Exploring the Spanish Mediterranean

Tweet

guest post by Roisin

Spend a holiday to remember on the Mediterranean Sea in Ibiza and Barcelona!

If you are dreaming of hot sun, stunning beaches and fabulous opportunities for entertainment, come to Ibiza, one of the largest islands of the Balearic Islands. This outstanding summer resort is a real peace of heaven where there is something for everyone. From the interesting landmarks and cultural highlights, to the terrific towns and villages set just on the coastline, you will fall in love with Ibiza from the first glance.

Santa Eulalia is among the most attractive and popular resorts on the island that has everything for a fabulous holiday on the Mediterranean. It is well known for its gastronomical specialties and abundance of cultural events that will enrich your vacation. The picturesque beaches are truly memorable and relaxing. Whether you enjoy your leisure time sunbaking with an exotic cocktail or you prefer more active water sports, you will not be disappointed!

Hotel Es Canar lies just beside the outstanding Es Canar beach with miles of exquisite fine sand gently washed by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. The panoramic views from the hotel will take your breath away! The quality of service and the abundance of amenities will make you want to stay here forever. There are 240 rooms, stylishly furnished and fully equipped with television, air-conditioning, bathroom, balcony, telephone, ceiling fan and safe. A restaurant, children’s playgrounds, swimming pools and internet are only a few of the benefits the hotel offers for its guests.

Barcelona is one of the biggest and most attractive cities on the Mediterranean that has a lot to offer for a marvellous summer holiday. It has a distinctive and a captivating appearance that makes it one of Europe’s most popular and sought destinations. The awe-inspiring architecture of the city, its rich Catalan history and superb natural beauty are a few of the treasures that make for the charismatic charm of Barcelona. It is a magnet for sightseers as well as for football fans that come here to support their favorite team. Barcelona hostels are a better alternative to the hotels if you have a limited budget but still want to relax in accommodation with a wide variety of facilities and amenities.

Options include the Centric Point Hostel, located in the shopping and cultural centre of Barcelona, the Gothic Point Hostel, set near the historical heart of the city or the Gothic Square or Sea Point Hostel, both near Barcelona’s sundrenched beach. Rooms feature internet access, TV, music, Wii football and free breakfast. Hostels dispense excellent travel advice keeping the visitor up to date with everything happening in the city.

So whether you choose the sun-soaked beaches and nightspots of Ibiza or prefer the cultural capital of Spain, Barcelona, you are able to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime on the Spanish Mediterranean.

Photo Credits: Ibiza, Santa Eulalia, Es Canar, Sagrada Familia, football

Experience the Majestic Himalayas (India)

Tweet

guest post by Shakti Himalaya

No other mountain range in the world can match the sheer majesty of the Himalayas. It's often called the "Roof of the World," and with good reason. We've all heard of Asia's famous peaks: Everest, Annapurna, K2 and others.

They're the stuff of legend and home to the mythical Shangri-La; many cultures throughout history have seen the Himalayas as sacred places, the homes of gods, even as embodiments of the gods themselves. These peaks have been the focus of movies and books, and they've been the crowning achievements in the career of many an explorer or mountaineer.

The Himalayas deserve their fame, though. They not only contain the world's highest peak, they tower above the rest of the world's mountains with room to spare. To get a bit of perspective, know that Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside of Asia, is 6,962 metres tall. It's located in the South American Andes, the only range that could even begin to give the Himalayas a bit of competition. At 8,848 metres, Mount Everest is taller by almost thirty percent. Also, the Himalayan system contains over 100 peaks higher than 7,200 metres. And by all indications, the Himalayas are a young range and still growing.

Young by geological standards, that is. The Himalayas are still far older than even the most distant of mankind's ancestors and have had profound effects on human culture for as long as our species has existed. They're not easily skirted and are even more difficult to cross; the Himalayas have long served as a barrier between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. Who knows what might have been if the armies of Genghis Khan had been able to cross this forbidding hurdle? Even with twentieth century equipment, the region's higher peaks can still claim the lives of unprepared mountaineers.

There is much more to the Himalayas than dangerous expeditions and unattainable summits, however. Almost all of Asia's major rivers have their origins in the "Abode of Snow," rivers that have long sustained the surrounding civilizations. The glaciers and eternal snows of the Himalayas contain such a large portion of the planet's fresh water that only the polar ice caps hold more.

Between the Indus, the Ganges, the Yellow and other rivers, almost a third of the Earth's population depends on water from the Himalayas. It should come as no surprise that the Himalayas and surrounding areas are home to cultures both rich and diverse.

You'll find tiny monasteries clinging to a Nepalese mountainside and remote alpine villages nestled in valleys in Sikkim.

You'll see shrines and natural wonders sacred to Buddhist and Hindu.

With a little luck and perhaps a touch of meditation, you'll find the Himalayas to be sacred to any of Earth's occupants.

Photo Credits: Mt Everest, Climbers on Mt Everest, Mt Everest and Glacier, Children, Monks

Sea of Ice (Chamonix, France): Part One

Tweet

Chamonix is the heart of the French Alps. Sitting below the towering peak of western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, serrated saw-edged mountains and sweeping glaciers dominate the mind-blowing alpine scenery. Two wonderful half day journeys (both requiring good weather) help experience the wondrous alpine splendour and extraordinary panoramas without having to strap on a ski or snowboard. While for many, the Chamonix highlight is Mont Blanc, the first article explores the sweeping glacier field of Le Mer de Glace.


Contrasting to the little yellow train (which carves its way through the Pyrenees), a little red train steers its way to the Alp’s second largest glacier. Challenging the engineering skills of over 100 years ago, this narrow rack railway labouriously climbs 800 vertical metres from Chamonix to a stunning glacier. Over 14 kilometres long, almost two kilometres wide and between 200 metres and 400 metres deep, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) is a vast frozen river of crevasses and ice as it snakes its way between the picturesque French Alps from Mont Blanc itself. The edges of the glacier are a dirty grey detritus of rocks and dirt gouged from the mountains and spat to the side of the sweeping tide of ice.

Signs indicate that the glacier moves at one centimetre (1/2-inch) every hour or ninety metres per year (slower at the edges), moved by the sheer weight of snow and ice along with the natural terrain.

Tiny ants across the glacier are actually intrepid trekkers (look carefully in the right centre of the photo to the right), roped together for safety in a human train, carefully negotiating their path across the icy wasteland. It reveals the huge scale of the glacier and the massive cracks that mean that one faulty step could result in falling many metres into a frozen abyss.

A series of ancient metal ladders, very cold to touch despite the pleasant outdoor temperature, lead a precarious descent to the edge of the glacier. There is an almost magnetic attraction to clamber down the ladder sequence and take a few tentative steps across the icy river. While not being overly adventurous, the creaking and groaning of the huge tongue of ice as it meanders down the valley is a powerful indicator of nature’s power, crevasses being created at whim. The backdrop is a superb mountain vista, the razor sharp Alps reaching for the sky.


Nearby is the entrance to an eerie blue mystery of an ice cave. Carefully cut into the glacier each year to help visitors experience the interior of the glacier, this blue tinged tunnel leads to a wonderland filled with creatively lit and carved ice sculptures. The subtle lighting makes for a truly unusual frosty art gallery. Despite the clever lighting, the sub-freezing temperatures filter quickly through the layers of clothing quickly sending a reminder that the gallery is set inside a glacier. Highlighting the movement of the glacier, the entrance to last year's cave can be seen some point further down the mountain, requiring a complete rebuild of the cave and its decorations every year.

Three other small museums worth a brief stroll highlight the geology and rocks of the area, the alpine wildlife and the history of the area.

The quaint red Montenvers mountain train provides immediate access to a glacier in all its living glory. All the senses are sparked in experiencing the grandeur, raw power and regal beauty of one of Europe’s largest glaciers.

Check out the second journey visiting Mont Blanc.

Photo Credit: red train

Top 5 Places to Visit in Turkey

Tweet

guest post by travelsupermarket.com

Turkey is a vast and varied nation filled with plenty to explore – from the striking beaches of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines to the mountainous regions around Mt Ararat in the far east of the country. Scanning the highlights of the country, we’ve selected our opinion of five of the best travel-wonders in Turkey.

Cappadocia


The volcanic rock formations at Cappadocia are located within the Goreme National Park and are a popular tourist attraction in the region. Around 4,000 years ago, people started carving cave dwellings into the bizarrely shaped mounds of volcanic rock that were deposited by now extinct volcanoes. What remains is a remarkable and unique network of caves and tunnels, such as those at Derinkuyu, that stretch over 11 floors to a depth of around 85 metres.

Today you can still explore part of the Derinkuyu cave complex for a fascinating and truly unique glimpse into history. It’s also possible to take a hot air balloon ride above the Cappadocia area to view the rock formations from an alternative angle.

Hierapolis and Pamukkale


Around a 3 hours drive east from the popular holiday resort of Kusadisi or 4 hours drive north of Antalya, you will find the ancient city of Hierapolis. Founded in the 2nd century B.C. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose name translates as “Sacred City” and is a beautiful and unreal landscape. A trip to Hierapolis rewards tourists with a selection of historic remains of the city, including the amphitheatre (top photo), the tombs of the Necropolis and the remains at the Temple of Apollo (the Greek God of the Sun).

The area is also famous for the Pamukkale hot springs, which appear white, due to the calcium deposited by the waters. Visitors to the springs can bathe in the warm waters which were once believed to have healing properties. Entrance to the springs and Hierapolis costs 20 Turkish Lira (approximately £9)*.

Istanbul


Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, and the only city in the world that sits on two continents, Asia and Europe. Istanbul has a rich history that can be seen all over the city. Sightseeing opportunities are everywhere - from the majestic Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace (centre of the Ottoman Empire for more than 4 centuries) in Istanbul’s old city, to the thousands of shops and stalls at the Grand Bazaar, the worlds largest covered market.

Ephesus


Located just a short 25 minute drive north of Kusadisi, the ancient city of Ephesus houses the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean region and was once home to the Temple of Artemis – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus dates from the 13th century B.C. and was once a major port city with a large population. But when the port silted up, most of the citizens left, abandoning the city in a short space of time. Today many of the ruins still stand in surprisingly good condition. Visitors can still see the remains of the amphitheatre and library, along with many other ruins and relics. The Ephesus site will take a full day to see properly and entrance costs 20 Turkish Lira (approximately £9 or US$12.50)*.

Sumela Monastery


Sumela Monastery in the Trabzon province of North East Turkey is an amazing sight. The monastery is built in the most impressive, impossible and inaccessible location, in a hollow of a sheer cliff face a thousand feet above the valley floor, and it seems a miracle that the building manages to cling on to the rock. The monastery dates back to the 4th century when it was founded by a Greek monk known as blessed Barnabas. For those wanting to visit Sumela monastery and take a look around inside to see the monks living quarters and various relics and frescoes left behind, a 40 minute hike through thick woodland is necessary and an entrance fee of 8 Turkish Lira (about £3.50 or US$5)* is payable, but it is certainly worth the effort.

* Note: Prices correct at time of publication

Written and photographed by the Turkey holidays team at travelsupermarket.com

Look No Further Than the Cote d'Azur (France)

Tweet

guest post

Imagine a place of breathtaking beauty where the sun shines for 300 days out of each year. 115 kilometers (or 71 miles) of sparkling beaches and coastline are available for your walking and swimming pleasure. You can golf at any of 18 courses, ski at 14 resorts, and sample sumptuous meals at any of over 3000 restaurants. Does this sound too amazing to be believed? Without a doubt, it exists and it is waiting for you: the French Riviera, also known as the Cote d’Azur.

If it is history as well as relaxation and beauty that you seek, the Cote d’Azur has a past that is as rich and interesting as that of any location. As the 18th century came to a close, British gentry began to travel to the Riviera to leave their cares behind and attend to their health in the warm Mediterranean sun. After the railroad was built in the mid-19th century, the Cote d’Azur became the playground of choice not only for British royalty like Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, but also for Russian aristocrats and wealthy Americans such as the Rothschild family. The first half of the 20th century saw the Riviera become home to famous artists including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edith Wharton, and Aldous Huxley. More recently, celebrities Elton John and Brigitte Bardot have purchased homes there. You can experience the same by renting a Cote d’Azur villas and see how the rich and famous spend their summer.

In just a little over five hours, you can take a train from Paris to Nice, the largest city in this resort region. While there, you can sample the entertainment on the beautiful seafront promenade or spend hours strolling through the many world-class museums. Your options seem virtually as endless as the white sands stretching before you. If working on your tan is a priority, you have found one of the world’s favorite places to be heliocentric. Although much of the somewhat pebbly beach is public, a great deal is private and requires that you rent a spot. In and of itself, Nice has enough charm and tourist attractions to make it a stand-alone tourist destination.

You might, however, want to take a break from the ordinary and sample some of the local cultural fare. Depending on the time of year, you might choose to kick up your heels at the Carnival in Nice held in January. Or, for flower-lovers, try attending the violet festival in March in Tourrettes-sur-Loup or the city of Grasse’s Rose and Jasmine Festivals which occur in May and July respectively. Aficionados of the silver screen can see firsthand the world-renown Cannes Film Festival, also in May. Toward the end of July, Nice features a lively jazz festival. Clearly, there is no shortage of organized events to enjoy in this culturally vibrant region.

For over two hundred years, the Cote d’Azur has been the gold standard of vacation destinations, and it is no wonder. With its chic reputation, its history of celebrity visits and residences, and its cultural diversity, the French Riviera outshines virtually every other resort area in the world. Trip packages will enable you to take advantage of whatever specific interest you may have, from the most physically challenging to the ultimate in lazy relaxation. Each year, thousands of visitors make it a point to return to the Riviera. Don’t miss out on your chance to see what all the fuss is about!

Photo Credits: Night Panorama, Boats, Beach, Rose Festival, Tourettes-sur-Loup