Marvel at masterpieces

Italy is renowned for being home to some of the biggest artists in the world and houses the most historically famous paintings in its many galleries and museums. If this sounds like your idea of a great weekend, I suggest heading to Florence which boasts a huge array of art houses home to a gasp-inducing amount of Italian masterpieces. Art lovers can enjoy pieces by Botticelli, Donatello, Titian, Rubens, Raphael, and Michelangelo, whose first major sculpture is on display in Florence.

Cooking courses

Italy is often characterised by its cuisine; pasta, pizza, spaghetti, and gelato – what’s not to love about this mouth-watering menu? If simply eating it isn’t enough for you, though, you can take a cooking course with Holiday-n-Adventure and learn how to make Italy’s signature dishes for yourself, as well as learn tips and tricks on using the natural Italian flair in your cooking back home.

Climb an active volcano

For adrenalin-seekers and adventure lovers alike, this activity will get your heart pumping and pulse racing in no time – and that’s before you’ve experienced the breathtaking views awaiting you. Vesuvius, located 10km outside of Naples, is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world, whilst Mount Etna, in Sicily, is the biggest mountain south of the Alps. Remember that Etna is active for the majority of the time, meaning climbing is not always recommended. There are certain points you can hike to, though, which still offer spectacular views over the valleys below.

Become a Gladiator

Yes, you heard right – you can actually play at being Russell Crowe against the historic backdrop of Rome. Courses run from one hour to two months, and participants have the chance to get to grips with a gladius (a sword used by any serious gladiator) and other weapons, as well as learn about the history of this fascinating cultural sport. If you’re looking for something a bit different, this really will be an activity you will never forget.

Wash it all down with wine

Wine is a very popular product in Italy, particularly in the Chianti region which makes the famous wine of the same name. You can get a taste of the action, too, at one of the many vineyards in this region that offer a range of wine tasting opportunities and courses amidst the beautiful Italian countryside. If food and drink is your thing, and you fancy getting away from the bustling cities for a bit, then wine tasting is a definite must for you during your break to Italy.

How many times have you watched a TV programme and said “Oh come on that’s easy, even I could do that!” when a contestant is making a complete pig’s ear of the task. Obviously a pig’s ear is acceptable if you’re cooking up a storm on MasterChef, but not so appealing as a fashion detail on the Great British Sewing Bee.

Anyway, you’d probably like to know where we’re going with this. Well hold your horses, we’re offering advice should you find yourself in the highly competitive world of all inclusive holiday entertainment.

Don’t be a party-pooper

That’s right you need to be prepared for what might lie ahead on your cheap holiday to the Mediterranean. All inclusive packages provide you with nightly entertainment and you’re often encouraged, oh alright pressurised into joining in. And what’s top of the entertainment list? Dancing of course.

A little healthy competition

You need to know your competition and work on your crowd-pleasing steps to avoid hostility or worse, humiliation from your fellow holidaymakers. There’s nothing like rapturous laughter to bruise your ego. Remember you’ll be spending at least a week with these people and the walk of shame every mealtime will be as uncomfortable as The Weakest Link.

So here’s how to polish and adapt your Dad dancing to your holiday destination’s dance of choice before you go.

Spain: practice your fan work, expressive armography and precision-lead foot stamping for the Flamenco. Travel to Majorca is you want to mix Spanish customs with a bit of Britishness too.

Greece: work on your balance and ability to move sideways in a circle whilst holding onto others. Do the washing up and perfect your plate smashing technique for Greek Dancing.

Egypt: up your calorie and beer intake to increase your girth for Belly Dancing. A bouncing belly will get you points and what do points mean? Prizes.

Okay so now you’re all set for The Great Mediterranean Dance Off – go get ‘em champ.

Just in case you feel in need of a reward for getting to the top, there’s a café/restaurant and the inevitable gift shop.

Mao Harbour

Mao the capital of Minorca has one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Don’t miss out on a trip on one of the glass-bottomed catamarans to tour the harbour. You’ll see all the underwater life, as well as the landmarks around the harbour on one of these hour long tours.

See La Mola Fortress, the Isla del Rey British Military Hospital, Fort Marlborough, Sant Felip Castle and Lazaretto Quarantine Island.

Lithica – gardens and quarries

Don’t ‘poo poo’ this before you see it. The sandstone has been quarried here for hundreds of years and its distinctive red/brown hue is a favourite for building. Some of the quarries, which look like huge walls, are 30 metres deep.

Now there are also beautiful hidden gardens built in the quarries where orange and lemon trees, figs and olives have been planted. The different quarries are themed so that no two are alike.

During the summer time some of the quarries are used as performance areas for orchestras and pop music. What a unique venue.

Ciutadella

The old capital of the island on the western side of Minorca has a genuine Spanish feel to it. It was called Medina Minurga when under Arab rule some 1100 years ago. Check out the beautiful houses that line the edge of the main square, Placa des Born and wander the narrow streets.

A ferry boat to Majorca sails from the port here every day if you fancy a trip to Minorca’s larger sister. A Majorca trip is a must as there is so much to see and experience.

There’s no doubt that you’ll find a few treasures in Minorca including its 80+ beaches. There’s nothing for it, you’ll have to try a cheap or all inclusive holiday on this generally unspoilt island.

Having said that, if you look beyond the obvious alpine destinations, you can find a number of great ski resorts which offer bargain prices without compromising on the experience.

If you are budget conscious yet want to go on a ski holidays in Europe, read on. What follows is a list of probably the best ski resorts in Europe for the budget conscious.

Naturally, this isn’t an extensive list, however a good one to get you started. However, to find out even more locations, check out places like MadDogSki for easter ski retreats in Europe.

1. Soldeu, Andorra

Deliberately topping the list, Andorra is an ideal resort if you are looking for Alps like experience at a lower budget.

Located high in the Pyrenees, right between France and Spain, Soldeau is this tiny nations best and also the biggest resort, covering the wider Grandvalira area, with access to other resorts and an impressive 204 kilometers (126 miles) of runs.

The focus of this resort is on beginner to intermediate, family skier.

Access: You can get to Soldeau from two airports, both servicing budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizzair – Girona, just outside Barcelona and Perpignan in the south of France.

2. Zakopane, Poland

By far and away, Poland has the reputation of the go to destination for winter sports. Part of this is because of the fame of Adam Malysz, Poland’s former ski jumper, an olympic hero and one of the most successful ski jumpers in the history of the sport.

And Zakopane, located at the very south of Poland only exemplifies this reputation. There is a vast number of resorts in the area. Some of the most notable are Nosal with its four beginner runs and an extreme area for veteran skiers and Gubalowka, both considerably cheap and offering way more than just simple rides.

3. Cerna Hora, Czech Republic

Eastern Europe has the reputation for being a cheap holidays destination and it is no different in Cerna Hora (Black Mountain).

This is a Czech Republic’s longest single run stretching to 1.2 miles down. And apart from a great skiing experience, you can get to a nearby town called Janské Lázně for a spa treatment it is famous for or to visit its picturesque town centre.

4. Bansko, Bulgaria

Staying on the Eastern side of Europe, this Bulgarian resort is gaining a reputation as the top place to be for anyone desperate for good snow, fun, great bars and of course, low prices.

Bansko is located around 100 miles south from Sofia and sits right at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. It is also the country’s biggest and by far the best resort.

Even though it might be hard to reach, it’s well worth it. The area features decent hotels, restaurants serving excellent traditional foods and drink.

5. CairnGorm, Scotland

It isn’t a well known fact but the wilds of Scotland are also becoming a popular skiing destination. With bitterly cold winters and heavy snowfalls, CairnGorm mountain can be used for skiing from around December to March. And with a total of 18 miles of runs, this is by far the best spot in the UK for skiing.

CairnGorm is geared more towards beginners and intermediate skiers, great if you want to try the sport for the first time, however, even a seasoned skier will have a great time there.

The downside? Two and a half hour drive from Edinburgh to get there. Which actually isn’t that bad, right?

Skiing is not a cheap sport. It requires good and specialist equipment and can only be practices at certain locations worldwide. However, luckily there are some of those that offer incredible value for a low price.

And, contrary to the common perception, it is also quite a comfortable way to discover the outdoors.

These days caravans come with many great amenities. Unlike the stereotype of a typical mobile home, many might include such amenities as plasma screen TV, central heating, kitchen, a proper toilet, shower and more.

Seemingly, many camping sites, just like Brighouse Bay in Dumfries And Galloway or Vale Of Pickering Caravan Park in North Yorkshire offer quite exceptional amenities also. They feature a laundry, showers, luxury bathrooms and even a swimming pool or a playground for the kids.

And most, like The Warren in Folkestone, Kent, dubbed the perfect honeymoon getaway, even though might seem somewhat limited when it comes to their amenities still offer great scenarios, nearby parks and more.

However, a good holidays are not only about the amenities. They are about security, safety and peace of mind. Just so that you can enjoy your time off fully, without having to worry about anything.

With that in mind, I prepares a short list of things you should think of when deciding to go on a caravan holidays.

Organize Your Trip With A Checklist

It can be tempting to just simply pack your things into a caravan and go. However, as much as it might not be such a bad idea, it can lead to a lot of potential problems along the way. Have at least a basic plan of your trip worked out. Also, make sure that you have a checklist for everything you might want to bring along (more on that later).

Have A Valid Insurance

Accidents happen, fact. But you shouldn’t be stressing over it too much. The best way you can insure a peace of mind is by getting a proper caravan insurance, like the one provided by Caravan Club for instance.

Try To Stay Close To Facilities Like Showers, Toilets And Water Supplies

When you plan your journey, make sure that you stay close to caravan parks or at least other places where you could have access to basic amenities (many bigger gas stations these days offer those so make sure that there are at least a few on your way).

Bring Plenty Of Flashlights

As much as you might not be afraid of the dark, being stuck on a camping site at night without any form of light might not be a great holiday experience. The same goes for traveling at night.

Therefore make sure that you have plenty of flashlights and a good stock of batteries to go with them.

Take Plenty Of Bags With You For Storing Litter

Litter is one of the things that you are bound to accumulate during your trip. And, you will not always have an option to get rid of it, so make sure that you have plenty of litter bags with you to carry your litter.

Keep Your Fire Extinguisher in Good Condition

A typical fire extinguisher you find in a caravan is a powder type one. Unless you shake it from time to time, the powder might become solid. Therefore make sure that you give it a good shake at least once a week to prevent that from happening.

Another thing with powder extinguishers is that they give only few seconds discharge. Therefore, make sure that you also have a fire blanket in case of a fire.

Caravan holidays can be a great fun for anyone. With so many amenities available at the camp sites these days, you are never far from the comfort of your everyday comfort of life, however, can enjoy the outdoors and sample something new.

However, proper planning is still the most important thing to do when preparing your trip. Hopefully, these 6 tips will help you get ready for your tips and ensure the safety and peace of mind during your holidays.

The Basque country is steeped in history, and has a fair dose of mystery thrown in as well. The ancient kingdom of Navarra was partly in this region, and the romantic and beautiful Pyrenees form just one part of the Basque region’s charming countryside. In the south, some of Spain’s best wine’s come from the vineyards of La Rioja, so the Basque country is full of fascination and makes a great destination if you’ve had enough of the usual tourist spots or simply fancy a pleasant and invigorating change.

The Basque people themselves never lose an opportunity of reminding visitors to their region that they have a completely different culture to the rest of Spain, and they have a strong separatist movement that wants to do away with all links with the Madrid government. The whole Basque region is important industrially, with fishing one of the main activities, reflected in the wide range of fish-based cuisine. The economic importance of the Basque Country, or Euskadi, may have something to do with the central government always resisting complete autonomy for the region.

Many of the towns in the region have two names, one in Spanish and the other in the completely unrelated native Basque tongue. San Sebastian, a fashionable resort here, is for example also known as Donostia to the locals. Many of the most picturesque towns here, such as Estella and Olite, were founded in the Middle Ages when Navarra was the most powerful kingdom in the area, straddling the foothills of the Pyrenees. The famous annual bull-running festival in the capital, Pamplona, dates back to medieval times.

La Rioja, which with Navarra makes up the Basque Country is renowned for its vineyards and market gardens, and one of the top tourist sites is the cathedral of Santa Domingo de la Calzada and picturesque medieval monasteries such as Yuso and San Millan de la Cogolla.

There are loads of things to do in the fabulous Basque Country all year round. It’s a green and hilly region with a wide range of attractions. In the high Pyrenees of Navarra there’s fine skiing in winter and during the rest of the year you can indulge in canoeing, caving and climbing. Wide bays and rocky coves break up the coastal cliffs of the north and there are numerous traditional fishing villages to stop off for lunch on a tour of the region. Further inland, smaller roads wind through the valleys, gorges and wooded hillsides, past romantic ruined castles and isolated farmhouses.

The Basque Country is ideal for a road trip, and will show you a side to Spain that most visitors miss.

David Elliott is a freelance writer who loves to travel, especially in Europe and Turkey. He’s spent most of his adult life in a state of restless excitement but recently decided to settle in North London. He gets away whenever he can to immerse himself in foreign cultures and lap up the history of great cities.

Courtesy of CaseLuggage

Historical sites The most powerful symbols of Athens’ history as the cradle of democracy are found at the Acropolis, featuring the famous Parthenon temple. Visitors are advised to walk up the limestone hill in early morning or in the evening to avoid the daytime heat. As well as the Parthenon itself, other highlights are the statues of female figures – known as caryatids – that form the columns of the Erechtheion. The view of the city from the hilltop isn’t bad either.

Entertainment and cuisine In Athens, theatre and history intertwine in the home of Greek tragedy. Plays by Aeschylus and Euripides are still staged for the public in the stone amphitheatre of the Herodeion, and in the remains of the even older Theatre of Dionysus nearby.

For foodies, Athens takes great pride in its cuisine, with favourites such as moussaka on the menu along with plenty of other great lesser-known local dishes. Souvlaki – skewered meat with sauce sold by many street stalls – is the ancient Athenian equivalent of fast food.

Shopping A must-visit for any bargain-hunters is the Monastiraki Flea Market. Located in a part of the city where African and Oriental influences collide with European, the market is a great place to go to find affordable antiques, traditional foods and clothing.

Outside the city If you’re after a cooling sea breeze, the port town of Piraeus is just a few miles from Athens and easily reachable by train. Fishing boats bobbing in the harbour reveal the traditional activity of the town, and tucking into a plate of psari plaki – fried smoked cod – outside one of the seafront restaurants is the ideal way to appreciate this.

For a deeper understanding of ancient Greek culture, a visit to Eleusis just west of the city is recommended. There are several temples and a museum important to the more mystical aspects of the pantheistic religion which has recently been enjoying a revival.

A final note: many will know that modern Greece is currently suffering from severe economic problems. However, be assured that the welcome to tourists extended by Athens and its surrounding area remains as warm as ever.

Aspen, Colorado, USA

With an endless array of luxury ski resorts, Aspen is the place to be and the place to ski. It’s known for catering to all ability levels and has many opportunities for enjoying life at the resort afterwards, with gourmet restaurants and world-class shopping and entertainment options.

Banff, Canada

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Banff offers stunning mountain scenery as well as skiing for all ages and ability levels. While you’re there you can also visit Banff National Park and hike the Hoodoos, the beautiful limestone pillars.

Mont Blanc, France

France’s highest peak beckons skiers and snowboarders alike with great conditions and great food and wine for the iconic après-ski.

Val Gardena, Italy

Set in the Italian Dolomites, Val Gardena offers challenging skiing and is best for those at intermediate ability or higher. Conditions are superb.

Zematt, Switzerland

In the shadow of the Matterhorn, Switzerland is where skiing was born. At Zermatt, you can not only ski, but also enjoy the Swiss skiing experience, including staying in a traditional chalet, eating regional food and indulging in spa treatments après-ski.

Make It Happen

Though skiing is fun and exhilarating, it is also very expensive. The required equipment, including skis, poles, boots, safety gear and winter clothing can cost hundreds of dollars, and that’s on top of the travel costs and the price of a room at a ski resort or chalet.

But that shouldn’t stop you from experiencing the perfect swooshing sound of careening around the moguls. All you have to do is budget carefully and apply a few clever tricks to raise the funds. Start by carefully adding up your projected expenses so that you know exactly how much you will need. Then, work toward that amount by saving a little bit each week. You can also use time-tested penny-pinching techniques like switching to generic brands for household items, using a change jar, and buying in bulk.

Finally, you can raise cash quickly by selling your extra stuff online. Go through your closet for good quality electronics, clothing, footwear, or even furniture. Then, find a site online that will either buy your stuff or let you list it for free. For example, if I wanted to sell my DVDs, I would just look online for websites that specialize in second hand electronics and pay cash. This way, you can clear out your home of old junk and also raise money for your ski adventure.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your skis and get in line for the lift! The mountains await.

1. Find the cheapest exchange rates. That means avoiding airport money changers and high street bureaux de change – captive audiences mean they’ll rip you off. Prepaid currency cards are one way to get favourable rates and keep your money safe. They’re best used for buying things directly rather than taking cash out of ATMs (for which there is a charge).

2. Work in the local currency. In a similar vein, get used to thinking in Euros, Dollars or whatever the local currency is. By all means keep a tally in your own currency but bear in mind this is not the best guide to what constitutes good value. Get used to knowing what a bargain looks like in that culture – not what’s cheap in yours. And don’t fall for the restaurateur’s old trick of letting you pay in your own currency: you can guarantee that the exchange rate they apply will be terrible.

3. Work for a room. Plenty of hostels will give you a free bed in exchange for a few hours work a week, generally cleaning and other basic tasks. Ask around and plan your accommodation before you leave.

4. Couch surf. Better still, sign up to a couch surfing website. This is a great way to meet local people and get the inside story on the area, as well as finding a free place to crash. Some couch surfers will offer you their bikes and museum passes, and you might even benefit from a tour of the city, parties and local hospitality.

5. Get off the beaten path. The most popular sites are, by definition, those that attract the greatest number of visitors. As a result they tend to be the most expensive. A little further afield you’ll find a more authentic cultural experience – whether it’s a question of looking for the little cafés in the side streets instead of the big tourist traps, or leaving the towns and cities in search of what rural life has to offer. Not only will you find out what a country is really like, but you’ll get the locals’ prices, too.

6. Do your research. Maps, taxis and food all add up. The more research you can do before you leave, the better you can access public transport, find your way around and order a meal in the local language – rather than default to McDonald’s because it’s familiar and safe (inasmuch as McDonald’s is ever ‘safe’).

7. Shop around for a phone contract. Your existing tariff might not provide the best value for a roaming upgrade. Pay particular attention to data deals, since if you’ve got a working smartphone you’ll save a fortune on internet cafés, and you’ll be able to research the area on-the-fly.

8. Budget. It seems like an obvious point, but set a budget and stick to it. Prepaid currency cards are a good way to track your spending – it’s too easy to overspend with credit and debit cards.

9. Travel off-peak. Whether it’s an out-of-season flight or an out-of-rush-hour train ticket, it’s cheaper to travel when it’s quieter.

10. Go last-minute – or book well in advance. Last-minute deals are often exceptional value if you’re able to drop everything, or don’t mind too much what your destination is. Alternatively, book well ahead to secure the best travel deals.

This article was supplied by Cash Passport who offer prepaid travel money cards to help you stay in control of your spending money when travelling abroad.