Binigaus, Menorca by Boladevidre

The Port of Mahon

The capital, Mahon or Mao, is situated at the world’s second-largest harbour. The historic town is a scenic gem, with the sapphire-blue sea providing the ideal backdrop for a remarkable collection of buildings.

If you fancy a trip out of town, visit the S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park, a huge park around three miles from Mahon, which is renowned for its range of flora and fauna. A haven for everything from turtles to olive trees, it is ideal for those seeking a change from the usual sun holiday experience.

Binigaus Valley

Another site of immense and varied beauty, Binigaus Valley is best known for Cova des Coloms, one of the island’s biggest cave complexes. Nearby is an idyllic beach, which is perfect for swimming.

Algendar Gorge

Stretching over four miles, this vast limestone gorge is one of the most impressive natural features on the island. A surprising variety of flowers and wildlife thrives in the limestone fissures, and the area is also home to a range of rare birds and reptiles. Keep an eye out for the kites and kestrels that prey on the lizards and turtles that dart from the cracks in limestone. Algendar Gorge is certainly one of the most impressive areas in the whole of Menorca.

Beaches

As a sun-holiday paradise, Menorca has all the beaches you could ever want. If you’re looking for sand and sea, Menorca doesn’t tend to be as crowded as the other Balearic Islands.

One of the island’s favourite spots for swimming and sun bathing, Son Bou is a beautiful, long beach with fine sands. Resorts and villas nearby tend to be highly popular among families. In comparison, Punta Prima is more adult-orientated, offering a range of water sports facilities, bars, and restaurants. With some of the strongest currents on the island, it is not suitable for children who want to swim.

Diving

The island is one of the most impressive places in the Mediterranean for scuba diving and offers over 15 schools for would-be divers. If you don’t have PADI certification, this could be the perfect opportunity to get it and see some amazing sea life in the process.

Menorca is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the entire Mediterranean, and, although it is famous as a sun holiday destination, it is relatively unspoiled. It represents the ideal mix of amenities and pristine beauty, something few other places can offer.

So, why not enjoy yourself and see the sites with car hire in Menorca. The island is deceptively large, so car hire means you can see the area’s natural beauty quickly and easily.

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You will save money, be able to cook your own meals if you want and your kids will have a blast. Many caravan holiday parks have activities, kids clubs and entertainment so that your little ones will never be bored. You will also have the choice of many great holiday parks throughout the UK in beautiful locations.

Caravans and Camping, UK by Elias Gayles

If you are planning a caravan park holiday with your family this year, here are some tips that will help you make the most of your trip and have the best family getaway possible!

• Make sure to do some research before you go about the type of caravan that will work best for your family’s needs. Consider how much room your children will require and whether or not they will share a sleeping area or have their own separate spaces.

• If you have babies or young toddlers who sleep in a cot, call ahead and ask if the caravan park offers cots as part of their holiday package. It is good to know in advance, in case you need to pack your own.

• Take with you the essentials for breakfast such as bread, eggs, cereal milk and fruit, so that you can have your breakfast first thing in the morning without having to go anywhere first. You can also take with you some food to cook in the caravan to cut down the cost of eating out at restaurants for every meal.

• To make cooking in your caravan even easier, you can prepare several meals in advance, such as curry, chili or spaghetti Bolognese, so that you can simply keep them frozen and heat them up when needed. This saves you from having to take all of your ingredients with you.

• Make sure you bring along extras of everything, including your cutlery, cups, blankets etc. Even if you have enough for yourself, there might be someone else in the next caravan who has forgotten something and lending it to them is part of the friendly holiday experience of caravanning.

• Most caravan parks will allow you to take your dog along with you on your holiday, but it is always a good idea to check this before you make your booking to make sure everything is fine when you get there.

• Make sure that you bring along plenty of books, magazines, games and toys to entertain your kids on the long drive. Once you are there at the caravan park, there will be plenty of things to do to keep them busy!

• Taking a slow cooker with you can be a brilliant way to cook foods in your caravan. All you need to do is to add the ingredients in the morning and let it cook while you spend the day sightseeing or relaxing on the beach. When you return in the evening, your dinner will be ready for you.

• Give yourself some time to relax. Trying to pack too much into a holiday can leave you feeling stressed and exhausted and not like you have really had a break at all. Make sure that you plan for extra time in your holiday when the kids can make sandcastles on the beach or play on the playground and you can simply relax with a good book and sit in the sunshine for a while.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind to make the most of your trip. Have a great time on your family caravan holiday!

Here are some tips that will enhance your experience on your family caravan holidays in the UK this summer.

The post Tips for Making the Most Out of a Caravan Holiday in the UK appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Reinis Traidas

A Beach with Worldwide Recognition

As the song goes, ‘Well we do like to be beside the seaside’, and Brighton had the honour of being voted into the top 10 of the best city beach break destinations in the world. The famous Brighton Pier makes a stunning backdrop to the cosmopolitan and super cool Brighton promenade, where you can go for a stroll on a beautiful summer’s evening, or lap up the atmosphere of the various cafes and bars along the sea front.

The beach at Brighton can offer more than just a place to chill out however. For those seeking a little bit more excitement, there are loads of activities for you to do including a variety of water sports, from windsurfing to kayaking.

A Haven for Culture Vultures

Unlike some coastal towns that have a vacuum of creativity, Brighton has a whole host of things to see for those who wish to feast on something a little more enriching.

Brighton has a huge population of different artists and creative types, and therefore it is no surprise that there is a whole host of culture to sample. From dance and performance art, to comedy and some of the best festivals in the UK, whatever you’re into, you’ll find something for you.

The best month for festivals is May, when you have the Brighton Fringe, The Great Escape, and the Brighton Festival – the biggest arts festival in the whole of England. The 2012 Brighton Festival will be an extra special one, guest directed by the fabulous Vanessa Redgrave!

A Buzzing Nightlife

Brighton prides itself on having the liveliest music and club scene on the south coast, and some of the town’s most famous exports include Fatboy Slim, The Who and The Kooks. Regardless of your taste, you will be able to find a club that caters to your tastes amongst the smorgasbord of music on offer.

For those who love finding intimate music venues, the Latest Music Bar just off the front is one of Brighton’s favourite venues. Grab a bite to eat, catch the latest up and comers in the world of music or comedy, or book yourself in for a private party you’ll never forget.

With all of this fantastic entertainment on offer, Brighton is the ideal destination for stag and hen weekends, or just for a short break with your mates.

There are many places to visit in the UK, and all of them have different things going for them. Choose Brighton though, and you will find everything you could possibly want from a summer holiday.

This guest blog was written on behalf of Stonehills, offering fantastic holiday apartments in Brighton, the rest of the UK and in Europe.

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