The county of Dorset is the quintessential rural English idyll. No holiday in Dorset would be complete without fossil hunting at the world famous Chesil beach, visiting The Cobb pier at Lyme Regis, and of course, experiencing the landscape of Thomas Hardy’s novels.

Jurassic Coast (with a Durdle Door on the left side), Doset, England, UK by Tom Maloney

Dorset’s spectacular Jurassic Coast encompasses every kind of coastal wonder – sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, sand dunes, natural rock arches (a visit to the gravity-defying arch at Durdle Door is a must), rare wildlife and fossils galore (Lyme Regis, Chesil and Charmouth beaches top the list for ammonite seekers)… You could happily spend an entire holiday never straying far from Dorset’s shores, but leave time to explore Dorset’s inland charms as well.

Idyllic hamlets with timber-beamed country inns and chattering streams set against a backdrop of rolling green hills make Dorset the perfect antidote to the city and an excellent choice for a rural getaway. It’s easy to see why the Dorset Downs are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A walk up Eggardon Hill, crowned with the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort, affords king-of-the-castle-views across the Dorset countryside and out over the Lyme Bay coast. Visit in September to see the skies over Eggardon Hill alive with colour at the annual Eggardon Kite Festival.

Eggardon Hill, Dorset, England, UK by G1MFG

There is plenty to see and do in Dorset all year round. History lovers will be spoilt for choice. Dorset is home to the iconic Corfe Castle ruins, Maiden Castle (Britain’s largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort) and ancient towns such as Dorchester where Roman, Medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings jostle for space.

Corfe Castle, Dorset, England, UK by David Bunting

But Dorset is not all about the past. There are plenty of activities rooted very much in the 21st Century to keep the most adventurous of souls entertained. On land, zorbing, llama trekking, rock climbing and jeep safaris are guaranteed to get the blood pumping. There are ample opportunities for getting out on the water in Dorset too, and sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing will get the pulse racing. You can even experience Dorset from the air, a hot air balloon ride over one of the picturesque towns of Sherborne, Blandford Forum or Shaftesbury will give you a buzzard’s-eye view of the rolling landscape so vividly described in Hardy’s novels.

There are endless places to visit with the family, including the Dinosaur Museum and Burngate Stone Carving Centre, where you can try your hand at stone carving, making Dorset a firm holiday favourite with the kids too. With a holiday cottage in Dorset as your base, you’ll never be far from a slice of history, or a slice of the action.

The post Discover delightful Dorset | England, UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Camping holidays in Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

Andalusia: Situated in the southern part of the country, it’s a region famous for its deserts, beautiful sandy beaches and ancient cities. Some of the best beaches are along the coast of Costa de la Luz and Costa del Sol. It’s the region with the highest mountains – the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are plenty of great camping sites around the provinces of Granada, Malaga, Sevilla and Almeria. The combination of seaside and mountainous landscape attract a big number of campers.

Aragon: Situated in the northern part of Spain, it’s a great camping region. The area borders France with the Pyrenees and it is famous for its rural villages, beautiful valleys and breathtaking mountain peaks. Some of the best campsites are in Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca. They are top choices of both experienced campers and beginners.

Asturias: If you’d like a different camping experience – combined with some sightseeing, this is the ideal destination for you. It’s on the north of Spain and there are plenty of historical buildings and museums in the area. There are numerous campsites to choose from in Luarca, Colunga, Cudillero, San Tirso de Abers, Ribadesella and many more.

Catalonia: One of the finest Spanish regions, bordering Andorra and France to the north (with the Pyrenees), Valencia to the south, Aragon to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. It’s a wonderful area for camping and sightseeing. The region is popular for its impressive architecture and art.

Galicia: A region which borders both the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal; it is often called “the first country in Europe”. Full of great campgrounds, the best areas are in Pontebedra, Ourense and A Coruna.

One of the major tourist destinations in Spain is Majorca. It attracts people with its mountainous scenery, golden sandy beaches and beautiful cities. It’s a great camping location with various options for outdoor activities and sports. Spain is also famous for its music scene, culture, warm and friendly people, delicious food and it’s definitely worth a visit. A camping holiday is a great opportunity to explore the country with just a backpack on your back and sturdy walking shoes.

Article provided by https://vacation-rentals-news.com/category/vacation-rentals-articles/, pictures provided by article writer.

The post Guide to Camping Holidays in Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, UK by Dave Leeming / License: Creative Commons

Seaside Day Trips in Lincolnshire

1. Skegness

This seaside town provides visitors with easy access to the North Sea, and many people will choose to spend a day enjoying the beautiful Skegness Beach. For those who have more of a sense of adventure, though, the area also offers an annual motorcycle beach race, a carnival in August, the Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, the Fantasy Island amusement park and resort, Batemans Brewery and Natureland.

If you prefer to spend the day shopping, there are several local shops that feature great gift ideas such as Mooch Perfect Gifts. Visitors who stay into the evening hours can also take advantage of the great nightlife that Skegness has to offer, including over 40 clubs, pubs and discos. Check out www.lincolnshire.org for more on Skegness nightlife.

2. Cleethorpes

This popular seaside resort is on the northeast coast of Lincolnshire, and it features three miles of sandy beaches. The Ross Castle is a great place to start your day trip, and everyone in your group is certain to be amazed that it was built in 1863 because it appears to be ancient.

Other highlights of Cleethorpes include the Humber Estuary Discovery Centre, the Time Trap Museum, the Cleethorpes Pier, the Pleasure Island Theme Park, the Greenwich Meridian and the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. If you visit on a Sunday, you should also consider going to the Cleethorpes Sunday Market.

3. Mablethorpe

If your primary interest is spending time on the beach, Mablethorpe’s four miles of beachfront are a great choice, and there are beach huts available to rent if you want to enjoy a more private experience. The town is also home to the annual Bathing Beauties Beach Hut Festival, the Central Amusement Park, Crazy Golf, the Seal Sanctuary, the family friendly Sutton on Sea Gardens and the Rimac Nature Reserve.

On Thursdays, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase local produce and other items of interest at the Mablethorpe Market on the high street. Mablethorpe also offers 14 pubs and bars, including the The Crown Inn in Maltby, the Turks Head Pub and the Book in Hand pub.

Because each of the towns listed above are located on the coast, it is common for hotels to book up in advance. Therefore, if you plan to stay overnight instead of visiting for just one day, you should contact a local hotel as soon as possible to secure a room. If you are just going to be in town for the day, though, you should be able to visit most attractions without dealing with an extended wait.

Georgina Clatworthy is a freelance writer who lived in the County of Lincolnshire during her childhood.  Websites such as www.lincolnshire.org can offer tourists and day trippers information on where to go and what to see in this beautiful county, as well as details of upcoming events and links to accommodations and places to eat.

The post 3 Daytrip Ideas To Lincolnshire’s Seaside Resorts | UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

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.

The post There is something for everyone on Anglesey, North Wales | UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Sylt, Germany

Sylt is located on one of the most northern tips ofGermany, on its border withDenmark(perhaps an opportunity to visitDenmarktoo). It has 40km of beautiful sandy beaches and has fantastic surfing opportunities from the north coast side of the island. There are also some amazing mud flats to explore and stroll along. In the summer months they also have Royal Polo matches, the surfing world cup and four fantastic golf clubs to try. This island will make you feel like you are on a romantic movie set, with its brooding coastline and wildflower banks.

Sylt, Germany by Randolf Rautenberg

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava is only a 1 hour train ride from Vienna, located in the west of the country. There is bustling city nightlife with drinks from around €3 each, visit fantastic Bakchus wine restaurant for a lovely evening meal and complementing wine to have with each course in an amazing cave-like setting.

Parma, Italy

Parma is located in the north of the country right at the top of the ‘boot’ of Italy. It is particularly famous for its prosciutto (Parma ham), cheese and beautiful architecture.  This is including citadels, churches, palaces and cathedrals.

And some tips outside of EU:

Gjirokastra, Albania

This incredible Albanian city is located in the south of the country near to its border with Greece. Since 2005 it has been named a UNESCO world heritage site, this is due to its links to the communist era past and the historic points of interest. These include the Bektashi tomb which contains the remains of two Bektashi Babas, religious men from an Islamic order founded in the 13^th century by Persian’s. You can experience so much more on holiday by visiting this amazing Albanian City.

Reykjavik, Iceland by Hannah Smith

Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavik is located in the south west of the Northern European country, it is famous for its hot spring saunas and this is an amazing way to relax and rejuvenate in the natural way. A fantastic idea for a once in a lifetime experience is to take a helicopter ride from Reykjavík and view the stunning glaciers, glacial lagoons, burning lava fields and volcanoes! If you would prefer to stay on the ground or sea, try whale watching, with over 20 species of whale and dolphins available to see in Icelandic waters it is a must-see excursion.  How to get to Iceland is easy, you can actually cruise to Reykjavík from Southampton giving an excellent opportunity to see more of the North Sea area.

The post Top 5 under the radar European Cities appeared first on Europe Explored.

Saint-Tropez, France by Zoé de Saint-Tropez

1 – Convenience

If travelling from the UK, you can reach Calais and Le Havre in a few short hours or less. By comparison, a trip to the South of France can involve a longer flight, and day or two of driving. In this way, the North of France is recommended for people that want a quicker getaway, or don’t want to have to transport young children on a long journey.

2 – Cities

There are many excellent cities in both the North and the South of France. The North’s distinction comes through it being the location of Paris. However, travels to the South can take in the similarly large, if not quite as diverse, cities of Nice and Marseille along the French Riviera. Travellers going to the South West of France can also enjoy the historic city of Bordeaux.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France by Trey Ratcliff

3 – Temperature

Those wanting to enjoy the sun and the beach are probably better off heading south than trying the climate of the Northern part of France, which is broadly similar to the UK. The South’s Mediterranean climate is much hotter, and features many more sandy beaches. Marseille and Nice are particularly popular for tourists. Visitors to the South and France’s Eastern border with Switzerland can also enjoy the sun and the skiing opportunities of the French Alps.

4 – Cultural Differences

While there are no major differences in terms of language and shared culture between the North and the South of France, there are a few contrasts that should be taken into consideration. The South of France is generally more tourist driven, and most French people will travel to it as part of their own holidays. The pace of life in the South is also slower and more relaxed in the larger cities and resorts. Cities like Monte Carlo are more expensive than the towns of the North. Food in the South is similarly more Mediterranean in terms of the use of spices and local fish delicacies.

Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, France by marcovdz

5 – Travel Options

Being based in the North or the South of France will create different opportunities for further travel. On the other hand, being based in the North means that you can easily travel onto Belgium and Germany, while also gaining access to the Netherlands. By contrast, a trip to the South of France creates the chance to travel to Switzerland and Germany via the Alps, as well as heading west to Spain and Portugal. The South of France is also a good base for journeys on to the North of Africa and parts of Greece.

Conclusions

Taken together, those wanting a short journey, and the opportunity to enjoy Paris and cooler temperatures should consider the North of France, while those after sun and beaches, and a more Mediterranean holiday, can head south. Again, however, there is no reason not to enjoy both during the course of a longer trip.

Brought to you by the bloggers from Cheznous. Offering holidays in France.

The post Are You More Suited to a Holiday in North France or South France? appeared first on Europe Explored.

Sandy beaches, sea birds, dramatic coastlines and scattered wild flowers bobbing in the wind form the scenery of the Lizard peninsula. This peninsula is home to peaceful coves and is an excellent spot for surfing and kayaking.

The recent popularity of the Harry Potter books has revived interest in all things wizardry, making The Museum of Witchcraft a fun way to spend a damp afternoon. Explore unusual artifacts related to witchcraft, from scrying mirrors to talismans or dried toads.

St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, UK by Alex Healing

On the summit of a rocky, windswept island perches St. Michael’s Mount a medieval church and castle. Reachable only by boat at high tide or along a winding causeway at low tide, St. Michael’s Mount features sweeping architecture complete with turrets and gun batteries. Clinging to the steep cliffs is a terraced garden overflowing with sub-tropical flowers.

For a fun day of rides for people of all ages, try Flambards theme park. Don’t miss the Victorian Village, where the Victorian era has been re-created complete with cottages and shops, such as the butcher’s shop and the apothecary.

Rumored to be the birthplace of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle is a magical site full of ancient, crumbling ruins. Waterfalls plummet down the cliff sides into the Atlantic below. Meanwhile, hidden underneath the castle is Merlin’s Cave, which is flooded with water during high tide.

Take a train ride through a secret garden with miniature trees, wind you way through a maze and follow a trail to a hobbit house at the Hidden Valley Discovery Park. Armed only with a map and your powers of observation, try going on a treasure hunt for lost crystals hidden throughout the park.

Spend a romantic evening at an inn famous for its exciting history of contraband smuggling, the Jamaica Inn. This inn is the inspiration for the book of the same name by Daphne du Maurier, who chanced upon the inn after getting lost in a storm. The inn has a large collection of smuggling artifacts and is located on the Bodmin Moor, where you can wander and get lost in its natural beauty.

Lost Garden of Heligan, Cornwall, UK by joannevc

“Don’t come here to sleep or slumber,” reads the inscription uncovered in a tiny room buried under collapsed stonework in the Lost Garden of Heligan. Overgrown and neglected for the better part of a century, the garden has been gloriously restored with a lovely Victorian garden, woodlands and a lush sub-tropical garden.

On a chilly, rainy day, nothing is more pleasant than a visit to a traditional Cornish pub, such as the Famous Barrel. Bask in the glow of the fireplace while enjoying cask ale in this 100-year-old pub that features a front door made from a section of a brewer’s barrel.

If you’re an adventure seeker, head to the Adrenalin Quarry, home of the longest zip line in the UK. Booking isn’t necessary; just show up and jump. Or try The Giant Swing, which hangs 150 over the water-filled quarry.

Cornwall has an abundance of activities from the cozy to the invigorating. It is a place of enchantment, bursting with history against a backdrop of stunning landscapes.

Sarah writes for Highcliffe Holidays, who have a great selection of Polzeath Cottages self-catering accommodation. They love pets and are proud to be amongst the top providers of dog friendly cottages in North Cornwall.

The post 10 exciting things to do in Cornwall come rain or shine! | UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Mykonos is quickly developing into one of the most desirable holiday destinations in the world, not just Europe. Its beautiful location to the south of the Greek mainland makes it a perfect balance of linked yet secluded from the busy areas of the country itself.

Mykonos / Charlie Dave

One of the most appealing aspects of the island is how there is something for everyone. Whether it is a lively night-time scene, a cultural experience or a wander around historical landmarks, Mykonos offers activities that anyone can enjoy.

Island Features

As one of the smallest of the Greek islands, Mykonos has a raw and savage feel to it, which, aggressive as the description sounds, merely serves to add to its beauty and charm. While being a land covered in rocky terrain, there is also miles of amazing sandy beaches which makes for a breath-taking landscape given the location of the island.

One other redeeming feature of Mykonos is that, although in recent years tourism has exploded, the island has retained most, if not all, of its authenticity and cultural roots, which made it such an attractive holiday destination in the first place.

Mykonos windmills / Allan Henderson

What to Do

As we alluded to earlier, Mykonos presents an array of activities both for individual holidaymakers as well as for family groups who have taken a trip to the island. During the day time, in addition to the gorgeous beaches there are a number of historical museums around the island, displaying archaeological treasures and details from the islands rich past. By night, the island comes alive and is home to some of the very best cuisine on offer throughout this part of the world. There are dozens of great value restaurants on Mykonos, many of which are situated on the sea front offering stunning views while you eat.

Whether you are looking for a quiet, romantic evening with a partner or a wild party to end your holiday in style, there is something for all tastes on the island of Mykonos. This variety is in stark contrast to many famous holiday destinations in the area, which are well known for their wild party scene however are somewhat one dimensional in that they offer very little else.

In addition, there are options for travellers to the island to go cycling or camping round the island, and given Mykonos is so small, this is arguably the best way to experience the true beauty of what the island has to offer, and have the opportunities to make some amazing discoveries for yourself.

Touristorama is a travel directory designed exclusively for people travelling to Greece and the Greek Islands, such as Mykonos.

View Discovering The Unknown Jewels Of The Mediterranean in a larger map

The post Discovering The Unknown Jewels Of The Mediterranean appeared first on Europe Explored.

The Dartmoor National Park / James Farnham

Water Sports

The coastlines in Devon cover more than 250 miles. This affords a wide range of water-sports. If you are the adventurous, adrenaline seeking type, perhaps white water rafting or kite-surfing might be just what you desire. However, if your idea of fun is far more tame, perhaps sailing or fishing might be more what you are looking for.  The diving in Devon is hard to be beat. There are numerous wreckages and reefs to explore while underwater. If remaining on top of the water is a better idea to you, surfing is practiced year round while wakeboarding, water-skiing, and windsurfing have high seasons and low seasons.

Fishing

Fishermen and women flock to Devon from all over the world in pursuit of the many fishing opportunities. There are occasions to visit any of the many fishing ports where sea vessels take expectant anglers on day trips. There are also a myriad of streams and tributaries offering fresh water fishing if wrestling saltwater fish is not to your liking. Fishing is big business in Devon so whatever your needs or desires, it can all be met here.

Beaches

If all the activity of water-sports or fishing is not quite your style, taking a lazy afternoon to soak up the sun on the beach may be just what satisfies your needs. The large coastline offers many opportunities to do just that. The North Devon Coast and the South Devon Coast each offer unique features. The North Devon coast has hanging cliffs and sandy beaches, whereas, the South Devon coast has sandstone cliffs and pebble beaches.  Some beaches have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag award designating those beaches as some of the best and cleanest in the world.

Family Attractions

Many family attractions are available in Devon with possibly Dartmoor National Park being one of the best.  It is an excellent place for lengthy strolls where towns and villages can be explored.  It is free to get into the park so all can go freely.  Morwellham Quay provides an opportunity to step back in time to the 1860’s.  Kids and adults alike can play dress up and experience life as it was in this copper mine and family farm.  There are three theme parks that offer an array of exciting opportunities.  The Milky Way has ferret and falconry displays, the Crealy Great Adventure Park has a tidal ride that will get everyone’s heart pumping, and the Woodlands Leisure Park allows for relaxing on a lengthy toboggan ride.  Finally, if any or all members of the family are animal lovers, the Pennywell Farm provides ample opportunity to interact with various members of the animal kingdom.

If you are planning on visiting this beautiful English county with the family why not book a stay in one of the houses to rent in Devon.  The Owners Direct website has a lot for you to choose from so you are sure to find one that is ideal.

View Amazing Activities to Enjoy in Devon, England United Kingdom in a larger map

The post Amazing Activities to Enjoy in Devon, England | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by JoeInQueens

Bournemouth

We’ll start with Bournemouth as it’s such a popular hotspot for stag parties, and because it has such a great student population. Bournemouth is said to have its own microclimate which makes it slightly warmer than the rest of the country, and if you mix this with the nearby university and the sandy beaches you have all the ingredients for a great party town.

There are lots of great bars and pubs to try here then, and a number of cool hangouts. When you start your evening if you’d like to have some quiet drinks somewhere hip and happening then try out ‘Flirt Café’ which is in the area called the Triangle. This is a great little bar by night and café during the day which features chairs from airplanes, nicely made beds and the strangest décor you’re likely to see. You might also want to consider visiting Inferno which is up the other end by the train station which is the student union and a great place to get some cheap drinks.

Other cool bars include Sherbet and Aruba (the latter of which is on the pier and great on a summers’ evening), but from there you then have your pick of clubs including Chilli Whites, Lava Ignite and Camel Bar which is open until 6am.

Leeds

Leeds is full of great places to drink, and it would be difficult to name them all here. However two great spots to seek out are Fab Café and Baby Jupiter. The former is a bar that is decorated like a science fiction palace with large figurines and models from films strewn around the place as well as a retro feel with old fashioned sweets sold at the bar and pinball machines to play, while the latter is a hidden gem – to walk down the road you’d think you were in a residential area and it’s only by going down some hidden steps that you can find this chilled out and very artistic bar. For your choice of clubs there’s lots on offer such as the Cockpit, Oceana and Mint. Look at for the pub that looks like a boat in Headingley too.

London

London is simply too large to find everything that there is to offer, and this can make it a little intimidating for someone trying to find their way around. The solution is to plan ahead and to know where you want to go – in which case there are various great areas to hit. Leicester square for instance is a good place to go if you want to be right in the heart of London and see some of the weirdness it has to offer and there are some good clubs here if you are into urban music in particular.

Alternatively why not visit Shepherds Bush for a smaller and easier to manage night out. Here you will be near the impressive Westfield shopping center, and this has some very trendy bars to visit which is filled with successful city-types. Following that you can then move into the main part of Shepherds Bush where you can find a Walkabout and various other clubs.

Jeet is a web master working for 1001BeerSteins.com. He has been providing all the information on their different product launches including Glass Beer Mugs with the help of his blog.

The post A Travellers’ Guide to Drinking in England | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.