Kayaking at Anglesey, North Wales, UK by Steve Cadman

Anglesey for Thrill-Seekers

From coasteering to climbing, to trotting along the coast of North Wales on a horse, there is an incredible amount of activities you can take part in whilst on Anglesey. There are a huge range of professional instructors and activity centres that offer experience days and courses in whatever activity you may like, from water sports to mountainous adventures. The coastline of Anglesey and nearby county of Gwynedd provides the perfect chance to visit new and exciting environments.

Anglesey for those interested in History

Anglesey is extremely rich in history, which dates back until the ancient Celtic time. There are various burial sites, grand castles and interesting ruins that all make for a very interesting and informative trip out. Beaumaris Castle is one of the most impressive pieces of historical architecture, which is popular amongst those who wish to explore some of the interesting historical areas of Anglesey. This castle is considered to be one of the finest and most complete concentric castles in the world.

If you love history and exploring historical attractions, then you will find Bryn Celli Stone Age burial chamber at Lladdaniel Fab very interesting. The chamber marks of what was once a Neolithic stone circle, which was later removed by locals, whereby they built a passage grave that dates back to at least 3000 BC.
For some historical trivia, visiting Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is a memorable day out. The town has the longest place name in the whole of Great Britain. When translated from Welsh it means “The church of St, Mary in a hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and near St. Tysilio’s church by the red cave”. The town was named in the 19th century to attract visitors to the Anglesey area, and it certainly worked!

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch railway station sign, UK by G1MFG

Anglesey for the Nature Lover

Anglesey has a real gift when it comes to nature, with fantastic natural beaches and the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, all in close proximity. There are a wide range of diverse and breath taking landscapes to enjoy, from the doorsteps of your self-catering holiday cottage, leaving you with beautiful walks and cycle routes. There is an interesting range of wildlife that live on Anglesey which allows you to get up close and personal with some of nature’s finest creatures.

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Now what would you say if this could all be but one day of your itinerary? Well, it could be, if you and your spouse choose to honeymoon in beautiful, historical Croatia!

Baška, Krk, Croatia / Photo by admin

In Croatia, you can enjoy both untouched, expansive scenery from rolling hills to mighty mountains to the picture perfect villages, or you can dance until dawn and enjoy world class shopping and the finest array of cuisines in the capitol, Zagreb, a lively metropolis of more than three quarters of a million people. Or a yacht charter; Croatia has a vast coast line, too!

Croatia offers its visitors both a glimpse of Old Europe, with restored castles and ancient cities dotting its picturesque landscape, with all the charm and history of any of its European neighbors, as well all the comforts and amenities of the most up to date modern conveniences. You can have the best of both worlds, the Old and the Modern, in lovely Croatia.

Baška, Krk, Croatia / Photo by admin

And what better way to see a country that boasts so much beautiful coastline — hundreds and hundreds of miles of rugged cliffs and perfect beaches lining the Mediterranean sea — than by boat?

When you and your spouse arrange for a yacht charter Croatia spreads its beauty before you from the deep blue seas. There truly is no better way to explore this lovely land than by traveling up and down its coast and visiting both the continental mainland and also its many wonderful islands. With a yacht  charter Croatia becomes a country of both the land and the sea. Where else can you spend time in breathtaking mountains with views down to the Mediterranean sea below and then in hardly any time at all be sailing across the seas and looking back up at rugged mountains dotted with centuries old villages, churches and castles?

Baška, Krk, Croatia / Photo by admin

Croatia is a land that invites you to enjoy it in your own way. If you and your spouse want a relaxed honeymoon, there are beautiful beaches and resorts and the finest spas in Europe at your disposal. If you wish to start your marriage off with rugged outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling in the summer and world class skiing in winter, you can do that too! And don’t forget about the sea — a yacht charter, Croatia’s coast line at sunset, and a bottle of local wine — perfection!

Jillian Johnson is a professional marketing content writer with an interest in writing about travel and leisure. Follow her @MissWritey.

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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

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Taking a road trip is one of the best ways to explore Europe, as there are so many stunning vistas which can be viewed by car as you make your way through this diverse landscape. The size and proximity of the different nations of Europe means that you can be in a totally different country in a matter of hours. From the rugged coastline of Scotland to the snowy mountains of Germany to the sun soaked villages of Italy, here are a few of the best road trips to enjoy throughout Europe.

Scotland’s Western Highlands

Start from the historic city of Edinburgh and take a 250 mile drive through winding roads and green countryside to the Isle of Skye. There are plenty of great historical sites to stop at on this scenic road trip, such as Linlithgow Place, Eilean Donan Castle, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument and Fort William’s West Highland Museum. The scenery here is breathtakingly beautiful, from rolling hills to tranquil Lochs to rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops.

If you get hungry along the way you can stop and enjoy some fresh seafood along the coast, such as oysters, scallops and mussels. Keep your eyes peeled because out the window you could spot seals, otters, foxes, deer, and birds.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland, UK by the Starling 2011

The Alpine Road, Germany

This route starts at the island town of Lindau located on Lake Constance and will take you 300 miles along the edge of the Bavarian Alps. The route twists and turns through picturesque small towns and villages, green alpine meadows, ancient forests, snowy mountain peaks, and fairy-tale castles giving you a fantastic taste of classic European scenery.

Lindau harbor, Lake Constance, Germany by Cody

The Amalfi Coast Road, Italy

This is a stunning drive through one of the most beautiful areas of Europe. Mountains overlook the clear glistening blue sea and stone churches are perched on the hills above villages of brightly coloured houses. The road winds slowly around the coast and takes you through hidden coves and sun soaked lemon groves. Anywhere you stop you will be treated to rich and flavorful Mediterranean food and friendly smiles from the locals, as well as soft sandy beaches. Be sure to take it slow, as you will want to stop multiple times to take the camera out and capture the amazing view.

Amalfi coast, Italy by Jenny

The Transfagarasan Mountain Road, Romania

This road in the mountains of Romania is thought to be one of the most spectacular roads in the world. It is 56 miles long and runs through the Fagaras Mountains which are part of the Transylvanian Alps. Host Jeremy Clarkson of the television show Top Gear claims that the Transfagarasan is the best road in the world.

This windy mountain road is filled with hairpin turns and challenging twists, so the maximum speed is 25 miles per hour. The road is only open from June to October because in the winter it is blocked by snow. On the way, you can even stop at the castle of Vlad III the Impaler, whom Bram Stoker based the character of Dracula on. You can also see Balea Lake, which is a glacier lake with cold, clear, icy water surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks.

The Transfagarasan Mountain Road, Romania by Cristian Bortes

These are just a few of the most amazing road trips throughout Europe, but there are many more. Next time you have a weekend or a few days to get away, grab the steering wheel, put some music on the stereo and get out there on the open road!

Before you head out on the open road and enjoy one of these amazing European road trips, be sure to get some cheap car insurance so that you are protected no matter what happens along the way.

The post Ready for Adventure: The Best Road Trips in Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

With the following affordable and indeed unique backpacker hostels and the current cheap flights to Glasgow that are available, it doesn’t have to cost you and arm and a leg.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Laszlo Ilyes

Budget Backpackers, Edinburgh

Budget Backpackers is one of the most popular hostels in the UK, and for good reason. Not only is it located in the heart of Edinburgh, but its facilities and atmosphere are second to none. The hostel’s chill out room is colourful and inviting with comfy sofas, a widescreen TV and views of Edinburgh Castle. You can snag a dorm bed for as little as £7, while private twin rooms are still very cheap at £23.

Glasgow Youth Hostel, Glasgow

Glasgow Youth Hostel offers a beautiful mixture of traditional architecture and modern features, with a Victorian exterior and décor complimented by comfortable accommodation, internet access, entertainment facilities and a laundry. There are three large lounges for kicking back and socialising as well as a popular coffee shop. Expect to pay around £15 a night here.

Skye Backpackers, Kyleakin

This quaint hostel is nestled between the mountains and the ocean in the charming fishing village of Kyleakin, on the Isle of Skye. It offers quirky accommodation, clean and comfortable facilities, a large garden and cosy fireplace. Around the Kyleakin area you can go hiking in the mountains, visit local distilleries and breweries, explore castle ruins or simply relax with a good book in the peaceful garden. Dorm beds at Skye Backpackers start from £15 a night.

Loch Ossian Hostel, Corrour

Nature buffs and adventurers will love the serenity and remoteness of Loch Ossian Hostel in the Scottish Highlands. Positioned next to a picturesque loch in the middle of nowhere, this hostel is completely eco-friendly – so much so that the only way you can access it is by walking 2km from the Corrour railway station. Don’t expect the usual luxuries like showers or electrical applicances, but rather the luxuries of nature like breathtaking scenery and utter tranquillity. If you’re feeling particularly active, why not have a crack at joining the Ossian Hour Club by running around the loch in under an hour.

About the Author : Simon Byrne+ is a travel writer with a passion for exploring the unknown. From Piranha fishing in the waterways of Bolivia to exploring ancient tombs in Cambodia, Simon’s travels continue to take him to weird and wonderful places, uncovering unique experiences and fascinating local people.

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