When booking a holiday, one of the most important aspects is the accommodation. The right accommodation can make a holiday absolutely perfect, while the wrong type of accommodation can ruin a holiday.

Finding the right type of accommodation may seem daunting at first but there are a few handy hints to make the task a lot easier. The first aspect to look at when considering accommodation is the location. There is no point in paying low prices for accommodation in the middle of nowhere with no available transport. The easiest way to check the location is to locate the property on a map, paying attention to nearby transport options such as buses and subways. If the accommodation is not located near the centre of a city or town then make sure that the transport runs frequently and late at night or if there is parking available for hire cars. Also, is the accommodation is located within the city, the safety and noise level of the area should be taken into consideration.

Another important consideration for finding the right place to stay is to assess what type of accommodation is needed. For families; hotels, guesthouses and holiday camps offer secure accommodation with handy services. Large groups of individuals, particularly stag and hen parties are more suited to large apartments which can be shared. Smaller groups and individual travellers will find hotels suitable as well as hostels which provide basic accommodation. Special consideration must be taken for sporting holidays such as ski trips or surfing holidays, as storage for equipment and location are important.

This accommodation can vary in quality and one way to avoid booking poor quality accommodation is to be aware of previous customer`s reviews which can often be found on independent travel websites. For hotels, the star rating is a good indication of quality while other types of accommodation may be awarded local tourist commendations as well as international awards for service. Another aspect to be aware of is that some accommodation offers unique features such as art hotels which are available in a number of cities.

Of course all these different types of accommodation vary in price with the cheapest typically being hostels and the most expensive being luxury hotels. However, cheap accommodation of all types can be found simply by shopping around and taking advantage of special offers. A number of websites offer special deals on accommodation particularly for last minute bookings but the accommodation will also usually offer special prices and discounts.

By following these handy hints, there`s no reason why booking accommodation can`t be simple and stress free. With so many great examples of accommodation across Europe such as Barcelona secret rooms and hidden rooms in Paris, there are lots of great places to enjoy your stay.

Everyone needs a little sunshine in their lives and during the darkest depths of winter it can really chase the blues away if you fly off to a winter sun destination. There are lots of easily accessible places to spend a few relaxing days or weeks.

India is a truly diverse country with many different landscapes, regional variations of language and culture and ethnicity. For the beach-based break, head to the tropical destination of Goa, which offers palm fringed, soft white sand beaches and the fantastic local cuisine is world famous. Many thousands flock here during the winter months and it is easy to see what the attraction is.

Head to the United States of America and go south to the state of Florida, which offers the holidaymaker a wide variety of options. Treat the kids and the adults to a trip to Disneyland or venture even further south to the Florida Keys and follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway by taking in some deep-water fishing.

To really experience the opposite seasons travel to the other side of the world and visit New Zealand. This beautiful country has truly spectacular scenery with vast mountains, rivers and lakes. There are natural springs to bathe in and at the top of the North Island, you can witness the coming together of two oceans, a sight once seen will never be forgotten.

Barbados offers a tropical paradise holiday with an edge of excitement. This island is surrounded by the beautiful, calm Caribbean Sea and enjoys a year round pleasant climate. The people are extremely hospitable and there is a very relaxed atmosphere to life here. There are lots of shopping opportunities, great nightlife locations, golf courses and lovely beaches, with associated water sports, to enjoy. This place is also known as the `little England of the Caribbean`.

Venture to Morocco and you will be rewarded with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich and interesting local culture. The souks in Marrakech are definitely not to be missed and there are many great and ancient buildings to visit in Fez, the capital city or, possibly the most famous city of Casablanca. For a beach break, visit Tetouan.

Whatever else you have planned for the long dark nights this winter, make sure you take advantage of London deals and don`t miss out on the chance to top up your Vitamin D.

There are so many exciting opportunities for adventure holidays across the United Kingdom. With activities such as hiking, horse riding, canoeing and kayaking in locations across beautiful locations including Welsh valleys, the Scottish Highlands and English moorlands the United Kingdom is the ideal choice for adventure holidays.

One of the most popular types of adventure holiday are water sports based holiday. These holidays include white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing. In terms of white water rafting, the two best locations in the United Kingdom are the River Trywryn in North Wales and The River Dee in North East Scotland. The River Trywryn is the location of the Canolfan Trywryn Whitewater centre and provides everything that beginners need including tuition and equipment hire. Both these locations are within close proximity to large towns with a wide range of accommodation available making it easy to plan white water rafting adventure holidays.

For kayaking and canoeing there are a range of excellent locations to try the sport or enhance existing skills. For beginners there are several half day taster courses available as well as intensive five day courses, teaching all the essential skills. These courses are available across the country with some of the best centres located in Wales as well as the opportunity to try sea kayaking on the North Coast. Many centres also offer accommodation packages which can include camping or local accommodation options.

Adventure holidays also take place off the water and one other popular type of adventure holiday is a climbing holiday. This can either incorporate traditional outdoor climbing and hiking or more modern indoor climbing. A number of activity centres including the Black Rock Activity centre in Somerset, offer rock climbing tuition as well as the full range of climbing safety equipment, ensuring ultimate safety especially for young climbers. There are also a number of centres located within the Peak District in Cumbria which offer hill trekking holidays as well as tuition in hill walking skills such as navigation.

A more gentle option for adventure holidays is horse riding and this can include horse trekking, tuition as well as advanced tuition for more experienced riders. One great location for horse riding is one of the many activity centres located in the and around the Scottish Highlands which provides beautiful scenery, health and well treated animals and well equipped staff. For children who are proficient horse riders there is also the chance to enjoy an unguided trek.

There are many more types of adventure holiday and these holidays are not just suitable for families, but also stag and hen parties who can take advantage of accommodation such as cottages in Lake District as well as apartments in nearby cities. Regardless of the type of activity the holiday is, there are so many brilliant locations and service to help make it the best holiday possible.

Camping in Europe means different things to different people; a backpack camping trip favoured by the independent traveller will bear no resemblance to a two week camping package holiday for parents with three children in tow. Whatever kind of camping holiday you are planning there are an number of universal tips which will make the trip as enjoyable as possible. Once you have chosen your destination you need to think about your equipment.

Choosing the right tent to suit your needs – taking into account how many will sleep in it, how frequently you will be moving on during your trip, how important living space will be.

Packing light is essential if you are taking your own tent, the tent itself and all the additional equipment you`ll need to be comfortable by necessity means there won`t be a great deal of space left for clothing, toiletries, toys, books or luxury items; this holds true whether you are going to be carrying your temporary home on your back or packing it into the boot of your family car.

Lists are essential when you are packing for a camping holiday, for the first time camper this can be a bit tricky but we keep our list from one year to the next and refine it with each trip.

Having a practice run at home is a really good idea for first timers. Even if all you gain from this is knowledge of how to put the tent up efficiently it will be worth it, but if you can have a go at cooking and sleeping out too you will get a valuable insight into how comfortable you are and get an idea of whether you think there are things you can`t leave behind or others you probably won`t need.

With this useful information under your belt it is time to choose your campsite. Facilities on a campsite vary tremendously from simple pitches with basic toilet and shower facilities to resort style sites with shop, pool, restaurant, bar and entertainment. Many campers love sleeping under the stars and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle but still enjoy being surrounded by all the facilities on offer in places like Eurocamp Waikiki Holiday Park where there are fantastic sports facilities as well as swimming pools and where the on-site restaurant and entertainment keep all the family happily fed and amused the whole holiday long.

In Spanish speaking countries, Paradores are a unique type of hotel that are located in beautiful historic buildings such as castles. At the turn of the century many of Spain’s historic buildings were sadly neglected and underused and it was decided that they should be turned into luxury hotels to promote tourism in Spain. This project was supported by Alfonso XIII of Spain and the first parador was opened in 1928 in Gredos, Ávila. Paradores proved to be a popular idea and soon a number of state run hotels located in ancient fortresses, castles, palaces and even monasteries were set up throughout the country.

Here are five of Spain’s most impressive, history-rich Paradores

1. Parador de Pontevedra (also known as Parador Casa Del Baron)

This stunning hotel is set right in the heart of the beautiful medieval old town of Pontevedra. This hotel was built within the old ancestral home of the Counts of Maceda and has a wonderful old worldly grandeur that has recently been enhanced by extensive renovations. This beautiful historic hotel offers luxurious surroundings combined with the latest conveniences including air conditioning, satellite television and an excellent onsite restaurant.

2. Parador de Baiona (also known as Parador Conde De Gondomar)

This historic building was once the fortified mansion of the governor of Baiona (Bayona) and occupies a privileged position overlooking the town in its own peninsula location known as ‘Monte Real’. You have to cross the causeway to get to this stunning hotel and this was famously the site at which the Pinta, one of Columbus’ ships, first landed back in Spain with the news of the discovery of the Americas. The grounds and beaches around the Parador Baiona are beautiful and very secluded and provide some wonderfully romantic walks. Parador de Baiona offers you all the modern conveniences including a swimming pool, sauna, private car park, air conditioning and conference facilities.

3. Parador de Santiago De Compostela (also known as Parador Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos)

This is one of the oldest hotels in the world and has been a hostelry since the 1500’s. This was once a traditional ‘pilgrims rest’ house and provided accommodation for those undertaking the arduous ‘Way of St. James’. Parador de Santiago offers a luxury experience and is close to a number of interesting sites including the magnificent Cathedral Del Apostol. This Parador Santiago provides an excellent combination of old worldly charm and modern facilities.

4. Parador de Alcaniz (also known as Parador La Concordia)

This stunning hotel is located on a high hill top overlooking the border of Aragon (across from Catalonia). This was originally a castle and convent and was the headquarters of a fascinating group of holy monks known as the Order of Calatrava. These monks were battle trained in order to protect the populace from invaders. This first class hotel has some magnificent original gothic and baroque features and offers some amazing views over the beautiful countryside. A fabulous restaurant, pleasant local walks, lovely landscaping and luxury accommodation make this one of the top Paradores available in Spain.

5. Parador de Granada

This is located in one of Spain’s most amazing architectural jewels, the Alhambra. This Moorish building is one of the great treasures of Granada and was once the old Nasrid Sultan’s palace and grounds. This Parador is the perfect location for being enchanted by the gardens and fountains, and the detailed patterns covering every wall of the Alhambra palace. This has all the luxury and awe-inspiring features you would expect from such an exulted building with a prestigious location and amazing views over the city of Granada.

Guest post by Escapio.com, the reservations website for unique historic, luxury & boutique hotels

Known as the northern paradise and a top city characterised by modernity, elegance and style, Copenhagen is a place of superlatives. It is by far the most visited area in all the Scandinavia, host of the oldest monarchy in the world and stands alongside London and Oslo as one of the classiest capitals in the world.

Even though many people consider the climate summit held in Copenhagen in December 2009 as a political failure, in light of the event, the Danish capital reconfirmed itself as one of the greenest cities in the world.  Instead of energy consuming skyscrapers, Copenhagen’s architecture is based around classy eco-efficient three to four story buildings with colourful roofs and facades; instead of motorways and overcrowded boulevards it has wide pedestrian areas (the number of parks and green areas exceed the world average) with low pollution and instead of cars there are thousands of bikes and boats cutting through the city. Due to its recent green revolution, the city is host to tens of kilometres of bike lanes and visitors can make use of the free to use city-bikes (or bycyklen) that can be found all over the city. Winner of the European Environmental Management Award in 2006 , Copenhagen is one of the few capitals that tops several rankings conducted by green organizations ( Grist.org, Thefourgreensteps.com).

Copenhagen is a historical city, surrounded by water and ingeniously built on two islands: Zealand and Amager. The city has one of the most beautiful promenades in the world: Nyhavn, the 17th century waterfront. Within the wealth of classic architecture two key masterpieces stand out through their perfection: The Rosenburg Slot (Castle) and the Christiansborg Palace. Well worth a visit is the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, an art gallery opened by the Carlsberg founder, Carl Jacobsen. The spiritual patron of Copenhagen is no other than Hans Christian Andersen, the famous children literature writer whose statues are spread in different parts of the town. Andersen’s character, The Little Mermaid has become a symbol of the Danish Capital and her famous statue facing the sea near the Nyhavn waterfront is one of the most popular attractions in the city.

Repeatedly awarded top positions in ‘best city to live in’ rankings, the atmosphere in Copenhagen is tranquil, with a somewhat provincial feel. This combined with the 17th century architecture gives the impression that Copenhagen is a fairy tale city. Even though Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, the Danish people are very modest and extremely friendly. They show respect for tradition, for monarchy and for nature, and are extremely switched on to the issues of climate change and the actions individuals can take to combat it.

Not surprisingly, Copenhagen is the host of a range of important international events. The first event of the year is the Copenhagen Carnival in May followed by the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, one of the biggest festivals of this type and then the Golden Age Festival, a beautiful combination of arts and music.

With hundreds of boutique restaurants, bars, shopping malls and picturesque alleys, and a relaxed but forward-thinking culture, Copenhagen is an ideal place for a city break. Getting there has never been easier with Zoombu, a travel search engine and innovative London based start-up, which can help you plan your journey.  Discover the best route from your home to your destination in Copenhagen by browsing and comparing hundreds of routes involving flights, trains, driving, or even coaches.  Zoombu picks out and chose the right one for you depending on your time, budget, or environmental views.  Hurry up and join the green revolution in Copenhagen !

Are you a luxury traveler, backpacker or flashpacker, solo traveler,  mini-retirement traveler, adventure traveler, experiential traveler, experimental traveler or some other kind of traveler? In recent years there has been an explosion in such travel nomenclature to define and segment particular groups of travelers.  No one fits the mold precisely, let alone all the time. But it doesn’t matter because, ostensibly, there are two basic ways to get up and go – traveling to seek new experiences and traveling to seek escape.

Escape is a short term break from a long term problem. After returning from a week of relaxation, the daily grind begins anew. Barring life-altering poolside insights, the rats will still be racing and stress will resume its steady upward climb. A weekend getaway or a pampering cruise might be just what is needed to relax and unwind. But, in the end, the tension and stress that so pleasantly unwind will inevitably wind up until another travel escape brings another transitory respite.

Traveling to seek new experiences is an entirely different form of travel that addresses much different needs. Rather than being an escape from life, it is life. Being in a different place does not change who you are or how you act. It is the most fulfilling form of travel because it authentically represents your lifestyle and your values. It is about maintaining the same pace of life, albeit in a different place with different people.

When I get an urge to travel I like to think about these two types of travel. If I feel a burning desire to escape to a tropical sanctuary free of worries, I know my life is slightly out of balance. I may be working too hard or putting too much pressure on myself. A weekend getaway might be exactly what I need to unwind. But it will never fulfill me because my hectic life has led me astray from my core values. The travel that is most exciting is when there is an urge to see something new, to interact with people with different lifestyles and different traditions. This type of travel is invigorating, memorable and exciting.

The next time you feel an urge to travel, remember that if you are seeking to escape burnout, you will get a sunburn, I guarantee it!

The World Cup is a fantastic global event that unites people and gives the sport of football a deeper and more significant meaning that transcends the sport itself. And that is a good thing, because taken on its own, the sport of football can be alarmingly devoid of honor (how do those overpaid actors sleep at night?). But the international nature of the sport – anyone with a ball can learn to play – makes it the great equalizer. On the pitch, especially during the World Cup, any team can conceivably beat any other team. But what I find so refreshing about the World Cup is not the football itself, but rather the people of each country who join together to support their team and their country. The tears you see on television when a country crashes out of the tournament are very real and represent the collective grief of an entire nation that has invested so much emotionally during a very short period of time.

I look at these passionate supporters with a mix of sadness and joy. Here is why.

I hold 4 citizenships. My wife adds another citizenship to our family, further splitting my allegiances and diluting any sense of nationality I might have. Holding so many citizenships has its appeal of course, and drawbacks such as tax complications, military service and never-ending passport renewals are a worthy trade-off, in my mind. But the biggest drawback is one that I can never eliminate, even if I renounced 3 of my 4 citizenships. My heart will forever be torn. I will never cry for a country that crashes out of the World Cup. I will never feel part of something bigger, something that binds a nation together.

Yet, every four years, I am oddly drawn to the World Cup. I put my misgivings about the sport aside and marvel at the unity and passion shown by countries around the world. When a small country like Ghana advances deeper into the tournament and becomes a continent’s sole remaining hope, I cannot help but feel a sense of excitement for the country and its people.  I get a sudden urge to travel to these countries and share the moment with them. While I will never cry for a country, I certainly feel the joy that is felt by its people. This isn’t bandwagon hopping because I am never on a wagon to begin with. Rather, like a traveler, I am simply an observer who picks a destination to travel to where there is hope, joy and happiness.

The following is a list of travel resources I have found to be incredibly useful while planning a trip or while on a trip. The list is surely missing many other great resources. Feel free to submit additional resources via the comment form to let your fellow travelers know about other great resources. I will add the best sites to the list.

I have always held a fascination for the mountains. The stunning vistas, panoramic views and crisp mountain air fuel a rush that escapes me during other travels. But this proximity to nature is not the only reason why mountains are so dear to my wayfaring heart. As all travelers know, great travel experiences come not only from where you travel but also from whom you meet and interact with. The best memories of a trip are almost invariably connected to the people I meet. And, in my experience, the people living in the mountains are some of the friendliest, warmest and most open people in the world. What’s more, this hospitality and friendliness are infectious. Other travelers seem to absorb this positive, heart-warming energy.

These people may not have many possessions or gifts to give, but they are certainly generous in kindness and hospitality. Living in the mountains means they may not have ever seen modern home comforts and technology such as heaters, TVs, internet games like partypoker or gadgets like mobile phones. However, they have something which so many other places don’t. They have a strong and kind community, which brings out the best in human nature.

A brief history of mountain people

Throughout history, life in the mountains has been harsh. Despite (or because of) the remoteness of mountain life, it was not possible to live without the help and support of others. While this remoteness forced a large degree of self reliance on people in the mountains, to survive and prosper, mountainous peoples have always had to be dependent on each other and also fiercely protective of each other. This tight sense of community helped mountain people survive the harsh conditions of isolation, long winters, short growing seasons and marauding invaders.

Now, of course, times have changed. Life for many mountain peoples isn’t the same struggle as it once was. Outsiders are no longer feared because they pose no threat to survival. But the strong bond between people remains. The sense of community is now apparent even to outsiders, who are now tourists and travelers, rather than threatening invaders hungry for resources. Within this expanded community, mountain people seem to be hard-wired to accept people and welcome them in their lives.

Lessons learned from the mountains

While people from the mountains are most certainly not “better” than the rest of us, I firmly believe that their place in the world and in history has brought out some of the best of human nature. Mountains are inspirational not just for their stunning beauty but also for their residents, who continuously inspire me to be equally warm, friendly and welcoming in my daily life.