Exploring Greece on Two Wheels

Today’s featured guest post was written for Beat the Brochure by Ricky Durrance. My experience of Greece so far extends to a brief sailing holiday where I barely saw much other than some beautiful sea, so I welcomed this post, which shares ideas for exploring some of the wonders this country has to offer, by bicycle no less! On with the post…

Most people when on holiday in Greece head to the beach for a few days or weeks of relaxing. Others try and immerse themselves in the culture that is abundant in cities such as Athens and islands like Rhodes.

But the problem with being drawn to the popular places of interest is that often you do not get to see much else, which when in a county as fascinating as Greece is a real shame. 

One of the best ways to get to see the real Greece is to explore it by bike – and Greece is one of the best cycling countries in Europe with many different routes to choose from.

Cycling the Cyclade Islands

The Cyclade Islands are a group of 30 islands which offer the best of what Greece is all about. Throughout the islands you will discover some traditional villages and a way of life which has not changed too much over the decades.

Cycling through the islands will allow you plenty of opportunities to get that perfect photo of white-washed towns and blue seas that pop into most people’s minds when Greece is mentioned in conversation.

Many of the towns’ buildings have distinctive blue shutters on the windows which really give off a unique feel and are certainly aesthetically pleasing. Be warned however that the islands are in places hilly, so there will be uphill cycling involved, although these can always be avoided if you prefer a gentle ride to a hardcore cycling session!

Discover the Mythical Ionian Islands

Greece is perhaps as famous for its mythical tales as it is for its attractions, and if Greek myths and legends interest you, you may want to consider holidays in Greece which incorporate cycling the Ionian Islands.

These islands are located off the west coast of Greece, and each has something a little different to offer. Hellas for example is green and vibrant whilst Corfu has many undiscovered corners which have managed to avoid the downsides of mass tourism. The island of Ithaca is said to have been the home of Odysseus and is a must for all you myth buffs.

One common recurring theme that runs through these islands though is the food – the diet on these islands is said to be one of the healthiest in the world, so if you combine the food with all the exercise you’ll be doing on your bike, you could come back home healthier than you were before you left!

Mountainous Crete

If you like to cycle rough terrain whilst having plenty of opportunities to take in some fantastic views, explore some of the best beaches and relax in laid back fishing villages, consider a cycling holiday to Crete.

The island is famously mountainous so you also have the option to take on some challenging peaks, with Mountain Gingilos, which stands at 2080 metres, being a particular challenge. The island is full to the brim with ancient sites from Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras, so a popular thing to do is identify the sites which interest you and find the best route to explore them all when on all inclusive deals to the island!

Thanks to Ricky of Beat the Brochure for today’s post! Have you been to Greece? If you’ve got any tips to share, do hit up the comments below!

Today’s photos were sources from flickr users: Wolfgang Staudt, eflon,

Exploring Thailand's Contemporary Art Scene

Today’s featured post was provided by James, representing skyscanner.net. I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t entirely au fait with Thailand’s Contemporary Art scene, so thought you might find this post as interesting as I did! Enjoy!

First-time and returning visitors to Thailand alike can't help but be drawn to the stunning works of ancient art found in temples like Wat Phra Kaew and museums such as the National Gallery of Thailand or Prasart Museum.

Yet there is a thriving contemporary artistic community in Bangkok and beyond that is also worth exploring. Whether you are interested in investing in a piece to take home or simply want to hobnob with Bangkok's bohemians, there's bound to be a gallery for you.

Notable Artists

Thailand is still a deeply traditional country, and cultural traditions as well as the influence of Buddhism are seen in the work of many current artists. The artwork of Kamin Lertchaiprasert is reflective of this, with his meditative, almost surrealist photographs and prints. Chusak Srikwan is an artist attempting to bridge the gap between traditional Thai arts and contemporary fine art, with his emphasis on playful shadow puppetry used in whimsical installations.

For an interactive take on modern Thai society and commerce, Surasi Kusolwong is a multimedia installation and performance artist who has replicated a typical kitschy marketplace in various locations around the world, including London's Tate Modern. Cheap flights to Thailand will allow you to see the work of lesser known and up-and-coming artists, as well as these more famous international names.

Galleries and Museums in Bangkok

Bangkok's art scene is still somewhat disjointed compared to other cities, with many galleries being far-flung or touristy. The city's universities are always a good place to start looking at new artists, with art schools throwing exhibitions. Bangkok University has its own on-site art gallery with rotating works by current students.

If you've taken a Bangkok flight seeking works from more established artists, you may want to start by visiting the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, which opened its doors in 2008. It features several floors of galleries, as well as a film and music program. Lectures by local and international artists take place on a regular basis here.

The Bangkok Art Map is a free guide published monthly offering a roundup of what's happening in the city's galleries. This is distributed throughout the city's cafes, hotels, and museums, although you can also check the listings online. You can find 9 art galleries housed inside of the Silom Galleria, along with antiques and jewellery traders.

There are several more located on Silom Road, making this a prime location for a one-stop art shop. Sathorn Road is another centre for art galleries, with the H Gallery being one of the most prominent in this area. Gallery Ver is run by a local conceptual artist, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and is known for staging interactive and thought-provoking installations.

Further Afield

Thailand's art scene is not confined to Bangkok by any means. While you are exploring the countryside, you may stumble across artisans of all types, including painters, sculptors, and video artists. There are also galleries worth exploring in cities such as Phuket.

The Bodega is a café and hotel with local art for sale, while the D Gallery showcases art from Thai artists as well as other fresh talent from across Southeast Asia.

Chiang Mai also has a lively art community. The centrally located Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre gives a rundown of art from ancient times up until today, and the Chiang Mai University Art Museum exhibits work from students as well as visiting contemporary artists.

Thanks to James for providing today’s post. I’ve not been to Thailand yet (I know, what kind of traveller am I!) so today’s photos were all sourced from flickr user MikeBehnken, under a creative commons license.

Tips for a healthy cruise

Today’s featured post was provided by Sam Adkins, writing about the necessity for decent travel insurance when on a cruise. I believe that getting good travel insurance is important for any holiday, with cruise ships being no exception! Over to Sam to explain why travel insurance is so important for anyone embarking on an ocean based adventure…

Traveling on a cruise ship with several hundred people and a new place to explore every day is, for many, a dream holiday. There are new friends to be made as well as plenty of fun activities to enjoy on board, from swimming to dining, dancing to shopping. Some cruises even have gaming and Las Vegas style shows. True hotels on the ocean!

But it may not all be fun and games. As with any holiday, there are risks involved with a trip on a cruise ship, and for peace of mind a traveller would do well to prepare themselves in advance. Risks such as ship-borne illnesses can ruin everyone’s vacation, with the close quarters environment of a cruise ship meaning that infectious diseases can spread like wildfire.

Whilst you may not be able to avoid on board sickness at the time, if you have insurance, at least you can suffer through any illness in the knowledge than you are going to be well looked after and financially secure.

As well as sickness, there are other risks that a cruise ship can pose to your health.The constant motion caused by the sea, along with potentially wet stairs, mean that your chance of a slip or fall is probably higher than normal, particularly if you’ve not got your sea legs. Cruise ships are also as much at risk of fire or other incidents as other large hotels.

All these risks mean that having a good life and/or health insurance policy before leaving port is a wise investment. Purchasing coverage is not an added expense that should be avoided, particularly with the savings that can be made when shopping for insurance online. It can mean the difference between being able to deal with a medical emergency or crisis while away from home and feeling helpless. In addition, life coverage can cover your final expenses as a result of serious tragedy.

Going on a cruise without life and/or health coverage may seem like no big deal, but is just as much a disadvantage as traveling without pocket money. True, it may never be needed, but imagine being caught in a pinch without it. Those traveling without coverage will be liable for any and all expenses if a medical emergency arises. For example, if the need to be air lifted off the ship arises, without coverage the traveller will be billed for the service.

So, book the cruise and pack the luggage, just don’t forget to purchase piece of mind by getting insured. There is so much to do on a cruise, and so much fun to be had! No one wants to be bogged down by worrying what will happen in case of illness, accident, or death while on vacation. Life and/or health insurance plans can help ease these concerns as you will know that everything will be taken care of.

A boys african adventure

Today’s featured post was provided by Nicola, writing for Opulent Africa. When I was younger, I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which was one of the most incredible safari experiences I’ve ever had. I’m sure today’s adventure idea will appeal to many of you, gender aside!

As soon as we reach the age of toddlerhood a big divide in gender specific interest starts to unfold. Little girls might sit playing for hours with dollies and prams, whilst their male counterparts charge around the garden, climb trees, swing from ropes and generally fall and bounce back.

That’s not to say there aren’t a fair few tomboy’s charging around with them, or boys preferring to play along more domesticated themes, but in general little boys are often Tarzan’s in the making.

These traits usually pervade into adulthood to some degree. So it’s no wonder that the ultimate vacation for a group of adventurous guys can easily be based around an African safari.

Where better to base such an exploratory adventure than on a Botswana safari in the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi pans. Starting out in Botswana’s seasonally flooded pristine Okavango Delta a multitude of activities are available.

For the fearless, one can Mokoro (a traditionally dugout canoe) along the waterways and narrowing sparkling channels, careful not to bob along into a hippo or crocodile, but nevertheless enjoying some fabulous game viewing as elephants dot the banks. Alternatively ‘tiger fishing’ often comes out towards the top (catch and release policy) with man’s ever competitive edge surfacing for an afternoon.

Moving away from the Delta’s glistening reed lined channels there are land activities such as day and night game drives in the Kwedi Plains where you can seek out the nocturnal animals with a spotlight and tracker. Night Game Drives ignite the adrenalin easily as eyes, either cowering or focusing intently on prey, pop out of the dark undergrowth. If you fancy staying out overnight in a hide or ‘fly-camping’ for a few nights this too adds to the building excitement of viewing Botswana’s diverse array of animals.

In comparison and as a compliment to the Delta, there are the Makgadikgadi Pans which were formed from the remains of an ancient super lake that has receded and during the dry season leaves simply a glistening salt layer on top of a dry cracked and barren surface. With expansive salt pans stretching far into the horizon, a Kikoi on your head and the rumble of a nearby quad bike warming its engine, it’s clear to see the attraction of blasting through to the other side on an apocalyptic adventure.

With a light backpack it’s possible to camp out under Botswana’s beautiful night sky as stars twinkle brightly through the boughs of huge Baobab trees that you can lay beneath. These trees hold a story too as they are often studded with the bullet holes of past explorers using the trees to ‘sight’ their rifles.

For the more bird-loving male...it’s best to visit during the wet season, when tens of thousands of flamingos arrive in their droves to enjoy the shallow waters that form on the pans, for the rich pickings of algae and brine shrimp. In addition to being hauntingly beautiful, seasonally sustaining wildlife and being tempting to quad bike around, the Makgadikgadi pans are rich in archaeology, with thousands of stone-age tools being re-covered from the surface.

Botswana, it seems, can offer a very rugged experience of Africa that can scratch the itch of any boy looking to test his adventure skills.

Thanks to Nicola for providing today’s post. Have you been on safari in Africa? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

Credit for the first photo in this piece goes to Wilderness Safaris. The sunset across the Okavango Delta photo is from mdezemery on flickr. The elephant photo is from najeebkhan2009 on flickr.

Chase the Sun this Winter

Today’s featured guest post is from James, representing skyscanner.net. It’s that time of year where much of the Northern hemisphere is feeling, well, a bit on the grey, cold and wet side. Luckily, there’s a whole world of warm places to visit to chase those winter blues away. James shares four options below!

Winter in the UK can be a dreary affair: cold, damp days and long, dark nights with only the prospect of the occasional party (and subsequent hangover) to break the monotony. Why not change the plan this year and treat yourself to a bit of winter sun? Take it from me, January’s a lot easier to take on with a tan and, with a little bit of research, a winter break doesn’t necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg. Here are a few sample destinations for you to consider:

The Canary Islands

The Canaries attract thousands of UK tourists each winter, thanks to a wide range of flights to Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria leaving UK airports every day. The stunning volcanic islands offer easy access to all-year-round sun with winter temperatures averaging a comfortable 17C.

While some resorts are very much geared towards tourism (mainly Brits and Germans) there are still plenty of unspoiled, typically Canarian villages to visit and some of the most diverse and dramatic landscapes you’re ever likely to see.

Agadir, Morocco

Morocco offers the chance to experience the mystique of Northern African without enduring a marathon flight time – flights to Morocco from the UK on average take only 4 hours. With an average winter temperature of 21 °C, Agadir, located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast is a perfect winter destination with something for everyone: 10km of beach, lapped by warm, blue waters, great surfing, a huge range of restaurants, affordable accommodation and the fascinating Berber heritage.

Bodrum, Turkey

With an average winter temperature of around 17 °C, the port city of Bodrum, Turkey, provides an ideal destination for those who like it mild and sunny but not too hot.

In addition to its climate, Bodrum offers tourists excellent affordability due to Turkey being outside of the Eurozone.

While Bodrum is most definitely a party town during the summer season, it has a more laid-back appeal during the winter months, with cultural highlights such as Bodrum Castle (built by Crusaders in the 15^th Century) and the fantastic Museum of Underwater Archaeology drawing in the crowds.

With a wide range of flights to Bodrum available from UK airports, why not try a new bit of Turkey this winter?

The Andaman Coast, Thailand

Flights to Thailand from the UK take at least 12 hours, so you might want to have a couple of weeks to spare to enjoy this incredible part of the world.

The Andaman Coast and its people were hit hard by the devastating tsunami of 2004 but have recovered well since with resorts such as Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta and Railay continuing to draw tourists every winter thanks to their stunning natural beauty, sensational beaches, cheap accommodation and food, relaxed vibe and, most importantly, average winter temperatures of 30C.

Thanks to James and SkyScanner.net for providing today’s post! Are you planning a bit of Winter sun this year? Let us know in the comments section below!

As I haven’t been (I know, I need to get out more!) to many of the destinations in this post, the photo credit goes to flickr users: JeffOliver (Bodrum Castle), Joao Maximo (Agadir Beach), szeke (Canary Island sand dunes), Tim Ove (boat at sunset in Thailand)

Malaysia meets Britain, India and China on the island of Penang

Today’s featured guest post was provided by Joe, representing insureandgo.com. It’s a fascinating insight into Penang’s capital city of Georgetown in Malaysia and the colonial influences that made the city as it can be found today. It is definitely a place that is on my to-do list. Enjoy the read!

The city of Georgetown, with its blend of beautiful old colonial manor houses and soaring modern skyscrapers, is Penang's capital and one of the Malaysian island's biggest draws.

Founded in 1786 by British trader Francis Light, it is a city with bags of personality, made up of distinctive areas such as dusty Little India and lively Chinatown – as well as thriving modern business districts. It's a great place to hang out for a few days, or to use as a base for exploring the rest of the island.

As you approach Georgetown from the water, it's the shimmering modern skyscrapers that dominate the skyline – but on closer inspection the city has an historical area that is full of character and has a much slower pace of life than the modern city.

Although nowadays many of the colonial shophouses and grand mansions have a slight air of neglect about them, it's still easy to see how magnificent many of them will have been during their heyday. A number of guesthouses and hotels have taken up residence in some of the finer mansions, and it's this area that's most popular with backpackers, making for an atmospheric stay.

There are lots of laid-back tourist cafés dotted around, and these are a great place to meet fellow backpackers or try cheap Malaysian dishes – although if you venture into less touristy areas you'll find more authentic versions of the same dishes.

Exploring the old town you'll stumble across two compact but very different areas: Little India, and Chinatown. If you take a stroll around Chinatown early in the morning you'll find a selection of Dim Sum stalls, while the shops in Little India sell vibrant saris, trinkets, handicrafts and spicy Indian delicacies.

To get a taste of the late 19^th century wealth of the old part of Georgetown, visit the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion on Leith Street, former winner of a UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Conservation, where guided tours show off the building's architectural features across 38 spacious rooms and five courtyards. On the Esplanade you'll find one of the finest buildings from the heyday of the British Empire: the gleaming City Hall, built in the Edwardian Baroque style in 1903.

Georgetown is also a city of many faiths, and a wander around will lead you to a variety of places of worship including the the Dharmikara Burmese Buddhist Temple, the Kapitan Keling Mosque, the Anglican St. George's Church, and the Thai-style Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram.

To escape the heat of the city centre, take a half-hour ride up Penang Hill by funicular railway, and you'll get a superb view over the entire city.

It's also very straightforward to arrange a sightseeing trip around the rest of the island, visiting beaches, farming areas, fishing villages, batik factories, spice stores and lush jungle.

Get covered before you leave

Lots of travellers have lived to regret not buying travel insurance, because an emergency abroad can prove very costly.

There are lots of different types of travel insurance available, however, so you need to choose a policy that's appropriate for the type of trip you're planning. For example, if you take more than one or two breaks each year, consider an annual multi trip policy.

Do remember however that these usually limit the number of days you can spend abroad during any one trip. If you're off on an extended backpacking trip to Malaysia you will need to find the right kind of specialist cover.

Thanks to Joe for providing today’s post. Have you been to Georgetown? Do you have anything to share? Get involved in the comments below!

As I’ve not visited Malyasia yet, today’s photos were sourced from flickr users: P Donovan (graveyard & hotel), timparkinson (street), Gabbian (B&W Georgetown Street), xiangi (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion)

Spain vs. Portugal: the hottest holiday spot

Today’s featured guest post is from James, representing skyscanner.net (which happens to be one of my favourite tools for finding cheap flights!). James provided this article weighing up the positives of these two countries to help you decide between them, although personally, I plan to visit both! If you’ve got a favourite to share from these two, tell us about it in the comments at the end!

Often mentioned in a single breath when sunny, gorgeous and reasonably priced holiday destinations come up, both Spain and Portugal have plenty to tempt the holidaymaker. But how do you decide between the two? Check out some of the things that make the destinations special in their own right, and find out which most tickles your fancy.

Chasing history

Discovering some of the best sights of Portugal’s history is easy, and there are a few not to be missed experiences – such as strolling through the ancient university town of Coimbra or feeling your heart flutter in the romantic town of Sintra. You’ll also find many surviving castles and ruins dotted around the countryside.

However, Spain is bursting with castles, medieval towns and picturesque villages of its own. And with wonderful cultural treasures such as Roman relics, Muslim palaces, baroque cathedrals and Modernista constructions, it could be said that Spain just pips its rival to the post when it comes to spectacular sights.

The best beaches

For serene, gorgeous beaches, there are few areas better than Spain’s Menorca, a beachgoer’s mecca that encourages plenty of people to hunt for cheap flights to Spain. There you’ll find unspoilt stretches of sand as well as plenty of hidden coves and ravines for exploring.

On the other hand, Portugal’s seaside town of Cascais offers a great mix of youthful exuberance and history, as partygoers and holidaymakers mingle with historic fishing traditions that carry on to this day.

Fun festivals

Of course, there are some things that can only be properly enjoyed in their countries of origin – such as traditional celebrations and festivals. In Spain, you’ll have the chance to see man and beast collide in its traditional bullfighting as well as the unforgettable spectacle of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.

Get in touch with Portugal’s past by timing a visit to coincide with the Festas da Ria in Aveiro. Celebrating the Ria estuary, this is a massive party with seaweed covered boats, traditional dancing and performances.

Sunny surfing spots

Thanks to its mild climate combined with stiff offshore morning breezes, Portugal is particularly popular as a sunny surfing destination. It picks up swells from the north, west and south, meaning surfing conditions are nice and consistent, with more challenging waves in the winter and gentler conditions in the summer.

Spain is blessed with 4000km of coastline and world class surf of its own, and with so many beaches to choose from, you’re likely to be able to find a quiet spot to catch a few waves.

If you still can’t decide between the two great destinations, why not pick up cheap flights to Portugal then hire a car with the intention of crossing borders when you arrive!

Thanks to James for providing today’s article! James writes for Skyscanner.net, a cheap flights comparison site based in Scotland. For more information about Skyscanner, or to get in contact, check out the Skyscanner Linkedin page.

Today’s photos come from flickr users: valkie76 (Menorca Beach), szeke (Palacio da Pena, Portugal), –foxhusky- (Spanish stilt dancers) and marcp_dmoz (Burgos Cathedral) The surfing shot is mine.

Xmas and New Year in Edinburgh

Today’s sponsored post on spending Christmas and New Year in Edinburgh was put together in partnership with Joe, representing eurobookings.com. I love Edinburgh, and have visited on multiple occasions, – it is one of my all time favourite UK cities. Hitting up Edinburgh at Hogmanay, or New Year, is way up there on my to-do list!

Festive travellers are bound to be spoiled for choice when they hit the picturesque and quintessentially Scottish streets of Edinburgh over Xmas and New Year. And there’ll always be somewhere to stay with the huge array of hotels in Edinburgh city centre that are on offer during the festive period. So what has the city got going on that you should check out?

Christmas Market

Much like many of Britain’s larger cities, Edinburgh hosts a Christmas Market that offers fun for all the family, day and night. With fairground rides, speciality continental food stalls, gift stalls, a beer hall and the incredible Edinburgh Wheel, offering stunning views of the cities iconic landmarks, Edinburgh’s Christmas market is unparalleled. 

Not only this, but if you like to ice skate around Christmas, the market is in close proximity to one of the largest ice rinks in Europe!

Hogmanay

The streets of Edinburgh play host to an immense street party every single year on New Year’s Eve and truly are a sight to be seen. A torchlight procession creates the illusion of a river of fire through the city, and there's live music from some of the biggest and most influential artists around.

This year, Edinburgh’s partygoers will be Primal Scream, Mark Ronson, Friendly Fires and The Vaccines, who will all play against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. More details on the Hogmanay celebrations and how to get tickets can be found here.

Shopping

The Old Town in Edinburgh is a fascinating place to enjoy a spot of retail therapy and to grab a few trinkets and bargains while you’re there. Lined with all manner of quirky boutique shops and independent eateries, the maze of streets that makes up the Old Town area really is unique.

The Sights

The Royal Observatory, Nelson's Monument and the National Museum of Scotland are all essential sights. Top of the list though, should be a trip to Edinburgh Castle.

This imposing building is perched on an edifice in the centre of Edinburgh, and is a magnificent castle to explore. There’s also a daily gun salute at 1pm from an actual cannon - not to be missed!

Princes Street

The main shopping street in Edinburgh, Princes Street provides the milieu for a wide-ranging programme of multi-cultural events between now and the end of December, from street artists to live music and even the Scottish Snowsports Festival!

Climb a hill

Edinburgh is a wonderful city to explore by foot. If you’re looking for a great view, you should consider taking a walk to the top of Calton Hill, which is right in the middle of Edinburgh. As well as having an amazing view, it is also home to the “National Monument”, an acropolis built in 1816.

If you’re looking for more hills to climb, then a walk to Arthur’s Seat, situated around a mile from Edinburgh castle, is another must. Looming 250m above the city, this hill offers incredible views across the city and surrounding area.

And that is that for Edinburgh! Thanks to Joe for helping put this one together. Have you been to Edinburgh for Hogmanay? Got any stories to share, or places you recommend to visit in Edinburgh? Do share them in the comments below!

Despite having been to Edinburgh many times, for some reason I have no decent photos of this marvellous city. So today’s photo credits go to DecoByDesign for Edinburgh Castle, Katy-Mac for the Hogmanay street shot, phault for the shot across Edinburgh to Arthur’s Seat, and hockadilly for the firework shot at the beginning!

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Cyprus

Today’s sponsored guest post was provided by Jay, representing directholidays. I’ve never been to Cyprus, but I have to say, having read this post, it’s now on my list of places to visit! Enjoy, and as always, do share your own experiences in the comments at the end!

Quaint villages, medieval castles, stunning beaches and dramatic coastlines all make Cyprus one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Influenced by both the East and the West, Cyprus is home to an intriguing mix of cultures and as a result, has its own unique and fascinating character.

We’ve put together a list of our top five things to see and do in Cyprus, so now all you have to do is find Cyprus holiday deals and make sure you leave plenty of time to see everything this beautiful island has to offer.

St Hilarion Castle

Believed to be the inspiration behind Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, St Hilarion is situated on the Kyrenia mountain range and has been wonderfully preserved by local authorities. Whether your interest lies in the history of the place or in the spectacular views that reach all the way to Turkey, a visit to this castle is a must for any Cyprus holiday.

Turtle watching

Across the unspoilt beaches of Northern Cyprus turtles still come to nest, with the majority flocking to the shores of Alagadi, otherwise known as Turtle Beach. The endangered green and loggerhead turtles hatch their eggs and a few months later the newborns dig their way to the surface before scurrying into the sea. The best time to watch this fascinating sight is from the end of June to the beginning of July.

 

Byzantine Churches

With numerous UNESCO listed Byzantine churches located across Cyprus, it is well worth fitting at least one or two of these historic, intricately painted buildings into your holiday schedule. These churches can be found throughout the island but the centuries’ old structures situated high in the Troodos Mountain region are amongst the countries architectural treasures.

 

Ancient Salamis

Once the most important city in Ancient Cyprus, the ruins of Salamis are still a sight to behold. The site stretches for 5km, encompassing a theatre, gymnasium, Roman baths, the Basilica of St Epiphanius and the temple of Zeus Salaminious, all enclosed within the ancient city walls. Take a day to explore the entire grounds before relaxing on the nearby sandy beach.

 

Ayia Napa

After all that history and culture, why not let your hair down in the party town of Ayia Napa? Once a quiet fishing village, Ayia Napa exploded onto the party scene in the late 1970s and has since become extremely popular amongst revellers and club-goers. Make your way to one of the great restaurants in the resort serving delicious Mediterranean cuisine before heading to The Square to get in and amongst fun.

Again, thanks to Jay for providing such an informative post. As I’ve not been to Cyprus myself, today’s photos were sourced from Flickr, with credit going to LaRezistance for the St.Hilarion Castle shot, TeryKats for the Ayia Napa shot and U Kersting for the fabulous sunset shot at the beginning.

Visiting Australia’s Gold Coast on a budget

Today's sponsored post was provided by Jay, representing travelex. It explains how to travel Australia's Gold Coast on a budget.

I spent a year in Australia on a 60,000km road trip in '09, and watched as the price of the currency I was buying rose steadily against my poor weakening pound, so the advice in here is good news for anyone looking to squeeze the last drops out of their currency.

Australia is one of the most stunning countries you could ever visit, with the Gold Coast being one of the most popular areas for tourists to head to.

The sprawling coastal city is home to a huge amount of attractions for the whole family, giving some of the most built up areas of this usually crowd-free country a feel similar to Las Vegas.

The amusement parks include Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, WhiteWater World and the Warner Bros. Movie World. You’ll also be able to interact with many of nature’s creatures at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

There is so much to do here, each day of your trip can be packed full of action and adventure, which can all start to make a big dent in your budget. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to. It is possible to visit Australia’s Gold Coast on a budget.

One of the best ways to save on your long haul vacation is to compare currency exchange rates for the Australian Dollar to make sure you get a great rate. Then, when booking your flight, keep monitoring the prices online and check with a variety of different airlines. The flight is one of the biggest costs when heading to anywhere in Australia, but as the Gold Coast is such a popular destination it is relatively easy to find cheap deals from a variety of US airports.

Getting the best deal on a flight may involve a stopover for a few days somewhere along the way, or at least a few hours while you change planes somewhere. Being a little creative with your flights and not being fussy about a couple of changes can actually get you a good deal. If you’re not confident on finding flights yourself, try going through a tour operator who’ll be able to book your entire trip for you including your flights and accommodation.

If you haven’t already got your accommodation sorted out, consider staying in hostels or backpacker accommodation while you’re on the Gold Coast. Throughout Australia there are thousands of hostels offering private rooms as well as shared dorms. There are mainstream chains and independents all over the Gold Coast offering great deals on nightly rates. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous why not hire a campervan?

Whichever way you want your holiday to go, there are great ways to see and do everything while sticking to your budget.

Thanks to Jay for providing today’s post! Got any more tips for travelling Australia on a budget? Do share them in the comments!

Travel insurance nightmares: will you be OK without it?

Today’s featured guest post was provided by Tom, representing money supermarket.

By happy co-incidence, this post is all about a trip to France, which is somewhere I’m very interested in reading about, given that I’ve just moved here. So thanks to Tom for that. Read on to find out about why travel insurance is so important for your travels.

Plenty of us will be embarking on expensive holidays to far flung places to escape the drear this Winter, and a huge number of us will also forget (or purposefully neglect) to buy travel insurance, or at least one that provides adequate cover. No matter whether it’s single trip, annual multi-trip or worldwide travel insurance we need to buy, many of us travel without it. I know because I’ve been one of those people before – and regretted it.

Fairly recently, my partner and I took a trip to France to stay in his father’s house near Le Puy-en-Velay, in a tiny, tiny little village called Saint Bonnet de Montauroux. We’d failed to do a travel insurance compare, let alone purchase any kind of insurance cover.

Due to return home from Montpellier airport, we decided that we’d spend the last night of our 10-day trip in a hotel in the city to spread the travel across a couple of days and see a few of the sights.

Granted, the hotel we ended up with was hardly salubrious (naming no names, but it begins with E, and it’s a big chain), but it was OK. It had good reviews on Trip Advisor, and I was satisfied that I wasn’t going to get mugged or horrified by the unsanitary conditions, so we booked (actually, we tried booking somewhere else first, but my French simply wasn’t good enough to do it over the phone, so we went with the backup).

Arriving there, it was in a kind of retail-park-style area, which was by no means run down. Anyway, we got there after being horrifically lost for an hour (turned out we’d actually come really close to finding the hotel on several occasions), and went straight out again for dinner, slightly stressed, but relieved to be there.

So we had a beautiful meal in La Coquille, which actually happened to be right opposite the hotel I would have liked to have gone with – the Hotel du Palais (looked beautiful and quaint, and the square we sat in for our meal was so French!).

On the left-hand side of the road, La Coquille, and on the right, Hotel du Palais

A Seabass and a medium-rare Steak and some ropey French lingo later, we went for drinks, wandering around the city’s streets between bars and just soaking up the sights on what turned out to be a gloriously balmy early-October evening.

We walked home, which took just half an hour, and were in bed by 11pm, ready to fly home the next morning. I decided to watch something on our laptop to go to sleep to, and I did just that.

The next morning, I woke up and had a shower. However. Something was amiss. Where was the laptop..? Where could the laptop possibly be? Have you got the laptop? No, I thought you’d moved it… Where could it b… WHERE’S OUR LAPTOP?!

Oh, no... So, yes, like you, we came to the conclusion it had been stolen from our room while we were sleeping. Turned out (when the hotel looked at the CCTV footage) that we hadn’t shut our door properly, and an opportunist guest, who walked past and noticed the error of our ways, went back to his room to get his friend to come down and distract reception for him.

Later, we found that he’d taken not only the laptop, but our English and French cash, my brand new and very expensive digital camera, my partners designer (and horrendously expensive) watch, and… our rental car keys (which, yes, had the registration number written on the keyring).

So all in all, that silly, silly mistake came to more than £19,000. We had no travel insurance to fall back on, and when we agreed to rent a car from our particular rental company without purchasing extra insurance cover, we signed a contract verifying that we would be liable for the entire cost of the car, should it be written off or stolen.

Oh my god.

So. While it could have been so much worse (i.e. one or both of us were injured or fell ill – then we most likely wouldn’t have been entitled to treatment), we came undone that day, simply because we were too tight to buy holiday insurance, and didn’t think anything of this sort would happen to us.

Don’t go on holiday without buying insurance, it’s really not worth saving the £20 or £50 you’d otherwise have spent on it.

Thanks to Tom and money supermarket for providing this post!

Three Incredible Australian Destinations

Today’s post was provided by flight deals agency cheapflights.co.uk.

I spent a year in Australia, but still managed to miss seeing two of these three must-see attractions – a testament largely to the sheer size of this incredible country. I can’t recommend visiting enough! Enjoy the post.

Australia is a country of incredible landscapes and breath taking views. The country’s appeal as a holiday destination is evident with nearly six million visitors a year and a huge choice of locations, from city getaways and beach resorts to mountain trekking and sports holidays.

There are now an abundance of cheap Australia flights which means you plan a great holiday without breaking the bank. Here a few locations to consider.

Whitsunday Islands

Situated within a national park, the Whitsunday Islands are a stunning chain of 64 small islands that are largely uninhabited. Much of the area is protected due to its national park status, so the area is mostly undeveloped with a few resorts dotted around the coastline. It's a great opportunity to see Australia's unspoilt natural beauty.

The islands are close to the Great Barrier Reef so it's a short trip out by boat to visit them and you can scuba dive among the sea life of the reef or view the underwater world from the relative comfort of a glass bottom boat.

Sydney

It seems obvious as a choice of destination but Sydney is popular with holiday makers for a reason. Full of beautiful buildings and cultural landmarks, Sydney is the perfect location for a city break. For starters, take in the harbour air while dining in one of the many fine restaurants at darling harbour, where almost any cuisine can be found, be it Italian, seafood, steak house or Chinese. A stroll around the city offers wonderful views of the Sydney Opera House on the waterfront and the fantastic architecture of the city.

Dampier Peninsula

Dampier is located on the north west coast of Western Australia and is famed for its rich Aboriginal culture. The area is filled with small indigenous communities so it's a great opportunity to see some of Australia's non-colonial history.

Places like Chile Creek or La Djardarr are still very isolated and transport round the area should be taken via a 4 wheel drive car, since the main road across Dampier is still an original dirt track, which will be too much to handle for a standard rental car.

There are plenty of historical sites in the area like the visitor centre at Broome, or the Sacred Heart Church, which was built by both Aboriginals and Pallotine Monks in the early 20th century.

Thanks to cheapflights.co.uk for today’s post! All the images were mine, from my year long trip around Australia. Do you have a favourite part of Australia that you think should be on any visitors itinerary? Feel free to share in the comments below!

The Five Things That You Should Always Check before You Get Your Holiday Underway

Today’s post, as well as winning a prize for my longest post title ever, is a sponsored post provided by Jenny of Parkbcp. It has five handy pre-travel tips, and is well worth the read. Enjoy!

Sometimes accidents can happen and these can put a dampener on your holiday. Things like losing your passport, your wallet or worse - missing your flight - can all ruin your holiday.

But there are things that you can do in order to minimise any risk and make sure that you are prepared for your journey and any unwanted eventualities.

1. Travel Insurance

Make sure that you have all of the relevant travel insurances and policies up to date. Many bank accounts now have travel insurance attached to them, so before you go out and purchase insurance check with your bank first in case you already have it. Once you have got your insurance read through all of your policies carefully and make sure you know what you are covered for.

2. Money Safety

Think about how you are going to transport your spending money. It is always a wise idea to make sure that you have more than one route to money when you are away. Never take all of your cash out with you and if you have a room with a secure safe then lock up some of your cash in there, in case your wallet gets stolen whilst you are away from the hotel.

Keep your cards away from your cash too, so if you are a victim of a pick pocket they will only take one of your ways that you can access your money. Traveller’s cheques are still probably one the safest ways to take cash on holiday with you.

3. Passport

Make sure that your passport is up to date, nothing can be more frustrating than turning up at the airport and finding out that you are not able to travel as your passport has expired!

4. Car Safety

Make sure that your car is safe and secure whilst you are away. If you have driven to the airport then you will need to make sure that your car is left in a safe and secure place to protect it against theft and damage. In order to ensure this then you can book yourself into an airport car park. Airport Parking is available at most of the UK airports including Heathrow Parking, Gatwick Parking and Liverpool Airport Parking.

5. Flight times

Finally it might sound like an obvious point but make sure that you check your flight times and the date of travel. You would be surprised at the number of people who either turn up on completely the wrong day or turn up at check-in late and are therefore not able to get onto their flight. If you do miss your flight as a result of your own negligence then you will be required to pay for another ticket if you are found seats on a later flight.

Thanks to Jenny for providing such a helpful post! If you’ve got any tips to add, do share them in the comments below! Credit for the photo goes to Christopher Elison.

The best beaches in Barbados

This sponsored post was written by Chris Leadbeater, a full time freelance travel journalist with a wealth of travel experience under his belt. Today he is talking about one of my favourite topics: beaches, on the wonderful island destination of Barbados. Enjoy!

When it comes to destinations whose beaches are worth crossing an ocean for, Barbados has few close competitors. This Caribbean island has become a firm holiday favourite in the last 30 years – thanks to both the warm waters that swaddle its sun-kissed contours and the many glorious strips of sand that lie along the 60 miles that make up its shoreline.

And yet, no beach in Barbados is the same as its neighbour. This teardrop-shaped isle 'suffers' from a case of seafront schizophrenia. Its west coast, sheltered from the fury of the open ocean by its proximity to the South American landmass, is nuzzled by the gentle touch of the Caribbean Sea. But the east coast, where the unfettered Atlantic bangs its head against long-pounded rocks, is a distinctly more wild and spray-flecked proposition.

So which beach should you try? Below we list five of the best. And all are easily reached. Direct Barbados flights are available from airports in the UK and Europe on a daily basis.

Best for sunbathing – Crane Beach

A proud fixture on the south-east coast, Crane Beach is a combination of the two sides of Barbados's split personality. Major breakers roll to land here, but the beach itself is a soft stretch, fringed by palm trees – the very vision of a perfect Caribbean crescent. Cameras at the ready. For those who want to stay in the lap of luxury, the beach is also overlooked by The Crane, a five-star resort that basks in its position on a headland above the waves.

Best for relaxation – Bottom Bay

If Crane Beach is a well-marked portion of the map, Bottom Bay is its (almost) unknown cousin. Huddled at the south-east corner of the island, below the tiny hamlet of Apple Hall, this is a simple slice of sand – and little else. No noisy bar, no nearby hotel – just a clutch of swaying palm fronds and a photogenic tranquillity. Realistically you need a hire car (and a map) to find this hidden-away spot – but its peacefulness rewards the effort.

Best for Bajan flavour – Speightstown Beach

Although all beaches on Barbados are officially open to the public, much of the shore on the island's coveted west coast is shrouded from view behind high-end hotels and holiday homes. One exception to this is the main body of sand in Speightstown. Barbados's 'second city' is a joyful cocktail of brightly-painted clapboard houses, street stalls and tumbledown churches – and its beach is alive with local life, especially at the weekend.

Best for sunsets – Brandons Beach

Also pitched on the west coast (although nearer to the capital Bridgetown than north-westerly Speightstown), Brandons Beach is another delightful gap in the gilded wall of accommodation. With its undisturbed view onto the embers of the day, it is an ideal place in which to soak up a classic Caribbean sunset, especially if you retreat to Weisers Bar – a popular hang-out where you can toast evening's arrival with a potent cocktail in hand.

Best for surfing – Bathsheba Beach

Barbados's east coast bears little relation to its western sibling. This Atlantic-lashed flank is largely bereft of accommodation – and visitors here should take care as the currents are often too strong for swimming. But the small seafront community of Bathsheba attracts its share of tourists. The beach here, piled high with boulders, is unlikely to feature in any chocolate adverts – but surfers are a regular presence, riding Neptune's ire just off shore.

Thanks to Chris for this excellent article! Have you been to any of these beaches, or do you have a favourite that was missed out? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo credits from flickr: gemteck1, photorall

Don’t let travel delays ruin your holidays

Today’s post is a sponsored post from Nick of holiday extras, a UK based travel company.

Traffic jams are the dread of holidaymakers the world over. And although they’re not ideal, there are definitely ways to make the best out of a bad situation.

There are the obvious answers – leave plenty of time to get to the airport so you can minimise the stress of traffic jams, pack a few travel games and magazines – that’ll keep you all entertained for a good hour.

Maybe even get the kids watching a DVD on one of those portable players.

However, even with a few carefully prepared distractions up your sleeves, I know it doesn’t really calm the nerves as you set off on the long and winding road to the airport.

My one piece of advice would be to cut the stressful journey out altogether. And no, I’m not referring to hiring a private jet from your garden! Simply make the trip towards the airport the day before your flight, and book into one of the many fantastic airport hotels available around the country. You can take all the time you need getting there, and at the end of the journey you can wind down in comfort and enjoy a relaxing evening of good food and a great night’s sleep.

There are hotels all over the country, from Stansted airport hotels to Birmingham airport hotels and many more. And if you’re looking to add an extra day onto your holiday with a day trip before you fly, the Heathrow Airport hotels and Gatwick hotels are always well situated to explore our fabulous capital city!

The Importance of Travel Insurance

Today’s post is a sponsored post, written by Paulina Stankiewicz of Essential Travel. Whilst I didn’t write it, the message contained within is important for every traveller – travel insurance really is a must purchase for your trip, as the story below helps to illustrate. (The pictures are all mine :))

Being an avid traveller, I love to explore new countries, cultures, and landscapes. From the deserts of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula to the lush rain forests of the Amazon, my ambition is to experience and discover as much of the world as possible.

Last year when I got the infamous ‘travel itch’, a few friends and I decided to take a trip to South Africa for an experience of a lifetime. We planned to visit the Western Cape for 2 weeks: a drive up the Stellenbosch wine route, a day playing with penguins at Boulder’s Beach, and taking surf lessons in Big Bay. Excitedly, I packed my bags and headed to Heathrow to meet the others and fly south for our African adventure.

Having taken several international trips before (and encountering a few lost luggage or flight delay mishaps) I knew to take out travel insurance in case anything went awry. The three friends that I was travelling with thought I was being paranoid and wasting unnecessary money on getting a policy; money that could be used as extra holiday spending. When taking a trip like the one to South Africa, you ought to realise the dangers of what could happen (stolen property, lost luggage, requiring medical assistance) and not let an unfortunate inconvenience get in between you and your holiday.

Our expedition got off to an incredible start. We touched down in Cape Town and took full advantage of the natural beauty, laid back atmosphere, and great restaurants. If you enjoy good burgers, head to Royale Eatery on Long Street for the best burgers in town and great 1950s diner decor that add a hip and fun ambiance to the restaurant. Then, walk a few steps to Neighbourhood for tasty cocktails and a great view onto the busy street below from the outside balcony.

After a few days of eating well and exploring the city sights, we made our way to the beautiful Big Bay, with a breathtaking view on the majestic Table Mountain. We had booked a few surf lessons (all of us novices) and thoroughly enjoyed getting a taste of riding the waves. Unfortunately, one of my friends had a minor accident and cut her foot on a sharp rock and had to go to the hospital to see if she needed stitches, or if a bandage and gauze would suffice.

Luckily the cut wasn’t deep enough to warrant stitches, it just needed to be properly cleaned and bandaged, however, she of course had to pay for the medical bill, which would have been covered had she taken out a travel insurance policy. I knew that my friends felt a bit sheepish for telling me that travel insurance wasn’t a necessity (especially since we were engaging in activities like surfing that put us at risk of injury) but I was happy that the accident was nothing serious and didn’t ruin our holiday. Needless to say, now when my friends and I travel we all purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy and travel safely.

Don’t take unnecessary risks when you want to make great memories and explore the world! Most travel insurance policies are very affordable and can really help you out when you’re overseas and requiring assistance.

Thanks to Konrad for providing this story illustrating the benefits of travel insurance. If you have any tales to share on the subject of travel insurance, do let me know in the comments below!