Holiday destinations in Europe

With a huge thanks to Kyla and Susan lets make a little tour around the North and Center Europe. From Iceland to Montenegro, passing through Norway, Sweden and Romania, several proposals for a bit more adventurous holidays.

Europe offers a wealth of holiday destinations with everything from cities and beaches to cultural and culinary delights. You don't need to settle for noisy beaches and teeming cities. There are lots of enchanting places for holidays and adventure away from the crowds.

Iceland - a perfect destination for family adventure holidays. See the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights in spring and autumn. Climb a glacier or snorkel in clear blue water all on the same day. Iceland caters for all ages and all fitness abilities. Go hiking over grassy plains and lava-strewn meadows, or swim in a naturally heated pool. Even small villages boast swimming pools warmed by Iceland's volcanic heat. The countryside here is a dream for horse riders. Small, sturdy Icelandic horses are perfect for beginners and children and they can pick up a fast gallop for confident adults.

Varmland and Dalarna - travel a little further south to the borders of Sweden and Norway. The forests, farmland and lakes of Varmland are the most beautiful parts of Sweden. You can hike through the forests and kayak along the rivers. Get the whole family pedaling a special trolley that rides along the Klaralvs Banan, a disused railway track with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Hikers and older children with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy the Dalarna Mountains, lakes and valleys just to the north of Varmland. Dalarna means "The Dales" in Swedish. It's where Swedes love to celebrate the midsummer holiday in June. The region is also a haven for skiing enthusiasts. The Vasaloppet, a 90-kilometre cross-country ski marathon takes place here in March between two villages. Add some culture to your adventure holidays when you reach Mora and visit the museum dedicated to Anders Zorn, one of Sweden's most famous painters.

Transylvania - there's more to Transylvania, part of south and central Romania today, than Dracula's Castle. This part of the Carpathian Mountains has been ruled over through the centuries by Romans, Hungarians, Bulgarians and Ottomans. Saxon merchants founded the region's seven major historical cities and Brasov is one of these cities. Dracula's Castle is close by and history and suspense are part of the adventure here.

There are leisurely walking tours for children and mountain trekking and rock climbing for fitter adults. Local guides will take you through the ancient forest where wolves, bears and lynx can be seen. Follow the minor roads down the mountains through old Turkish, Tatar, Ukrainian and Romanian villages to the delta of the River Danube. May is the best time of year to see traditional festivals in the villages and the bird settlements around the Danube delta's floating islands.

Montenegro - drive down the coast road from the popular Croatian resort of Dubrovnik and head for Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor, the largest fjord in Europe and which is surrounded by the Orjen Mountains, lies just beyond the tiny coastal strip of Bosnia. Montenegro (its name means "Black Mountain") is a perfect choice for family holidays, as long as all members have a head for heights. This is a country of dizzying mountains and pristine ancient forests.

Visit the Tara River Canyon in the middle of the Durmitor Mountains. This is the world's biggest canyon after the United States' Grand Canyon. Water in the river comes from numerous mountain springs and pummels through the canyon in over 40 cascades. Europe's adventurous destinations are only a maximum of four hours flying time away. Enjoy the thrills without the jet lag.

The usual thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the nice photos and once again to Susan who regulary writes on European family adventure holidays for a range of tourism websites and blogs.

4 Things to Witness in 2012

Once again with David this time to know all about 4 things to see in 2012, if not in loco at least online :) A big thanks to you David and let's go!

Why not make this the year you realize your travel ambitions by seeing some of the world's most enthralling spectacles? If you commit to witnessing four of the top events, sights and happenings over the next year, you'll finish it feeling wiser, happier and more invigorated. So book your flights, arrange your travel money and dig out your passport!

The London Olympics

This is going to be the big event in the UK's capital city this year and excitement is growing across the nation as preparations for the ultimate sporting occasion take place. You'll need to be fast to snap up the remaining tickets and there will also be large screens around the stadiums for fans to soak up the sporting atmosphere.


Book early for good quality accommodation, as the best is likely to go very fast. Do the same with train tickets and other advance bookings. You could make a week of it and also see the capital's myriad attractions while you’re there, for a genuine trip to remember.

The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are on many a would-be traveler's wish list and are one of the most spectacular natural spectacles on the planet. There are different places to see the lights, such as Norway, Lapland, Iceland and even the northernmost parts of Scotland at certain times of the year. You can see the lights on land or on cold-water cruises, which are becoming extremely popular.


Marlborough Wine Festival

Why not take in some culture and visit one of the many wine festivals held worldwide to taste the latest creations from the vineyard artisans? The Brancott Estate in New Zealand's South Island is well worth a visit for its three-day festival of wine and food, with fifty wineries on hand to present their latest offerings and hold workshops. The festival runs every year in February and is a great starting point for seeing this beautiful part of the world.


Pamplona Bull Running

This is one of the ultimate Spanish festivals for those who love adrenaline and have no issue with bull fighting! The bull running begins at midday on the 6th July each year.


Thousands of visitors gather in the square to run with the bulls, celebrate with vast quantities of sangria and generally have a good time. Join in at your peril - tourists do invariably get hurt every year for failing to follow safety precautions and keep out of the way of the bulls!

Top 5 Cruise Locations

And lets give a warm welcome to Sarah who is for the first time participating with a guest post. Also the usual thanks to Wikimedia and to Open Galleries for the nice photos and off go to Sarah's fantastic Top 5 Cruise Locations!

Whether you are a fan of adventure or prefer relaxing under sun-drenched skies, the number of holiday cruises available means that there is always something for everyone. Simply check out what is on offer and choose the destination that has everything you are looking for. To give you some ideas here are five of the best, beginning with one or two action-packed adventure cruises.


Traditionally one of the most popular of all cruise destinations, the Bahamas has everything the fun-seeker needs. Aside from the glorious stop-off beaches, fantastic weather and beautiful locations, the Bahamas offers the chance to partake in a variety of water-related activities. Take a guided scuba-diving day out and swim with the dolphins. Alternatively, stay above water on a thrilling speedboat or hop aboard a sailing vessel and become a temporary member of an actual sailing team.

While there is no doubting that Hawaii is surrounded by some of the most stunning scenic views on the planet, it is also a place sure to satisfy even the hungriest of thrill seekers. Among the many highlights you can enjoy at this location is the famous North Shore of Oahu, regarded by many as the best surfing experience there is. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on solid ground, take the hike across the lava fields leading to real live and active volcanoes. Here, you can take in all the fire pits and lava tubes, saving the best till last -- an 11-mile crater rim.


For those who prefer the quieter life, then the options here are no less abundant. Among the most popular, however, is a cruise that will take you through all the stunning glory of the Fjords of Norway. Cruise through numerous colossal, slender fjords that appear to rise to the heavens. The experience is sure to leave you breathless and humbled in the presence of these glorious natural wonders. Just bear in mind that the best time to take this cruise is during the months of June through to August.

If the Fjords of Norway sound a bit chilly to you then you may well prefer to take the cruise that takes you through the glories of the South Pacific. While some may find the long distances covered going from island to island leaves them with too much idle time on their hands, for others this will prove the perfect antidote to the stresses of everyday life. In addition, the extensive traveling rarely ends in disappointment, the highlights including the tropical paradises of the Fiji and the Polynesian Islands.


Finally, we have what, for a great number of people, is the absolute number one cruise destination - the Caribbean. Comprising a thread of tiny islands peppering the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean offers river falls in Jamaica, whitewater rafting in the rainforests of Costa Rica, snorkeling with stingrays or horse riding along the region's unrivaled beaches.

Suffice to say the planet is truly blessed with an unlimited number of outstanding destinations for adventure seekers and leisure fans alike. Simply decide what it is you are looking for, check out what is available in the way of cheap cruise holidays, make your choice and book.