Holidays in Croatia - Beautiful Getaways

selce croatia (Photo credit: FotoChronicle)

By []Jenny Reis

If you're looking for something different for your upcoming holiday, why not consider travelling to Croatia, a lovely little country with plenty to offer.

Lonely Planet proclaimed that Croatia was the top travel destination for 2005, and tourism hasn't died off a bit since then. The Croatian economy is thriving due to tourism, and the people love to see visitors spending their holidays in Croatia. When you come here, you'll be able to enjoy sunny islands, luxurious coastlines and exciting cultural city centers. The people are happy to welcome you into their towns and make you feel like a local yourself. You'll have stories about your Croatia holiday for years to come, and you'll always look back on it with fond memories. Take a look at all of the interesting Croatian cities that you can visit and start making your plans today.

Portugal's Culinary Popularity

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Portugal is very popular for their cuisine, which makes this country a very popular travel destination. In the 15th century, the Age of Discovery greatly impacted cooking in Portugal. Cinnamon and curry power were very popular ingredients brought to Portugal during this time.
Prior to the Age of Discovery, many other cultures were bringing various ingredients to Portugal. The Romans introduced wheat, onions, garlic, olives, and grapes to the country of Portugal. The Moors were the first to plant rice in Portugal. They also introduced figs, lemons, oranges, and almonds within the country as well.

Agriturismo Holidays in Italy

Il Mulino Degli Elfi (Photo credit: diroussel)Property panorama (Photo credit: Daniel Pertovt)


By Fiona Tankard


For some people, the perfect holiday might be summarized as follows: arrive at the airport, check into a luxury hotel, spend the rest of the time at the pool or the beach with the latest bestseller. That may be a good way to unwind and indulge in a bit of unstructured, do-nothing time, but it has always seemed to me to be a bit of a waste, especially when you are a foreign country. Not that I am advocating racing around museums or culturally worthy sights, especially when the weather is hot and you are faced with queues and cross children, but maybe there is a way to have the best of both worlds.
In Italy, one way to experience an authentic taste of the country, its cooking and its way of life is to book yourself into an agriturismo. This roughly translates as a 'farm holiday', but the type of holiday accommodation you find can vary from the simple and rustic to a level of sophistication that's on a par with any five-star hotel.

Best Places to Eat in Val D'Isere

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By Fiona Monk


Val d'Isere, as one of the top ski resorts in the world, has a wide selection of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained and well-fed.
Prices are relatively high but, in the main, you will receive a high standard of service and delicious food. For lunches, there are several mountain restaurants that serve fresh home-cooked fare to keep your energy levels up for skiing the rest of the day.
La Table de l'Ours restaurant is set within Hotel Barmes de l'Ours, and has the accolade of a Michelin one-star rating. As you would expect, menus are inventive and the food beautifully presented.

I Love Touring Rome, Italy - Spanish Steps District Hotels

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The Spanish Steps area is close to the center of Rome. This is a fine place to meet old and new friends and enjoy shopping or hit the cafes. Take lots of photos. Please note that the Spanish Steps themselves were built with French funds early in the Eighteenth Century. But the Spanish Embassy is nearby. The natives call these famous steps La Scalinata (the staircase). Other neighborhood sights to see include the Fifteenth Century Trinita dei Monti Church at the top of the steps and the Keats-Shelly Memorial House where the English poet Keats died. Don't miss the Palazzetto Zuccari that resembles a monster's face. Via dei Condotti is a famous upscale shopping street. Despite a lawsuit, there's a MacDonald's in the neighborhood. Make sure to visit Via del Babuino, the street of antiques, and Via Margutta, the street of artists. For your convenience we have listed neighborhood hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages.


The Panda Hotel is right on on a major shopping street near the Spanish Steps. The money that you might save by staying here can easily be spent in this upscale neighborhood. Unlike many other hotels, the Panda defines only two seasons price-wise. Most of the year is high season. There are 20 rooms, 14 of which have a private bath. The rooms have no television. Did you come to the heart of Rome to watch TV? The hotel address is Via della Croce 35 - 00187, Rome.



The B&B Rhona's Rooms is a four room bed and breakfast in a typical old building serviced by elevator. All rooms are equipped with a luxury private bathroom boasting a 13-jet hydro-massage shower, Turkish steam bath, alternating hot/cold (Scottish) shower, aromatherapy and radio. There is a panoramic terrace. Try to rent the room that overlooks the Via dei Condotti and has views of the Spanish Steps. The address is Via dei Condotti, 23 - 00187 - Rome. Rome, Italy.



The Hotel San Carlo is located in a renovated Seventeenth Century mansion. There is a rooftop terrace and the rooms have flat-screen TVs and sometimes their own terrace. If you ask me to choose between the best TV and a tiny view of Rome... The hotel has 50 rooms ranging from singles to quads and 2 suites. The address is Via delle Carrozze 92-93 - 00187, Rome.



The Hotel Hassler is really hot stuff. It has often been named as Rome's top hotel. The rooms are a living definition of luxury, especially if you go for the Grand Deluxe ones. Even the single occupancy rooms directed toward business travelers have marble bathrooms. There are 5 on-site bars and restaurants. The list goes on; I think you get the general idea. Expect to pay big bucks. Expect to see big shots. The address is Piazza Trinita dei Monti 6, Spagna.

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Levi Reiss wrote or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but would rather drink fine French, German, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his new wine, diet, health, and nutrition website www.wineinyourdiet.com and his Italian travel website www.travelitalytravel.com.



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Discount Hotel Coupons, Last Minute Hotel Discounts

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Are you one of the millions of people wanting to take a vacation and just do not know if you can afford it or not? Well rest assured in knowing that a very much needed vacation is more easier than you think. You may even save enough money to be able to stay an extra day. Discount hotel coupons are pretty easy to find, you can find them pretty much anywhere. Before deciding on just one place to visit make sure you take the time to contact many different places to see what they offer and if there are any special deals going on at the time that you are planning to stay.

If you are someone who lives near a travel center or plaza then rest assured in knowing that coupons are just a few minutes away. If you are interested in taking a vacation you may consider going by one of those places to see just what kind of coupons that may be there. Plazas and travel centers can yield coupons and travel deals on hundreds of different vacation spots and tourist attractions. Discount hotel coupons can also be found on the Internet. The Internet is a source of wealth for just about every subject and object in the world. You should be able to find coupons that offer one night free stay and also coupons for certain percentages off of the night that you want to stay. It may require a certain nights or weekends stay, so you should make sure to read the fine print before booking anything. You may even consider booking just a couple night at one hotel and then once arriving check out all the discount books that can usually be found at neighboring restaurants and convenience stores.

Travel agents know more about any special deals than just about anyone else. They know what hotel is offering a discount and what is not. They can also help you plan one of the best vacations ever. Another option that you may consider is, to actually give the hotel that you are wanting to stay at a call. They can tell you of any discounts that they may be offering at that time. Visiting the hotels website may also help in finding out if there are any certain deals at the time you are choosing to stay.

Hotels can be pretty expensive. With a discount coupon book getting a good deal is sure to happen. Remember when starting to look for vacation spots, make sure to call ahead and see of their is any coupon books or discounts that they can send you with a little bit of information about other things that surround that hotel that you will be staying at. Getting a discount could mean getting stay a little bit longer or not getting to stay long enough. Vacations should be fun and hassle free, try checking on coupons for attractions and other things as well so you get the most for your money and time.


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Use Discount Hotel coupons to save more on your travels and vacations, Last Minute Discounts on Hotel rooms for your convenience. Go to: http://www.discounthotelcoupons.net

Holidays in Sicily Villas

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by John Petersons
There are many different options for villa rentals in Sicily. One of the most popular is the seaside villas. Any property boasting a seaside location should either be on the ocean's edge or within a minute's walk to the water. Much of Sicily's coast line is of the sandy beach variety, but there are also areas speckled with rocky coves for those less inclined to sunbath and more inclined the watch the waves break across the shore. There is a huge variety of waterfront villas. Some are renovated stone farmhouses. Another used to be a frantoio, or olive-oil press. There is even an old castle available. The prices on some of these accommodations can be a bit steep, but since they sleep anywhere from five to fifteen, the cost can be split up between multiple friends or families.

Rental companies often designate some of their villas as family properties. These properties are generally larger, sometimes having sleeping accommodation for twenty people, and come with private pools and grounds. Many of them are located near child-friendly attractions such as Mount Etna and its theme park, Etna Land. On the north coast is Palermo, a town known for its puppet theatre. Regardless of the surrounding attractions, every family villa comes equipped with satellite television and a DVD player.

With its azure seas, craggy cliffs and stunning sunsets, Sicily is a natural location for a honeymoon. There are many smaller, but no less exquisite, Sicily villas available for newlyweds to find the romance they are looking for. These properties may be set on a private beach or amidst the rolling hills of vineyard country. Cleaning service will be weekly, instead of daily, to ensure maximum privacy. In addition to a pool, they will often boast a Jacuzzi.

For those, who wish to experience more of Sicily's city life - the villas in and around the famous town of Taormina are a perfect option. Taormina was made an integral part of the Grand Tour a couple hundred years ago, and since then, luminaries such as Goethe and Steinbeck have made Taormina villas their home away from home. Some of these villas are apartments in the restored historic city center, while others are just a short walk or drive away.

Whether you're looking for a family vacation, honeymoon retreat, or just a relaxing week in the sunshine, Sicily villas can meet all your holiday needs.

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a vacationer"'s dream come true. This island has it all: year-round warm climate, beautiful beaches, charming Old World towns, vineyards, amazing cuisine, and a variety of charming sicily villas available for rental.John Petersons has been contributing to leading magazines for the past 10 years. He's also an accredited researcher on the subject for leading research institutes in the US.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Holidays-in-Sicily-Villas/712559

Restaurant Dining | Trattorias and Restaurants in Vernazza | Cinque Terre | Italy Travel

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Restaurant Dining | Trattorias and Restaurants in Vernazza | Cinque Terre | Italy Travel

If you’re staying in this town during your Cinque Terre holidays, there are enough restaurants and trattorias here to keep you nicely fed.

Search Amazon.com for vino con vista

Take a Vacation without Taking on Debt

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Winter most certainly started early this year and by now most of us are in need of a holiday. Being as this is one of the most expensive times of the year for travel, it's advisable to sit and consider a few options before booking.

Chose a destination.

Contrary to popular belief, traveling to common destinations like the Caribbean during high season can be the best time to go. Many airlines will provide several daily direct flights. Due to the frequency, they want to fly full so getting a good deals is common.

Are you open to staying at a hostel?

Hostels are not only for backpackers. Most hostels offer both dorm-style accommodations as well as private rooms. You can easily get a private room (with television and bath) for $20 per/person per/night. That adds up to a massive savings over the course of a one or two week holiday. Due to their rising popularity, many hostels now have pools. As well, they offer kitchens (cooking utensils included) where their guests can cook and mingle. The difference in price between a hostel and a hotel could easily be enough to pay for your entire airfare.

The all-inclusive - is it worth it?

You need to ask yourself if you will you actually use it? All-inclusives are a great way to go if you are not on a budget, consume a lot of food, want your activities planned or need child care. If, however, you are a single person or a couple just needing a break away from it all, you may want to reconsider this option. The difference in cost between an all-inclusive and going your own way is substantial. Hotels charge for everything whether you use it or not. So, if you prefer to make your own way, eat local and tour yourself, you can easily save thousands of dollars per person by not doing an all-inclusive.

Staying central as opposed to staying beachside.

This is a big one. Hotels charge for their amenities, their location and their view. So if you are of the independent type and don't require satellite television and heated towels, I would seriously consider staying central in your chosen destination. Central hotels are usually located along main throughways in cities, meaning you can walk pretty much anywhere you need to go and local transportation is convenient. These hotels always offer great deals.

Taking local transportation...it's fun.

Consider an additional adventure by learning to take local transportation. Buses go directly to tourist destinations. If you know where you would like to go but are unsure how to get there, it's easy enough to do a little on-line homework before leaving home. Print your findings and take them with you. You will be surprised at how easy it is. If worse comes to worse, keep your hotel address on your person and take a taxi if you get lost. Local buses will cost between $1 and $3 dollars to get you around with almost door-to-door service. A local map...free.

Being flexible with travel dates.

This too can be the make-or-break of your trip. Weekend departures are the most sought-after days so flying on a Friday or Saturday generally ensures the most expensive seat. Mondays and Tuesdays are significantly less expensiSearch Amazon.com for Vino Con Vistave.

Found a great deal on travel that you can't pass up?

Fantastic travel deals don't always happen at the most financially opportune times. So when you find a great deal that you can't refuse, a loan might be an option to consider. But remember, when you get back from paradise, there will be payments to make, so weigh the pros and cons and decide whether escaping a long, bleak winter is a good enough reason to increase your debt load.

If you consider some of these travel suggestions, there is a very good chance you will be able to afford your vacation with ease and return home happy, relaxed and possibly even debt-free!

Tripadvisor Reveals Europe's Sexiest Hotels

Tripadvisor Reveals Europe's Sexiest Hotels
By Tripadvisor, PRNE

Amsterdam's Black Tulip Hotel Tops List of Provocative Properties

LONDON, February 11 - TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest and most popular travel community,
today announced the top 10 sexiest hotels in Europe, based on TripAdvisor
editors and travellers. From seductive city suites, to beach-side personal
butlers, these properties offer serious va-va-voom for those seeking a sultry
sanctuary à deux.

TripAdvisor site data also reveals that Paris, London and Amsterdam boast
the most sizzling hotels in Europe, based on the "sexy index", calculating
the number of times that travellers use the term "sexy" in their candid
TripAdvisor reviews.

1. Black Tulip, Amsterdam

Centrally located in a stylish 16th century canal-side building this
hotel features specially designed 'lust' rooms. All rooms boast black-out
curtains and guests can take advantage of the "fun equipment" installed in
certain suites. As one TripAdvisor traveller explains, "The rooms are
seriously sexy, complete with all the bondage gear you could wish for."

2. Propeller Island City Lodge, Berlin

For couples looking to add some spice to their getaway the quirky art
installations within this hotel will not disappoint. Each room is uniquely
sexy - the 'Flying Bed' room includes a mattress as an iconic temple at the
top of an inclined ramp. The 'Galerie' room features a round bed with a
pedal-operated mechanism that allows it to spin on a pivot. "We stayed in the
room completely lined with mirrors. It was very tiny, but that was all part
of the fun," writes one TripAdvisor traveller.

3. The Witchery, Edinburgh

The hotel's magnificent Guardroom suite offers sheer aristocratic
decadence. If you tire of the delights of its romantic four-poster bed, the
suite has breath-taking views over Princes Street to Fife. From the brocade
and velvet bedroom furnishings to the antique double bath with its enormous
mirror The Witchery provides guests with sexiness from a bygone age. Even
X-Factor star Danni Minogue describes the hotel as "the perfect lust-den."

4. Buddha Bar Hotel, Prague

Couples seeking treats galore should add this hotel their wanton wish
list. This urban hotel offers stylish surroundings, not to mention a special
couples getaway package which includes a one-hour massage each, private use
of the jacuzzi, fresh flowers and a mood music CD. As one TripAdvisor
traveller writes, "A chilled bottle of champagne and a bowl of strawberries
waited for us along with a gift of massage oils, honey dust and feathers,
setting the pace for the most romantic honeymoon anyone could have."

5. Amour, Paris

The brainchild of a graffiti artist and nightclub entrepreneur the Amour
has everything you need for a sultry weekend. Bedrooms lead off black-painted
corridors lit by naked bulbs and each room offers something different. Some
have been decorated by named artists; others display risqué photographs.
Amour is summed up by one TripAdvisor traveller as "an ideal place to drink,
eat, sleep, find an intelligent conversation or be seduced."

6. The Hempel, London

Anouska Hempel's temple to minimalist Zen is hidden behind its discreet,
west-London, townhouse façade, giving it an instantly illicit feel. For
couples looking for something special the Lioness Den suite should be
explored. The bed is suspended from the ceiling by bars resulting in a
cage-like experience. As one TripAdvisor traveller writes, "The mattress, the
pillows and the blankets are all extremely lovable…excellent for couples."

7. Hotel Arts Barcelona, Barcelona

With its double showers and black-out blinds Hotel Arts oozes sex appeal.
The hotel's infamous art isn't the only thing that will appeal to amorous
guests - even the technology adds an air of passion. as one TripAdvisor
travellers explains, "We could lie in our fabulous, sumptuous bed, and using
a remote control, bring down electronic shutters to all the windows, they
even had their own CD called Barcelona Nights to help get you in the mood!"

8. Adam and Eve Hotel, Turkey Antalya Coast

With its sexy minimalist decor this hotel has been created specifically
with couples in mind. Not only does it provide aphrodisiac incense to spice
up your stay but guests can even select a 'fantasy box' for the room. Summed
up by one TripAdvisor traveller, "I recommend this hotel to all couples, but
come without children - it is really is a fantasy hotel…"

9. Suite Sistina, Rome

The four suites of this luxury residence bring together antique mosaics,
modern furniture and avant-garde technology to offer couples an
extraordinarily discreet and unique experience. With beds embraced by soft
silk, state-of-the-art stereo systems and romantic lighting your stay is sure
to be a passionately memorable one. As one TripAdvisor traveller notes,
"Really large round bed, twin tub in the bedroom. All electrics are centrally
controlled and the mood lighting certainly added to our stay."

10. Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, Cote D-Azur

Located in the millionaire paradise on the peninsula of St. Jean Cap
Ferrat, this hotel is a once-in-a-lifetime luxury escape. Exclusive suites
offer everything from private swimming pools to personal butler service - the
sheer scale of excess is guaranteed to get pulses racing. One TripAdvisor
traveller is impressed with the hotel staff, "He arranged a very romantic
table setting complete with candles and even snuck me a rose to give to my
wife."

"Whether couples are looking for a traditional romantic getaway or
something a little more saucy, TripAdvisor travellers recommend all sorts of
hotels for a memorable and passionate retreat," said Emma O'Boyle,
spokesperson for TripAdvisor.

For further information please contact: Emma O'Boyle, TripAdvisor, +44(0)20-3320-3210 / +44(0)777-926-2423 / eoboyle at tripadvisor.com