Where is Lake Garda?

Lake Garda in Northern Italy is the largest lake in the country and one of the most popular. Its turquoise waters are ringed with mountains, beaches and ancient cobbled towns, lying halfway between Venice and Milan. The northern part of the lake is quiet and serene, while the southern section boasts a theme park and sandy beaches, so Lake Garda holidays offer something for every kind of traveller.

1. Explore ancient towns, castles, and hot springs.

Holiday resorts share waterfront with ancient towns all around Lake Garda. Start off with the picturesque cobblestone lanes of Sirmione, a fortified Roman spa town in the south. It is situated on a peninsula in the centre of the lake, offering unrivalled views and photo opportunities. After a morning visit to the healing sulphur springs, explore the 13^th century Scaliger Castle and stop into the many restaurants and bars for a bite to eat. If you have more time, catch a ferry to explore the islands in the lake and spend a day at the popular Gardaland theme park as well.

2. Eat well.

The best part of holidays to Italy is surely the food and wine. The shores of Lake Garda are famous for their produce, particularly wine, olives and lemons. Catch a ferry to the colourful hillside resort of Limone, which is named for the yellow fruit. Stroll the waterfront promenade and stop into a café for a meal of fresh fish from the lake, or a hearty polenta dish cooked with local olive oil and a glass of Bardolino red wine which is grown in the area. Finish off with a tipple of limoncino for a totally local experience.

3. Get outdoors!

Lake Garda is a fantastic place to be active and get outside. The northern part of the lake is perfect for windsurfing and sailing due to the steady breeze coming out of the mountains, and there are many watersport centres that offer lessons and rentals. Explore miles of trails on foot or with a mountain bike, and you can even go rock climbing.  For families, peddle boats are available to rent in marked areas with lifeguards.

4. Take in the view.

The best view of the area is from the village of Malcesine in the northern section of the lake. Take the cable car 1750 meters up Montebaldo, a peak in the Italian Alps, for stunning views of Lake Garda below and the Dolomites behind. After taking pictures drop into the mountain-top restaurant or rent a mountain bike to explore the area.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Lake Garda

One Great Reason to Visit

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to find that Lake Garda offers something for every kind traveller!

Exploring Lake Garda

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Guide to Lake Garda

Where to Party in Greece?

What do Kos, Faliraki and Malia all have in common? That’s right; they have for a number of years been the top places for young and lively crowds to head to for some fun in the sun. But what are they really like? Where is the best place to visit if you have to choose and which one is more suited to your needs?

Once these three destinations are put side by side and compared in terms of the main needs and wants for people aboard, it becomes clear that they each have their own stand out features.

Best Beach: Malia

All three destinations have their fair share of beaches, most of which are busy and bustling full of people usually recovering from the night before. For these reasons, if you want a bit of peace and quiet it can become a bit of a challenge. However, Malia has a stretch of beach which is largely free from the commercial side of things and offers visitors the perfect place to laze in the sun. Potamos Beach is around 500 metres from the bigger beach where the vast majority of holidaymakers and travellers spend their time. If you want a quiet afternoon, Potamos Beach is the place to head to is you want a bit of peace on holidays in Crete.

Best Nightlife: Faliraki

All three of the destinations can claim to have the best nightlife, but many would agree that Faliraki just about comes out on top thanks to the fact that it has actually become less rowdy as it was back in the early 2000’s. The local authorities clamped down on the over the top antics which once upon a time were common place, with these days the bars being frequented by slightly older patrons just looking for a good time. Club Street is the aptly named strip of bars and clubs which most people head to and there is plenty to keep you entertained throughout the night and into the early hours.

Best Backdrop: Malia

There is a belief that these types of resorts are all the same, and let’s face it, a bit bland. But visitors to Malia may be a bit surprised when they drop by as the Old Town is a fantastically traditional place which offers an insight into how the area looked before mass tourism took over. The tight winding streets lead to all sorts of unexpected sights including hidden churches and small taverns. You could easily get lost here for a day or so – even if you spend the majority of your time elsewhere, make sure you head to the Old Town at least once on your visit.

Best Food: Kos

If you manage to drag yourself away from the local McDonalds, the resorts of Malia, Kos and Faliraki have some lovely restaurants with dishes made from the freshest ingredients on offer. The pick of the bunch are found on Kos though, where there are plenty of options open to you. Tigiaki has a number of budget friendly but vey well respected restaurants where you can try the local cuisine, which in typical Greek fashion centres on fresh fish, local vegetables and lugs of olive oil. The best thing to do is to avoid the restaurants which are geared towards the tourists and take to the side streets. Here you’ll find locals eating for usually a fraction of the price and in much more traditional surroundings.

All three islands have their attractions and in many instances it is hard to separate them. If you want a holiday destination where you can get all of the luxuries from home, you’ll be hard pressed to find places better than Kos, Malia and Faliraki. All three have their good bits – it is just a case of deciding whether you value beaches, nightlife, food or places of interest higher when on cheap holidays to Greece!

Guest post written by Ricky Durrance for Beat the Brochure.

What is there to do in Glasgow?

Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art

If you’re heading to Scotland’s biggest city for a weekend away, there are certain things you won’t want to miss. Follow this guide to the best things to see and do in Glasgow:

Culture

Named the European City of Culture in 1990, Glasgow has since strived to maintain its status as one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. It attracts over three million tourists a year from the UK as well as the rest of the world.

Most of Scotland’s national arts organisations are based in Glasgow, including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland. These organisations offer world-class events and performances at local venues such as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Theatre Royal and the Scottish Exhibition and Concert Centre.

Glasgow also has its own Poet Laureate, a prestigious title in the literary world, which was first held by Edwin Morgan and now belongs to acclaimed writer Liz Lochead.

Museums and Galleries

Cupola at Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art

The most famous of Glasgow’s museums is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which houses one of Europe’s great civic art collections. Located in the West End of the city, it has one of the largest collections of arms and armory in the world and a vast collection of natural history.

The gallery is home to European masterpieces by the French Impressionists, Dutch Renaissance and Scottish Colourists, as well as the world-famous ‘Christ of St. John of the Cross’ by the Spanish Surrealist, Salvador Dali.

Other galleries to visit include the Gallery of Modern Art and the Burrell Collection, a purpose-built gallery that opened in 1984 to house a collection donated to Glasgow by Sir William Burrell.

Food

Glasgow is home to many incredible eating establishments, from Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy cafes. Most serve fresh local produce and elegant brasseries to their hungry guests.

Chardon d’Or is run by Brian Maule, who is the former head chef at Le Gavroche, a Michelin star London restaurant. Maule opened his delightful French bistro in the heart of Glasgow with the full backing of the Roux dynasty, and fuses traditional techniques with Scottish ingredients.

The French Mediterranean dishes of La Bonne Auberge are an excellent way to round up a night out in the theatre district. Light and airy, La Bonne Auberge offers views over the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, alongside excellent service and menus created by head chef, Maurice Taylor.

For a more traditional feel, Maggie Mays offers a contemporary Scottish menu, combined with an elegant wine bar. In the evenings the place transforms in to a theatre and music venue, with bustling entertainment all year around.

Booking a Trip

Glasgow is an excellent place to spend a weekend and there are regular flights to and from the city from major UK airports and abroad. Scotland is also accessible by car, train or coach if you’re travelling up from England.

Accommodation in the city centre can book up fast so reserve apartments for your recreation stay in Glasgow as far in advance as possible. Trying to book a hotel on the day can be expensive and stressful. Instead, why not go online and book holiday apartments via Wimdu who offer accommodation in Glasgow and many other worldwide cities.

Going Through Your Paces on Holiday!

From climbing Kilimanjaro to walking the Great Wall of China, it seems there is a new trend in putting your body through its paces on holiday. If you’re an excercise-aholic then the annual Athens marathon offers the perfect opportunity to combine some summer sunshine with the challenge of a real endurance race- with a dose of culture, history and delicious food thrown in for good measure!

Why Athens…?

There are now 500 marathon races worldwide each year, but the annual Athens event remains the original and, many argue, the best.
Athens is, of course, synonymous with ancient civilisations, historical monuments and the Olympics. Legend has it that it’s also the place where a soldier named Pheidippides collapsed and died, having run 26.2 miles, without stopping, to announce that the Athenians had beaten the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.

In 1896, when the International Olympics Committee formed and started to plan the first modern Olympic Games, a French delegate named Michel Bréal was so captivated by the legend of Pheidippides that he proposed the inclusion of a long-distance running event to celebrate the story. Other delegates loved the idea and the legend was used to drum up interest in the games. Bréal even donated a silver trophy for the winner and the marathon as we know it was born.

The first marathon was the final event at the 1896 Athens Olympics, and inspired replica races all around the world with Boston being one of the initial cities to follow suit.

This year’s race…

This year’s race takes place on Sunday November 11th, which gives you a good ten months to get training! It’s open to anyone over 18 and there’s no qualifying time so amateurs and professionals alike can take part. You can use BUPA’s training plan to help you prepare for the challenge, if you plan to run.

Temperatures in Athens in November peak at about 18°c, but with the race starting at 9am it should be much cooler for the bulk of the run.

The course…

The route starts at the battlefield in Marathon which Pheidippides is said to have run from, and follows his route to Athens. Today, the terrain of the 26.2 miles (42.2 km) is wholly tarmac, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing your running shoes – look out for good support and cushioning. The first 12km of the route is fairly flat, with the next 19km being made up of gently sloping hills and the last 11km providing a downhill finish.

You’ll be following the very route that was used in the 2004 Athens Olympics and with the race ending at the world-famous Olympic Stadium, so you’ll truly feel like an elite athlete as you cross the finish line.

Once you’re in Athens, make the most of it…

You’ll probably want a day or two of chilling out by a swimming pool or on the beach post-race. However, once you’re up to it there’s a whole host of things to see and do in Athens; from devouring delicious cuisine, to exploring the ancient ruins, to shopping in quaint markets!

Where to recuperate…

If R&R is top of your agenda then take a trip to Greece’s original Fish Spa (Aiolou 45) and let the garra rufa fish sooth your worn feet or enjoy some reflexology or a traditional massage. There’s also the Hammam Baths (Melidoni 1) where you can enjoy a full body scrub and then a traditional massage on warm marbles- booking is advised. Finally, why not bag yourself a bargain at the fleamarket in Monastiraki or hit a more modern shopping precinct on Ermou Street where you can reward yourself for all your hard work and commitment?

Where to eat…

Greek food is world-renowned and Athens is home to some incredible restaurants. Favourites include Strofi (25 Rovertou Galli) which offers traditional Greek dishes- the feta parcels and baklava are both recommended – and a view of the Acropolis to die for from the open-air top level; Oroscopo (42-44 Antinoros Street), where the fantastic service is regularly praised and beautifully fresh seafood is on offer; and Funky Gourmet (Paramithias 13 & Salaminos)- the destination for cutting-edge, experimental haute cuisine, prepared by classically-trained chefs. What better way to replenish the calories you lost running the marathon?

What to see…

If you’re after some culture, you’ll be able to find it in every nook and cranny in the city! You must, of course, visit the famous ruins and there are plenty for you to choose from, from the big names: the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion , to the lesser-known Temple of Hephaestus, the Agora and the Odeum of Herodes Atticus.

Where to Stay…

For under £400pp, the 4* Polis Grand is right next to the Acropolis and close to the old streets of Plaka, where markets are held. The hotel also has a roof garden where you can chill out after a long day in the November sun. There is also, the 4* Hotel Titania is in the historical hub of Athens, with a Greek brasserie restaurant for guests and a top floor piano bar that has stunning views of the Acropolis. It’s located between Syntagma and Omonia Square, so you’re in the right place for exploring the city and seeing the marathon.

How to Get There…

Athens is easily reached from major UK airports such as London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh, with easyJet Holidays. The flight time is just over 3 hours and you’ll arrive in Athens International Airport, just 20km from the main city centre, just a short bus or taxi ride away.