Saturday, January 26, 2013

Romance in Ireland: Top 5 V-Day Activities

With the open spaces and plenty of city attractions, Ireland is a perfect choice for a Valentines break. There are ample activities and attractions to keep the lovebirds busy.

Fly below the Cliffs of Moher


Starting on the west coast, opt for an affordable hotel room at the local Travelodge in Galway and venture out to the Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy a romantic helicopter ride around the cliffs, for a truly unforgettable experience, while also giving you a perfect setup for a trip to the Aran Islands.

Visit the Giant’s Causeway


If you’re planning on visiting Northern Ireland, be sure to check in on the Giant’s Causeway. It’s not just an impressive geological feature; Irish folklore suggests that Finn MacCool built the causeway to use as stepping stones to Scotland, to reach his lover, a Scottish giantess. How romantic!

The Home of St Valentine


With the help of Travelodge's Central Dublin hotel, you’ll be in the heart of the city and aptly placed for a Valentine’s Day to remember, with a whole host of attractions to enjoy.
Although many cynics believe that the relics were confused with those of a lesser known Saint Valentine, many others believe that the stories are true. Apparently, in the 19th century, Pope Gregory XVI gave St Valentine’s relics to the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street, to try and encourage Catholicism – what better place to explore on the day of love?

St Patrick’s Cathedral


Gulliver’s Travels writer, Jonathan Swift, and his beloved Stella, are buried here in the National Cathedral of Ireland. Having written much of his prose for his true love, discovering his resting place could make an, albeit a little morbid, visit on the Feast of Saint Valentine.

Take a Stroll along the South Wall


There’s nothing more romantic than a leisurely stroll with your loved one, taking in the fresh air and enjoying your surroundings. Step out into Dublin Bay and wander along the South Wall. At the end you will find Poolbeg Lighthouse and some truly awe inspiring sights of the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin Bay and the Hill of Howth; an even better experience if you’re the only ones there.

Enjoy what Ireland has to offer, with its breathtaking landscapes, intimate restaurants and romantic walks; it makes a perfect break for Valentine’s Day.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Head for the Waters: Top Watersports Resorts


If you’re planning to head for the water in 2013, summer is the time to do it. Whether you choose a beach club as your base or you opt instead for a lakeside retreat, such as one of the Italian lakes holidays on offer, you’ll be sure to be at the heart of the action.

Watersports holidays are an extremely popular choice for many outdoors enthusiasts. Where you choose depends on what sports you are interested in, but as long as you have sun, water and thrills, you can’t really go far wrong.

Lake Garda

Far from being a beach club retreat, Lake Garda in the north of Italy is incredibly popular with thrillseekers. The northern town of Torbole is a central hub for watersports fans, and the excellent wind conditions provide an idyllic opportunity for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Kayaking and sailing are equally popular in the area, and as the largest lake in Italy, there’s ample space.

Adakoy

As the base for yachts and sailing trips and also providing perfect conditions for watersports including kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling, Adakoy in Turkey is an absolute must see. Whether it’s the crystal clear waters or the golden sands that entice you, you can’t go far wrong with Turkish beach clubs, and Adakoy is one of the best.

Sivota

A perfect base for a day sail excursion, giving you the option to relax on deck or explore the local surroundings. Cool off in the azure waters, where you can swim or snorkel, or head for one of the sheltered bays to sign up for a watersport experience, such as waterskiing, wakeboarding or dinghy sailing.
Whether it’s a lake or an ocean that appeals for your 2013 sojourn, start planning your vacation online now and take advantage of any savings to be had. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Cruise Holidays: Magical Mediterranean



So you're after a Mediterranean holiday. If that's as far as you've got with your holiday plans and you can't quite decide where to stay, why not consider a Mediterranean cruise? Whether you're a tentative first-timer or a seasoned regular, you'll soon find that a cruise is the perfect way to explore this beautiful corner of the world.

Rather than settling for one location throughout your holiday, you'll be whisked from one magical destination to another, with plenty of time to discover the sights and tick off each new place as you go. And what an itinerary! On 7-night Mediterranean Cruises you could take in no less than half a dozen different destinations, with time to spend in each new city or port. With Royal Caribbean International for instance, you'll find various Eastern Mediterranean cruises - one of which calls at six different destinations including Marseille in France, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Palma in Majorca, and Rome and Genoa in Italy. How's that for a Mediterranean holiday?

What's great about cruising is that all of your dining, accommodation and facilities are usually included in the upfront cost of the holiday, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourself. Although it might seem a little more expensive than your average package holiday, when you consider the all-inclusive nature of cruises - not to mention the sheer range of destinations you'll visit - it's actually pretty reasonable. On top of that you'll always find special offers and discounts too. Some of the best cruise deals can be found by looking for last-minute departures - typically leaving within the next few weeks - while other discountsare available on early bird deals for next summer or winter.

If you're looking for a magical holiday that will live with you long after you return home, a Mediterranean cruise could be right up your street.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Romance in Ireland: Top 5 V-Day Activities

With the open spaces and plenty of city attractions, Ireland is a perfect choice for a Valentines break. There are ample activities and attractions to keep the lovebirds busy.

Fly below the Cliffs of Moher


Starting on the west coast, opt for an affordable hotel room at the local Travelodge in Galway and venture out to the Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy a romantic helicopter ride around the cliffs, for a truly unforgettable experience, while also giving you a perfect setup for a trip to the Aran Islands.

Visit the Giant’s Causeway


If you’re planning on visiting Northern Ireland, be sure to check in on the Giant’s Causeway. It’s not just an impressive geological feature; Irish folklore suggests that Finn MacCool built the causeway to use as stepping stones to Scotland, to reach his lover, a Scottish giantess. How romantic!

The Home of St Valentine


With the help of Travelodge's Central Dublin hotel, you’ll be in the heart of the city and aptly placed for a Valentine’s Day to remember, with a whole host of attractions to enjoy.
Although many cynics believe that the relics were confused with those of a lesser known Saint Valentine, many others believe that the stories are true. Apparently, in the 19th century, Pope Gregory XVI gave St Valentine’s relics to the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street, to try and encourage Catholicism – what better place to explore on the day of love?

St Patrick’s Cathedral


Gulliver’s Travels writer, Jonathan Swift, and his beloved Stella, are buried here in the National Cathedral of Ireland. Having written much of his prose for his true love, discovering his resting place could make an, albeit a little morbid, visit on the Feast of Saint Valentine.

Take a Stroll along the South Wall


There’s nothing more romantic than a leisurely stroll with your loved one, taking in the fresh air and enjoying your surroundings. Step out into Dublin Bay and wander along the South Wall. At the end you will find Poolbeg Lighthouse and some truly awe inspiring sights of the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin Bay and the Hill of Howth; an even better experience if you’re the only ones there.

Enjoy what Ireland has to offer, with its breathtaking landscapes, intimate restaurants and romantic walks; it makes a perfect break for Valentine’s Day.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Head for the Waters: Top Watersports Resorts


If you’re planning to head for the water in 2013, summer is the time to do it. Whether you choose a beach club as your base or you opt instead for a lakeside retreat, such as one of the Italian lakes holidays on offer, you’ll be sure to be at the heart of the action.

Watersports holidays are an extremely popular choice for many outdoors enthusiasts. Where you choose depends on what sports you are interested in, but as long as you have sun, water and thrills, you can’t really go far wrong.

Lake Garda

Far from being a beach club retreat, Lake Garda in the north of Italy is incredibly popular with thrillseekers. The northern town of Torbole is a central hub for watersports fans, and the excellent wind conditions provide an idyllic opportunity for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Kayaking and sailing are equally popular in the area, and as the largest lake in Italy, there’s ample space.

Adakoy

As the base for yachts and sailing trips and also providing perfect conditions for watersports including kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling, Adakoy in Turkey is an absolute must see. Whether it’s the crystal clear waters or the golden sands that entice you, you can’t go far wrong with Turkish beach clubs, and Adakoy is one of the best.

Sivota

A perfect base for a day sail excursion, giving you the option to relax on deck or explore the local surroundings. Cool off in the azure waters, where you can swim or snorkel, or head for one of the sheltered bays to sign up for a watersport experience, such as waterskiing, wakeboarding or dinghy sailing.
Whether it’s a lake or an ocean that appeals for your 2013 sojourn, start planning your vacation online now and take advantage of any savings to be had. 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Cruise Holidays: Magical Mediterranean



So you're after a Mediterranean holiday. If that's as far as you've got with your holiday plans and you can't quite decide where to stay, why not consider a Mediterranean cruise? Whether you're a tentative first-timer or a seasoned regular, you'll soon find that a cruise is the perfect way to explore this beautiful corner of the world.

Rather than settling for one location throughout your holiday, you'll be whisked from one magical destination to another, with plenty of time to discover the sights and tick off each new place as you go. And what an itinerary! On 7-night Mediterranean Cruises you could take in no less than half a dozen different destinations, with time to spend in each new city or port. With Royal Caribbean International for instance, you'll find various Eastern Mediterranean cruises - one of which calls at six different destinations including Marseille in France, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Palma in Majorca, and Rome and Genoa in Italy. How's that for a Mediterranean holiday?

What's great about cruising is that all of your dining, accommodation and facilities are usually included in the upfront cost of the holiday, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourself. Although it might seem a little more expensive than your average package holiday, when you consider the all-inclusive nature of cruises - not to mention the sheer range of destinations you'll visit - it's actually pretty reasonable. On top of that you'll always find special offers and discounts too. Some of the best cruise deals can be found by looking for last-minute departures - typically leaving within the next few weeks - while other discountsare available on early bird deals for next summer or winter.

If you're looking for a magical holiday that will live with you long after you return home, a Mediterranean cruise could be right up your street.