Prague, hands down, remains one of my favorite European adventures.  Maybe it was the people I travelled with, but there is something unforgettable about this Czech Republic capital.  Upon arrival, you’ll immediately be struck by the imposing architecture that dominates the city’s skyline.  A stop at the Old Town Square offers a smattering of buildings in the styles of Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque.  One of the most imposing structures is The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn. Its Gothic spires can be seen from just about anywhere in Prague- it served as an excellent reference point.  Another monument worth incorporating in your visit is the Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Hall.

A true feat of design, the Clock was designed and built in the 15th century.  Every hour, between 9am and 9pm, the twelve apostles rotate around the Clock’s face.  It was a huge deal when it was built; rumor has it the Clock’s designer was blinded after completing his masterpiece. Those that commissioned the Clock wanted to make sure he didn’t build one for another city. Perhaps its just an old wife’s tale but part of Prague’s lure is its mysteriousness.  Meander across the Charles Bridge, a pedestrian only fairway constructed hundreds of years ago to connect the “Old Town” with Prague Castle.  The bridge is filled with hawkers of all kinds and it may feel like tourist overload, but it is worth the stroll.  Check out the array of statues of saints that run along the sides of the bridge and admire the views of the Vltava River and surrounding sights.

If you choose to follow the windy and sometimes steep paths that characterize the castle side of the city, visit the Prague Castle complex and go to tiny Golden Lane to see examples of life back in the 15th century.  A favorite stop of mine was the Lobkowicz Palace, located within the Castle complex. The Palace is small enough that you get to see everything, or almost everything, without feeling totally overwhelmed.  In this private collection you’ll find paintings by Canaletto and Velázquez, original manuscripts by Beethoven, and several other gems that make the Palace worth a visit.

As for food, restaurants in Prague offer up delicious dumplings (knedliky) and goulash (Guláš), I didn’t have a bad meal during the visit.  Head off the beaten path to find better prices and fewer tourists.  The Czech Republic boasts some of the best beer in the world and takes it seriously.  According to a guide from a walking tour, the Czech Republic is the only place where you can drink beer and have it out on your desk at work, take that bit of knowledge as you’d like. However, I will admit, it does pair quite nicely with the local cuisine.

As a major tourist city, accommodation is easy to come by.  That includes all shapes and sizes, whether you want a hostel or would prefer a Prague hotel with a bit more frills.  Regardless of where you stay, your trip will be amazing; Prague is a Bohemian wonderland with surprises around every corner.  Learn more at My Destination Prague.

FC Barcelona football tickets represent not only the chance to see a club with a rich football heritage but also allow you to visit the Camp Nou; one of the largest and most famous football stadiums in the world.

Barcelona are the current European champions and are widely accepted as one of the best club sides ever to have played the game. With your tickets to see Barcelona, you will be entitled to see some of the worlds leading sportsmen in players like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. They are applauded by pundits for their ability to play attractive passing football with flamboyance and charisma, a characteristic which summed up Spain’s success in the recent World Cup. The current Barcelona team constitutes the backbone of the Spanish World Cup winning national side. The fluid, skilful way that Barcelona play is commonly held up as the current model for most European teams to emulate.

Football is a cornerstone of Catalan culture and this makes the Nou Camp one of the most exciting places to be in Barcelona. Holding nearly one hundred thousand spectators, the atmosphere and sense of occasion is an experience to be savoured. Football is more than just a sport in places like Barcelona. It is a display of cultural identity, a public heritage institution that forms part of the fabric of Catalan society. Mes que un club (more than a club) is the slogan on one of the imposing stands. FC Barcelona tickets will show you more than a football match; they will provide you with an exciting flavour of local culture and open the door to see the city more as a citizen than a tourist.

For any football fan, tickets to the Camp Nou are a pilgrimage to the heart of European football.

If you’re ideal holiday isn’t about lounging around on a sun bed all day, then check out the action-packed activities on offer in the Costa Brava. With a range of sporting activities available to keep holidaymakers busy, tourists will be able to take the ear phones out, put the book down and enjoy some fun-filled sporting adventures in this Spanish gem.

There’s no better time to try water sports then on holiday so leave the stunning Costa Brava hotels behind for the day and head to one of the 30 beaches in the region for some action-packed water sports activities – Lloret de Mar is the ideal place. Parasailing is very popular here and provides a spectacular opportunity to see the resort from a birds-eye whilst sitting in a parachute attached to a boat. Water skiing is also worth trying. It may be harder to learn, but it’s incredibly rewarding and gliding along the top of the water is a great feeling. Windsurfing and kite-surfing lessons with specialized instructors are also available on most beaches in the resort.

For a fun group activity on the water, the ‘Fly Fish’ has become hugely popular in the Costa Brava. This large inflated kite is pulled along by a speed boat and takes off into the air every time it hits a wave – so hang on tight! A Banana Boat can usually accommodate up to 10 people and is ideal to enjoy with a group of mates. A soaking in the sea is guaranteed at some point but it’s great fun seeing who can stay on for the longest.

At the north end of the Bay of Pals you’ll find the crystal clear waters of the Medes Islands – a perfect location for scuba diving. Plunge to the bottom of the ocean and witness a fascinating array of marine life, native flora and fauna for an experience to remember. Sailing along the Catalonian coast of the Med is another great option. Sailing companies operate from the two ports in Barcelona – Port Vell and Port Olimpic – allowing travellers to either experience a cruise with a qualified skipper at the helm or tourists already familiar with the ropes can charter a yacht for themselves.

Of course a visit to the Costa Brava is not complete with taking a trip to the Nou Camp – home of the greatest football team in the world, FC Barcelona. This magnificent 100,000 all-seater stadium is ideally located for tourists staying in Barcelona hotels, but it’s also a fantastic place to visit on a day-trip. Tickets for matches there are like gold dust, so instead take a tour of the stadium. Marvel at their impressive museum packed with an abundance of trophies, visit the changing rooms to see where the likes of Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas get ready for each match and run through the tunnel to get the best view of the pristine pitch.

With some of the most beautiful courses in Europe dotted along its coastline, golf is another popular activity in the Costa Brava. Many people visit the area purely to spend their days playing this relaxing sport, but often tourists on family holidays take a break from the beach for half a day to enjoy a round in stunning surroundings. With the Pyrenees as a backdrop, the PGA Catalunya Golf Course has been voted in the top ten in Europe, while the Emporda Golf Club is made up of four, nine-hole courses allowing golfers to play a shorter round. With so much to do here that book in the suitcase might have to wait until the flight home.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is an area of superlative buzz. Over the last ten years it has played host to an enormous boom of sun-seeking, cheap-thrills-holidaymakers who make there way to this Spanish outlet in there droves on low-cost flights from all parts of the surrounding European continent. It does, therefore, demonstrate a little too keenly at times the traditional hallmarks of an overdose in the spotlight – such as the overcrowded beaches of Playa de las Americas and the sometimes characterless collection of hotel restaurants that line its shores. That said it caters for a specific crew, those seeking sunshine, postcard perfect palms, long stretches of golden sand, glow-stick inspired revelry, and all that lies in between. And it must be said, it does this very well. If this is your thing, then go for it. If not, then there is another side to the island that might appeal, a side that attracts nature lovers, architectural admirers, culinary enthusiasts and sports fanatics.

Firstly, its worth mentioning that accommodation on the island varies greatly, from the to-be-expected cockroach infested double bed flats in the hills above the aforementioned Playa de las Americas, to the sublimely executed 5* all inclusive resorts in the south of the Island. Rooms of the former variety are advertised at highish rates, and often come with the tag line of ‘beach view balcony’ or something of similar, dubious appeal… It’s worth checking what this actually means before making one of these your bed for the week. Mid priced Tenerife hotels can also be misleading, and in the high tourist areas close to either the North or South airport, do expect concrete multiplexes. You will however, be rewarded if you are prepared to step out from the geographical convenience of the main transport hubs and into the countryside, where the striking vistas of volcanic landscapes and backdrops of palm studded evergreen forestry make you wonder whether you are still on the same island! If you are looking for just such an example of the different types of accommodation found on the island then the ultimate option would be the Abama Hotel & Resort. Set entirely in its own private 160 hectare grounds, in the secluded Guía de Isora region, the Abama has its own proffesional golf course (with 22 lakes…), 14 different bars and restaurants, and plenty of activities for the family. Understandably the Abama comes with a hefft price tag, and has become a celebrity hang out of late.

Tenerife restaurants are, as with the accommodation, extremely variable. Party-goers would rarely get the chance to delve into the roots of the local cuisine, and it’s a shame because its can be extremely satisfying. For starters, its worth remembering that Tenerife sits not far off the coast of Africa and with that comes the vast selection of wonderful seafood from the Atlantic Ocean.  The most common fish varieties are comb-tooth blennies, the sea bream, red porgy, gold lined bream and grouper. You can also find Atlantic mackerel, sardine and Moray eels.  Often seafood is simply prepared, either boiled or baked.  During your holidays make sure to try wrinkly potatoes, or papas arrugadas, covered with a local mojo sauce to add some garlicly kick to the meal. Potatoes are something of a specialty in Tenerife, as they are cooked in very salty water – which is left to evaporate completely, leaving hard, salty and crispy skins – much like your skin after a week in high season splashed out on Playa de las Americas. Excellent!

What do you do when half of your friends are chronic party animals whose ideal vacation consists in a vampire-like nocturnal Bloody Mary-fueled club hunt, whereas the other half still prefers the antiquated “day-light” holidays with sight-seeing, idyllic mountain path explorations, whale-watching and actually sleeping at night? Where can an inseparable crowd find such contrasting experiences without compromising someone’s pleasure? The answer is Tenerife. The biggest of the Canary Islands is also the most generous one with its incredible array of fun.

Party Craze
If your idea of a perfect life is called “nightlife” and your ideal living conditions are neon lights, loud music, happy hours and many fellow partymen then your heaven on earth is Tenerife’s southwestern coast.

The once-sleepy shores of Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje have now turned into an area of non-stop fiesta where visitors are welcomed in multipooled hotels with overloaded buffets and luxurious golf courses. Prepare for the long and vibrant nights in Tenerife’s bars and restaurants with the best international cuisine, ranging from Japanese sushi to Italian pizza, from Irish favourites to traditional Canary dishes.

Once the sun goes down, your night pilgrimage in Tenerife will lead you to fashionable jazz clubs, live rock and roll pubs and, most of all, magnificent seafront-terraced mega discoes where international DJs mesmerize with house and techno beats.

Quiet Heaven
For those whose ears prefer birdsongs to house music Tenerife can be equally lavish. The island boasts spectacular nature and charming tourist-free villages.

You can hike the green paths of Parque Nacional del Teide, get on a mountain bike if you’re looking for adventure, or simply hop on a cable car to reach Tenerife’s biggest treasure: the majestic Pico de Teneide, one of the world’s tallest volcanoes which, at 3,718m, reveals a breathtaking view of the volcanic valley, the dark blue Atlantic and the neighbouring islands.

For some urban charms head to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the colourful capital of the island. Rather quiet, it gets particularly busy during its renowned Carnival, second only to Rio, where the high-spirited tourists like to loose control. For the rest of the year, the city can be your best guide to the authentic Canary culture and history. Linger among its colourful houses, ancient castles and majestic cathedrals, get lost in the market Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa among a rainbow of exotic fruits and tasty traditional cheese. End your day in a cozy restaurant in front of a plateful of pimientos del piquillo rellenos de merluza (small peppers stuffed with hake) or a cazuela (a casserole made with fresh or salted fish) with some excellent island-produced wine.

Probably the only place where both fragments of your crowd – the nightlife-addicts and the easy-going explorers – will meet is the beach. No tourist can resist Tenerife’s white sands and turquise waters. So, while one half will be taking an invigorating nap after a long night of extreme clubbing, the other half will be telling their stories about Tenerife’s irresistible cuisine, tropical forests and white-capped volcanoes.

Planning a trip to the land of leprechauns and ale? Whilst there is no guarantee of an actual sighting of a real life leprechaun, Ireland most definitely promises a vast natural beauty and a hospitable atmosphere to boot. Made up of two parts, Ireland comprises of the Republic of Ireland (which covers the land’s majority) and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Although sharing a relatively modest and unpredictable climate with Great Britain, Ireland offers a multitude of unique and inspiring activities amidst a picturesque natural setting with a rich cultural heritage. Ireland is bursting with unusual outdoor holiday experiences, and is the perfect destination for those who seek outdoor adventure.

Some perfect ways to soak in some fresh air and breath-taking views are through hikes around Walkabout Wicklow, Skellig Michael and the Mountain View Horse Riding Centre. If the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor escapades, another interesting option would be to opt for one of Ireland’s infamous cooking courses. Some of the more popular cookery schools include; Ballyknocken House and Cookery School in Glenealy, where courses are taught in the beautiful grounds of a Victorian country house; Donnybrook Fair Restaurant, Food Hall and Cookery School, which fuses a restaurant, school and deli in an urban setting, and the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry.

If it’s the eating part that appeals most, rather than slaving away over a stove yourself, then luckily you’ll find a multitude of well-respected eateries that exhibit everything that Irish cuisine has to offer. Typically you’ll find national dishes like hearty Irish stews, boxty (Irish potato pancake), colcannon (mash potato with kale or cabbage), coddle (stewed pork, bacon and potato) and black pudding. You’ll also find an impressive selection of real ales and stouts in one of the many friendly local pubs, where the choices on offer will suit everyone from the selective drinker to the full blown alcohol connoisseur. There are also dozens of recommendable restaurants in Ireland to choose from, with different areas offering various takes on the Irish culinary experience.

Depending on where you decide to stay, the list below covers some critically acclaimed restaurants to sink your teeth into. Some popular Ireland restaurants include; The Huntsman Inn in Galway, The Upper Deck Cafe in New Ross, Fenns Quay Restaurant in Cork, and The Aquarium Restaurant in Offaly. There are also a number of themed eating experiences, from the historic surroundings of Harrigan’s Cafe Bar in Kildare and Kilgraney House in Carlow, to the romantic waterside settings of Aqua Restaurant in Dublin and Gargoyles in Kildare. If you’re unsure about where to anchor your travels, click here for more information on Ireland.

Once you’ve decided on a region, there are plenty of places to stay in Ireland, from high end hotels to characteristic bed and breakfasts. On the hotel front, there’s the highly recommended Old Imperial in Cork, the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast and the Diamond Coast Hotel in Sligo. If you’re after a more intimate and homely experience, there are plenty of lovely little bed and breakfasts to try out across Ireland. Some particularly noteworthy establishments include the Seaview in Galway, Calhame House in Mayo and Ballyboy House in Tipperary. Whilst hotels and bed and breakfasts are popular accommodation options, they are by no means the only ones; there are also a number of hostels, camp sites and guest houses to choose from. To sample the full extent of Irish hospitality, a great idea would be to plan a combination of a few. If doing this, I’d recommend starting with the camping and ending in a hotel- nothing beats concluding your holiday in luxury!

There can be no denying that roaming around the UK on holiday can be intensely rewarding. Having the freedom to explore all the different regions of the country is incredibly liberating and it is easy to find wonderfully well-equipped accommodation.

Excellent transport links make it especially easy to get out and about in the UK, but arguably the most important factor into making any trip a success is the accommodation. Stopping in a soulless hotel can prove both costly and massively underwhelming, depending on the size of the travelling party. It could ultimately determine whether or not you return to a certain area ever again or even head abroad the next time it comes to booking a holiday.

Renting a cottage, though, will enhance rather than undermine the whole holiday experience and in the UK we’re fortunate to have a diverse range of charismatic and enchanting cottages in every possible hamlet, town or village you can think of.

Probably the biggest advantage of staying in a cottage is the intimacy and privacy that you and your family members and friends will be afforded. If a big group stays in a hotel, usually you’ll be separated on different floors and you’re then basically paying for a basic bed in a basic room.

A cottage comes complete with all your usual home comforts and will make you feel like part of the local community. You’ll feel more relaxed as a result and that bit of extra space and ability to come and go as you please should make all the difference.

Then there is the choice on offer the length and breadth of the UK. For instance, there are cottages in Wales, cottages in Yorkshire and cottages in Northumberland that will all be very unique in their own way. The scenic backdrops and range of activities available locally will also be vastly different.

In Wales, you may fancy tackling Snowdonia. And what better way to round off a day walking up the biggest mountain in Wales than enjoying a home-cooked meal in a picturesque cottage with your loved ones around you?
Head to Yorkshire and the lure of the excellent shopping available in Leeds or York could be too strong. With aching feet and empty pockets, you’ll be glad of a quiet night in sat in front of a roaring fire in a country cottage. And after checking out all the historic sites in abundance in Northumberland, like Hadrian’s Wall, you can make your own home from home in a rustic cottage.

No matter where you fancy staying in the UK or what time of the year you want to get away, there is bound to be a cottage nearby to satisfy your every need.

When anyone considers a specific golfing holiday, there are some areas in Europe that are more popular than others. While Spain and Portugal are typical destinations for the holiday golfer, southern Italy has the courses and weather to match them and Naples in particular is a fine city with much to offer. If you’re thinking of planning a trip here and looking to play some golf in Naples, then there are some great opportunities.

In the first instance, it’s easy to get into Naples and the city is served by its own international airport. If you cannot find a direct flight then you can easily get connections from Rome and other large terminals in the country. Once you’ve arrived, you’re greeted with an excellent tourist centre with plenty to see and do.

Primarily though, you’ll need to know what golf in Naples can offer you. A logical place to begin your golf in Naples is at the Napoli golf club which can be found some six miles outside of the main city centre. A good measure of any European course is the fact that locals use the facilities alongside the many holidaymakers here. This course is well maintained and it’s certainly worth seeking out the superb dining facilities on site.

It’s important to remember that the Napoli will require advance booking and a handicap certificate before you can go onto the course itself. This almost goes without saying for any golf Europe destination but it is worth keeping in mind. The course however is very hospitable and extremely popular and it’s well worth looking for the many golf offers that the course provides.

The area in and around Naples is home to many nine hole courses and Porto D’Orra Golf Club is an excellent example. Just because it’s nine holes, doesn’t mean it’s not of professional quality and Porto D’Orra golf offers a first class location with some testing terrain. You can of course play it twice to make up eighteen holes but a nine hole course can ease you into your holiday after your journey here.

There are many more courses in Italy to try and holiday golfers who have been here in the past have spoken highly of the Adriatic, the Bologna, the Riva dei Tessali and the Croara. Each of these courses is very different with varying difficulty and changing types of hazards wherever you go. The one thing that they have in common is immaculate fairways and greens that can be utilised all year round.

For golf Europe as a whole, Spain and Portugal in particular, may have a higher density of courses than Naples, but they are so popular that they can become overcrowded. One of the biggest complaints of any holiday golfer is that a course is overbooked and a round can take in excess of six hours. That isn’t the case in Naples and you can enjoy your golf in a more peaceful and quiet location.

When you consider golf Europe has some real hidden treasures and Naples is a shining example of this. The courses are beautiful and in top condition with differing challenges on each. Here in Naples, golf offers some unique sights in a wonderful tourist location and even the on course dining facilities represent the best in Italian cuisine. As a golfing destination, Naples has so much to offer.

This is a guest post by Hugo Davison.

So you’re in Cyprus and you’re in search of a classic Mediterranean feast. Eating out in Cyprus is all about the Greek ‘meze’ – the endless platters of freshest local produce, sat over for hours with a few jars of local wine. For the best quality, it pays to get away from the crowds, and that means leaving the overrun consumerism of Cyprus’s beaches behind. Try Nicosia, the islands capital, which borders the Turkish side of the island and is separated by an old roman wall and the capital’s old town. It’s into the intriguing old town where many local tavernas await, so loose yourselves in its bohemian backstreets for an afternoons indulgence in the real Mediterranean Cypriot dining.

Always start with fresh bread with olive oil and olives. Then pile on the typical Greek dips, tahini, tzatziki, taramosalata, houmous and greek yoghurt. Cram in some basic fresh salad, some grilled halloumi cheese and jar of local wine and you’re already an hour in. Ah, but wait. That’s just the entree.

The Cypriots are incredibly keen on meat. Round two comes from the two local favourites, Lamb and Pork. These come in your normal skewer kebab, the ‘souvlaki’, or there’s the sassy grilled sausage called ‘sheftalia’, or perhaps try the ‘gyros’ – a mischievous little pita curled up with pork or chicken with fresh tomato and red onion, tzatziki and chips. Add some ‘keftethes’, the little fried meatballs of mince and potatoes and herbs, some ‘stifado’, a rustic rabbit or lamb stew, and top it off with a plate of ‘koupepia’, those classically stuffed vine leaves.

Another jar of wine and old town Nicosia is doing well. Yes it is here where the classic tastes are found, like in Tziellari, one of the more traditional tavernas, but its also where the local set jam up with bouzouki’s (an acoustic guitar of sorts) and strum the hours lazily by.  Another favourite is Aigaio, a cafe/taverna in the old Greek terrace style with an artsy scene where browsing books or sucking on a late afternoon shiesha is the norm. And the best till last? Head to Heraklis Garden Cafe for a great outdoor setting, the best in old fashioned Nicosian ice cream and a natter with the owner’s parrot.

After a full afternoon, with the sun firmly set, you wander back through the old streets and marvel at the local stamina, the elderly Greek Cypriots sitting at taverna tables, sucking on frappes and cigars and chuckling at the merriment and madness of the bohemian beats their old haunts still play.

Check out my destination Cyprus for more local knowledge and places to tempt you in for the day.

Whether you’re a business traveller, taking a holiday in the UK’s capital, or in the process of relocation, using short stay apartments in London may well be the answer to your accommodation needs. They are much cheaper than an equivalent standard of hotel room, as much as 30% in many cases and they offer more space, comfort and flexibility, whilst at the same time benefitting from a concierge and maid services.

When using London apartments short stay accommodation will be the ideal solution for many business travellers. Whether the stay is just overnight, when for example you need to go to an early morning engagement or meeting, or whether you are in town for a lengthier stay, perhaps attending an exhibition or conference, this option does away with the unwelcome anonymity of hotel rooms and gives a great deal more flexibility.

For companies whose staff are frequently required to stay in London, using short stay apartments is much more economical and flexible than maintaining a company apartment on a permanent basis. They are able to pay for just the accommodation that’s in use and it is easy to scale up or down as required.

When personnel need to relocate to London serviced apartments provide the ideal solution. For an employee who is engaged on a short term contract, or for one who needs to permanently move his or her base, a short stay apartment offers a much more conducive environment than a hotel and is available at very short notice for as long as is needed. This is especially valuable to an employee who needs to find a new home in the capital and takes away much of the stress at what is a very busy time.

Serviced apartments in Central London are far more spacious than the standard capital city hotel room and they are appointed to a high standard. Rather than being restricted to eating out, residents can enjoy cooking in the well equipped kitchens, or can simply use the microwave to heat up a convenience meal. A dishwasher and washing machine are often included.

If you’re visiting the capital for tourist purposes and considering London apartments short stay units have much to offer. As well as proving better value than conventional hotels they give you far more flexibility when it comes to entertaining, eating and relaxing. Choosing an apartment in a smart and central district means you are well placed for exploring the city.

For groups and families, apartments represent great value as they are priced per unit not per person staying. Phone calls are charged as extra but all taxes and utility bills are taken care of in the rental price. After a busy day out and about in London, your apartment is a welcoming place to relax and chill out and will be equipped with cable or satellite TV and may have a DVD and audio system as well. And you don’t need to worry about making the bed or tidying up as the maid will take care of all that.

Short stay serviced apartments in London are increasingly popular with both business and leisure visitors and provide the highest levels of comfort and flexibility.