Summer's European Holiday Hotspots

If you still haven’t booked your summer holiday yet, what are you waiting for? Fortunately for you, there are some great destinations throughout Europe which are perfect for a late summer getaway for you to consider, and luckily we’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. So, throw away that dust-gathering pile of holiday brochures and check out our pick of the holiday hotspots for this year.

Prague

The capital of the Czech Republic is finally losing its ‘stag night city’ title, and is being reclaimed by the culture vultures interested in seeing the city’s amazing architecture, museums, art galleries and cultural monuments. It’s a perfect stop off for a European inter-railing trip, or makes a fantastic location for a long weekend away from everything back at home.

Venice

Venice is having a real comeback this year, but not just as a romantic destination for couples. It’s also increasing in popularity with families and groups of friends seeking a bit of history and some spectacular views of the canals and bridges. It’s not an especially big city, so it can be thoroughly explored during your stay, but the must-do activity is, of course, a ride on the world famous gondolas.

Cote d’Azur

France’s beautiful ‘Azure Coast’, so called because of its sparkling blue stretch of sea, has seen a tourism boom in recent years. It’s an incredibly glamorous destination which attracts the French elite, and if you want to rub shoulders with the continent’s finest this is the place to be. It lies on the edge of provincial France with its sprawling countryside, so hire a luxury villa to complete the lifestyle you will be living during your stay.

Edinburgh

The spotlight is on this Scottish city this summer. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival will be over by the time you arrive, but if you’re lucky you might get to meet some of the interesting performers who may still be lurking around. Failing that, heading to Edinburgh castle is a must, and head into some of the picturesque winding streets if you fancy exploring.

Copenhagen

The Danish capital provides a brilliant gateway to Malmo in Sweden and is close to northern Germany, but it is, in itself, a wonderful holiday destination. If you’ve been saving your pennies at work, see if you’re lucky enough to get a slot at the world’s best restaurant, Noma. If not, you’ll be able to spot it on the boat tour, starting at the multicoloured Nyhavn and taking you around all of the city’s best sights, including the well-known Little Mermaid statue.



Author byline

Rosa Bristol is a keen traveler who spends every Summer exploring pockets of Europe she's not yet experienced
 

Discovering the Secrets of Ibiza

It’s true – the nightlife in Ibiza is just ridiculously pumped-up and it’d be unforgivable for one to miss out on this during a trip there. It’s that one place where the party never stops and where the vast, gorgeous Mediterranean is immaculately within sight and reach. Many famous pop artists have even featured this notorious party island’s name in their songs – an indication that it is in fact one of the world’s perfect epitomes of hard core partying.
But in reality, there’s more to this beautiful, energetic island than just seamless rounds of night-long shindigs. Here are some things that you can enjoy doing on the island aside from the typical carefree summer nights by the beach:

1. Immerse in the island’s rich art and culture through museum tours.

Its historical, ethnological, artistic, and archaeological heritage root back from prehistoric age, to the Punic world, and further into the Islamic age and the traditional rural world – which is proved to be rich and evident through the many museums nestled on the island. Visit Museo Puget, Museo Diocesano, or any of its museums to catch a glimpse of how Ibiza gracefully evolved through the years.

2. Know its historical value by visiting numerous monuments.

A number of monuments are found in Ibiza, but the Dalt Vila Renaissance found in Eivissa is the most famous among all of them. In 1999, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Be mesmerized by its naturally beautiful natural parks.

Ses Salinas National Park is located between the Southern part of the island of Ibiza and the Northern region of Formentera. Salt lakes, beaches, and lunar cords that feature ancient ghost trees, cliffs, and coastlines richly dotted with rocks. Expect to see a majestic falcon or a fishing eagle sometime during your excursion here.

4. Go on a day trip and enjoy its gorgeous coastal scenery

The options are just limitless: you can go boating, kayaking, and even ride on a hot air balloon to get a breathtaking aerial view of the island. Another option is to hop aboard a small train to appreciate inland beauty as well.
Where to stay in Ibiza
There are a handful of accommodations in Ibiza, and one option is to rent an apartment. This is cheaper compared to booking a hotel and also offers more flexibility. You can opt to rent an apartment if you love cooking your own meals, or if you are going in a large group. Apartment rentals are also a better option if you prefer the laid-back, homey ambiance over ostentatious hotel fixtures, fancy dinners via room service, and all that jazz. If it’s your first time to book an apartment in Ibiza, your best bet in picking out a unit is to check out comparison websites like Apartment District Ibiza, so that you can weed out your choices efficiently. The island gets insanely packed during the summer, so make sure that your booking completed ahead of time. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this great island experience due to full bookings!

About the author:

Cedric Loiselle is a passionate and ever on-the-go traveler who also takes pleasure in sharing his traveling experiences through exceptionally-written articles. For online apartment comparisons and reviews, he recommends apartmentdistrict.com.

Must-See Attractions in Fuerteventura

The island of Fuenteventura, which translates into ‘strong fortune’, is the second largest of the Canary Islands, and one of the most popular holidaying destination in Europe.  Located off the west coast of Africa, 2009 saw the entire island become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its spectacular beaches and abundance of plant and animal life.  The island’s original settlers are thought of to be North African descent, and historians believed that these people lived in caves all over the land, many of which have been discovered since

In the early 1300s, explorers from Portugal and Spain arrived on Fuerteventura after discovering Lanzarote, and enslaved the inhabitants of the island while also bringing over their own African slaves to cultivate the land. Over the next few hundred years, the island was subjected to a number of conquests and pirate incursions, and finally won the right to self-govern in 1912.

Millions of people visit Fuerteventura every year, whether it’s for a day trip excursion or a holiday, and most are impressed enough to come back year after year. With a perfect climate, clean beaches and a number of historical attractions to see, there’s plenty to keep yourself entertained on the island, and there’s even activities for children too. Let’s take a look at some of the must see attractions in Fuerteventura this summer.

Baku Waterpark

There’s nothing better than cooling down in a waterpark after a long day sunbathing, and the Baku Waterpark is the best attraction on the island is you’re travelling with children. Covering over 160,000 square foot, the Baku Waterpark is huge, and you can easily spend an entire day here with your family.

Located in the north of the island, there’s so much to see and do here that you won’t know where to start. From exciting waterslides and wave machines to tasty restaurants and spa treatments, parents as well as children will have a great time at the Baku Waterpark. If you haven’t rented a car, there’s also a shuttle bus service that takes you from the main town straight to the park. Visit cheapflights.co.uk for the best deals on flights to Fuerteventura.

The Fuerteventura Grand Tour

No matter where you go on holiday, taking a tour of the local area is always a sure-fire way of getting to know your surroundings, and thankfully Fuerteventura has a lot to offer! Although there are a number of tour operators on the island, the Grand Tour Company is by far the best, offering lots of extras for the price of your ticket.

From the historical old towns to the Tindaya Mountains, you’ll be able to explore Fuerteventura at your own pace, and there are lots of stop off points to get a drink or some food. Furthermore, at the end of the grand tour you’ll be taken to the beach to watch the sun go down over the island. With the option of a half day tour also available, you can even get dropped off at one of many attractions long the way, like the Dolphin Safari.