Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Getting There

Europa Park is situated close to the A5 Autobahn 39 km north of Freiburg. It is a hassle free drive from the channel ports but if you wish to fly the park can be accessed from Basle and Karlsruhe airports both of which have shuttle buses to the park. Europa Park has a dedicated exit from the motorway and plenty of parking and so you will rarely be delayed on arrival in the area.

Layout

The park is ranged in areas themed on European countries and is beautifully landscaped. Each area features rides, attractions, restaurants and shops with something to please everyone in the family. The food is generally excellent, an uncommon occurrence in theme parks, and prices are surprising low for the quality of the food. There are plenty of places to relax and watch the world go by and a scenic lake in the centre of the park affords the opportunity for a pleasant walk when the rides have become too much!

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Highlights

There is truly something for everyone at Europa Park. If you want peace and tranquillity you can explore gorgeous gardens with dancing fountains, beautiful woodlands or take a spin around the lake. There is an area dedicated to rides and attractions for small children and family favourites like the log flume and Fjord Rafting.  Serious roller coaster enthusiasts should check out the magnificent steel coaster Silver Star, the launch coaster Blue Fire and the incredible new woodie, Wodan which has the best queue line ever! If that is not enough thrills then there is also a bob sleigh ride, a coaster in the dark and the Matterhorn Blitz, a wild mouse ride with a unique twist at the start. Finally you will not believe Poseidon a visually stunning ride which is a roller coaster and water ride all in one. The best thing of all is that this park runs with relentless efficiency. The queues move quickly and the rides never seem to break down.

Accommodation

You will need more than one day to experience all of the attractions on offer and so an overnight stay will be required. Europa Park offers 5 beautiful themed hotels on site. The newest option is the Bell Rock hotel a masterpiece of New England styling with rooms that feature real wooden floors, oak furnishings and beds for children in the shape of boats. All of the hotels offer excellent dining, bars and entertainment. If the on-site hotels are beyond your budget there are numerous privately run local hotels which are very reasonably priced and are walking distance from the park.

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Give it a try!

If you like theme parks and you haven’t visited Europe Park then give this place a try. I know of no other park which is run so well and offers such a fantastic range of attractions for everyone to enjoy. The hotels are superb and the prices very reasonable, there really isn’t a reason not to go.

Sally Stacey is an enthusiatic blogger and theme park fan currently writing on behalf of National Furniture who supllied the fantastic oak furnishings for her new bedroom inspired by the Bell Rock Hotel.

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All inclusive is a style of hotel board basis that, as the name suggests, typically includes all of the essentials – that means the cost of the room, your meals, drinks and snacks too. The finer details will depend on the hotel, because some hotels include all meals and drinks while others place certain restrictions in place. For instance, some hotels provide local drinks and house wine to all inclusive guests, but charge extra for spirits and branded drinks. Similarly, hotels with numerous on-site restaurants may allow guests to use the buffet as part of their inclusive deal, but require a supplement for the fine dining restaurant.

Photo by Velas Vallarta / Creative Commons-licensed

All inclusive often comes with other benefits too, such as the use of local amenities. For instance, if your hotel is located near a golf club, you may find that free or discounted use of the golf course is included with your all inclusive booking. Or perhaps there’s an inclusive use of on-site tennis courts or gym facilities. It’s well worth reading the fine print because there may be plenty of great facilities that you’re not aware of.

Naturally, a key benefit of all inclusive is that you spend less on food and drinks while you’re in the resort. For families, this is particularly beneficial – as all those snacks, soft drinks and ice creams can quickly add up.

Photo by PRINSOTEL HOTELS / Creative Commons-licensed

If you’re planning to book package holidays from Ireland, it’s well worth looking for all inclusive options and weighing up the cost. If you typically spend most of your time by the pool or on the nearest beach, all inclusive will be a great way to help you save money and spend it on the things you really want to do, like family activities or day trips.

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Self catering accommodation / Photo by admin

It’s cheaper:

One of the most apparent advantages of lodging in a self-catering apartment/house is that it is far more cost-effective. Firstly, you can prepare your meals in the apartment, which will certainly save you money on eating expenses. Food is one of the main holiday expenses and can easily expend your holiday funds in a heart-beat. By being able to prepare al least some meals where you are staying, will save you a boat-load of cash.

Also, if you have been out and purchased a surplus of food – You can simply take the food back to the self-catering apartment, keep it refrigerated and eat it whenever you want to.

It’s secure:

Self-catering accommodation offers your family added security. Generally, hotels don’t offer rooms that have several bedrooms, which a large family requires. As a result, it is hard to book neighbouring hotel rooms in order to keep the whole family together. By opting for self-catering accommodation – every family member has their own space, while your family is still kept together.

The comforts of home:

Self-catering accommodation offers all the comforts of home while you are away. This makes it a relaxing and comfortable place for you to enjoy your family after a big day of sightseeing.

Unlike a hotel, a modern self-catering apartment offers you enough room for everyone. Thus, if you and your spouse want to relax by doing some reading – the children can play games or entertain themselves in the next room. It is essential for everyone to have a little of their own space. By staying in a self-catering apartment – you are also able to come-and-go as you please, since you have your very own front door.

Less hassle:

Arriving home after a family holiday usually entails washing mountains of dirty clothes. Many self-catering apartments have laundry facilities; therefore you and your family can do laundry as it accumulates. Instead of visiting the nearest dry cleaner – you can simply deal with your washing at your accommodation.

So whether you need Family accommodation in Cape Town, Sydney, Hong Kong or Tokyo, you are sure to find a suitable place for your entire family to enjoy a fun and memorable holiday together.

This article was provided by food-lover and travel enthusiast, ScribeZA.

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Smart people now make full use of TripAdvisor and will actively post comments while they are being a particular hotel or resort. This means that an information on an outbreak of food poisoning, poor hygiene from staff at a hotel, dangerous areas, filthy swimming pools, bugs, dirty rooms and more can and will be made available for everyone to see as soon as they are noticed. Information like this, especially if it is posted while on holiday can help others to avoid a hotel or resort and can make your case stronger if you need to make a claim against your tour operator when you get back home.

If you find that something is not right while on holiday you should speak to your rep as soon as possible as they are your first point of contact while abroad. They should be able to work with a hotel or resort staff to solve the problem immediately, if not they know that they can face the wrath of unhappy holidaymakers when they post comments on TripAdvisor. If you are planning on posting comments however you need to make sure that you are not just moaning and making comments that could be seen as libellous. They should always be true comments or you could find that your griping becomes a problem for you personally, so never make a comment that cannot be backed up.

If you are planning a holiday spend a little time on TripAdvisor and get a real feel for the destination or resort/s that you are interested in. Doing this will give you an insight into the experiences of other holidaymakers and prevent you from making a mistake by booking the wrong holiday. Don’t be put off by one comment mentioning food poisoning if there are another hundred praising somewhere as this could be an isolated incident. But if a hotel has constant comments complaining about it your money will be put to better use planning a holiday elsewhere.

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• License: Image author owned 

Making a complaint about your hotel after a disappointing holiday is a process where valuable help from a solicitor would be useful so you know your rights and what to say to make your case a strong one.

The post Avoid A Holiday Nightmare With TripAdvisor appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by secretpizzas

Protection for Your Health

Medical benefit is probably the biggest advantage of getting a travel insurance. When you are traveling abroad without any insurance, you will not be covered for any medical bills incurred. On the unfortunate event that you fall sick or suffer an accident, you have to pay for all the expenses yourself. Sometimes, these medical bills and holiday accident claims can run into the thousands. Those who are traveling abroad tend to fall sick more easily simply because they are not used to the food or the weather there. Insuring oneself before going abroad is the best form of defense against unexpected medical expenses.

Protection against Trip Cancellations

Travel insurance can also protect you against trip cancellations. Sometimes, things are beyond your control. Accidents, home events and adverse weather can severely impede your travel plans. Without an insurance to cover you, the expense of canceling a trip can be huge. It is better to spend some money to purchase a good travel insurance than to lose money on flight and hotel booking minus the enjoyable travel experience. All the stress and unnecessary costs of trip cancellations can be avoided by simply having a good travel insurance policy.

Protection against Delays

While trip cancellations are not common, trip delays are. Imagine flights being delayed for hours or even days and you are stranded on a foreign land. During this time, you would have to pay for food, transport and maybe even hotels. These things can easily set you back by a few hundred dollars. Getting a good travel policy protects you against flight delays. You can even enjoy the extra few days on your holidays.

Protection against Theft and Holiday Accidents

Getting a travel insurance can also protect you against unexpected theft and holiday accidents. Many small accidents can happen when you are traveling abroad, such as damaged baggage and loss of personal items. Theft is common, particularly when you are traveling to areas with high crime incidence. Some travel insurance even cover legal fees, which will be helpful if you are involved in any instances which involve fine or court attendance. You will also be protected should you be involved in holiday accidents such as road accidents. It is not uncommon for tourists to rent a car for sight seeing purposes. A good travel insurance will cover you for any damage to the rental car. However, in most policies, the insured must be the person driving the car. Nevertheless, theft and holiday accidents can be expensive without a good travel insurance.

Most people refuse to take travel insurance when they go abroad because they deem it too expensive. However, after taking into consideration all the costs above, taking out a policy can actually be a prudent investment.

David a retired UK teacher advises using irwinmitchell.com for any holiday accident or illness that happens whilst traveling abroad.

The post The Advantages of Travel Insurance While Going Abroad appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by usadifranci

1.Choose the map-reader

The last thing you want when you’re on a road trip are two conflicting drivers, who are both trying to map-read. You’ll end up being sent in different directions, and you’ll most probably end up being lost too. Assign one person to map read who is confident with the job.

2.Pack the essentials

Make sure you have all the essentials with you when you leave. You’ll want some water (to keep you hydrated) and you’ll want things like Crisps (for when you get peckish) and wet wipes in case you spill anything.

3.Download some great music

A road trip is all about the awesome music you listen to along the way – so make sure you’ve preloaded some great music on your mp3 player before you leave. You could even ask everyone to send you a few tracks – or even better, ask everyone to create their own playlist. That way, everyone is happy!

4.Pre-Book hotels and hostels

As far as possible, try and pre-book your hotels and hostels along the way. The worst thing when road tripping, is finding there is one hotel in the area, and then finding out that it’s fully booked. Trust me – you don’t want to end up sleeping in the car, it’s uncomfortable and will make everyone grouchy the next morning!

5.Remember your visas

When travelling through Europe, you’ll be crossing the borders of many countries. Because of this, you’ll want to research the visa needs for you and your group. It may be that to cross one border you’ll need to fork out some money – so make sure you’ve budgeted for these kind of occurrences.

The most important thing though, of course, is to have fun! Remember that road trips can be super fun and can be a vacation you’ll always remember! You’ll want to keep yourself organised and you’ll want to stay on track – but if you get lost, try not to panic and just enjoy the holiday and enjoy wherever it is you’ve ended up. Most towns in Europe will have a tourist information bureau who can assist you in your travels!

Elle works for No1 Traveller and Calle Arco as a travel writer.

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Spain is a country which welcomes its tourists with open arms. Tourism forms inseparable part of a national economy. About 10,000 accommodation facilities is available here so you can choose from the cheapest one up to the most luxurious offering all types of service you can even imagine.

Photo by admin

Spain belongs to one of the cheapest western European countries, so this is why about 10% of all tourists travelling abroad choose this place for their holidays. Hotels are rated by stars from one to five and are marked with the letter H. Stars are awarded mainly for the room’s equipment but also for overall quality. Hotel restaurants are usually available also to other tourists.

If you prefer homelike atmosphere, you can choose from a network of Spain apartments. There are two kinds of such facilities – HA (Hotel Apartamentos) or RA (Residence Aparthotel).

Other accommodation options are Paradores Nacionales, which are state-owned hotels ranked from three to five stars, so those are luxurious and more expensive. The first Parador was established in 1928. Now you can find them both on the mainland and the islands. They are easily accessible, often presented as a mansion, medieval castles and other luxurious hotels.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cayetano

The most luxurious hotels are located on the Costa del Sol and Balearic Islands. Tourists across the country can choose from a wide variety of accommodation for different occasions, from short-stay apartments to long-term lease. Cheaper accommodation can be found in guesthouses, campsites or various casa rurales, which are family village hostels with a homelike atmosphere. They generally have a limited number of rooms/beds and are open only in the peak season. In Spain there are more than 600 campsites, which most of them are on the coast and offer standard services.

Accommodation prices vary by location, number of stars, and depend on the season. Prices should be displayed in each reception. It is common that rural and suburban hotels and hostels are cheaper than similar facilities in the city centers and along the beaches. Peak season starts in July and ends in August, but in some areas lasts from April until late September. At the time of national holiday (Fiesta) hotels may require a special fee.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wolfgang Staudt

One of the hottest destinations in Spain is Barcelona without a doubt. Barcelona is experiencing a real boom since the early 90′s, when the preparations for the Olympic Games have changed and modernized a character of the city. Today, Barcelona is really a busy city (sometimes too much in terms of traffic intensity…), full of culture, art and all sorts of activities.

However there are lots of Barcelona apartments, hotels, B&B and other accommodation facilities here, it is still recommended to book your room in advance to avoid any troubles and stress.

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It is certainly the biggest sporting celebration of Košice, when the whole city turns into a marathon atmosphere. The preparations of the exciting street circuit starts already few weeks in advance. Those of you who are not so brave to run all the 42 km long track, may try the half marathon in the length of 21 km or mini-marathon in the length of 4.2 km. The marathon includes also companies’ run and 20 km long races for skaters, wheelchair users and handbikers. In addition to the main competition there is a rich cultural program, so the visit is also suitable for non-runners.

You can register for the run during the whole year and the registration fee is €30-€50 (depends on the time of registration). You can do so online on the official website of Košice Peace Marathon (at least a week in advance) or personally – the last opportunity to register is this Saturday.

Organizer offers very cheap accommodation in student hostels or you can use the overnight services of one of the many hotels in Košice.

So if you still don’t have plans for this weekend, then come to the most beautiful city in Slovakia and enjoy unforgettable experiences.

View The oldest marathon in Europe starts this weekend in Košice, Slovakia in a larger map

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Blue Lagoon, Comino island, Malta by Martin Lopatka

You can choose from two small, sandy beaches with excellent swimming and a stunning lagoon of brilliant turquoise blue water. During the summer this island is overcrowded with day-trippers.

Comino is suitable and also recommended to everyone who loves the sun, sea and water sports. Here you can really enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving and windsurfing. The waters are crystal clear with safe swimming even for the youngest children.

To get to Comino, use one of two ferries from Mgarr (Gozo) or from Cirkewwa (Malta) or any other Chartered Yachts from other parts of the island.

Casal Qala, Gozo, Malta by Martin Lopatka

If you would like to stay on the island and spend here a few days, you will be left with nothing other than use the services of a luxury 4-star Comino Hotel, which is the only accommodation option on the island apart from the small campsite with a basic washing facilities. Its disadvantage is that it is opened only in summer, during the peak tourist season. It was built on a beautiful bay with a sandy beach and offers a variety of sports activities, including swimming pool. The hotel also has several bungalows, about 10 minutes away. Hotel provides windsurfing school during the day, or you can enjoy evening barbecues and dancing in hotel.

In spring the island is covered with flowering herbs, so this time is probably the best for a visit. But be careful, collecting flowers or minerals is strictly prohibited on the island.

Comino has a slightly undulating surface, its highest point is Comino Mayor that reaches an altitude of 75 meters above sea level. The most popular beaches where you can enjoy the sun and lazing by the water are St Nicolas Bay or Santa Maria Bay.

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The city lay on the original crusader fortress (1265) and was lying on the important trade route. This caused the fast growing. Thanks to it, the town was fortified, and lots of medieval monuments were built, which tourists still respectfully admire. These are mainly the remains of fortifications with bastions and especially red tower from 15th century and Gate Tallinn from the 17th century.

The people from Pärnu are mainly proud of the local, several kilometers long, sandy beach. In the middle of summer, the temperature is around 20-25 °C. The sea is not too salty.

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