Non EU Holiday Destinations - Magical Iceland

Iceland is situated North West of the UK on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Capital and only city of Iceland is Reykjavic, with a population of about 120,000 it makes up well over a third of Iceland's entire population - this city is the hub of Iceland's tourism. After the European Championships last year, it was claimed 10% of the entire population were in France to see their incredible run in the tournament (beating England in the last 16, cough), and with a population as small as that it is easy to believe.

Iceland is geologically and volcanically active due to its situation on the Mid-Atlantic ridge - those who did GCSE Geography will know that where tectonic plates meet, volcanic activity is rife. This characteristic is one of the main draws for tourists to come to Iceland - the scenery and landscape make it one of the best holiday destinations for anyone with an interest in geography or geology - however anyone can enjoy the country's spectacular sights, from young to old.

One of the top tourist hotspots is the blue lagoon - an incredible geothermal spa. Considering the regularly freezing air temperatures that Iceland has, you may be shocked to learn that the water temperature of the blue lagoon averages at 40°C. This is becuase of a nearby geothermal power station uses an underground lava flow to heat water that turns turbines, and the hot water is then pumped out into the lagoon for bathers to swim in. The water absorbs many minerals such as sulphur as it passes through the rocks and these help give the water its distinctive blue colour, as well as having medicinal purposes - the water is siad to heal certain skin diseases.


The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The geysers of Iceland are also another incredible sight - fountains of piping hot water shooting up into the air. Many tours will stop at one or two - you can take your own wheels but be wary of the ice - it'll be a very different experience to driving in most of Europe.

Cheap Caravan Holidays & Motorhome Holidays - UK & Abroad

-->With the weakening Pound following the Brexit vote in the UK (among other factors), it is becoming significantly more costly to go abroad that it was this time last year. A trip to the US cost us an estimated 22% more in Nov 2016 than it would have done 6 months earlier for example, and this year the trend will be clearer as holiday makers book their holidays with the knowledge of the rates rather than booking pre-Brexit and then exchanging their cash after the vote at a much worse rate. This year, as seen during the 2008-2009 recession, we expect a large number of holiday makers to keep their wallets firmly in their pockets when it comes to overseas trips, and for demand in cheap holidays to spiral upwards. Back in the recession, our stats showed that searches online for the phrases "motorhomes" and "caravan parks" increased by about 450% each over 12 months pre and post recession, as Mr Joe Public shunned traditional foreign holiday destinations for cheaper, but equally cheerful breaks away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
A huge range of UK and foreign caravan holidays can be found online, each company offering a slightly different take on the traditional concept. Many sites offer a variety of caravan types, from basic to luxury, which you can tow away to your destination of choice and simply return within a given date. This offers a great deal of freedom and excitement - you never quite know where you will end up. The same is true of motor homes, which are basically caravans with an engine, an all in one car and caravan essentially. Caravan and motorhome hire has really taken off, many of the most popular destinations in the UK include the national Parks and areas of natural beauty, including the Lake District, Snowdonia, The South Downs, the Dales and the Peak District. However there are no limits to where you can go. Many companies allow the caravan or motorhome to be taken abroad as well, allowing you to drive down to the South of France or right down to Italy or beyond.



Caravans and motorhomes offer a real sense of adventure that you rarely get on a traditional package holiday. You can visit some of the best holiday destinations in England and abroad in your own time, whether you are a family, a couple or simply on your own. Many caravan and motor home parks exist around England and Europe for you to take a break and socialise with other families or individuals. There are so many characteristics of a motorhome or caravan holiday that make it easy to see why we expect to see a big surge in this type of holiday over the next 12 months. So while we may see less people going abroad for their holidays, hopefully travel and tourism businesses in the UK should see a boost from this.

Summer Holidays Destinations - Puerto Banus, Marbella, Spain

-->Marbella, situated on the Southern coast of Spain on the Costa del Sol, is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations for us Brits, and for good reasons. The climate in Southern Spain is wonderful, with long sunny days and high temperatures of 30 degrees celsius and upwards. Coupled with this, wonderful food and drink, and great beaches make the Costa del Sol a very desirable location. Even Channel 4 Reality Show TOWIE has got in on the act, filming several shows in the location.
If you're holidaying in Marbella or Malaga this summer, I would highly recommend a visit to Puerto Banus, although the town is certainly well worth a visit in its own right. It is known as a bit of a playground for the rich and famous, and often draws comparisons as the Spanish St. Tropez. The marina area is always full of huge yachts in the summer months, and flash Ferraris, Aston martins and Lambos line the seafront. Puerto Banus is the place to be seen, celebs will often be spotted dining in the fabulous restaurants or doing a spot of shopping in the areas many designer boutiques.


Puerto Banus Marina

You can get to Puurto banus easily - it is around a five mile drive from Marbella so if you're planning on having a few drinks with the glitterati I recommend getting a taxi. After a wander around the marina, you're bound to be slightly peckish and luckily Puerto banus doesn't disappoint. When I visited we went to a restaurant called Antonio's which quite simply served up the finest Paella I have ever had. There are several other cuisines to choose from apart from Spanish and most restaurants have kids options so you shouldn't be stuck for choice. After dinner there are a good number of bars lining the marina - so order a nice cocktail, sit back, relax and watch the world go by in front of you.

Puerto Banus is one of my favourite places in Spain and certainly one of the best holiday destinations to visit during the summer, for a week or two or just for a shorter visit. And keep an eye out for deals on websites like Groupon and Expedia as there are often great packages offers to be had.

Boozy Holiday Destinations – Stag Weekends in Riga

As far as city breaks or stag weekends go, Riga, Latvia’s capital city, is right up there as a great holiday destination. Visitor numbers to this city have soared over the last decade as the secret gets out about this cracking place. Cities like Prague, Krakow and Bratislava (and maybe Newcastle!) often get banded about as top destinations for a weekend of debauchery for the groom to be. But Riga is a great alternative, with a varied mix of cheap bars, culture, attractive women and adrenalin-filled activities.

Riga is a student city at its heart which lends well to the objectives of many a stag do. A young demographic helps ensure a plentiful range of bars and pubs on offer in the city, drinks are fairly cheap although probably not quite to the same extent as Prague or Bratislava. But it is probably a classier, nicer place to go in our opinion, with more to do aside from just drinking.

Indeed, if you are after a pleasant city break, Riga is a great holiday destination in its own right. Just outside the city you can find a Bobsleigh track you can actually get involved in, the old town boasts some magnificent buildings including St Peters Church, as well as countless museums such as the frankly beautiful Latvian National Museum of Art, which features the largest collection of National art in the country. Also, Riga features a great zoo (with around 4000 animals), countless shops, restaurants, golf courses, an aquapark, karting...the list goes on and on.

The locals are also friendly and accommodating to the tourists in Riga – something some other Eastern European countries have (perhaps understandably in some cases!) been lacking on our travels.  All in all weekends in Riga offer excellent diversity, and its also an excellent destination for a weekend city break. There’s plenty to see, plenty to do, and all relatively cheap and close to the UK. You can fly there in less than 3 hours from London. So if you’re looking for a lads weekend, a spot of culture or an adventure holiday – Riga is one of the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Best Summer Holiday Destinations in Europe

Its pretty dreary outside at the moment. But summer is around the corner, and with summer, comes summer holidays. Many of us have planned and booked our holidays already but if you're stuck for ideas, fear not. Hopefully Best Holiday Destinations can help out.

Spain looks set to remain top of the list of most popular holiday destinations in Europe for the coming year at least – choices that thoroughly deserve to be at the top. The Costa Del Sol, Costa Blanca, Marbella are all excellent choices that are sure to offer up plenty more than just sandy beaches and roasting hot sun. If, like me, you’re after cheap flights this summer, we recommend Kayak and Sky Scanner - 2 sites that offer great usability and seem to yield the best comparison results. Browse holidays in Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Tenerife, Ibiza, Greece and more to find the hotel, flights and destination that’s right for you.  

Ever-Popular Package Destination Benidorm, Spain

Also something to consider – last minute bookings can help save you money – although perhaps not in quite the same way they used to. But if you’re flexible on destination and departure airport then this could be for you, although could be risky if you have a family with specific wants or needs. Happy hunting – planning and booking your holidays can be an exciting and potentially stressful time so get thinking about it and keep checking back here for more info and advice on the best holiday destinations in Europe. 

Best Winter Holiday Destinations – The Canary Islands

At this time of year, when the mercury drops to its yearly lows, there's nothing more appealing than a getting away from the UK for a spell of sunshine. We're approaching the official most depressing day of the year and for many the January blues hang over our heads like a dark cloud. With much of mainland Europe being even chillier than the UK at this time of year (thanks to its lack of Gulf Stream warming) it makes sense to look elsewhere for a spot of winter sun.

And the Canary Islands, off the Western coast of North Africa, are an excellent choice for those seeking a break from the miserable dark days of England. They boast a subtropical climate, with warm winters and warmer summers although the variation between the seasons isn’t massively pronounced. Holidaymakers jetting off in January-March can expect temperatures of around 19-21°C and plenty of sunshine. Below we take a look at a few of the most popular islands in the Canaries.

Lanzarote – The Easternmost Island of the Canaries, Lanzarote boasts a dramatic landscape which has formed as a result of millions of years of volcanic activity. While much of the island is fairly baron, many of the scenery is spectacular, and the beaches are a huge draw, with the warm Atlantic Ocean making it great for a splash about. The capital Arrecife is the main hub for tourism,  and is also home to the islands airport. The name originates from the reefs offshore which are a treat for snorkelers and scuba divers.

Scuba diving in Lanzarote

Tenerife – the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is popular with a range of holidaymakers. The South and North are separated by Mount Teide, a volcano and national park which, on a clear day, gives excellent views from the top which can be reached by cable car. The island offers a few good lovely beaches including the largely artificial Playa las Teresitas to the East. The island also offers plenty to do in terms of activities and days out. Loro Parque zoo and Siam Park water park are both must-dos and combo tickets can be purchased for these to save money. Flights to Tenerife can be found at great prices which adds to the draw of this island.

Siam Park, Tenerife

Gran Canaria – another island of volcanic origin, emerging from the sea millions of years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The island has an array of microclimates but generally temperatures are warm in winter. Las Palmas, the capital, is the focal point for tourism and plenty of good value package deals can be found here. It is the scene of much of the islands nightlife and plays host to Carnival every January-February. Due to the differing microclimates certain areas of the island are extremely arid which makes for some lovely sandy beaches and breathtaking landscapes.

Gran Canaria Beach

Overall the Canary Islands offer some of the best holiday destinations for some winter sun and each present their own unique sights and attractions, making them well worth a visit.

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Best Easter Holiday Destinations - Ski Holidays in Austria

Last year, I jumped aboard a flight bound for St Anton in Austria towards the end of April for a spot of late season ski action. Austria boasts some top class ski resorts perfect for April/May skiing making it one of the best holiday destinations if you’re after a short ski break in the (fast-approaching) spring. There are also plenty of package deals available for those looking to book a holiday a few months away in "low-season" so you need not break the bank. Now is probably a decent time to book to find cheaper deals but also to give you something to look forward to as winter sets in.

The resort I was staying in, St Anton, is one of Austria’s most famous resorts, largely thanks to its beautiful scenery, and exciting slopes.  The town itself is nestled at the foot of Allberg Pass, within a long, narrow valley. Obviously the quality of the slopes is a top priority for a ski resort, and St Anton doesn’t disappoint. Perfect for intermediates and advanced skiers, the resort boasts a variety of slopes leading to a good varied holiday.

One slight drawback of the resort is its probably not the best place for beginners - most of the slopes are fairly tricky so I'd advise other destinations if you fancy some nice gentle slopes to get you into the sport. Skiing is obviously one of the more dangerous extreme sports and account for more holiday injuries than anything else - it pays to do some research into insurance and such like before you jet off to help cover any potentially expensive hospital bills.

The après-ski is also excellent in St Anton. Probably one of the more lively ski resorts I've been to - there are many late night bars and clubs staying open til after about 2AM so theres plenty to help let your hair down after a tough day on the slopes. The fresh air of the mountains helps refresh yourself the following morning too.

St Anton Ski Resort, Austria

Overall, St Anton is a really good ski resort for some easter skiing. The resort does get busy in peak season however by April/May things do tend to quieten down slightly. I'd say the resort is one of the best holiday destinations for an easter ski session especially for the intermediate/advanced skier, check online for flights and packages today.

Caribbean Holidays - Adventure Holidays in Tobago

If you’re planning on visiting the beautiful island of Tobago you may want to start planning your holiday already! It’s hard to not get excited about a trip to the Caribbean - Tobago really is one of the best holiday destinations in the Caribbean and is just great for adventure holidays. Here is a top 5 list of attractions in Tobago, helping you to make the best of your stay!

 Top 5 Things To Do in Tobago:

1.       Sport Fishing – Take a boat ride out into the sparkly clear waters of the Caribbean sea and catch yourself some fish! Be sure to take a camera with you as there are many sights that you will want to capture forever! Some fishing tours even set up a barbeque for you to cook and eat your freshly caught fish – superb! There are many fishing tours available in Tobago so you won’t have a problem finding one!

2.       Tour the island – Tobago is only 27 miles long but there is plenty to be discovered! Visit the many beaches Tobago has to offer. Take a trip to Speyside where you can just about see ‘little Tobago’ – the inspiration for many James Bond books! Trips to Little Tobago and Goat Island can also be arranged locally!

3.       Sunday School – Although Tobago is a very relaxed island a visit to Sunday School at Buccoo Beach really is a must do! Barbequed chicken is always on the menu with lots of food stalls, a mini casino area, dancefloor and CHEAP rum! Be prepared to shake your booty to the hippest Jamaican dancefloor beats but there are plenty of places to chill out if that’s more your thing. There are even a few shops open for the shopaholics amongst us!

4.       Waterfall and rainforest tours – if you take rainforest tour be sure to cover up and use lots of insect repellent! There are many stunning waterfalls in the Tobagon rainforests -  a climb to the top is exhilarating and fun! Let yourself be helped by your guide though as the rocks are slippy and there are no safety precautions!

5.       Snorkelling – don’t leave this gem of an island without snorkelling in its crystal clear waters!

Hope you find this top 5 list interesting - I would really recommend a trip to Tobago - is really is one of the best holiday destinations in the world.

Best European Holiday Destinations - Top Ten

Europe truly boasts some of the best holiday destinations in the world. Europe has one of the most diverse ranges of destinations of any continent, although I think Asia would possibly top the list, with its wide variety of different cultures. But as Asia is also twice as big as Europe, I think we put up a pretty good fight.

I've not visited all the delights Europe has to offer - I've still got much more to look forward to in that department over the coming years. However, I have been to some amazing countries in my life so far. Below, is a list of the ten best European holiday destinations - in no particular order I must add! Let us know if you think I've missed somewhere out.

1. Croatia - I love everything about this country. A long trip down the Dalmatian Coast is a must, the scenery here is simply stunning. Add the Italian-influenced dirt-cheap food and Croatia is a winner.
2. Spain - The classic summer holiday destination for us Brits. The weather is a massive draw for this country - give us the sun and we'll be happy.
3. Norway - Visit Northern Norway in late Autumn/early Spring for quite simply the most incredible natural light show you will ever see - the Northern lights
4. Berlin, Germany - I just love the atmosphere of this place. It's really clean, the people so friendly, with cutting edge music and creative flair everywhere you look. Throw in centuries of history and it's a brilliant city destination.
5. Greece - Take your pick from the many islands Greece has to offer. Beautiful weather, happy happy people, ancient history and gorgeous scenery cement Greece's place in my list.
6. Prague, Czech Republic - A great little city bursting at the seams with history. And of course a top holiday destination for a stag do as well.
7. London, England - London has so much to see and do. The iconic sights, the West End musicals, the Queen...and, uh... the lovely weather.
8. Italy - Great wine and delicious food equal a top holiday. What more do you need? Historical cities and gorgeous sun-kissed beaches? Then visit Italy.
9. Austria - the perfect destination for a keen skier - the Alps are one of the best destinations for skiing in the World, let alone Europe.
10. Turkey - Technically only half European, Turkey is as a diverse a holiday destination as any. Great weather, quality food, exciting activities and a diverse culture make Turkey a great destination.

So - those were my top ten European holiday destinations - I feel like I've had to leave many great countries out, but there we go. Let me know if you have any different views! A happy new year to you all.

Best Winter Holiday Destinations - Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

With summer slowly approaching (it still feels like October in the UK), its time to think about getting away in the new year. If you think you might have a few pennies left over from your annual Christmas shopping, then you should think about jetting off for a week or so in search of some winter sun.

One destination that isn't likely to disappoint is the Egyptian Red Sea Resort of Sharm el Sheikh. This holiday destination has soared in popularity over the last decade or so and is now a well-established holiday resort on the south coast of the Sinai Peninsula. In 1980, there was practically no sign of any tourist industry at all – it was just a small port town. However, in the 80’s large sums of money was invested in the area, resorts were constructed and large chains of restaurants and up-market hotels, such as the Marriott, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, were persuaded to start up in the area, helping to begin pull in tourists from abroad.

Today, roughly 100 resorts exist in the area, compared to just 3 in 1982. Of course, it wasn’t just the opening of hotels and restaurants that led to a boom. The area needed a wide portfolio of qualities to become a major player in the tourism industry. The hot, dry climate was one major factor – as well as the miles and miles of natural sandy white beaches. The dramatic terrain, with Mount Sinai part of the backdrop, was another draw that gave the area an attractive, romantic image rather than just being another town in the middle of the desert.

Being on the Red Sea, Sharm el Sheikh has a wide variety of water sports on offer, including water-skiing, paragliding and jet skiing. However, it is largely via the help of world-class scuba diving and snorkelling that holidays in Sharm el Sheikh have become one of the best holiday destinations in the world for water sports. Countless varieties of fish, including reef sharks and hammerheads, and beautifully diverse coral reefs make the undersea kingdom here extremely varied and enjoyable to swim in.

Hammerhead Sharks, Sharm el Sheikh

 

In terms of the weather in winter, temperatures average around 20°C in December-February time, so temperatures are much cooler than the summer months, however days still have long periods of sunshine making it a pleasant contrast from the grim British winter.

Sharm el Sheikh's many virtues ensure tourism in the area continues to thrive, attracting visitors from around the world. You can find return flights to Sharm el Sheikh for under £200 this winter which is great value. So if you are looking to get away this winter, choose Sharm el Sheikh - one of the best holiday destinations in winter. 

A Best Holiday Destinations special warning to ALL SWIMMERS

Here at Best Holiday Destinations we want to look out for our readers. So we thought we should publicise the following little incident which took place in Croatia - one of our top summer holiday destinations. 

So please...if you do go swimming this summer...please try not to get your testicles caught in your deckchairs. You have been warned.

Big Holiday – New York, USA (part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of our look at New York City. Day two took us up to Central Park – a huge 843 acre public park in the heart of Manhattan. It occupies roughly 60 blocks (streets) in length so to walk the entire length from top to bottom would take almost an hour. We explored the southern half of the park, which was a hive of activity. A range of sports were being played round the park, one of several lakes was scattered with rowing boats, while kids played on the rock formations which were originally imported from a tectonic field in Canada.

Central Park Boating Lake

Several pedestrianised roads run through the park which helps it gain its reputation as one of the roller blading capitals of the world. Joggers and walkers of all ages also occupy these lanes. There’s also a range of interesting architecture around the park including Cleopatra’s Needle, a castle, fountains and such like. The scale meant we didn’t even see the Zoo or the famous ice rink. One of the highlights was a DJ playing funky house in a clearing, with dancers of literally all ages form 4-90 dancing away to the beats. Something we certainly wouldn’t get here in England.

Autumn in Central Park

Times Square, a few blocks down from the park, was our next stop. A major intersection in the city, the square boasts enormous neon advertising boards on all sides, and its aesthetics combined with its situation in the midst of the theatre district, has helped make it the worlds most visited tourist attraction with 39 million visitors annually. It’s scale really helps it s**t on Piccadilly Circus, London’s only “comparable” neon advertising tourist attraction. There’s hundreds of theatre/comedy salesmen loitering while there’s a range of shops and sights that link around the square itself. Its also host to one of the most famous New Years Eve parties in the world, featuring the Ball Drop at midnight. One thing to note is many of the bars, clubs and restaurants nearby are of course tourist traps offering average food or drink at expensive prices. We avoided the area for our night out and instead headed back to East Village for some exceptional BBQ ribs and chicken (with the whole caboodle of classic sides, coleslaw, fries etc) washed down with some tasty US lager.

Times Square, New York

One thing to note when visiting New York, or most of the US for that matter, is that tipping is essentially compulsory. Due to low minimum wage, waitresses are relying on tips to make up the bulk of their income. 15% is standard anywhere where you are served, including when buying a beer in a pub. Failure to tip will result in 1)being called a cheapskate or more likely 2) being thrown out of the establishment and told never ever to return. Something to note when budgeting for your trip.

Part 3 coming soon on Best Holiday Destinations! Email us if you have any queries.

Big Holiday – New York, USA (part 1)

Nowhere says Christmas more than New York. So when debating where to go on holiday this December for a wintery city break, New York was the first destination to come to mind. And eight hours after jetting off from Heathrow, we were touching down at JFK for five days of sights, culture, food, drink and tinsel at surely one of the best holiday destinations in the World.

We stayed at Hotel 17 – a cheap hotel in Manhattan’s East Village with shared bathrooms, small but comfortable rooms, and above all an excellent location just minutes from East Village’s bars, cafes and restaurants and also really close to New York’s subway system. Our first stop was Wendy’s burger joint for a taste of NY’s fast food scene. Pulp Fiction’s Big Kahuna Burger scene sprang to mind. We then proceeded to hit the East Village bar scene – in our first bar a round of Jaegarbombs was greeted with an “Oh my God you’re from England” from the barwoman, and a generous 30% off the tab to ensure we had “the best introduction to NY possible”. This kind of friendliness was encountered throughout the trip, dispelling the myth of mardy, arrogant and impatient New Yorkers (towards British tourists at least). The highlight from the 1st night was Old McSorley’s Ale House, one of the oldest pubs in New York boasting some tasty ales. The constant buy one get one free policy and sawdust on the floors help create a great atmosphere in a historic pub.

New York Cab

Day two saw us travel south on the subways to Wall Street, with a wander round the financial district in the Southern tip of Manhattan. The Statue of Liberty is visible from the riverside if you don’t fancy a ferry over – it’s current renovation works make it visible from the outside only so no climbing to the top of the head for the time being. A trip to the sombre Ground Zero site is a must – you need a free ticket in advance to gain access to the site itself, which is now home to two huge waterfalls where the Twin Towers once stood. Otherwise the visitors centre is just off-site which again is an emotional experience. One World Trade Centre, the new flagship tower in the rebuilding project, is growing quickly (see below) and is beginning to command the Downtown skyline.

One World Trade Centre

Our evening took us north to Broadway, for a stand-up comedy show. We were sold the tickets at Wall Street, with Chris Rock on the lineup and plenty of free drinks included in the measly $15 price tag. Unfortunately, upon arrival we discovered Chris rock was NOT on the lineup and only one free drink per person was provided. We had fallen for a classic tourist sales scam. After complaining to the manager we were given plenty of free drink and had a really good night but it is something to watch out for, street vendors are everywhere touristy in NY and many are out to make a quick sale.

Part 2 coming soon – Times Sq, Central Park & street dancers on the way - subscribe to keep updated!

Happy Christmas everyone!

Best Clubbing Holiday Destinations in Europe – Ibiza

Ibiza is truly one of those rare destinations where you experience a very special feeling as your plane touches down on the runway. It’s a country that keeps hundreds of thousands of visitors coming back year after year, a place where (almost) anything goes and different nationalities come together and celebrate the summer season.

Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain – it can be reached in 2-3  hours from the UK or by boat if you happen to be driving through Spain. It came to prominence in the late 80s when Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold brought what they saw whilst on holiday in Ibiza back to the UK, helping kick off the acid house scene and spreading the word of what they experienced in Ibiza. From then on, Ibiza grew and grew and it is now a mecca for clubbers across the globe, it’s a place like minded people can come and unite around the central theme of dance music. It’s a true summer holiday destination.

The famous Space Ibiza terrace

There are several different areas to Ibiza – San Antonio in the West is largely populated with young people out to enjoy themselves on holiday – the demographic is largely English here, with plenty of late night bars, clubs and beaches. The famous Cafe Del Mar as well as Mambo and Ibiza Rocks hotel are also found here. Ibiza town and nearby Playa d’en Bossa in the south east are slightly more upmarket destinations attracting more Germans, Italians and Spanish. Space Ibiza and Pacha, two of the most famous and well-regarded clubs in the world, are located in this region.  In between the two are another two famous clubs – Privilege and Amnesia. The clubs in Ibiza are sights to behold, mostly holding around 5,000 people with many different areas. Needless to say come summer they attract the biggest DJs such as David Guetta, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Carl Cox and Pete Tong. As far as clubbing holidays go – Ibiza is certainly the number one destination in the world.

The Sunset Strip, West End

It’s not just the clubbing either that makes Ibiza so attractive – there are dozens of beautiful secluded beaches easily accessible with a car, as most people stay in the main towns you can find some gems to relax at. In addition, the seemingly endless sunshine, the temperate Mediterranean sea and a host of chilled beach bars offering delicious cocktails and Spanish food, Ibiza is truly one of the best holiday destinations around.

Greek Islands voted most beautiful in Europe

UK holiday makers have voted the Greek Islands the most beautiful holiday destination in Europe.

Zoover.com conducted the survey, asking users for their top holiday getaway in Europe. The survey generated a massive 14,000 responses, 44% of these voted for the Greek Islands as their number one - compared to Spain in second place with 17% of the votes - certainly a wide victory margin. The beautiful coastal islands of Croatia were in 3rd place with 16% of the vote.

The Greek holiday board will no doubt be extremely happy and proud of this result. They cite the variety of options on offer for tourists (Greece boasts over 3,000 different islands), the delicious local cuisine, along with the islands' natural beauty, as the key reasons why the Greek Islands took the top spot by such a large margin. The island of Samos was voted top in the individual stakes - with an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. I've not yet been to Samos but after this survey I have to say I am tempted to give it a visit now.

 Samos, Greece

The result is likely to be swayed fairly significantly by popularity - a much larger number of people have been to Greece and therefore a larger number of people will have voted for the islands as their number one. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of votes for tourists who have been to both Croatia and Greece, for example. I think a good proportion of people who have been to Croatia would have voted for it above Greece - from my experiences the islands there are unmatched anywhere else in Europe (that I have been). The country is still growing in popularity, with several European heavyweights such as Spain, Greece and Italy still commanding a much larger percentage of the UK holiday market. If the survey could avoid or absorb the bias in voting somehow to play out the contest on a more level playing field, to weight less visited destinations, it would be interesting to see a revised list of the top results. I think we would see some unexpected (and perhaps fairly unknown) results in the top 10.

The list does, however, certainly give some decent pointers for some of the best holiday destinations in Europe.

The most popular budget airline routes this summer

In my last post, I talked about the latest holiday destination trends being experienced by some of the largest European travel agents. Many operators have experienced a surge in popularity for Turkish holiday destinations such as Bodrum and Dalaman, with the country tipped to be the most popular destination in 2010.

While Turkey has seen an increase in popularity, Spanish destinations are still ever present at the top of many of the budget airlines popularity lists. Spain has long been a favourite of the British holidaymaker ever since the emergence of the package holiday. An array of diverse resorts, excellent climate, good food, sandy beaches and proximity to the UK have all helped contribute to Spain's popularity as a holiday destination. Aside from the typical beach resort, Spain has plenty offer in the way of city destinations. Barcelona is truly a city of culture and an excellent place to go for a short city break or longer family holiday. In fact, Barcelona saw more budget airline bookings than any other destination in June according to Low Cost Airline Guide - a site I recently used when booking my summer holidays, that searches all budget airlines to provide a comprehensive guide showing all available routes and flights in one simple search.

Alicante on the Costa Blanca and Malaga on the Costa Del Sol, are the other Spanish holiday destinations included in the five most popular June bookings on this site - these two locations have long been summer holiday mainstays for us Brits - with towns like Benidorm, Marbella and Alicante itself proving popular. Most budget airlines offer routes to Alicante and Malaga from a variety of UK airports.
Paris is another of the most popular budget destinations this June - with many of us looking to save money, the short flight to the city of romance is an attractive one and this is complemented by cheap flights and package deals to Paris.

The credit crunch has led many of us to tighten our purse strings over the last couple of years, and it is certainly worth searching around for the best deal on budget flights.

Best Holiday Destinations - Trends & Stats

I have mentioned several times in my previous posts how Turkey is fast becoming the holiday destination of choice for us Brits. The decline in the economy, high unemployment, and weak Euro have all combined to cause low disposable income for a huge number of British families. This has meant people looking at cheaper alternatives to their regular holidays.
Recent stats from Co-op Travel show Turkey holidays have grown the most in the last year, with Dalaman seeing an 82% increase in bookings in 2010 compared to the same period last year. Bodrum, also in Turkey, as well as Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, Crete in Greece and Larnaka in Cyprus all popular choices for 2010. In terms of overall popularity, Co-op list:
1) Turkey
2) Majorca
3) Orlando
as their top three holiday destinations.

Travel Supermarket list a slightly different top 3:
1) Turkey
2) Egypt
3) Spain
The common theme here of course being that Turkey leads the way in both lists. The "voucher culture" that has arisen over the last year or so has led to a huge rise in people finding 'deals' for their holidays, which Turkey package holiday suppliers have been able to offer and capitalise upon. Florida remains a popular destination for the more long-haul traveler - for car hire Florida visit Hire4Less.
It seems these trends are set to continue at least for the next year or so, with holidaymakers looking to save money where possible while the economy struggles to recover.


Turkey - soaring in popularity

Heathrow's third runway plans cancelled

Heathrow's proposed plans for a third runway have been cancelled by the new Conservative-Lib-Dem government. The plans were originally put in place by Gordon Brown and Labour, with a third runway allowing for 600,000 additional flights every year. This would have brought in billions of pounds from abroad to help the economy, however the new Government want to focus more on domestic public transport, with proposals for a new high speed railway to link London and Edinburgh, as well as better transport links to Heathrow itself.

Councils, residents and green campaigners are delighted at the news. The additional flights would have had significant implications in terms of noise pollution for local residents, while the environmental damage has led to many a protest. Proposed plans for new runways at Stansted and Gatwick have also been scrapped.

Heathrow is already one of the busiest airports in the world, helping link the UK with some of the best holiday destinations in the World. Approximately 67 million visitors use Heathrow airport yearly. There is obviously huge demand for Heathrow airport parking and plans for expanding these facilities had been included in the 3rd runway proposal.

London still has exceptional links to the rest of the world, and for travelling to your favourite holiday destinations in Europe, America etc, the number of major airports in and around London is second to none.

Best Holiday Destinations - World Cup 2010, South Africa

The World Cup is rapidly approaching, and there's still just enough time to get your flights sorted to South Africa so you can be in on the action. It's been 6 years since we were last involved in a major tournament and the expectation in South Africa is as high as ever. The atmosphere in the country is going to be absolutely electric so if you have the oppurtunity to visit the country while the tournament is on you should be in for a treat.

The tournament for England kicks off on the 12th June in Rustenberg, where we play USA in the opening game. Situated about 50 miles west of Pretoria and Johannesberg - you could potentially stay in either of these cities and get a bus or train to Rustenberg - either way we recommend booking your hotel as soon as you book flights to ensure you have somewhere to stay when you get there.

Our next game, on 18th June, is in Cape Town at the Green Point Stadium. Being an excellent holiday destination outright, with a great deal to see and do aside the game, Cape Town is going to be the most popular city with tourists flocking to the World Cup.


Cape Town, South Africa

Port Elizabeth hosts the final group game versus Slovenia on 23rd June. Hopefully we should be through to the last 16 by that point however knowing England we may have to win here to progress.

Assuming we top the group, our next two games will take place at Rustenberg, and then Johannesberg, which are fairly close together. Therefore one option is to spend a week in Rustenberg before moving to Johannesberg for the possible quarter final. Even if you can't get tickets for the games, watching the games in the numerous bars will be a great experience. And the breweries are ready for us - millions of extra pints have been brewed to ensure noone goes thirsty.

There are some worries about safety in some areas- however like all cities as long as you're careful and don't stray too far from the city centres you should be fine - a bit of common sense won't go amiss, to ensure your holiday passes without any drama.

Many areas of South Africa are already top holiday destinations - so coupled with the atmosphere of the World Cup, a trip here in June or July should be a once in a lifetime experience.

Best African Holiday Destinations - Hurghada, Egypt

-->When you mention Egypt as a top holiday destination, most people will instantly think of the towering Pyramids of Cairo or perhaps the coastal paradise of Sharm El Sheikh. However, Egypt has plenty more to offer aside from the obvious.

Hurghada, on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, is one of the country's top tourist destinations and has grown in popularity in recent years. Many companies now offer holidays to Hurghada - with several airlines flying there and many package deals available. The area has seen substantial growth over the last 30 years or so leading to The facilities on offer are therefore very good and enough to cater for most discerning holiday makers.

There are some absolutely stunning hotels available to stay in in Hurghada - the feeling of excess is similar to one you get in Las Vegas although without the cheap and tacky aftertaste that downtown Vegas provides. Much of Hurghada's attraction lies in the stunning coastline. Being situated in North Africa, you can expect the weather here to be excellent from April-September and as a result many people can be sure to spend alot of the day relaxing down at the beach on the miles of golden beaches spanning the Red Sea coast. There are plenty of water sports on offer here as well which is to be expected really - windsurfing, jet skiing, paragliding and more are all exciting activities that can be experienced here. The coastline also provides exceptional scuba diving oppurtunities, much like many other Red Sea resorts.


Coral reefs in hurghada are stunning

Being a fishing vilage originally, you can be sure to eat well here especially if you like your fresh fish. The Red Sea is nutrient and mineral rich - this leads to thriving sea life at all levels of the food chain, so fish is everywhere on the restaurant menus. You will typically see it served up fairly simply - freshly caught, slapped on the BBQ and straight onto your plate.

All in all, holidays in Hurghada have alot to offer and the area deserves its growing reputation as one of the best holiday destinations in Africa. The abundance of great deals to be had in Easter, spring and summer mean it is an affordable holiday destination for families and couples.