Greece by timea

1) Snorkelling/Scuba Diving

There isn’t any one location we’d recommend for this. The Mediterranean is particularly shallow around the Greek islands, and rich in salt, making it particularly suitable for snorkelling. What’s more, the sea life in this part of the world is simply incredible. Snorkel in water that comes up to your waist, and you’re still guaranteed to see many bright and beautiful fish.

If you’re feeling more adventurous you could try scuba diving. As well as stunning subaquatic wildlife, the Greek coastline is home to fascinating ruins, from submerged temples dating back to ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, through to more modern day shipwrecks!

2) Visit a Volcano

Many of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, in the eastern Med, and closer to mainland Turkey than Greece, were formed by volcanic eruptions over the fault line between the European and African continental plates. While most of the volcanos are now dormant a handful are active, including Nisyros, an hour’s boat journey from the more tourist-friendly island of Kos. After a hair-raising bus journey into the mountains you can walk down into the caldera itself!

Nisyros – Caldera, Greece by David Llewellyn

3) Rock Climbing

Greece is a beautiful place, but few places are as striking and breath-taking as Meteora, in the north of the country. This craggy landscape of towering rocks and pinnacles is home to a vast complex of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries, and some incredible opportunities for rock climbing. Be aware, though, that much of the rock climbing in Meteora is not for beginners!

Meteora, Greece by Trevor Leyenhorst

4) Walking Tours

If climbing cliff-faces sounds a little white knuckle, perhaps a more gentle mountain walk would be more to your taste. Less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Athens, Mount Parnitha offers a wide range of routes for hiker, walkers and ramblers of all abilities, from beginners to the more advanced! As you might expect, the scenery here is the stuff of picture post cards, so remember to bring your camera!

5) Cherry Picking

If Greece is famous for anything, it’s food. Whether its seafood, olives, honey or feta cheese, a holiday to Greece is never anything less than mouth-watering. Greece’s cherries are, without a doubt, among the sweetest and tastiest grown anywhere in the world, and the Peloponnese region, in the south, is famous for its cherry orchards. Picking cherries makes a great day out for all the family, but if all that sounds like too much hard work, fear not! There’s every chance you’ll get to eat as many cherries as you pick!

Author Bio
David Llewellyn writes about travel and tourism for Life Is Good.

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Established in the 13th century, this ancient centre is still an exciting place to visit to this day. Steeped in culture, the area remains one of the most popular sites for visitors to the Swedish capital.

But why do so many 21st century tourists revel in its ancient streets?

Stockholm – Gamla Stan (Old Town), Sweden by Carles Tomas Marta­

The sights

It might be obvious but it’s true. The quarter’s glorious architecture and cobbled streets makes visitors feel like they are treading through history itself.

Organised walking tours are a relatively cheap and fun way to learn about the notable events that have occurred there. And, with the city’s dubious honour of having Sweden’s narrowest alleyway, it means you won’t get lost in the area’s meandering maze of streets.

There are photo opportunities a plenty in the Old Town, with the Brantingtorget Square and Riddarholmen Church, the oldest building in Stockholm, musts to be snapped at.

The Nobel Museum is another draw for tourists. Opened in 2001, it celebrates the history of the Nobel Prize and popularises its ideals. A rotating series of exhibitions means that there is likely to be something that’ll interest everybody in your group.

Stockholm Palace, the equivalent of Britain’s Buckingham Palace, also dominates the Old Town and is a great place to gain a flavour of the area’s culture. Devised by Tessin and Harleman in the 17th century, it is one of the finest and most interesting examples of European palatial design.

Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden by Nick Sieger

Food

Things are a bit more modern here than hog roasts and flagons of ale. The Gamla stan now contains some of Stockholm’s finest and most chic dining establishments.

The Frantzen/Lindeberg restaurant gives diners the chance to try something a little bit different. Recommended for those who like to push their culinary boundaries, the food can even come served with an accompaniment of pollen or a music box on the side of the plate.

Djuret, or “The Animal”, gives meat lovers an innovative chance to feel good about themselves, with only one kind of animal served depending on the season, which helps aid sustainability. With meat grinders used as lamps, what’s not to like?

Great hotels

The rejuvenation work carried out in the 20th century means it’s highly unlikely you’ll find yourself in a bad Stockholm hotel. The Old Town offers both budget hostels and more luxurious accommodation, all of which come with the traditional Swedish friendliness and cleanliness.

Despite being located in the historic part of the city, the hotels all tend to come with all the expected modern innovations to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

What are you most looking forward to seeing in Stockholm’s Old Town?

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.radissonblu.com/royalvikinghotel-stockholm

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Fontana di Trevi, Rome / Photo by admin

Rome’s Main Attractions

During a first-time visit to Rome, there are a few main attractions that must be seen including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain.

Luxury Boutiques

Step foot in Rome and one of the first things you will notice is how fashionable the locals are, even when out running simple errands. How could they not be with their streets lined with the likes of Prada and Dolce & Gabbana? The most prestigious place to do some shopping is along elegant Via de Condotti. Here you will find luxury boutiques from some of Italy’s most famous fashion designers including Versace and Armani. It is a real experience to walk into Bulgari or Fendi and make a purchase in the city where these brands were founded.

Upscale Dining

Many people plan entire trips to Rome just to eat. While other areas of Rome specialize in rustic dishes, restaurants in Rome are as refined as those in New York City — but with that distinct Italian flair. Beyond dining in the latest and greatest restaurants, Rome also offers the opportunity to engage with food and wine. If you’re interested in cooking, how about signing up for a cooking lesson with a local chef? If you want to expand your wine knowledge, there are many tastings (some paired with food) that will be both educational and fun. There are also many walking tours led by local experts focused on traditional Roman food.

Relax at the Spa

Part of the pleasure of Rome is strolling through Campo dei Fiori or Piazza Navona after dark, soaking in the architecture and atmosphere. After all that walking, you’ll probably be ready for a serene spa day. This capital city has a range of decadent spas to choose between, including Cavalieri Grand Spa, De Russie Wellness Zone, and Hassler Roma Spa. Do a little investigating before your arrival and you could plan a spa day that includes a romantic couple’s massage. These spas are very popular and in demand, so be sure to make your reservations in advance online to ensure an appointment on the day and time you desire.

Rome’s Little Pleasures

It’s easy to fill your days in Rome with so many museums, shops, and boutiques. But part of the fun in Rome is slowing down to enjoy the city’s little pleasures. Instead of rushing to dinner, how about sitting down in a square for an aperitivo? For a little culture, you can get dressed up for an evening at the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma. The Italians are known for their sweets, so after dinner or the theater, why not stop into Gina, a restaurant known for its dolci? After a few days, you might start thinking like an Italian, beginning your day with an espresso and joining in on the daily evening stroll.

Rent a Luxury Apartment

If you really want to see how the Romans live, step into their shoes. Rent a luxury Rome apartment and explore the local neighborhoods. Here you can take fashion inspiration from the locals, discover off-the-beaten-path boutiques for shoes and handbags, and linger of a glass of wine at lunch in a local ristorante. A luxury apartment will provide generous living space and a kitchen for stocking healthy snacks and drinks. When researching, keep your eye out for rentals with special touches such as a soaking tub, a balcony with views, or rooftop access.

Regardless of where you stay and what you do, there’s nothing like a trip to Rome.  Take your time and enjoy it!

About the Author
Joseph Miller is a writer and analyst for HomeAway’s Travel Ideas site. He has lived in California, Oregon, Florida, Texas and Tokyo and enjoys a good cruise now and then.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Bea y Fredi

A taxi tour? What’s that…I hear you say?

Well it is just as it sounds; instead of a walking tour, a boating tour or a bus tour, you can get in a special taxi and enjoy a personalised guided adventure around Belfast.

Here’s why this is a great option:

Lap of Luxury

When you get on a tour bus, your enjoyment could easily be destroyed by another passenger, or whole group of passengers being too loud or leaning across you or generally being obnoxious. With a private taxi tour you get to invite who you want on your tour and whole lot more leg room. Walking tours can be hard on the knees and boat tours can be troubling for your stomach so all in all you know what the best choice is.

Additionally, most taxi tours provide refreshments, comfy seats and even props in some cases; rope to feel when go to the rope factories, models of the ships when your glide up and down the harbours edge and some local music piped in just to set the mood.

No Fixed Route

One of the best things about having your own tour taxi is the fact that you don’t have to stick to any schedule or any fixed route. The vehicle is all yours for the duration and you can decide to drive around all day without stopping or pick and choose where you want to go on a whim. But you should be sure to check out the following:

• Ulster Museum
• Victoria Square
• Harland & Wolff Shipbuilders
• Titanic Belfast (new visitors centre)
• CS Lewis Wardrobe

Or alternatively you could just drive from bar to bar ‘testing’ whiskeys. It’s totally up to you.

Own Driver

The final key thing that makes a taxi tour so special is that you get your own driver, who is ultra-knowledgeable about not only the best short cuts and local football news, but about all the history and culture that you are there to delve into and learn about.

So next time you visit Belfast, don’t book a big hot sweaty tour bus or a boat tour that might sink, think about a taxi tour instead.

Bryan Raymond is a Belfast taxi driver. You can find more about his taxi firm by visiting their website https://www.gransha-taxi.co.uk

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