Honeymooning Vacation in Albufeira - Cherish Those Moments

If you're about to tie the knot and are trying to plan the perfect honeymoon then there are a few key ingredients you'll need to look for in a destination. Guaranteed sunshine and golden sandy beaches are among the most important, allowing you and your partner to unwind and spend some quality time together. Interesting culture and history can also add a little extra spice to a honeymoon, and Albufeira is one place that has all of these in abundance.

Located in the central Algarve, Albufeira enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, making it an instant hit with couples looking for a romantic break. Having only been a city since 1986, the place has retained much of its original charm and still bears all the hallmarks of a small fishing village. As a result, it's got a wonderfully relaxing vibe and is the perfect place to really get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Choosing the right accommodation can also make or break a honeymoon, and you'll find a great range of Albufeira hotels at vacenza.com.

Great beaches
It goes without saying that you'll want to spend some time on the beach when you're on your honeymoon, and one of the great things about Albufeira is that it is surrounded by dozens of sandy stretches, each one offering something a little different. Several of these bear the prestigious Blue Flag, including Praia Olhos d'Agua, which is situated in a small secluded bay and is a fishing hub.

Albufeira's main beach, Oura, is the place to go if you want to take part in water sports or fancy some vibrant nightlife, although as this is your honeymoon you'll probably want to get away from all that, so a trip to the stunning Belharucas beach, which is flanked by pine cliffs, is a great alternative

Praia das Pescadores, meanwhile, is located near to the old city of Albufeira, and is lined with small seafood restaurants offering the freshest dishes caught that very same day. It's the perfect place to come for a romantic evening meal looking out over the ocean.

Charming history
As previously mentioned, Albufeira is traditionally a small fishing village that has only held city status for a couple of decades. Exploring this history is like stepping back in time, and makes for a great adventure to start your married life together. The small fisherman's huts that line Praia Olhos d'Agua are a charming reminder of the region's past, while exploring the old city is a good way to learn more about the many civilizations that have controlled the region at different times. (image courtesy of David Gaya).

Originally a Roman town, Albufeira was captured by the Moors in the eighth century, before being taken by the Christian Knights of the Order of Santiago around 500 years later. The Old City is full of monuments built at various periods in the region's history, with the iconic clock tower - or Torre do Relogio - offering amazing panoramic views of the city and the ocean.

Wonderful activities
Away from the old quarter of Albufeira is the new part of town, known as The Strip. It's here that you'll find the main shopping and nightlife opportunities, which offer a welcome reprieve from sunbathing. After all, just because you're on honeymoon doesn't mean you have to lounge around doing nothing the whole time.

Several excursions can also be enjoyed in Albufeira, with boat rides - such as those offered by Algarve Seafaris - taking you closer to some of the amazing marine wildlife and rock formations for which the area is famous. The chance to see wild dolphins is something that can help make your honeymoon a truly unforgettable experience.

Header image courtesy of Amanda Mota

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6 Great Sights in Galway, Ireland – Don’t Miss Them!

Also known as the City of Tribes, Galway is one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Ireland. It is Ireland’s fifth largest city with a population of over 700,000 people. Fourteen tribes lead the city during the ancient times and their names were used in the streets and landmarks. You will surely enjoy numerous tourist attractions and the fantastic nightlife, as you will great attractions throughout Europe. For aspiring travelers, Galway is a must-see place. Their diverse culture and historic background will never bore you. Here are the top 6 tourist spots that you have to visit.

1. Spanish Arch and Medieval Walls

Looking for a historic landmark? The Spanish Arch is one of the few remaining ancient defense in the town. You can enjoy the view of the Corrib flow out to Galway bay. Sit back and relax while digesting the beauty and comfort of nature.

2. Galway Cathedral

Built in 1858, this youngest cathedral has 44 meter s high and a green roof. The full name of this church is Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into heaven and St. Nicholas. Most of the materials used in the construction of this vintage cathedral were within local vicinity. The walls are intricate and the stained glass art are very enticing.

3. Bridge Mills

This 430 year old structure is now a center of culture. It is distinct because of the variety it offers. Cuisines, gifts, finely crafted clothing, an art gallery and a language school can be witnessed in this landmark.

4. Eyre Square

If you want to stroll around, this place is for you. Green grass and sturdy trees can be viewed by walking along this park. The vast space will relax you and will help you unwind. At night, there are pubs nearby that you can visit.

5. Kenny Gallery

Art lovers will surely enjoy the pieces displayed in this building. The exhibit embodies the culture and practices of Galway. Both the place and the artworks are high class.

6. Galway Market

Want to have a unique experience, find local produce and finely created craft by visiting this market. There are a wide variety of stalls available. Some sell fruits, food, crafts, artworks, clothing, etc. Shoppers will definitely enjoy their tour in this market, and will most likely find great cultural gifts to take home. 

Car Hire Transportation

If you want to maximize your trip to Galway, you should prefer your own transportation. You can arrive in the abovementioned sights through buses, but you will be limited to the schedules and destinations they provide. If you want to fully familize yourself with these awesome sites, you can drive around Galway in a hire car. With the freedom of your own wheels, you can be fully exposed to Galway’s culture and practices. Booking your own car with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, for example, would be more comfortable than waiting for a bus.  Just make sure that you will not spend much on parking because some parking spaces are expensive. You can do this on a great budget. Choose what is best for you and gives you the maximum freedom on your vacation. 

Hotel and Lodging

There are a lot of hotels in Galway, cheap and expensive. If you have tight budget, there are a couple of hotels for you. You will not have a problem with your stay because everything is accessible and affordable. You don’t have to worry about anything.

So pack your bags and get ready for an exciting adventure to Galway. These 6 amazing sites will surely satisfy all your senses. You will not regret that you chose Galway as your vacation destination.

Photo credits: photo one, photo two, photo three.

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Top 3 Ski Resorts in France

When it comes to skiing holidays, France is the country that usually pops into my head first. After all, it's pretty famous for its amazingresorts, plus it's nice and easy to get to - and if that's not a winning combination, I'm not sure what is! Of course, the nation's home to a fair few skiing destinations, which means deciding exactly where to go can take longer than you think, especially if, like me, you tend to be quite indecisive.

So, I thought I'd help you out by putting together a list of my top three ski resorts in France. Hopefully, this will set your holiday planning off to a good start. And if any of the below do take your fancy, you can find out more about accommodation and such at companies like Snowchateaux.

1) Tignes

If you're looking for a snow-sure resort, you're not going to do any better than Tignes. Located in the Espace Killy region, it offers skiing from an impressive 3,450 m on the Grand Motte Glacier.

Its snow-sure qualities are one of the key reasons I selected it, but there are more. Personally, I think one of the very best things about Tignes is the simple fact that it's so varied. From lively apres-ski and unusual activities to renowned pistes and an extensive, exceptionally well put together lift system, it really does seem to have it all.

Among my favourite Tignes facts is that you can ski to Val d'Isere - another top ski resort - in just 20 minutes. So, if you come to Tignes, you essentially have the slopes of Val d'Isere at your disposal too, which is a pretty exciting thought.

I also love the fact that there's so much else you can do here, like going ice driving and attempting snowshoe treks. After all, it's always nice to try something a bit different while you're on holiday.

2) La Plagne

Next on my list is La Plagne, a fantastic resort in the valley of the Tarentaise, which is in the Savoie region of France. Forming one half of the vast Paradiski area, La Plagne is home to 225 km of pistes, where you'll find 15 black runs, alongside 72 blue and 10 green. Plus, there's a sizeable off-piste area, as well as a new snow park - 7cube.

It's also worth remembering that La Plagne is one of the highest resorts on the continent (sitting between 1,250 m and 3,250 m), so it's a snow-sure destination. In terms of its layout, La Plagne is spread across four main communes, which it is possibly simplest to look at as mini resorts in themselves. These are Champagny-en-Vanoise, Macot-la-Plagne, Aime and Bellestre.

3) Les Arcs

Last on my list is the famous Les Arcs, which is one of France's best-known ski resorts. What you might not already know, however, is that this forms the other half of the Paradiski area, and from here you can reach the aforementioned La Plagne in just four minutes, as the two are connected by the world's fastest cable car.

What's great about Les Arcs is the variety it offers. Boasting some 200 km of pistes, it has open runs and tree runs, as well as a 7 km long piste that descends 2,026 m. There's also 30 km of cross-country skiing, good snow schools - including Ecole de Ski Francais - and guaranteed snow throughout the season.

Plus, there are traditional villages offering accommodation here, as well as four purpose-built resorts that are more modern. Wherever you choose to stay, though, you'll generally find the local area puts on lots of great events, like firework displays and film screenings.

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Vacation in Europe? Here is Where to Stay

Europe is, understandably, high on most travelers 'must-see' lists. Whether you're coming from a different continent or from a neighboring country, the variety of European culture, destinations, history and landscape is all there to explore. Hugely diverse, hugely interesting and, frankly, just huge, it's difficult to discuss in general terms. Accommodation options are, equally, huge. Right across the continent there are different options available depending on your budget, your location, and your personal preference. Bear in mind that costs and standards will vary country to country but, in general, Eastern Europe is cheaper than Western, and the Scandinavian countries have a reputation for being on the expensive side.

Best Hostels in Europe

At the lower end of the accommodation scale, most parts of Europe are well served by a network of hostels and dormitories. There are independently run hostels, backpacker hostels and those run by bodies such as the Youth Hostel Association. All are reasonably cheap and cheerful, offering beds in shared rooms, shared bathrooms and, normally, a kitchen and lounge where you can prepare and eat meals, relax and meet other travellers. Hostels are great if you're travelling alone and want to meet people, and there are some real gems available. They're invaluable if you're on a budget. A few (mostly city centre ones) will also offer slightly more expensive private rooms, which are sometimes en-suite, and whole dormitories can be booked at once - good for groups travelling together.

Private Apartment In Europe

If you're a group or family looking for somewhere for a week or so, it's well worth looking into hiring a holiday cottage or private apartment. From Budapest's city center to Scotland's remotest countryside, you should be able to rent accommodation which is self-contained and equipped with everything you need. Many will also allow dogs - great if you're traveling with the family friend! This can be a very cost-effective option, depending how many are in your party.  Also, if you want to find accommodation in London, apartment is a great option.

If self-catering isn't your style and you're after a bit of luxury, then look into the top-end hotels. These will offer restaurants, bars and well-appointed en-suite rooms. Many also have fitness and leisure facilities - ranging from a small gym through to a full-blown spa, swimming-pool, tennis courts and much much more!

Luxury Hotels Europe

Top-class, luxury hotels will certainly pamper you (you won't have to lift a finger if you don't want to!) and your stay will be a memorable one - but expect to pay handsomely for the luxury. Of course there are plenty of other, cheaper, less luxurious hotels too. Lower and mid-range hotels can be very variable in quality, but expect good, clean en-suite rooms and a bar and/or restaurant. Look out for the various chain hotels which can be found in many different countries. They can be a bit characterless, but they tend to be mid-range price and of consistent, reasonable quality.

Guest Houses Europe

Lying somewhere between hostels and hotels, Europe also has a massive network of guest-houses and bed-and-breakfasts. Known by different names in different countries, the idea is basically the same across the continent. You rent a private room (or, sometimes, a small annex) in someone's house. Breakfast is normally provided for you, and often evening meals can be also, by prior arrangement. Guest-houses vary from the wonderfully charming to downright grim, but the good ones are really well-worth seeking out. Check previous reviews, or phone and speak to the owners to get a sense of what the place is like. They are often a great way of getting a feel for how a country 'really' lives, having more character than hotels and often being more comfortable than hostels. Prices vary, but should be cheaper than hotels.

Europe is generally well equipped with accommodation, so whatever your budget and your particular style, you should be able to find something to suit. Enjoy your exploring!

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