Interesting holiday ideas – gites in France...

A gite (a small furnished holiday house in France, typically in a rural setting) is a home-from-home that you can rent for your holiday.  Most of them are fully equipped with all the essentials of modern day living and many are located in the most beautiful areas of France.

Gites in France are usually managed by the owner, and for the property to qualify as a gite the landlord should preferably live close by so that they can offer any assistance if necessary.   Most gites are on the owner’s land and are within reach of their home.  A gite is often a converted outbuilding or a cottage originally occupied by a farmworker. 

Initially gites in France were both cheap and basic, having only the essential facilities required for living.  However as time has gone on more and more gites in France have been equipped with modern facilities such as televisions, DVD players and broadband internet provision.   Nowadays the definition of a gite has broadened somewhat and can refer to nearly any form of accommodation from a converted outbuilding, to a luxury apartment or flat.  If the landlord lives close by, then essentially the property could be classified as a gite.

Gites are very popular throughout France as they are often a cheap (depends on standard) and easy means of going on holiday.  The local authorities in France also encourage them as gites attract tourists and money into the quieter rural areas. 

The gites in France are certainly worth considering for accommodation if you are planning a holiday in one of the beautiful areas of that country.

Visiting Brussels...

Brussels, which is centrally located on the borders of France, Germany and Luxembourg, is at the heart of modern Europe, and it is here that the governing edicts of the European Union are formed into EU law. But apart from its bureaucratic importance, the city itself has very many attractions for the visitor, and with so many cheap flights to Brussels available from London and Edinburgh there has never been a better time to experience what the city has to offer.

Most of the signage in Brussels is in French and Flemish, but English translations are usual. A good guidebook or available brochures will enable you to get the most out of a long weekend.

The famous Grand-Place is the hub around which the life of Brussels revolves, and is a great place to start exploring. Here, what catches the eye is the magnificent Town Hall and the ornate houses of the medieval guilds, the sight of which will transport you back to the city of the Middle Ages when the city was already a thriving centre of commerce. Number 10 houses the Guild of Brewers, as it did in medieval times. The square is the setting for markets and events throughout the year.

As well as visiting the famous Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, and the other great museums and galleries, you can do some serious shopping in stores along the Rue Neuve or the fashionable Rue Antoine Dansaert, and rest for refreshments at one of the numerous street cafes.

Take advantage of the cheap flights available and book a break in the wonderful city of Brussels.

Shopping in Manchester...

Manchester has one of the widest varieties of shops in the north-west of England.  The city centre houses one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, the Arndale Centre, where visitors can find most of the major high street retailers. Getting to Manchester is easy as it is connected to major road and rail networks and cheap flights to Manchester Airport are available from most European cities.

Streets such as Deansgate, St Ann’s Square and Barton Arcade are popular with shoppers who are looking for anything from designer labels to the ultimate bargain.  The area is also home to a number of cafés, restaurants and coffee bars, which makes it welcoming for those serious shoppers who want to spend all day browsing.

The city centre also has a number of specialist shopping areas.  The Triangle is home to independent jewellery shops and some designer names while those with an interest in vintage fare can visit the Northern Quarter.  This is popular with second-hand retailers, record and music shops.  Chinatown has a number of shops selling everything from food to fabric and there is even a Buddhist shop for yoga accessories.

There are also several shopping options for those who prefer not to visit the city centre.  There is a Designer Outlet Shopping Village situated next to The Lowry in Salford and the Trafford Centre offers nearly 300 different stores. 

Markets are always a popular choice with shoppers and Manchester has many to choose from.  Farmers’ markets are regularly held at various locations around the city for fresh produce and Christmas sees one of the country’s best European markets.  Stalls are set up at different locations in the city centre and vendors come from nearly every European country to sell their wares. 

The Mediterranean Island of Capri...

The Italian island of Capri, situated off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula, can certainly lay claim to being the oldest resort in the Mediterranean. The island served as a resort during the age of the Roman Republic; ancient Roman ruins can still be found scattered across the island.

These ruins, combined with the island’s ruggedly spectacular scenery, make Capri one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating islands. The two settlements of Capri Town and Anacapri serve as the major tourist hotspots with their chic restaurants and stylish hotels. Venture into the surrounding areas, however, and a rural landscape emerges full of traditional charm and stunning scenery.

Capri cannot lay claim to wide expanses of golden sand; the island’s small yet attractive beaches can be found in small nooks and coves carved into the rocky cliffs, many accessible only by boat. The Marina Piccola and Bagni di Tiberio beaches are two of the most popular. La Fontelina, meanwhile, is perhaps the islands most famous beach, situated at the foot of the iconic Faraglioni rocks.

The island is home to the ruins of numerous Roman villas, the most notable of which is Villa Jovis, the former residence of Emperor Tiberius. Capri’s other must-see destination is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave of legendary beauty. To access the cavern, tourists must lie down in a boat while entering through the grotto’s low opening.

Capri can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples, Positano, Sorrento or Amalfi. Ferries from Naples take about 80 minutes, or 40 minutes from Sorrento. Hydrofoils are slightly more expensive, but cut the travel time in half.

Group Ski Holidays Take Planning...

It may seem challenging enough to try to plan ski holidays for a couple or a family, but how do you go about organising one for a larger group of people? It may seem a bit daunting at first, but there are resources available to help you.

When planning group ski holidays, look for resorts offering special rates for groups of guests. If no information about group discounts is posted on the resort’s web site, contact the manager directly to ask about special pricing for your party. You can always move on to another option if the management is unwilling or unable to give you a break on the price.

Look online for companies catering to groups interested in ski holidays. They can help to make organising the trip a lot easier. If you have people who will be coming in from different destinations and then travelling to the resort, be sure to ask whether any group discounts you are being offered on air fares will apply in that case.

There are a number of accommodation options available for people going on group ski holidays. Depending on the number of people going, you may want to consider staying at a chalet or booking a block of rooms at a hotel. That way, everyone can stay together while enjoying their ski holidays.

The idea of booking a holiday for a group of people to go skiing together is for everyone to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air. Ask about the possibility of a discount and the facilities the resort offers to groups. That way, everyone will have a wonderful time they will remember for years.

Republic of Ireland attractions...

Flights to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland bring millions of tourists to the lush, green countryside of this tiny island nation every year.

Dublin may not have the kind of world-class monuments or tourist sites as some other European destinations, but this prosperous, vibrant city does have a rich literary tradition, comfortable pubs, gorgeous Georgian architecture, and friendly locals.

Outside the city there’s a wealth of possibilities for sightseers and holidaymakers who book flights to Dublin and the Republic.  Fishing and surfing off the coast, hiking along Connemara Way, Ring of Kerry, or Wicklow Gap, and much more.

Dublin is home to some fantastic -and free- art galleries.  A few of the best are the National Gallery in Merrion Square; the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the old Royal Hospital in Kilmainham.

If you have the opportunity, journey to Cork and climb the hills to ring the bells at St. Anne’s Church.  Continue on up the stone steps to the parapet that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

Get a sense of the true Ireland in County Kerry.  The area is a bit touristy, but Ireland’s two highest mountains are there, as are vast stretches of moorland and stunning coastal views.  There’s also a lot of history and prehistory to investigate:  Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula must be seen.

The outdoor adventurer is sure to find something to do in Shannon.  From the Cliffs of Moher and Burren’s limestone landscape to Aillwee Cave and Lough Derg, there’s so much natural beauty to discover in this region. 

The Insider’s Guide to Brussels...

Brussels is a relatively small and compact city that is easy to explore on foot. Take a guided walking tour from Grand Place to Manneken Pis, then head on to the Musee des Beaux Arts and you’ll take in most of the old city centre.

The Musee Royeaux des Beaux Arts is one of the most impressive galleries in all of Europe. Art lovers from all over the world book flights to Brussels just to experience all that this museum has to offer. Arrive early in the morning, as you can easily spend an entire day browsing the various galleries.

Brussels is full of lovely parks, the most notable being the Cinquantenaire, which was designed in 1880 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence. The park’s entrance is a giant arch; you can walk up to the top or take the lift for amazing views of the city below.

Car buffs will appreciate Brussels’ Autoworld, a museum located in Cinquantenaire Park that’s entirely dedicated to cars. You can browse exhibits that feature some of the first-ever automobiles, as well as modern classics from Europe’s “golden age”.

Built during the 1958 World’s Fair, the gigantic Atomium has become a symbol of Brussels. The area surrounding the huge silver structure is a lovely park that includes miniature replicas of all the important buildings in the EU, including Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower.

The Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert is the world’s first shopping mall. Built in 1847, the shopping centre features a gorgeous glass ceiling, designer shops, gourmet grocers and cosy cafes. Take a stroll through the centre before leaving on flights from Brussels.

Fly to Europe from Belfast...

Flights from Belfast travel to many United Kingdom destinations as well as 11 other European countries. The airport is small in comparison to many others in the UK and is a hub to only five airlines that regularly operate in Belfast.
Just over five million people fly from Belfast each year, making it second only in traffic numbers to Dublin International Airport on the island of Ireland.

Transport links to get to the airport are very good with the M2 Motorway providing a direct road route and bus services operating throughout the day from the middle of the city.

At the moment, the airport is severely limited in the number of destinations to which you can travel but has radical plans to expand the airport and the number of destinations passengers can fly to by 2030.

Domestic flights will cost you in the region of £20-£50. Good deals can be snapped up with many budget prices on offer from some airlines to mainland UK destinations. Flights to some of the main European destinations may be a lot more expensive because you may have to stop over on the mainland en-route.

Flights from Belfast are generally reasonably cheap and free from hassle. Many airlines offer very competitive rates.  All that you need to do is book well in advance taking advantage of the best deals. Looking out for cancellations can be a good money saver, but you must of course be prepared to wait and not be fussy about what time of day you travel.

Getting Around in Venice...

Flights to Venice arrive at the city’s Marco Polo Airport, bringing thousands of international tourists to this magical destination each year. The airport is located about 16kms from the city centre and is easily accessible by water boat, water taxi, traditional taxi service and bus.

Once you reach Venice, there are just two ways to get around, on foot or on the water. 

One of the best things about visiting Venice is simply wandering the streets and exploring on foot. Chances are you’ll find hidden alleys not marked on any map, enchanting neighbourhood squares, cosy cafes and surprises around every corner. So lace up those walking shoes and discover a hidden gem before your flights from Venice depart for home.

Cars and bicycles are prohibited within the city limits, but there are plenty of other ways to get around, if you’d rather not walk. The canals are full of waterbuses, water taxis, and those famous gondolas. The vaporetti, buses and public ferries, principally serve the Grand Canal, the city’s main waterway and can be very crowded during the peak summer season, so allow extra time if you need to reach your destination by a specific time. Water taxis are expensive and you can expect to pay extra for oversized luggage, trips after dark, on Sundays and holidays or in response to a call. Gondola rides are also expensive, but flights to Venice aren’t complete without at least one ride on these iconic canal boats. Just make certain you negotiate the price with the gondolier before boarding.

Travelling to Italy...

Italy’s climate is mild and temperate, though there are more extreme fluctuations in the mountainous regions and coastal areas. Northern Italy is warm in the summer, central Italy is humid and southern Italy is very dry and hot. In the winter, the north is cold and damp, the central part of the country can reach near freezing temperatures and the south is generally fairly warm. Coastal temperatures are largely the same throughout the country and there is greater change in seasons as you climb higher into the mountains. The Italian Alps frequently experience snow squalls as early as September.

Peak and off peak seasons for flights to Italy depend largely on where you want to go.  On the coast, expect the largest crowds between June and September, while mountain ski resorts are bustling from December through to April. The inland cities are busiest between April and October, despite the uncomfortable heat and humidity of mid-summer. Venice is a popular destination during the Carnival celebrations in February or March, so if you want to stay away from crowds and enjoy the best weather, the ideal times to book flights to Italy are between April and May or September and October.

Typically, the Italian off-season lasts from early November to the middle of December and then again from Christmas to the end of March. During the winter, most major attractions limit their hours or shut down for annual renovations. This can be a great chance to book cheap flights to Italy and obtain deep discounts on hotel accommodation.