Best 3 Holiday Destinations for Snow

If you’re a traveller in search of the best places on the planet for snow, skiing or other winter sports, then this list is just what you have been looking for. The 5 most exciting and beautiful places to find the white powdery stuff are right here.

Japan

From December to March a lot of Japan is coated in snow, and the mountain areas in Honshu and Hokkaido can have large amounts of snowfall as the winds push it from China and Russia. Did you know in Japan there are more ski resorts per capita than any other country, which makes it the ultimate destination for skiing holidays. Not only does Japan have a mass amount of ski resorts, they also boast an extraordinary number of hot springs.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu the Tower (Shimukappu-mura) is an extraordinarily good ski resort, and is an outstanding high-rise surrounded by forest just 2 km from both Mount Tomamu and Tomamu train station.

Austria

Snow-capped mountains, fabulous après-ski and Austrian hospitality will create everlasting memories when you head there for the winter escape you’ve been dreaming of. During winter Austria converts into a white paradise, and there are massive amounts of snow in the Alpine regions, offering impeccable conditions for an astounding winter holiday.

One of the best places to spend your winter break would have to be the Kaunertal Glacier in Tirol’s. There is 38km of wide open slopes and rarely will you be stuck in a ski lift queue. Snow is guaranteed from October through to June thanks to its high altitude and there are slopes to suit all ages and skill levels.

Italy

The Dolomites are known one of the most beautiful Alpine regions on the planet. In winter the magical atmosphere of the region combined with ancient castles and monasteries make them an amazing place to visit.

The Dolomiti Superski is the biggest ski area in the world, and is a massive network of state-of-the-art connected ski lifts and ski trails that can take you weeks to explore. There is over 1,200km of perfect ski runs which are serviced by 450 lifts, extending across 12 valleys.

Top 9 Tips For Travelling In Greece

Greece has had a rough trot over the last few years, but it still remains to be one of the best locations in Europe to visit. Their financial status has changed a few things in the country over the last few years, but with these tips, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t been to Greece sooner.

1. One of the most important things to know about Greece is that the whole country is struggling financially, so when you go there, make sure the money you spend benefits the locals as much as possible. One if the best ways you can do this, is by not staying at large hotel chains, and not eating at large international food chains. Locally owned hotels and eateries are usually pretty open to bargaining to get your business, and in the long run you will boost their economy with much needed tourism dollars.
2. If you want to save a few dollars however, don’t visit Greece in the peak season (July / August). During July/August its mid-summer, the Greeks are on holidays and everywhere gets really crowded, oh, and prices go up everywhere. The Greek mainland is as impressive as the islands, so make sure you visit places like the Pindos mountain range in the north, and western Peloponnese has amazing beaches and spectacular archaeological sites.
3. Use the buses, they have a very good system in Greece, and the rail network is also very cheap, but good.
4. If you want to know what restaurants and eateries is the best, look for where the locals are eating. Greeks generally eat very late at night, after 10pm, so if you’re looking for the best places to dine, that’s when you should be looking.
5. Also, Greek barrelled wine is very cheap, and will save you a lot of money compared to bottled wines.
6. There are hundreds of very good, and very cheap ferry services around the islands which allow you to island hop with ease. Choose an island group and travel within it if you don’t want to get too confused.
7. Older generation Greeks are generally quite conservative so make sure you dress conservatively around the beaches, churches and monasteries, or you could end up in a bit of strife. Just bear in mind that you need to be a little culturally sensitive when visiting other parts of the world.
8. Greek locals will love it if you learn a few basic words, and your efforts will be rewarded via status elevation from tourist to “xenos”, which means “foreigner” and “guest”.
9. Most importantly, you should respect the people, the laws and the country, as you should with all countries you travel to.

Best beaches in Spain

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, no doubt, and when you are trying to decide where to go when travelling to Spain, if you are looking for incredible beaches; this is the list that will help make those decisions for you. Here are 5 of the best beaches in Spain.

1. Langre, Cantabria

Hidden amongst the serene, rural country of the Costa Trasmiera, Langre, lie some implausibly beautiful and secluded beaches. It’s a very good surfing spot, and the picturesque surrounds of boundless green fields that join vertical limestone cliffs that lead down to the golden arcs of sand are an absolute vision. Originally a nudist favourite thanks to its isolation, its exclusivity is as good a reason to visit as its amazing beauty.

2. Costa Calma, Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is a delightful destination for everyone with its everlasting beaches and features a great surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding scene, as well as being very popular for cycling and diving. There are plenty of hotel options available here, and both small and large ones are available on the coast and inland.

3. Asturias

The exquisite cliff edged eastern coastline of Asturias brags some of the most gorgeous beaches in Spain. Underneath the Picos de Europa, remote golden curves, rocky bays, quaint and serene beach towns and a lively surf scene offers direct accessibility from both the sea and mountains.

4. Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria

Seven magnificent miles of ingratiating beaches transform into sand dunes of Maspalomas at the southern end of Playa del Inglés. The dunes have been a drawcard since the 1960s, and in 2012 one of the resort’s original hotels located behind the beach was renovated to create Bohemia Suites & Spa which features a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views over the dunes.

5. West Coast Cantabria

West Coast Cantabria’s beaches lie within protected natural park land, which deliver the most pristine beaches in Spain. There is a whole 50 miles of coastline that is accessible through parklands and farms, but the beaches between Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera are unbeatable.

12 foods you must try in Greece

One reason a lot of great memories are created for travellers is the experience of amazing foods we never thought even existed let alone end up eating them, and more so enjoying them. The Greeks have an extraordinarily long history, and their traditional foods date back as far as civilisation, so when travelling to Greece, you can expect the flavours that tantalise your taste buds to be amazing.

Here are 12 foods you really should try in Greece.

1. Choriatiki

Traditionally, Greek salad is served with almost every meal. Choriatiki are constructed with tomatoes, olives, and cucumber and feta cheese.

2. Saganaki

Sagnaki refers to many dishes that are fried like Shrimp Sagnaki, Mussels Sagnaki and the most famous Cheese Saganaki.

3. Ellinikos

Ellinikos is still the most popular style of coffee in Greece, which is served in a traditional long handled coffee copper pot known as briki.

4. Kolokithokeftedes

This is a popular Cretan meze, found in most Greek restaurants. A traditional kolokythokeftedes is crispy on the outside with a creamy texture of feta cheese and fresh minton the inside.

5. Dolmadakia

Dolmadakia are tiny dolmades that are made of stuffed grape leaves. The leaves are stuffed with ground lamb or beef and rice.

6. Tomatokeftedes

These Santorini Tomato Fritters are a traditional meze vegetarian food item from Santorini and Syros. They have rough edges with tomato, mint and onion chunks.

7. Galaktoboureko

Galaktoboureko is a great Greek dessert made of crispy filo pastry coated in melted butter and filled with creamy custard & scented syrup.

8. Bougatsa

Bougatsa is a sweet semolina custard filo pastry which is coated with a powder sugar and cinnamon dust.

9. Keftethes (Meatballs)

The Greek meatball is an appetizer served with creamy sauce and pita breads but is often served as a main course with basmati rice and Choriatiki.

10. Loukoumades

These delicious Greek donuts are bite-sized golden balls of fried dough coated with sweet syrup, walnuts and cinnamon.

11. Moussaka

Creamy and juicy, Moussaka is tomato sauce, minced beef eggplants and creamy béchamel sauce layered to create heaven in a bowl.

12. Revani

Revani is a nutty and grainy cake with lemon flavour, and although not overly sweet, the orange zest syrup that coats it is insanely good.

Best destinations for going “off the beaten track” in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most travelled Asian countries, and for good reason. It’s extraordinarily diverse, and has an astonishing cultural history and presence. In a country that is home to a mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians, as well as several ancient culture practising indigenous groups, Malaysia’s diversity is easily discovered simply by travelling to the off the beaten track destinations below.

Batu Caves

A short journey 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur will take you to the sacred Batu Caves, which are a group of limestone caverns, to which some have been converted into Hindu temples. The cave is devoted to the Hindu god of war and victory (Lord Murugan) and his statue in gold stands at the entrance.

Sarawak

Sarawak (one of Malaysia’s Borneo states) is the largest and most rugged state in the country and thrives on its distinctive indigenous tribal cultures, a rich ecosystem and thick jungle terrain. The famous Borneo Long houses are an evident sign of the cultural diversity that has existed here for centuries.

Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands retains many inspirations from its days as a retreat of the British colonial class and offers a captivating overview of the colonial heritage in Malaysia. It has been established as a popular luxury travel hot spot in recent years with many high end resorts joining the colonial Tudor mansions of the British. The area was developed as a tea plantation, and this crop remains today.

Kota Bharu

For visitors who are looking to indulge themselves in customary Malaysian arts and crafts, Kota Bharu in Malaysia’s north is the perfect place to begin. You can see a range of hut industries creating everything from wood carvings to batik decorated clothes and is the best place to see the age old dying art form of shadow puppetry.

Jungle Railway

The best off the beaten track experience in Malaysia would have to be the jungle railway, which takes you through a range of hidden gem regions of the country. Travelling on this train, you will experience everything from dense jungle coverage to spectacular places like Tumpat, near Kota Bharu, through the hinterland to the country’s chief line at Gemas, and allowing you to explore remote jungle villages along the way. It is an exceptional way to explore Malaysia and offers the perfect route into the heart of her rural landscape.

Packing tips for Summer in Europe

Travelling can be quite an arduous task if you haven’t travelled much before, and there are certain things which can make life on the road difficult and some that make life easy. If you are travelling to enjoy the beautiful European summer this year, then you should know exactly what to pack before you leave, so you don’t make your travel experience an annoying one.

There are a number of items which are essential for Europe, and there are two main rules. Be comfortable, and pack light. The best part about travelling light is it allows you for a bit more freedom to move about while visiting the amazing places Europe has to offer. So these seasoned traveller tips are going to help you enjoy your trip more and you’ll worry less about how to fit everything back into your bag when you move on to your next destination.

Clothing is the heaviest items you will have to lug around, so packing ONLY essential items is the key here. Europe is lined with cobblestone streets, narrow train aisles and stairs… ouch… the stairs. There are unlimited benefits of travelling light, but the main benefit involves not having to lug a 25kg bag through some of the most difficult terrains imaginable.

Essentials to keep in your day pack

• Passport and Identification – keep these in separate compartments
• Flight and accommodation details
• Copy of your Travel insurance
• Guide book or language book
• Headphones
• Eye mask
• Moisturiser
• Lip balm
• Water

Clothes

• Underwear – The best travel underwear around is ExOfficio. They are breathable, repel odour and dry quickly, so you can wash them in a sink. The benefits of this are something you will find out for yourself.
• Socks
• Rainproof jacket
• Shorts
• Jumper
• Swimwear and towel
• Jeans
• T-shirts
• Dresses
• 1 set of nice clothes for evenings and nights out
• Comfortable Shoes – European streets are not great for heels, so don’t even bother
• Runners
• Thongs

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toiletry bag and contents
• Medications – make sure everything is labelled with your name
• Sunscreen
• Tissues
• Insect repellent

A hanging toiletry bag is essential for keeping all your toiletries contained and ziplock bags are arguably the most useful item you can travel with. Before you leave photocopy all your important documents and itinerary and email them to yourself and friends or family. Keep a copy in your day pack as well as inside your luggage bag.