A wine tasting trip is a great way to give an interesting focus to a holiday. It’s fun, sociable and, contrary to popular opinion, is just as enjoyable for those who know very little about wine!

Wine shop by Claire (Europe Explored)

Where to Go

In order for wine to be produced, there needs to be lots of sun. Luckily for you, that means that any wine region that you choose to visit is likely to have very good weather while you are there.

If you are relatively new to wine tasting then it doesn’t really matter which wine region you visit to start with. Most regions will use a variety of different grapes to produce their wine so you will get to taste a variety of different wines. If you choose to go on an organised wine holiday, you may even be able to taste wines from neighbouring regions.

One of the primary considerations when you are planning a wine tasting holiday is what you will do when you aren’t tasting the local wines. For example, if you are into gardens or architecture you might choose to visit the Loire Valley wine region in France rather than some of the regions that are further south.

Vineyard in the Loire Valley near Chinon, France by La Chiquita

Who to Go With

Wine tasting is an incredibly sociable activity.  Who you choose to accompany you on your trip can be a very important decision. Though wine tasting has always appealed to older people, it’s not a rule. If you have children who are now in their 20s, maybe a wine tasting holiday would be something you would both enjoy? This is especially true if you are new to wine tasting yourself. You can learn the ropes together. This can be great fun and add a completely new dimension to a holiday.

Booking Your Holiday

There are a number of ways to book a wine tasting holiday. The most obvious, but not always the best, option is to book the whole holiday from a tour operator. There are a number of operators who specialise in wine tasting trips; just be careful you don’t pay over the odds. The second option is to book your flights and accommodation separately and then sign up for a locally organised wine tasting programme.  This can be preferable because you are able to benefit from local knowledge (very important when it comes to wine). Lastly, you might choose to book your accommodation and then simply make it up as you go along! This can be a little hit and miss, but it’s certainly the most fun!

Victoria Wills is the owner of Chateau de Milly which is set right in the heard of the Loire Valley. Chateau de Milly is available for rental throughout the year and is a perfect base for a wine tasting trip.

The post What About A Wine Tasting Holiday? appeared first on Europe Explored.

Cruise ship with pool by Michael R Perry

Here are 4 reasons why you should go on a cruise for your holiday:

Prices: the prices are very reasonable and you can get all types of cruises available throughout the year. You can get amazing accommodation and entertainment on a cruise at prices as low as $ 150 a day. A variety of cuisines can be enjoyed and dinners are lavish and extravagant at low prices. If you are going to get some time off from work, you might as well spend a little money and enjoy yourself and take your family and friends with you, too. Do a little research and you can get amazing discounts and prices and enjoy extravagant cruises.

Getting pampered: throughout the year you have to go running through markets and shops, get home and cook and prepare your foods for yourself. You have to spend hours to ensure you have everything you need. Well, when on a cruise (or as the Danes call it krydstogt) you need not worry about that. The first-class services on cruises, regardless of the prices, are remarkable. You can spoil yourself by getting a comfortable massage or just sink into a Jacuzzi on board. If you are going to spend some money on going on a cruise, let them take care of you while you relax.

Activities: one can enjoy different activities when on a cruise. Go for swimming in the swimming pools on board. Live-a-board diving is very popular in certain parts of the world such as the Maldives. Live-a-board diving is an activity whereby divers dive off a ship at different points to enjoy the waters and the marine life. You can play golf at the dock or enjoy the casinos that some cruise ships offer. Enjoy other such relaxing activities with your family and friends when on board!

Satisfaction: you would definitely have a good time on a cruise enjoying different activities, spoiling yourself and going on cruises at a reasonable price. You can enjoy different and new horizons. Not much packing is required either and so you do not have to worry about losing any of your clothes or luggage. In addition to this you and your family would have a good, stress-free vacation on a cruise.

These are just some of the reasons you should go on a cruise for your holiday. If you want to get some peace of mind and have a good time, go on a cruise!

The post Top 4 reasons to go on a cruise for your holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

Lago di Bolsena

Within a crater of the extinct Vulcini volcano, Lake Bolsena is just south from Tuscany in the region of Northern Lazio. The main nearby village is the old town of Bolsena on the lake’s northern banks. The town is now a resort village with the old town and castle well preserved. The historic island of Bisentina lies within the lake, and it has an old church as well as a historic prison for heretical priests and a convent. Then, a small fishing town on the lake has a castle. People currently enjoy fishing, boating and swimming at Lake Bolsena.

Lago di Bolsena, Italy by Hengist Decius

Lago di Como

Italy’s most popular lake for getaways, Lake Como is a “Y” shaped body of water of the Lake District in the Alps’ foothills. Visitors are captivated by stunning views of blue waters, charming lakeside villages with comfortable accommodations and tall mountains on the northern side of the lake near the country’s border with Switzerland. Visitors should take a boat cruise and stop at some of the smaller villages for cool treats at gellaterias. Other area activities are photography, hiking and a variety of water sports.

Photo of Menaggio, Lago di Como, Italy by Gerry Labrijn

Lago di Garda

The most visited and the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is in the country’s northern Lake District. The lovely village of Limone with its many fragrant lemon trees is on the northern side of the lake where rugged cliffs dominate the landscape. Waterfront walkways, beaches and castles from the Middle Ages are around Lake Garda. Families enjoy water sports and nearby parks like the amusement park, Gardaland.

Photo of Toscolano, Lago di Garda, Italy by Studio eLBee

Lago di Maggiore

To the west from Lake Como, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s longest lake at 65 kilometers. The far north of the lake crosses the border into Switzerland. The area has a fair to mild climate even though it is mostly surrounded by the foothills of the Alps. Visitors enjoy exploring the lake’s three islands. The widest point of this body of water is near the town of Luino.

Photo of Lago di Maggiore, Italy by Oliver Keller

Lago di Trasimeno

Close to Tuscany in Umbria, Lake Trasimeno is known as the site for a battle between Hannibal and Rome. The lake is fairly shallow and has some beaches along its shoreline. A large island is within Trasimeno Lake, famous for the lace that the people on the island produce. Historic towns dot the landscape around this body of water, and many of them have fascinating castle ruins. If you would like to visit any of these lakes you can compare lake Como holidays from inghams.co.uk and I hope to see you at the waters edge for a much deserved cocktail.

Photo of Lago di Trasimeno, Italy by Roberto Taddeo

The post 5 Fantastic Lakes in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by admin

Choose your travel companions

Holidays can be stressful; they shouldn’t be, but sometimes they are.  It definitely helps if you are travelling with people you know you’ll get along with, and who will give you space when you need it. Staying in the same hotel room, or even a house, with a bunch of people you aren’t used to living with – even if they are your best friends – can be taxing on a relationship.

Plan ahead

Arriving in a new country or city can be overwhelming. There are so many new things to do, so many things to see; you could get overwhelmed by all the different activities you want to do. You could always dive in headfirst and go with whatever takes your fancy, but I find it’s better to plan out a rough schedule to avoid time constraints and ensure that you do everything that you want to do.

Conversely, if you arrive somewhere and aren’t sure of what you can do there, a little research in advance can’t hurt. Who knows, you might find a new favourite activity or restaurant. Knowledge is power!

Save up

For maximum enjoyment and to reduce stress, budget your trip beforehand. This is especially useful for long and/or overseas trips. The last thing you want to have to worry about on a holiday is how much you can spend. Estimate how much you want to spend per day – think about the types of meals you want to eat (will you be dining out every day, or are some “home”-cooked meals on the menu?), are you planning on purchasing any souvenirs? Or going to any attractions that involve buying tickets?

It’s best to work out a budget for your trip as soon as possible, so you can start putting aside money in preparation for it. That way, you can focus on having fun, rather than balancing the books.

Accommodation

Where you stay plays a fairly important role in your enjoyment of the holiday. After all, it’s the place you’ll come back to at the end of the day to unwind and to sleep. If you envision lazy days by the pool, choose a place with a pool. If you some private time in the bathroom, make sure your room has an en suite. It’s also a good idea to choose a hotel or hostel that’s close to the city central or somewhere close to public transport, so it’s easy to get around.

Sarah Paige is a travel expert currently living in Vale, in Western Australia, until her next intrepid adventure.

The post Travelling Checklist appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alex Brown

In the 19th century it became a very popular place among European nobility, Napoleon III., Alfonso II. from Spain and others and still offers lots of attractions and vibrancy for the tourists. Can be said that Biarritz competes with Saint Tropez, however it offers much more than just beaches, casinos, bars and entertainment oriented only to spend money.

During the day you can sunbathe and watch the surfers on the Great Beach (Grande Plage). Along the beach is a trail where you can ride on roller skates, and in the evening you can try the luck at the Town Casino (Casino Municipal).

View Biarritz Beach – a paradise for surfers and celebrities France in a larger map

Interesting places and buildings

Another town beach is Miramar where you can stay in a king of local hotels – luxury 5 star Hotel du Palais. It was built in 1848 by Emperor Napoleon III. Its lowest rate for single room is €300 per night, but you will surely feel like the emperor himself. A little farther, on the tip of St. Martin, you can see Biarritz lighthouse, dating back to 1831.

You should also visit the old whaling port which is no longer working, but the locals love it and keep its original appearance.

Be sure to go to Rocher de la Vierge (virgin reef), which resembles a tooth and offers really great view and atmosphere at sunset. To get here, you have to go through the bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel.

View Biarritz Beach – a paradise for surfers and celebrities France in a larger map

The post Biarritz Beach – a paradise for surfers and celebrities | France appeared first on Europe Explored.

Rimini is located in an area known as Adriatic Riviera, which is famous for its endless sandy beaches and long gradual entry into the sea, which is appreciated especially by families with young children. The resort is situated on a flat sea coast in the southeast corner of the Po Valley, about 200 km south of Venice and 50 km from the historic city of Ravenna. Along with several other towns in its surroundings creates a long strip of the urban landscape.

View Rimini – Italian holiday factory in a larger map

The town has been here already since Roman period, which is reflected in the buildings in the city center. Rimini has received wider recognition in 1843 when the first spa resort was built here, which is still working. They deal with the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and respiratory tract and are located in the northeast of the city. During the World War II almost the whole town was destroyed but it has been reconstructed during following years, began to grow and today it is one of Europe’s largest sea site resorts. The first hotel was opened here by Baldini family together with a spa centre in the year 1843. Since then there has grown additional 1600 accommodation properties.

Currently this resort can offer not only the sea, beaches, entertainment and attractions, but also nice old city with some beautiful and important monuments. So you can find a wonderful combination of nature, history, culture and entertainment here. Rimini has two faces – one is historic, great and calm in the same time, while the other one is trendy, vibrant and splendid.

Fans of medieval and Roman monuments will certainly not be disappointed since there are few of them right in the city center. One of the most important monuments is Ponte di Tiberio, a bridge that was constructed of Istrian marble. Its history dates back to the year 20 AD. Up to 90′s of the 20th century the bridge was used for transport, but now serves only for pedestrians. At this bridge, originating from the reign of Emperor Tiberius, starts the main street Corso di Augusto, which crosses the old city.

Following the street you can get up to the south edge of town where you can admire the oldest triumphal arch in Italy – Arco d’Augusto, which was built in 26 BC and served as the official gateway to the city. From the gate, then leads the main road Via Principalis.

The main square of Rimini is Piazza Cavour, which reflects all the city life. Its dominant feature is the ancient palace Palazzo del Podesta built in the 14th century. In front of it you can see the equestrian statue of the former ruler Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta. He was considered as one of the most daring military leaders in Italy of this time.

View Rimini – Italian holiday factory in a larger map

On Via IV. Novembre street you can see a Renaissance cathedral church Tempio Malatestiano, which is perhaps the most beautiful building in the town at all. It was built in the 13th century by architect Leon Battista Alberti. His work has subsequently become a jewel of Renaissance architecture. Old Town provides a pleasant rest from the otherwise bustling tourist center. You can wander the picturesque cobbled streets or relax in hidden corners and observe the life around.

But Rimini is mainly known for its busier environment and rich cultural program. It is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy an active holiday full of fun and entertainment of various kinds. So if you like a hectic shopping, crowded pizzerias, discos and bars, you should spend some time on the main street near the beach. In the dark the resort transforms into a center of wild fun. There are especially young people, who are enjoying the vibrant nightlife of clubs and discos until the early morning hours. Exuberant nightlife is the main reason why Rimini is often called “Ibiza of the Adriatic” among young people. However you will not be disappointed even if you are the lover of good food and drink, as you can sit in a comfortable environment of restaurants, pizzerias and bars.

If you will want a break from the hot Italian sun, go to cool down into the Adriatic Sea. Rimini has over twenty kilometers of beaches with golden sand, which is sometimes up to 200 meters wide. Although the sea is a little cloudy from the sand, do not worry about its purity. If you do not prefer sunbathing on the beach and just lying, you can try paragliding, windsurfing, water skiing or jet-ski. In addition to water sports Rimini offers also opportunities to play volleyball, tennis, golf, mini golf and many other sports you can think of. If you have roller skates, be sure to take them with you – Rimini offers several special in-line routes.

You can also spend some time in one of the many parks. The biggest one is the Parco XXV Aprile, where you can get from the street Dario Campana. If you are planning your vacation with children, it is better to choose accommodation in a quieter part of town, like Miramare de Rimini, where the beaches are not overcrowded and there are no fees. This is more quiet part than downtown, which you appreciate mainly during the evening and night hours. As the busiest part of town is considered Rivazzura.

Around the city there are many theme parks, e.g. Fiabilandia, but also the Dolphinarium, a water park and Aquafan underwater world. Perhaps the most popular amusement park is Mirabilandia – Land of Miracles. Among the frequently visited attractions is Italia in miniature, where you can see Italy’s most famous buildings in miniature.

In addition, only about 20km from Rimini you can find the second smallest state in the world – the Republic of San Marino, which is definitely worth a visit. So Rimini is a place where you cannot experience boredom, but unfortunately there is sometimes very hard to find moments of peace.

View Rimini – Italian holiday factory in a larger map

The post Rimini – Italian holiday factory appeared first on Europe Explored.

It is perhaps mistakenly called water park, because in addition to all kinds of aquatic attractions you can find also the animation programs (such as Latin-American dance, diving lessons, water spinning), or even a gym, bungee jump, climbing wall. There are several thematic attractions – FUNNY LAND for kids, Hemingway port, great acrobatic shows at the 30 m long pirate ship.

In short – it makes no sense to describe all of the largest Italian aquapark in this article. If you want to know more about how to spend time here, we recommend to check out the interactive map at the park official website.

Aqualandia Water Park is open daily from May to September from 10:00 to 18:00.

Admission:
Children up to 100 cm – FREE
Children up to 140 cm – €23
Adults – €27
Adults over 60 years – €23

Admission only for the afternoon (2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Children up to 140 cm – €19
Adults – €23

All attractions except bungee jumping are included in the price.

View Aqualandia Water Park – the biggest and best aquapark in Italy in a larger map

The post Aqualandia Water Park – the biggest and best aquapark in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

Although the Apulian countryside is literally dotted with trulli buildings, most fairy houses can be found in the town of Alberobello, which was, due to its unique structures, included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Hundreds of trulli houses are stuck next to each other in the winding streets. They survived in an almost authentic state, for which we can thank to the Italian conservationists. Already in 1909, Trulli was declared as a protected monument.

View Trulli di Alberobello – strange houses in Italy in a larger map

Currently fairy houses serve mainly to tourists – as small shops and pubs, but sometimes as a romantic and rather expensive little hotels and guesthouses. Renting the renovated and modernly equipped Trulli for two to four people outside the main season cost €600 a week (during the holidays up to €800).

Lots of houses are also on sale, at the lower prices. However, in the state before the general reconstruction.

View Trulli di Alberobello – strange houses in Italy in a larger map

The post Trulli di Alberobello – strange houses in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.