The Spanish phrase ‘Costa Blanca’ literally means “White Coast” in English. It actually comes from an old an advertising slogan in the late 1950s, when the airline BEA first began a scheduled service between London and Valencia.

Today, Costa Blanca is the well known stretch of Mediterranean coastline in Spain which is popular with British and German tourists in particular, and has been the focus for generations of holidaymakers since mass-market holidays to the region began in the mid 1970s.

Hiring a Car

Nowadays it is easy to book your own travel arrangements and make your own ‘bespoke’ holiday. Something that is becoming increasingly popular is booking your flight tickets and hiring a car at the other end in order to enjoy a ‘road trip’ holiday.

Driving in Spain can be a relaxing experience and hiring a car is straightforward. Making sure you have rental car insurance as part of the package is also essential.

The Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca is in the Alicante region of Spain and takes in the stretch of coast from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south. The fact that there are a number of well known resorts along the way makes it perfect for a road trip.

Benidorm

Benidorm is probably the most famous of all Costa Blanca resorts and has more than five million visitors a year to prove it. It has built its reputation on being a family-orientated resort and is extremely popular with the Spanish people themselves.

Even if you don’t want to stay in the area, it is perfect for a visit as part of a driving holiday,
and its twin beaches make for a golden stretch of sand that runs for over three miles. Attractions away from the beach include Aqualandia, which is the biggest themed water park in Europe and Mundomar, which is the Costa Blanca’s SeaWorld.

Moraira

Moraira is a 30-minute drive north from Benidorm and is another particular favourite for Spanish families. The town has a long history as a fishing village and today the port is still a hub for working fishermen.

The La Lonja fish market holds traditional fish auctions every morning and the main fish restaurants are located on the seafront nearby.

Altea

One of the true gems of the Costa Blanca is Altea, which is just a 12 kilometres drive from Benidorm.

The beautiful old town centre contrasts with a chic new marina with stunning views of El Peñon de Ifach in Calpe to the north. The main beach is Playa de la Roda and the fact that it is quite narrow is part of the reason the town has managed to avoid the commercialisation that has affected some other resorts in the region.

When we talk about stealing away for some time on a far away, idyllic beach, we are invariably dreaming of the Caribbean. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a busy fortnight water-skiing or are simply looking for a hammock in which to get into some of your favourite prose, what you’re looking for is likely to be situated in the Dominican Republic.

Anything that the Dominican Republic doesn’t offer simply isn’t worth having. Visitors of all dispositions and interests will find themselves feeling at home in no time, partly thanks to the positively overwhelming hospitality of the locals.

Here, we take a look at just a few benefits offered by the Dominican Republic.

Action

If action is what you’re after, then action is what you will get. Due to the diversity of landscapes within the country, the activities on offer are numerous and varied. Those who get their kicks ashore will find plenty of opportunity to hike and trek through the alpine ranges and deserts. Along the way, you will have plenty to keep you entertained thanks to the abundance of wildlife in the rainforest regions.

Needless to say, as the nation is an island, there is no end to the water sports on offer to visitors. If windsurfing or water-skiing isn’t your thing, why not get involved with the local sport: baseball? With the national team coming first place in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and more than a handful of the locals going on to star in America’s Major League, you can be sure that the locals will be able to teach you a thing or two!

Food

As with anywhere else in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is home to some of the world’s finest cuisine. With such rich local resources, visitors can expect a wealth of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. If you’re wondering how the food can possibly taste so good, it won’t be long before you discover the answer as you see the locals picking the food straight from the trees.

Relaxation

It’s no surprise that the Dominican Republic is a hit with tourists. The result is that the country houses a decent number of luxury resorts like those with Club Med, which are perfect for letting off some steam and relaxing.

Thanks to the landscape of the Dominican Republic, the view from the ocean is simply superb – a clear blue ocean, a white sand beach, palm trees and luscious mountains. If it all gets too much to look at while you’re swimming, feel free to retire to the beach and take it easy with some of the local rum.

Ibiza has a well-earned reputation for being a massive clubbing destination. But this Baleric beauty spot has so much more to offer than DJs and super-clubs. If you want stunning coastal views and tranquil crystal waters then leave the crowds and head to the north of the island.

Portinatx

Portinatx is a charming little resort on the northern tip of Ibiza near the old town. Characterised by sprawling rocky cliffs, fine white sand and idyllic lagoons it is equally suited for a romantic getaway as it is for a quiet family holiday. Now is a good time to grab a cheap flight – Jet2 are on of the bigger airlines running great summer deals.

Life’s a beach

The beaches in Ibiza’s busier resorts can be slightly underwhelming and generally littered with hung-over clubbers. But Portinatx has some of the most unspoilt coastline on the Island. Arm the kids with a bucket, spade and flippers for a day of fun in the sun. The beaches are fine white sand and the waters are shallow and calm so you can rest easy while they tire themselves out.

Just the two of you

S’Arenal Grand is the largest with plenty of the hustle and bustle of holidaying families. If you’re after a more secluded spot you may want to head to Playa Porto or S’Arenal Petit. This quiet hideaway with its golden beach and dramatic cliff-line is perfect spot to waste away the hours.

Get your money’s worth!

Another benefit of staying in the north of Ibiza is that the hotels offer much more than a bed to rest your head. Many are all-inclusive with onsite restaurants, bars, spa facilities and in-house children’s entertainment.

The Club Vista Bahia Hotel is one such spot. Cut into the cliffs looking out over the clear waters this all inclusive spot is ideal for couples or families.  It has two outside pools for the grown up’s as well as a children’s pool and play area as well as a tennis and basketball court.

Let’s face it everyone is tightening their belts lately. With all-inclusive packages that include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks you and yours can eat like kings knowing it isn’t costing you an arm and a leg. And you don’t have to go far into Portinatx for restaurants and bars if you fancy a change of pace.

So go off the beaten track and head to the north of the island and discover a new side to Ibiza this summer.

River cruises can be the perfect holiday; drifting along glossy waters, taking in the passing sights, waking up in a new location without having to drive yourself and enjoying sightseeing tours in various locations.

There are so many different places to enjoy a river cruise and while European river cruises are exciting and fun, why not try travelling along the historical and culturally rich Mekong River?

A long river with a long history

The Mekong River is the longest river within South East Asia travelling an astonishing 2,600 miles from China to the South China Sea taking in Laos passing through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam along the way. Not only is the Mekong a dazzling and very useful river that provides transport, energy, irrigation and drinking water to millions of people but it is also an amazing river to travel along during a holiday.

A river cruise along the magnificent Mekong can be a holiday to remember and there is so much to see. Drink in the astonishingly beautiful sights and soak up the atmosphere and cultures of the locations along the way. Along your journey you can visit Hanoi and explore the bustling city with so much ancient architecture. Enjoy the archaeology of Angkor and visit a local village before boarding your ship for a luxurious cruise down the Mekong. The river cruise takes in silk weaving villages, remarkable monasteries, wonderful museums, markets in areas such as Phnom Penh and a Royal Palace with a silver pagoda.

A holiday to remember

Heading towards Vietnam and into the country your cruise will then take you to a tribal village, a catfish farm, a variety of fascinating factories, a floating market in Cái Bè before heading to Southern Vietnam to spend several days in Ho Chi Minh City seeing the local sights before heading home. There is so much rich history all along the Mekong River with a vast variety of wildlife and every point in the journey has a story to tell. A river cruise along the Mekong is the perfect way to see the sights and learn about the events that have shaped the landscape along the way.

Always new places to explore

With a river cruise, often flights to the point of the cruise departure are included in the price meaning that you pay one sum that encompasses your flights to and from the cruise start and end points. With a carefully planned itinerary you won’t have to miss out on a thing or need to plan your journey – all the hard work is taken out of the process and all you need to do is arrive and have a good time!

Companies such as www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk offer a range of cruises including a cruise along the marvellous Mekong River so why not consider a cruise for your next holiday? With a variety of locations and a new place to explore every day, you will never be bored on a river cruise.

Breakfast has been regarded as the most important meal of the day. Whether or not everyone is over concerned about health and nutrition, all and sundry would love to start the day with a sumptuous meal. There is practically anything that one can have at breakfast and considering the fact that everyone is hungry after waking up, gorging on tasty foods can be even more enticing.

In every nook and corner of the world, there are some staple breakfasts. While bread toasts, cereals, oats and various versions of the same with generous doses of eggs, bacon and other types of meat have been very well known, there are hundreds of unique breakfasts that any foodie would love. Here are some of the world’s best breakfasts, which may not be unknown because of their popularity but are certainly among the most delicious, nutritious and the best way to kick start the day.

The Full English Breakfast

The English are known for their steaks, toasts and fish & chips but their full breakfast is a lavish treat. There are beans, eggs, mushrooms, bacon, sausages, hash browns and toast. Some black pudding and a cup of tea and you are completely sorted for many hours. To taste this delicious combination, you may wish to try the Holiday Inn Regents Park in London, England.

The breakfast is healthy and amazingly tasty.

An Iranian Breakfast

Iran is mostly in the news for its apparent strife with the west but Persia had always been known for its exoticism. Naan, butter or jam, halim which is a blend of butter, sugar, wheat and cinnamon and lots of shredded meat and the Iranian omelet make for a fascinating breakfast.

A Small Cuban Breakfast

Many do not like the idea of having too much food in the morning or whenever you wake up. Just some coffee and some toast works well for them and if you are like that then the sweetened coffee with milk and the indigenous Cuban bread would be mouthwatering and pleasing. The toasted bread is buttered and sliced to be dunk in the coffee. Simple, inexpensive and tasty!

The Polish Breakfast

Scrambled eggs are a favorite around the world and when they are complemented by slices of kielbasa and potato pancakes and fresh vegetables, they are a treat.

The Hawaiian Morning

The Hawaiian breakfast is perhaps what the doctors would most pleasingly recommend. Fruits, fruits and fruits are what make the Hawaiian breakfast. Pull in as many fruits as you want and gorge on them. Keep some bread and coffee handy if you want.