Get The Most Out Of Your Trip To France

Most children love going on holiday, and they’ll  love going on holiday toFrance. As well as being conveniently close to the UK and accessible via a variety of forms of transport, it is a country with much to offer children, both socially and educationally. If you’re planning an Easter or summer getaway with your children, here are five good reasons for choosing France.

Great Beaches

There’s nothing quite like the traditional family bucket-and-spade holiday, and France has something for everyone on that score. If you’re just on a short break or don’t want to travel too far from home, try the stunning, windswept beaches of Normandy and Brittany.

Language Skills

It’s a holiday – but how about making it a fun educational opportunity as well? If you’d like your children to learn French London or even learn another language,  colleges like St. George’s offer courses which could provide the basics. They could then go on to practise their new-found skills in France. For children, French is one of the easier languages to learn as much of the vocabulary is similar to English. It is also one of the most commonly taught in schools, so giving them a head start when they’re young could be a great advantage later on.

Good Food

France’s biggest export is its food, and the country is known for its commitment to using high-quality ingredients, with very tasty results. If you’re sick of the supermarket culture that pervades the UK, use a French holiday as a chance to show children how food should be. You can buy fresh bread each day, take them to the many fascinating French food markets, eat well in local restaurants and your children will develop an appreciation of new flavours and food experiences.

Open Spaces

France has roughly the same population as the UK, in around twice the land area. That means that there are plenty of opportunities for children to run around and enjoy the great outdoors in France. Head up into the Alps and let them enjoy exploring wildflower meadows and fresh mountain air or enjoy some of the country’s great rivers such as the Ardeche or Dordogne, where there are plenty of opportunities to take part in child-friendly watersports such as family kayaking.

Fascinating Cities

French towns and cities have lots to occupy the curious child. Many have plenty of gardens and parks, such as the Jardin des Tuilieres in central Paris, where you’ll find sculptures, fountains and free deckchairs. Narbonne for instance, has a maze of medieval streets to explore, and Caen has spacious well-preserved castles – fantastic places for experience a great family holiday.

Top Mobile Apps for the Big Apple

With the modern age fusing together with our everyday lives, there is now a Smartphone application for just about anything. Going to any new destination is an exciting experience, but what if you are visiting a country that does not speak your language, or you simply do not want to walk around with an awkward guide book that advertises yourself as a tourist. Knowledge is king and when you can download local travel information, into the palm of your hand, within a matter of seconds, it got me thinking. What are the best mobile applications for those who want to tour around New York City? All applications mentioned here can either be downloaded for Android or Apple operating systems.

NYC Way – Everything NYC

Rated has one of the Top 5 Travel Apps, this powerhouse of an application is a must for anyone even thinking of going to New York. It packs in over 60 applications from street vendors, nightlife, tourist attractions, subway stations, the garbage collection schedule, to everything in between. But the best thing about this app, is that it is 100% free.

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

New York Subway Map

As essential as any app could be when travelling around NYC, you need to know where you are going and how to get there. This application can be completely customized between your daily life of work and social engagements. Touch the stations tabs or follow them on the map, you always have the most up-to-date information with this app.

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

NY Times – The Scoop NYC

Want to know what events are going, which restaurant to try out and where to have a coffee or even plan a day trip. Then this regularly update application from The New York Times is the perfect app for planning your time in New York. One feature I really like about this application is that Sam Sifton, restaurant critic, has shared his 50 favourite restaurants and bars!

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art

If you are like me, then trying to understand modern art on my own is a pointless effort, I need someone or in this case, something to explain it to me. Cue the arrival of the MoMA app that provides you with an audio guide and gives you information on one of the world’s finest collection of modern and contemporary art.

Languages: English. Category: Education. Price: Free.

Explorar – The American Museum of Natural History

This app comes loaded with exhibit tours and has the option to create a custom tour, plus if you get lost in a maze of history, you can use the built in GPS to locate your position. With its built-in navigation, you have precise directions to any exhibit you want, and at the same time it gives you a complete overview of the history.

Languages: English. Category: Education. Price: Free.

The article was written by Steven, a travel writer & blogger for Nycvacationrentalsonline.com, providers of over 350 New York holiday apartments for rent.

Christmas and New Year are traditional times for long quizes to keep the whole family busy.  Often reflecting on the year’s events they can be quite challenging.

At Europe & Beyond we have been looking around for some fun quizes and were delighted to stumble across this hotel quiz from IPIN.

Players have to guess the room rate for ten leading business hotels in major business cities around the world.

Amongst the hotels is the Dublin Holiday Inn Express which has suggested room rates of between 50 and 60 € which we’ve bookmarked in preparation of visiting the city next year for St Patricks Day.  Hopefully if we book in good time we’ll grab a bargain as the availability of rooms becomes scarce and therefore costs rocket.

If you are used to having your travel and accomodation all taken care of you by your company you could be in for a big suprise!

Enjoy.

Guest post by James from flight comparisson site Skyscanner in which he offers his suggestions about where to go on holiday and find some respite from winter in the UK

The tinsel has been packed away and you’ve made your New Year resolutions, it’s only natural that you may end up feeling a little blue – especially if the weather is typically dreary in your part of the world. Instead of sinking into January-related gloom, why not make sure you have a holiday to look forward to? There’s always something fun going on somewhere, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll welcome the chance to banish those January cobwebs.

Egypt

With an average 8 hours of sunshine and temperatures of 21 degrees, Egypt is a great place to explore during January. Due to the recent unrest, flights to Egypt are often discounted and there are plenty of bargains to be had. If beaches are your thing, head to the south for resorts in relaxing destinations like Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, but personally I prefer mixing in a little sightseeing, and would be tempted by a Nile cruise or a trip to see the Giza Pyramids for myself.

Canary Islands

Boasting toasty January temperatures and plenty of family friendly fun, the Canary Islands are a great choice for perking up winter spirits. Get active and try your hand at hiking, paragliding or water sports or leave the kids at home and enjoy sun and relaxation on one of the islands’ many golf courses. Each of the islands is unique, and I’d love the chance to have fun on each and every one – that’s my holidays for the next few years sorted I suppose.

Swiss Alps

Escape slush and rain and replace it with crisp snow on the Swiss Alps. January is the perfect time for a skiing holiday, as the slopes tend to be fairly quiet. And if, like me, you’re not exactly an expert skier, you’ll be able to stretch your legs anyway with scenic hiking trips among the Alps.

Australia

The sun is typically shining strongly when January rolls around, making it a great place to visit if you’re starved of good weather. Time your trip so you’re there at the end of the month, and you’ll get to take part in the Australia Day celebrations – excellent for all ages. With plenty of backpackers jetting off down under, flights to Sydney and Melbourne are particularly in demand in the first few months of the year. Bear this in mind when looking for cheap flights.

Florida

January will soon be looking a lot brighter if you book a holiday to Florida. Get ready for cuteness overload at Disneyworld or hold on to your hat for the rides at the Orlando theme parks. Florida can be a fairly pricey holiday destination, seeing as it’s so popular with tourists, so you may want to hunt for cheap flights and book plenty of time in advance to cut your bills.

Party Time In Paris

Paris is known amongst other things for its fine living, parties, and great wine so here are a few idea to whet your whistle for fashion, a party atmosphere and fine wine! Paris is so close, and there are bargain flights to be had with a few minutes search on the web.

Paris Great Wines Fair

Of course, you cannot visit Paris without enjoying a glass of wine, so it is worth getting down to the Paris Great Wines Fair.  This takes place every December and is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike.  In fact, it attracts over 20,000 visitors every single year!

The fair allows you to try and buy some of the finest wines available with over a 100 different chateaux represented.  Some, you may of heard of, while others are new to the market or are much smaller and rarer brands.  You will get to smell, sip and taste your way around the fair and buy some bargains at the same time.

The doors open at 10:30am and the fair runs all the way through until around 8pm, so there is a good full day to get around.  However, there is so much to see that many people actually go back for a second day.  You can purchase a one day pass for 20 Euro’s but you can pay an extra 5 Euro’s and get a 2 day pass if you think you will be one of those people that returns for more necessary research!

Fashion Tea Time

The Fashion Tea time event is a must of lovers of fashion.  The event takes place at Le Bristol Palace Hotel on the 7^th January every year.  It costs 50 Euro’s to enter but you will get to enjoy a 90 minute fashion show with some of the biggest designers in the world.  Previous designer collections shown have included YSL, Givenchy and even Versace!  You will be served  Parisian pastries created by the three-Michelin star team, delicious on so many levels!

Paris Carnival

If fashion and sweet treats aren’t really your thing and you would rather be enjoying a bit of a party atmosphere then why not try the Paris Carnival.  This happens every March and is totally free to attend.  It starts with the carnival build up at 1:30pm at Place Gambetta and then the procession leaves at 3pm to pass through the city in the most extravagant of ways.  There are dancers, fire jugglers, loud music and performers of all kinds.  The atmosphere is really electric and you will see plenty of people joining in the fun and dancing around in their very own costumes and fancy dress.   This carries on all the way through until 7pm where the procession arrives at the town hall for the Grand Finale!

Just a few ideas to get you reaching for your passport  and with cheap flights to Paris – it’s just a couple of hours away to Parisienne heaven!

Sunshine And Blue Skies To Lift The Spirits

While we all know the dangers of overexposure to UV rays, during the winter our bodies can crave the sun.   Sunlight levels increase Serotonin which makes you happier, while vitamin D prevent or improve conditions such as bone disease, muscle pain and high blood pressure.  If you are looking for relaxing winter sun, and don’t want to stay in the confines of a hotel, why not consider a luxury villa within a hotel resort? You will have space to relax and the hotel could include spa facilities, where you can be sunned, pampered and treated.

Private Island Paradise

Nothing is more relaxing than “getting away from it all” and what better way than holidaying on a private island? While major Caribbean islands attract the most tourists, the area includes many smaller islands, plenty of which are uninhabited – the Bahamas alone contains over 700 islands!

Where to stay: Look for resorts where you can enjoy privacy, without feeling secluded. Peter Island’s Spa on The BVI is one of the finest in the Caribbean.  The 1,800 acre private island combines stunning scenery of green hillsides which lead down to beautiful beaches and sparkling bays, with excellent sporting facilities, all set in a private environment. The spa hosts 12 treatment rooms, its own pool, steam rooms and private Jacuzzi right on the beach. Enjoy the best of both worlds, privacy and space in your own villa and pool, yet save the hassle of cooking with all meals included from the resort.  If you want to get out and explore further, choose the Crow’s Nest and Falcon’s Nest, which come with their own vehicle for exploring the island but also private staff including a chef.

For Some Sun Closer to Home

Egypt can offer spiritual getaways to help you relax and unwind. Throughout Egypt, yoga holidays are becoming increasingly popular. They give you concentrated time to focus on your practice and will help you rebalance your three cores and leave you feeling completely re-energised. Yoga can be practiced in some magnificent destinations such as Mount Sinai, or the Sinai desert.

Just five minutes’ drive from Naama Bay with a variety of restaurants, bars and shops, and ideally located for a number of fascinating excursions on land and sea, the Villa Marjina is a remarkable villa in a stunning location on the Mount Sinai peninsula. The villa is elegantly furnished in contemporary Egyptian style, with a superb range of modern amenities. The outside areas are superb too; the villa has its own beautiful private pool which is accompanied by a poolside mini-bar and showers, while shady pergolas overlooking the sea and the lawns dotted with tropical plants and trees are perfect for relaxed and informal meals and lounging.

Set in a beautifully green garden from which a short, stepped path leads to a private lagoon-side beach, the views are quite spectacular. The villa is located five minutes’ walk from the Sharm Sheraton 5-star Resort, the main hotel and its facilities, all of which are available to villa guests including a beautiful spa where you can relax and unwind and enjoy the 24-hour room service.

How Not To End Up In The Wrong Place

British people holidaying on Europe are a bit stuck when it comes to languages. Ideally, you’d learn some basic words and phrases to get along in a foreign country but your efforts are often met with an answer in English….so many Europeans now have an excellent grasp of English, which luckily for you Brits, has been adopted as the common language.

Of course in some cases, using the local language to the best of one’s ability is considered courteous and is often met with an appreciative reception from the locals. However cringe-worthy your attempts at Spanish or French, you should at least be able to pronounce the name of the place you are visiting.

The mis-pronunciation of place names, be it country, town or city happens worldwide. Here are some of the most  common mispronunciations…

Marbella Spain

A favourite summer holiday destination for Brits, Marbella is located on the southern coast and is perfect for those looking to soak up some sun. It has a bit of  mixed reputation as a typical package holiday destination, and you’ll often hear it referred to as mar-bell-a’ (as in a church bell). The correct pronunciation is Mar-bey-a.

Cairns  Australia

Australia has plenty of oddly named places (‘Wagga Wagga’ anyone?) but it seems nothing is more difficult to pronounce than Cairns. Located in tropical north Queensland, North-Eastern Australia, Cairns is bustling city that is often used as a base by those wanting to dive the Great Barrier Reef. Commonly referred to as ‘Cans’ ‘Carns’ or even ‘Carins’. Correct pronunciation: ‘Care-ns.’

Phuket Thiland

This idyllic holiday location and buzzing party town is one of the popular in south-east Asia, it even has its own airline, all the more important to pronounce it correctly then, so it doesn’t sound like one is merely cursing under their breath. Correct pronunciation is Phoo-get.

New Foundland, Canada

This large, sparsely populated territory in North-eastern Canada is the case of dialectical dispute not because of incorrect pronunciations as such, but the emphasis put on particular parts of the name. Apparently,  ‘New-FOUND-land’ is a faux pas! Correct pronunciation: New-fund-LAND.

Baja-California, Mexico

This long peninsula in Northwest Mexico has two parts to its name, one is more than familiar, while the other,  ‘Baja’ is often mispronounced by those not familiar with Hispanic languages. In Spanish ‘j’ is  an ‘h’ sound, making the…correct pronunciation: Baha California.

Leicester UK

Let’s look at a British place name that overseas visitors struggle to get their head around. In fairness the spelling  of  Leicester is  perplexing! Leicester is located in the East-Midlands and it’s home to Walkers crisps and the British space exploration efforts. Correct Pronunciation: Les-ter.

New Orleans, USA

One of the most interesting cities in the U.S is New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina 2005. Its roots are based in French and Spanish culture, creating a veritable melting pot of fascinating architecture, spicy food and bluegrass jazz music. So to pronounce it properly – you would say Naw-lins.

Joe is a travel blogger and linguistic therapist. When he gets on his Thailand holidays next year he’s going to make sure he plans a trip to Wagga Wagga!

Winter Warmer In North Cyprus

If you are looking for a relaxing trip away,  not too far from home and yet able to offer you some fresh experiences, why not consider North Cyprus holidays? North Cyprus has beautiful beaches, a gorgeous coast and fantastic culinary experiences to be enjoyed in the many cafes and restaurants. The local people are very friendly, helpful and hospitable, and some of the resorts can be very luxurious. North Cyprus is a great, sun filled destination and only a few hours away from London!

North Cyprus in a Glance

North Cyprus has two major ports, Girne and Magosa. The international airport is near the south border at its capital, Lefkoşa.

The currency used in North Cyprus is the Turkish Lira, but in the bigger cities and most resorts are Euro’s and British Pounds also accepted. All major credit cards are accepted in larger shops and supermarkets.

The Northern Cypriot climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers, and cool winters. The official language is Turkish, but English is widely spoken.

North Cyprus is a beautiful destination. The beaches and the beautiful countryside is something you won’t easily forget. The Mediterranean Sea is perfect for scuba diving or snorkelling, while many towns have rich and colourful histories. Many small towns have their own castles and other ruins to explore.

North Cypriot food is influenced by many different cultures; but primarily by the Turkish.  One could say that they have taken the best bits from many cultures and and created a new culinary landscape.  The local drink is Raki (Raki is for the Turkish, what Ouzo is for the Greeks) and they have both a distinct aniseed flavour, but a different alchoholic kick!

The island boasts many different resorts, and Magosa is one of the more well known, with resorts like the Salamis Bay. Some last minute research on the internet will help to locate the best offers for North Cyprus holidays.  A holiday in the winter sun will give you a real lift, and rejuvenate you!

Visa’s

Citizens of the European Union, the US, Japan and many other industrialized countries will receive a visitor VISA issued at arrival to Northern Cyprus.  Northern Cyprus has no Embassies outside Turkey so check what you need to take in terms of documentation.

Arriving By Plane

It is quite a challenge to fly directly into Northern Cyprus, but you can find flights that go there via Turkey. You could also fly to anywhere on the southern part of the island and take a taxi to Northern Cyprus. Its recommended that you arrange a taxi before departure, because a proportion of Greek Cypriot taxi drivers do not take tourists to the northern part of the Island.

Arriving By Boat

The main operator to the north part of the Island is Fergün Shipping; and they connect Kyrenia to Alanya and Taşucu in Turkey. The Taşucu-Kyrenia is the only car ferry to the Island, while the Alanya-Kyrenia is the only fast ferry. In the summer season, other operators and connections will be operating.

Get Prepared For A Bit of Snow

The British countryside in winter is a wonderful sight, especially after a few inches of snow has fallen. If you’re planning a trip to the British countryside this winter there are a plenty of things to see and do, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak district and my favourite: the Lake District. But while the British countryside can often look at its best with a fresh layer of frost, there are certain things you should try to keep in mind for instance, a rural pub has a real charm of its own in the cold weather and a great place to thaw out if you’ve been caught in the snow!

Buy A Shovel

If you’re not used to driving in sub zero temperatures there are certain precautions that will make your trip a safe and enjoyable one. My first recommendation would be pack a snow shovel, especially if you’re negotiating narrow country roads off the beaten track; this is from personal experience having spent my first winter in the UK with a car last year. As snow isn’t as common as say countries such as Russia or Canada, emergency services tend to be reactive rather than proactive but with recent winters causing disruptions to services this is improving.

But don’t worry too much, as long as you wrap up warm and have the right equipment, you’ll be taking in that picturesque winter scenery before you know it. Here are some tips to help make your journey safer and more comfortable:

Drive Slowly and Carefully

When you’re in foreign territory, you might feel like you’re heading out on the “wrong” side of the road. But by staying vigilant and taking things steady, you should be fine. Suss out the driving conditions as quickly as you can and be aware that if there’s ice on the road, you’ll need to be gentle with the steering and try not to be too aggressive with the brakes. As a foreigner looking in the British have a tendency to exceed the speed limit, especially on motorways compared to say Australia so if you are planning to stick to the 70 mph speed limit on the motorway it would be best to drive in the slower lanes, especially if you’re not used to the conditions.

Keep Your Distance

When driving in wintery weather it is a very good idea to keep well away from the car in front of you. In fact, you should be leaving twice the gap you normally would as this allows for a greater stopping distance. It takes longer to come to a complete stop when there is snow and ice on the ground and this is always something to keep in mind.

Stay On The Major Roads

While some of the most idyllic locations in the UK are a little off the beaten track, you should remember that the usually, salt spreaders operate along major routes. Therefore, if it is particularly icy, try and stick to treated roads, as these will be much safer to drive on. The British road system calls motorways M Roads while major roads are called A Roads

Watch Out On The Hills

The UK is full of lovely little hills which look beautiful all year round, but you’ll need to treat them with extra care in winter. If you’re approaching a steep incline or decline, make sure to assess it carefully and if you think the conditions are too dangerous, try to find a different route. Icy hills can be the hardest roads to negotiate if you’re not used to the local conditions.

Get Insurance

It is, of course, illegal to drive in the UK without insurance. If you’re hiring a car, ensure that hire car company offers insurance as part of the deal. Traditionally British insurers will charge similar rates for EU citizens however if you’re non EU (which includes Australia, Canada, US and New Zealand) expect to pay double in some instances. In the same way you’d protect your equipment and alarms back home, try to help others look after their belongings by keeping to the rules of the road. There is a slightly higher risk of an accident when driving in winter, so make sure you are fully covered before you head on your way.

In short driving in country Britain mid-winter can be a real eye opening experience with all the wonderful views and attractions. There’s nothing like rolling hills temporarily covered with snow-  something us Aussies living here can really get into.

Fresh Air and Fabulous Scenery

Think of Scotland and you think of highlands, lochs, acres of lush countryside and white beaches. It’s superb scenery and open spaces are stunning and anyone who loves the great outdoors will love the activities that are on offer.

Adventure activities and outdoor pursuits are available for most of the year, some are weather dependant – you won’t be taken on a mountain hike in three of snow! There are pristine lochs offering canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. For a major adrenaline boost, try out white water rafting or canoeing, jet ski-ing and power boating. There are always professionals on hand to help out and advise, and safety precautions are paramount.

Surfing in Scotland

Watersports are tremendously popular across the country too, with over 1600 miles of coastline.  There is also a growing interest in surfing – The Moray Firth has some spectacular waves, or try out Orkney for the best surfing in Scotland. You will need a super winter weight wetsuit, hood, gloves and boots, because the temperatures are numbing, but the scenery on shore is beautiful and the water is crystal clear. If you’ve not heard the term “Land of The Brave” in Scotland, you’ll understand it if you see Scottish surfers riding the waves! Find somewhere to stay along the coastline and enjoy the spectacular sea views and pale sandy beaches. There is a huge range of places to stay available, from stately homes to Bed and Breakfast, or if you want to do your own thing, what about a log cabin with a hot tub – great to relax in after a day on the beach!

There are many ways to explore Scotland, from mountain biking and kayaking, to good old fashioned rambling. If walking is a hobby of yours, you might want to try hillwalking or some trickier mountaineering courses, as well as long distance routes along the West Highland Way.

Get Out and About

Cycling is another great way to stay fit and get to see the landscape – mountain biking is extremely popular, or you can take a more leisurely tour of the woodland areas with a group – you don’t even have to bring your own bike! Europes finest scenery awaits you as you pedal through the picturesque countryside at your own pace. If you want to get off the beaten track you can hire a four-wheel drive or LandRover and explore areas deep in the countryside. There are several companies offering all terraine vehicles along with suggested routes and group hire.

Thanks to its expansive countryside, sweeping hills and valleys, and acres of unspoiled natural beauty, Scotland attracts visitors from all over the world, particularly those wanting to trace their ancestry.  Get away from the noise of the city and spend some time in the Scottish highlands, experience everything this magnificent country is famous for, and at the end of a long day out in the fresh air, head back to the local pub for a meal by the fire, or your own log cabin holiday heaven, in luxury lodges and enjoy a dram or two of the local fire water!