations as well. The starting point in this respect comes with the way that both of them offer such a wide range of slopes for skiers of different abilities.

As well as this, it is worth noting that Morzine has a good selection of activities and events for families to enjoy. This is a place where the whole family can have a fabulous time doing whatever suits them.

Those families that go to Meribel also discover a resort that is perfect for a relaxing family break. The beautiful scenery and long list of fun things to do make this great for families of all sizes and ages.

The Attractiveness of the Town

These are both really pretty towns that are terrific for strolling around and doing some shopping in. Meribel is a lovely looking town that has been around for close to 80 years and still looks great.

There is a lot to in Meribel, from the popular ice rink to the range of adventurous sports on offer. Add in the fact that it is one of the prettiest ski resorts around and it is easy to see why it remains so popular.

With Morzine, you also get a host of exciting attractions too. This is an especially good town for shopping in, while the ice hockey games and Rock the Pistes music festival are definitely not to be missed.

Both of those town offer highly attractive destinations for world class ski weekends. The natural beauty the Alps all around you will make you truly feel as though you have left all of your worries far behind.

Eating Out in Town

The pleasure of sitting down to a great meal after a day of skiing is one of the absolute highlights of an Alpine ski trip. You are going to be spoiled for choice in both of these French ski resorts when it comes to eating out.

There is a long list of great restaurants and cafes in Morzine that you might like to try. Among the very best of them are places like La Grange, The Burger Place and La Chamade.

As you can imagine, such a popular resort has a fine selection of different places to eat from you to choose from. From cheap fast food joints to fine dining eateries, there is something here to suit every taste and budget.

Across in Meribel eating out is also a hugely enjoyable experience too. The fact that this has been a very popular destination with British skiers for decades means that the local cuisine caters for British tastes, while also offering French and international dishes.

A few of the main restaurants to keep an eye out for here include Chez Kiki, La Taverne and Le Refuge. As with Morzine, the extensive choice available means that finding exactly what you want shouldn’t be too difficult.

Overall

At the end of the day, everyone who visits these two stylish French ski resorts will have a different opinion on which one is best. There are excellent reasons to choose either of these destinations for your next trip.

Maybe you will be won over by Meribel’s pretty town centre or perhaps the lively nightlife scene in Morzine will blow you away. Either way, it is clear that you can get the trip of your dreams regardless of whether you head to Morzine or Meribel.

For a stunning ski break both of these famous resorts offer the chance to have a wonderful holiday that you aren’t likely to forget in a hurry.

August 19, 2016 by Arlene

The Best Beaches To Visit Near Lisbon

As one of Europe’s leading city-break deastinations, some may be surprised to hear that the wonderful Portuguese Capital, Lisbon, provides some of the greatest opportunities for beach getaways in all of Europe.

This list details the very best shores, sands and seas, which are easy to visit, no matter where you’re staying in Lisbon.

Praia de Carcavelos

Photo: Paulo Valdivieso

Located on the convenient and accessible Estoril-Cascais Coastline, this spot is definitely a tourist favorite – and with good reason. It can be reached via a picturesque trip on the well-maintained Lisbon-Cascais train line, and provides facilities for families and guests of all ages.

Known for its long stretches of golden sands, and surf-friendly waves, it’s a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. However, it is worth being aware that, because of this, peak season can get rather crowded.

Costa da Caparica

Photo: Creative Commons

For an enjoyable excursion away from the capital, the town of Costa da Caparica offers a modern and metropolitan take on beach life. 15km of golden sands assures visitors a quiet, relaxed and undisturbed opportunity to soak up the summer rays, and take a cool dip in the refreshing waters.

Perfect for young adults and travelers without children, the strip is lined with a host of sleek bars and other attractions. A true favourite with the locals, it’s also a great place to meet native friends and learn more about the true culture of the country. The northern end, nearest the resort town, is by far the most developed and easiest to access from Lisbon.

Praia de Guincho

Surfers, body-boarders and thrill seekers should definitely head down to the Praia de Guincho. Known for its good swells, there’s always a chance to catch some waves and get the rush you need from your time at the coast. Unfortunately, due the strong currents that create these perfect conditions, this beach is not recommendable for young children or weak swimmers.

It’s also less accessible than the others on the list, requiring a train and a bus ride to get there. Because of this, it might be worth considering spending one or two days of your trip around this area, to make the best of the waves.

Praia da Rainha

Photo: Tony Cavalcanti

Sometimes all you need from a trip to the beach is beautiful surroundings, azure water and golden sun. Praia da Rainha is by far the most aesthetically stunning of all of Lisbon’s local coastline. It’s quite small, so has the tendency to get busy in peak seasons, but no amount of crowd can take away from the beautiful cliffs, rocky shores and picturesque developments.

Historically, it was chosen by the Queen as her own private beach and, because of this, is surrounded by luxury amenities and great places to grab a bite to eat. With a comprehensive lifeguard team on shore, it’s also a great spot for families to stay safe.

No matter what type of beach you’re looking for, Lisbon offers the perfect seaside getaway for all the family. So don’t miss out next time you touch down in the city.

Guest post sponsored by the Corinthia Hotel Lisbon.