Whether you’re looking to go cheap and park up at a campsite or live a little and get a nice hotel, you’ll always have your car with you in order to travel the local areas, or even go for a day trip to a location that’s perhaps a few miles away. Of course a trip such as this requires a specific budget for petrol or diesel, so getting hold of a Chooseafuelcard.com Fuel Cards might help out with fuel management.

The only problem that ever really occurs is choosing where to go. Here are a few ideas.

Grenoble, France by Jörg Sancho Pernas

South of France

Traveling through the heart of the French countryside, first of all you’ll have a very pleasant journey, but also the chance to stop off at the numerous towns and cities along the way, including Dijon, Lyon and Grenoble.

Once arrived in the southern coast, there is a plethora of locations you can choose from, the next more glamorous than the last. The likes of Nice and Cannes allow great shopping destinations, whilst also taking in the wondrous views of the coastline and the Mediterranean. Monaco is just a completely different experience altogether and seeing the likes of the Casino Square can really open your eyes to a lifestyle only few in this world can enjoy frequently.

Monaco by Georges DICK

Northern Italy

There are a varied amount of destinations in the north of Italy which can offer unique experiences all in one holiday. The main point of call would be the fashion and style hub of Milan for a couple of days in the city, splashing a bit of cash and eating great food. From there, you can make the trip south-west to San Remo and enjoy the great coastline of another stylish location that is similar in some ways to Monaco, not least because of the fancy casino the town has.

If that wasn’t your bag, you could always go further north from Milan and visit the glam of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore on the Swiss border. Going east would see you eventually come across the likes of Verona and even the amazing city of Venice.

Lake Como, Italy by Joyborg

East coast of Spain

This is a trip probably reserved for those die-hard families that love to be together in a car for a very long time, but the east coast of Spain harbours some of the great summer locations Europe has to offer.

First stop would be Barcelona for a great city experience and a number of cliché tourist visits to the likes of the Cathedral, Las Rambles and Camp Nou football stadium. Next up is a drive south to the beautiful coastal city of Valencia for some sunbathing and relaxing.

Further down the coast includes destinations such as Benidorm for a good night out and Alicante for a more of an all-rounder.

Alicante, Spain by Claire (Europe Explored)

About the author: Sam writes for Chooseafuel.com who offer various fuel cards for pretty much everyone on the European continent, whether you need it for a petrol car of a diesel LPG. For more information click here.

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Here are some of the best places to go walking in the UK, covering everything from architecture to waterfalls and everything in between.

Pen-y-Fan, South Wales, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Brecon Beacons

Situated in the lower half of Wales, this range of mountains is part of the larger National Park of the same name. They are situated just to the south of the town of Brecon and are hugely popular with walkers. The six peaks range from 2000-3000ft and are easily accessible for less experienced walkers. Paths are also available for those who are looking for more of a challenge. One of the best walks is the ‘Beacons Horseshoe’ which takes in 3 of the peaks and provides some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Further to the east in the National Park is another great walk at Ystradfellte where you can take in many majestic waterfalls; there are plenty of paths available for those wanting to take a leisurely amble around all of the waterfalls.

London

Many people don’t consider London to be the best place to head out for a walk; too much pollution, too many cars and overcrowded? Well you’d be surprised. London is a great place to set out for the day and see the many sights by foot rather than travelling by the underground. First of all, there is the splendor of the many Royal Parks. Hyde Park and Regents Park are two of the largest and you can while away the hours admiring the greenery and lakes (along with the varied wildlife) and spare yourself from the noise of the traffic. Another place worth visiting is the town of Richmond. There is a charming walk besides the river that takes you to the locks at nearby Teddington, on towards Kingston and beyond.

Angle Tarn, Lake District National Park, UK / Photo by Ben Gallivan

The Lake District

The Lakes, as they are commonly known are situated in the North West of England and have become increasingly popular with walkers and now attracts up to 16 million visitors per year. Don’t let this put you off however; the area is vast and although you may not have the various routes and paths to yourself at any one time, there is a likelihood that you will find yourself with plenty of breathing space when you’re out on the trail. Most of the walks are hilly, as the roads take over the routes around the lakes themselves; there are many guide books on the area inspired by the works of Alfred Wainwright who discovered many of the routes in the mid-20th century.

Ben Gallivan is a keen walker based in Wales, UK. He has been hiking for many years and writes for Appalachian Outdoors who stock all the best walking gear as well as products from great brands such as Life Is Good clothing.

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If you are coming to Malta to enjoy some time on the beach, one of the most important things that you are going to have to consider is accommodation. Hotel accommodation by the beach in Malta can be very expensive, so a great alternative would be to choose a self catering holiday apartment.

Kite Surfing at Ghajn Tuffieha, Malta by Windsor Garage

Not only do these tend to be more affordable, but they can offer you a great deal more flexibility for your holiday. For example, if you are travelling with your family, an apartment is going to allow you to all stay in one place without you having to pay for multiple hotel rooms.

When it comes to accommodation, Malta has no short supply. However, it is a very popular destination, so you should make sure that you book well in advance. Once you have found somewhere to stay, booking an affordable flight is also very possible as Malta is well served by budget airlines. This makes flights to Malta easily available from most European capitals.

Enjoying a holiday by the sea is a wonderful experience, and Malta is certainly one of the best options if you are just looking for a relaxing place to come and get away from it all. That said, Malta is not going to disappoint when it comes to other options either. If you have chosen self catering apartments in Malta rather than a hotel, you are going to need to think about food. This is something that is easy to do because Malta has so many fantastic restaurants.

Whether you are looking for local cuisine, or international favourites, you are sure to be able to find it in Malta. In addition, you will find plenty of supermarkets, so you can take some food back to your apartment and cook for yourself.

Saint Peter’s Pool, Malta by Marco Chiesa

If you grow tired of just relaxing on the beach, another great activity you can do is take a boat out and explore some of the attractions that are located close to the island. Boats operate regularly from the shore and you will be able to find one that will take you to whatever you want to see. Alternatively, simply taking a relaxing walk along the beach can be a wonderful way to pass some time with a loved one.

In the evenings, you will find that there are plenty of active places to get a drink along the beach. As the evening draws on, you will also find lots of nightclub opportunities on the island, if that’s what you fancy. For whatever reason you come to Malta, you’re going to find a fascinating island that enjoys wonderful weather and has a huge amount of culture, not to mention fantastic beaches.

Written by Leila El-Dean on behalf of UniqueHolidayMalta.com, specialists in Malta Holiday Rentals.

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Lefkada, Greece / Fod Tzellos

Getting Away From It All

Going away to a villa has many benefits. Firstly, if you are taking a lot of people with you in your holiday party, you can generally get much better value for money. The cost of rooming a group of 8, consisting of 4 couples, into a hotel or apartments would be high in comparison to the cost of a villa, where you simply pay for the accommodation. There is also the added luxury of having your own space, no idiots larking around in the swimming pool and getting in the way while trying to relax, and importantly, no shortage of sunbeds because everyone put their towels on them when they got in from clubbing at 3am!

So where are the best destinations in Europe for luxury villas?

Lefkada, Greece

Sitting just off the Greek mainland on the western side, Lefkada has in recent years grown as a popular holiday destination, both the whole island and the town at the northern tip of the island. There are several idyllic locations all along the Lefkada coast, with some of the best views coming from the smaller island to the south east of Lefkada itself, where great destinations can be found in Meganisi and Vathy. Regular ferry services run from Lefkada itself to the smaller island, making it an ideal location to escape both your regular life and the tourists.

Kefalonia, Greece

Just to the south of Lefkada is the island of Kefalonia. For tourists looking to head towards Greece, this is another great destination with high quality, luxury villas situated all along this islands beautiful coastline.

Both Lefkada and Kefalonia have high quality golf courses, so should that be a hobby of yours it’s easy to fit in a few rounds in the warm sunshine, a far cry from the wind and rainswept courses in the UK! In addition to this, both of these idyllic islands can be discovered with two or three days of car hire, giving you the opportunity to spend some time away from your luxury villa and explore the historical surroundings.

Touristorama helps you plan your next vacation in Greece or the Greek Islands. Lefkada, Greece is said to be the ideal location to escape both your regular life and the tourists.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Terry Whalebone

Historic Dockyard

You can’t go to Portsmouth without a visit to the historic dockyard. Here you can see some of the most famous ships from British naval history, so if maritime and naval mania is your thing, this is definitely a very good place to visit. For example, you can see the HMS Victory, the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior by paying a visit to Portsmouth’s naval base. There is more than just ships to see at the dockyard, however. You can also pay a visit to the Royal Navy Museum and something called Action Stations, which teaches you all about the modern royal navy and has interactive activities.

Spinnaker Tower

If you want to get a really good view of the city of Portsmouth then you really have to go to the Spinnaker Tower. This is a popular attraction that is located at Gunwharf Quays. This is located down by the harbour and it is 170m high, so you really can’t miss it! You can pay to go up the tower and get a fantastic view from multiple different levels – the highest you can go up the tower is 115m. Then once you’ve finished at the tower, you could head down to one of the great bars or restaurants located at Gunwharf Quays.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ali T

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

Charles Dickens is one of the UK’s most famous and popular writers, so his birthplace museum is an absolute must-see for any Dickens fan visiting Portsmouth. This is located on Old Commercial Road and is generally open between April and December, so it’s worth checking that you’ll be able to get in before you go.

Southsea Castle

Another great place to visit is Southsea Castle. This was built way back in 1544 so it has a lengthy history and it was designed to protect England’s coastline from invasion. Anything from the Tudor period is always popular, which makes this a hot destination.

D-Day Museum

Finally, if wartime history is your thing, the D-day Museum is definitely worth a visit. You can find out about the D-day Landings and those who took part; it’s definitely moving and well worth a visit in itself as well as being educational and a tribute to the people involved in its own right.

Guest post by Adam Croft for Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth, one of the leisure and conference venues Portsmouth has to offer and the only hotel at Gunwharf Quays.

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Słowiński National Park is visited by thousands of tourists, fond of the beauty and variability of its landscape. In order to maintain one of the most precious tie of indigenous nature, which undoubtedly is The Land of Water, Wind and Sand, there have been allocated only selected areas of the Park for tourism practicing as well as special regulations have been introduced for sightseeing there.

Image made by michbet6464

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Tryfan, Nant Ffrancon Valley, Snowdonia, Wales, UK by Stuart

Named after the 1,085 meter tall Snowdon peak which can be found within the park’s boundaries, the park is a popular destination in the area. Originally known as the Great Throne, Yr Wyddfa is filled with legends that have been formed throughout the ages. In the old days, the region was part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd which was considered by many to be the heart of Wales.

There are a total of nine mountain ranges that can be found within the park’s boundaries. As a result, more than 52% of the area is covered by ragged rocks and mountain peaks; some as high as 915 meters above sea level. You will also find more than sixty kilometres of coastline within the park; some of which are sandy beaches.

The Snowdonia National Park is currently inhabited by more then 26,000 people. Most of the residents of the park speak Welsh. Those numbers soar as more than six million visitors make their way to the park every single year. Since there are a number of places and ways to sleep within the park, many visitors choose to visit the park for longer than just a simple day trip.

Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK by Les Haines

One will notice is that in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park, there is a region which has not been included as actually part of the national park. This hole as some refer to it includes the prosperous town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The town’s main industry is its thriving slate quarry. The town was purposefully left out of the development of the park so that it could continue to grow in the future.

You could spend more than a week just visiting the park and seeing the many sites throughout. You will find ancient castles and ruins that date back to the earliest known settlements in the region. There are also several archaeological sites that can be found within the park’s boundaries.

Known for its beauty and splendour, the Snowdonia National Park is one of the most visited locations in the United Kingdom.

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The cove has attracted countless visitors not only because of its beauty, but also because of its mysteries. The rocks that form the walls of the cove consist of bands of rocks which over the years have formed parallel to the coastline.

Lulworth Cove and surroundings, Dorset, England, UK by Arpingstone

The cove entrance is nothing more than a small gap that has been eroded away between some bands of limestone. Since the limestone is the most resilient of the shoreline rocks, it is found most abundantly in the area. The cove itself was once filled with sands and clays which over the millennia have been eroded away by the waves and through water run-off.

Over the years, as the waves started making their way into the cove, they started to reshape it. The uniqueness of the Lulworth Cove’s shape is as a result of what is known as wave diffraction. Needless to say, the cove is a very unique and picturesque geological landmark in the UK.

It is believed that only a few thousand years ago, the Lulworth Cove looked much different than it does today. Only about a kilometre away you will find a site that is known as Stair Hole. Many people believe that the cove started off very similar to the hole before reaching the shape it is known for today.

Anyone who makes their way to the Jurassic Coast has to stop at West Lulworth first. From here, most make their way to the Lulworth Cove before stopping off to see the many other popular sites along the coastlines. Here, where the land has simply folded over on itself time and time again, you will find some of the most amazing geological formations as well as the potential to find some fossils that date back to the day when dinosaurs called the area home.

The area is also importance to the nation as the sand beneath the area where the Lulworth Cove sits is one of the richest oil deposits in the United Kingdom. With the coastline being designated a World Heritage Site, special care must be taken to extract the oil from the seabed without affecting the coastline and the fossils buried beneath.

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Palm trees in Elche, Costa Blanca, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

A lot of time and effort had been put into the development and maintenance of the city of Elche. Each and every single road that meanders its way through the city is lined with some of the most well Palm trees imaginable. As a result of the countless palm trees which can be found throughout the city, the city of Elche has been dubbed the Capital of Palm Trees.

Of course this title got also thanks to the Palmeral of Elche Orchard Grove which is home to more than 200,000 palm trees. It is interesting to point out that the Palm Grove of Elche is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Basilica of Santa María de Elche, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

The city itself played an important part in the history of Spain. It was here, back in 1897 when the Dama de Elche was first discovered in the region. The statue itself can now be seen at the National Archaeological Museum which is found in Madrid. There are also a number of other important, and very significant monuments and attractions that can be found in and around the city.

Perhaps the biggest attraction to the city of Elche is that of the Altamira Castle which can be found right next to the Municipal Park. Both the Castle and the municipal Park are also part of the Palm Grove of Elche and was built back in the 12th and 13th centuries during the times of Almohad. It was also renovated back in the 15th century and also served as a fabric plant during the start of the 1900s. And while it had once been the town hall, as well as a prison, today the Castle serves as the Elche Archaeological and History Museum.

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