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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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