Archive for the 'Europe' Category

Head to Zakopane in Poland for some fresh powder this winter

Published November 26, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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Your vacation rental in a typical mountaineer's house on Kasprowy Wierch

If you enjoy skiing and winter sports and are always on the lookout for new slopes to conquer you may want to try your luck this year at Poland’s premier mountain resort – Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. Zakopane for years was a well kept secret which was popular with Poles and other Eastern European tourists who used to come here for the skiing in the winter and for hiking and camping in the lush mountain forests the summers. Now with the opening up of Eastern Europe, ski enthusiasts from all over the world head to Zakopane for its many world class ski slopes and its virgin natural beauty.

Like many other Alpine resorts, Zakopane is not really accessible by air and if you are headed to Zakopane from overseas you would have to fly into Cracow’s  Balice Airport  and then take a local bus or train or hire a car  to take you into the mountains in order to get to your vacation rental in the mountain resort of   Zakopane.  As many of the vacation rentals in Zakopane are equipped to sleep small groups perhaps you would like to ask a few friends to come along for the ride as skiing itself is quite a social sport which is best enjoyed with a bunch of friends.

Zakopane is located in the heart of the Tatra Mountains which are the youngest alpine mountain range that offer a variety of ski slopes to suit all levels of skiers. About fifty ski lifts abound in the region which is gaining much popularity among ski enthusiasts and winter sport lovers as the skiing in Zakopne is still more reasonable than in Switzerland or in the many  winter sport resorts located in the US.

A vacation rental located in the heart of Zakopane gives you access to slopes and much more

A vacation rental located in the heart of Zakopane gives you access to slopes and much more

Kasprowy Wierch offers one of the best ski slopes in Zakopane and its summit can be reached via an ancient 1930’s cable car from Kuznice.  This slope is immensely popular with tourists in the peak ski season and in order not to get stuck in a queue for hours waiting to get access to the summit you should try and buy your cable car ticket at a travel agency in downtown Zakopane before you attempt to get the top. You could also try other slopes like the one at Nosal or the slope at Gubalowka, which is the closest slope to the town of Zakopane and whose summit is accessible by a newly built rail car or one of many T bar lifts.

For the more adventurous folk in your group, the slopes frequented by the locals from the surrounding mountain villages may also provide a new challenge.  The slopes at Bialka, Poronin  Bukowina Tatrzanska are perfect for this kind of adventure and for those who prefer cross country skiing to hurtling down long slopes the nearby Krokiew area may be ideal.

After you energetic day at the ski slopes you may want to head into the Zakopane town to take in many of its nocturnal delights which take the form restaurants, bars and clubs that line its main drag of Krupowki street. Krupowki street  is also home to all sorts of vendors and ski so if you want to shop for new ski gear its best to try the shops which are located here as prices for skiing gear in Poland are still lower than elsewhere.

Zakopane being largely a seasonal resort Krupowki street is particularly busy in the peak tourist season which is winter when ski enthusiasts from all over head to Zakopane  in search of fresh powder. So if you want the total mountain resort experience with the  skiing and the après-ski  nightlife  its best that you book your vacation rental for the coming ski season.

Istanbul for Example

Published November 21, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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Everyone I know who has returned from a visit to Istanbul wants to move there. No kidding.

Maybe it’s the diversity. What can you say about a country where the state-run Turkish television and radio network (TRT) is planning on broadcasting in 30 languages on its web site?

Istanbul has had lots of names, too, including Byzantium and Constantinople. The city even spans two continents, Europe and Asia. It’s been on everybody’s trade route ever since its founding. There’s access to two seas, too: the Med and the Black Sea.

So, what I’m saying here is that instead of visiting those 7 European countryies in 13 days like you were planning on doing, why not just get an apartment in Istanbul for two weeks and see two continents where folks speak lots of different languages? Not to mention lots of religions, spices, and some mighty strange toilets…

And there are those Bazaars, full of hand crafted things. Hey, Meester, you want a rug? This has to be the national call of Turkey during tourist season. Where do tourists, even with their bigger than life baggage, put a rug for Pete sakes?

And you have to go have a Turkish bath. Those were the good old days, eh? I mean when people bathed together in public.

So to Istanbul. Chill out in the melting pot. Tell me how it was. I’ll be right behind you.

Break new ground on the slopes of Oščadnica, Slovakia

Published November 19, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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If you are looking for some new challenges this Ski season why don’t you head to one of the newly discovered ski resorts in Slovakia? The Republic of  Slovakia is located to the south of Central Europe and it lies sandwiched between its more well known and prominent neighbors, Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria. The city of Bratislava located on the banks of the River Danube is Slovakia’s capital and its political, economic and cultural center as well.

Bratislava has become a popular tourist destination in recent years as it is served by many of Europe’s leading low cost airlines and now visitors to this lively city use it as a gateway to many of Slovakia’s other attractions like skiing on its Alpine slopes, bathing in its thermal springs, exploring its mysterious limestone plateau of Karst, walking in its many ancient forests and much more.

Why not stay at an apartment house rental in the village?

Why not stay at an apartment house rental in the village of Oscadnica?

Skiing is in fact become a big business in Slovakia as this tiny republic has established many ski centers at various Alpine locations which are constantly being upgraded and are always vying with each other to attract the many ski enthusiasts who traverse the globe in search of new slopes. Jasná, Ski centrum vrátna, Ski Park Ružonberok, Park Snow Donovaly, Park Snow Vysokétatry, Tatranská Lomnica and Snow Paradise Vel’ka Rača Oščadnica  are some of Slovakia’s most popular ski resorts which are constantly upgrading their facilities by installing new ski lifts and establishing many new après-ski activities in order to attract winter sport enthusiasts  to their slopes.

In fact one of the fastest growing ski resorts in Slovakia is Snow Paradise Vel’ka Rača Oščadnica which is a mid size ski resort located near the Slovak- Polish border. The resort is easily accessible by road from Bratislava and if you fly into the Slovakian capital you can get to this increasingly popular weekend getaway in under three hours.

In order to get to Snow Paradise from Bratislava you could also ride the convenient coach service which is run by the Skibus Company. This service departs from Bratislava’s Bajkalská station daily in the morning during ski season and offers a package which includes your bus ticket and a day ski pass. These coaches then return once the slopes close for the day.

Your vacation rental at a charming Slovak Alpine cottage close to the Ski runs

Your vacation rental at a charming Slovak Alpine cottage close to the Ski runs

The Snow Paradise ski resort is located near the tiny village of Oščadnica and offers 420 metres of vertical ski slopes. At Snow Paradise, skiers can test their skills on eleven trails including a 2350 meter long intermediate trail as well as two expert runs. All levels of skiers are catered to at this resort which is spread over three valleys -Dedovka, Marguška and Laliky all of which are connected by ski lifts.  The runs at this resort are all located within ancient forests and are equipped with artificial snow.  Also located on the slopes are several Chaty( huts) that offer reasonably priced, hearty  and delicious Slovak fare like sausages, goulash, and pirohy s bryndzou (pirogies filled with sheep cheese) to help you recharge your batteries after a particularly energetic run.To enhance the pleasure of ski enthusiasts further Dedovka offers night skiing while the lower Marguška base area offers a terrain park for snowboarders. Snow Paradise opens its doors for business in December and stays open until mid April.

Actually the best way for you to enjoy its many attractions is to book one of the many vacation rentals that are available in close proximity of the ski resort in and around the village of Oščadnica. Located here are a number of vacation rentals which take the form of apartment houses, picturesque alpine cottages and modern builds all of which come equipped with many amenities to make your skiing holiday at Snow Paradise an extremely pleasant experience.

Your adorabale Oscadnica village vacation rental located close to its many attractions

Your adorable Oscadnica village vacation rental located close to its many attractions

If you choose to hire a vacation rental in Oščadnica you can also take time out from the slopes to explore the surrounding region for located close by is the Budatín Castle in the historic city of Žilina which is easily accessible via a 45 minute ride on a public bus and near Žilina is the village of Čičmany which showcases much well preserved typical Slovak architecture. If sightseeing is not your thing you could always opt for an invigorating soak at the thermal spa of Rajecké Teplice which is also located close to the village of Oščadnica. So booking a vacation rental at Oščadnica  for a skiing holiday  makes much sense as it opens up a world of opportunities apart from the skiing.

Gouvy is Groovy - Belgium That Is

Published November 14, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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It always stuns me when I go to Europe and find that jazz–the, um, American music–is more popular there than in the US, at least judging by the clubs spread about everywhere you look.

Just outside of Gouvy, Belgium lies la Ferme Madelonne, a jazz, blues, rock and chanson club, for example. Gouvy, mind you, has but 5000 people.

Le Refuge, Gouvy, Belgium Vacation Rental

Le Refuge, Gouvy, Belgium Vacation Rental

But what I want to point out is a nice little hide away near Gouvy, Belgium that might float your boat. It’s called Le Refuge. That, my super, nuclear-powered translator tells me, is “The Refuge.” It really looks like it is.

You can be sipping some coffee on the porch and then decide to slip into your rowboat and paddle into center of the mirrored lake. Sounds like bliss to me, especially if you can get someone else who’s cute to row the darn thing.

Belgium is quite the country. Small enough to see (superficially, you know-as a tourist) in a few weeks, but diverse enough to make you think you’re in two or three different countries. And the food is top notch, although pricey.

And, when you get tired of watching your sweet honey row the boat, you can always head off to one of Belgium’s cute cities, like Bruges.

CuteTravelTM might be just the ticket. I gotta trademark that.

Enjoy a vacation that you desire in the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’, Canary Island, Spain

Published November 14, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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The seven Canary Islands or the Islas Canarias are a part of Spanish territory but are actually geographically much closer to Africa than to the Spanish mainland. They are in fact located nearly 1350 kilometers to the south of the Iberian peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean with  the island of Fuerteventura  being  situated  95 kilometers to the  east of Morocco.

Your gorgeous vacation rental in Gran Canaria which is close to all the hedonistic action

Your gorgeous vacation rental in Gran Canaria which is close to all the hedonistic action

The seven Canary Islands enjoy a year round temperate climate which is guaranteed by the Gulf Stream and the Trade winds as a result of which the islands are perfect for a getaway all year round. This amenable climate brings 11 million tourists to the shores of the Canaries annually.  In fact these Canary Islands are often described as the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’ because they are blessed with this ‘fine’ weather year round.

The archipelago of the Canary Islands is made up of the five main tourist-centric destinations which are  Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote  and La Palma. In addition to these five main islands are two relatively quiet unspoiled natural paradises called Hierro and Gomera which are a favorite with walkers, hikers and nature lovers.

These islands are all volcanic in nature though they are characterized by extremely different landscapes that include towering mountain peaks, tropical forests, white sand beaches, verdant pine forests and majestic sand dunes. Four of Spain’s seven major natural reserves are located here in the Canaries.  The Tiede volcano which is located on the island of Tenerife and is the third tallest volcano in the world is one such natural reserve as is the Taburiente crater on the island of La Palma. Similarly the island of Lanzarote has the Timanfaya Park which is a UNESCO declared globally protected biosphere while the island of Gomera has an old laurel forest which is located in the midst of its Parque Nacional de Garajonay which extends over 10,000 acres.

Enjoy a golfing vacation at your vacation rental on Tenerife's Golf del Sur

Enjoy a golfing vacation at your vacation rental on Tenerife

The liveliest of the seven islands are Gran Canaria and Tenerife as they have well developed tourist centers which are a magnet for package tourists but if you step away from these touristy areas you can actual enjoy the wild beauty of these islands which is made up of volcanic peaks, lush forests, and beautiful beaches. In fact the landscape on  Grand Canaria is dominated by banana, coffee, sugar cane and tobacco plantations as the weather here is perfect for the cultivation of several tropical fruits and trees.

Your vacation rental options on the island of Gran Canaria are located within fully equipped resorts which are located on its main hubs of activity like the renowned Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas from where the many hedonistic delights of Gran Canaria including its all night dance clubs and bars and its camel treks on the dunes of Masplaomas  are easily accessible.

Enjoy Lanzarote's pulsating nightlife from your conveniently located vacation rental

On the largest Canary island of Tenerife you have a plethora of choices for your vacation rental and depending on what kind of holiday you want to have  you can choose to book a vacation rental on the Golf del Sur which would make teeing off a breeze  or  then you  could book a vacation rental located in the quaint district of  Puerta del Cruz which is populated with historic buildings or you could choose to stay at a vacation rental located  near the stunning cliffs of Los Gigantes on the south west coast of the island. No matter where you stay on this 2000 square kilometer island you can indulge in its many delights. You can either choose to be a sun worshiper and lay out on its black volcanic or imported golden sand beaches or you could party away all night at its many night clubs and bars or you could join its  band of enthusiastic eco-tourists and go on to explore the various natural bounties of Tenerife like its ancient dragon trees that have grown here since the ice ages.

On the island of Lanzarote, you can choose to book a vacation rental in its main tourist areas of Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise where nightclubs, bars and restaurants abound but the  nightlife here is trifle tame  when compared to  that on Gran Canaria or Tenerife. If you are a beach lover then perhaps you will opt for a vacation rental on the island of Fuerteventura which though not as lively as its neighbors is blessed with the longest beaches in the archipelago and is an ideal destination for a quiet family vacation especially of you are looking to escape the winter sun.

Whatever you want from your vacation get away as long as you choose your island with care you are sure to find it in the Canary Islands  which have something for every kind of traveler.

Take a history lesson while you enjoy the hedonistic pleasures of Qawra on the island of Malta.

Published November 10, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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Cerulean waters, white sand beaches, hidden coves and bays, traditional villages, historic and megalithic sites are all to be found on the island of Malta which is one of the two inhabited islands that make up the Maltese archipelago that lies almost bang in the center of the Mediterranean and also includes the islands of Gozo, Comminotto, Filfla , Fungus Rock, Manoel Island, Commino and the Islands of St Paul.

Malta through the ages has been a strategic base for navigation as a result of which it has been visited by several civilizations the first of which existed here as early as the third millennium BC.  Subsequently the island was also visited and occupied by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and of course the British. In fact the Maltese secured their independence from the British only in 1964.

Recharge your batteries at your holiday home in Qawra

Recharge your batteries at your holiday home in Qawra

Having been exposed to these various civilizations all of whom managed to leave their mark on the island, Malta is often described to be one  big open-air museum as the island has tons of   historic megalithic and Neolithic sites  all of which enthrall and delight history buffs. However it is not history alone that draws the many summer visitors to Malta, the island is also renowned for its great natural beauty and is blessed with a warm and amiable climate. Moreover it is also well developed as a resort destination which is both alluring and fascinating to visitors who enjoy exploring this compact island and experiencing its many vibrant summer time fiestas which are held in honor of the patron saints in the many tiny traditional villages that dot the landscape of Malta. The island has several well developed tourist enclaves including its capital city of Valetta and other areas like Vittoriosa, Mdina, St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, and Qawra.

The settlement of Qawra extends southwards from Bugibba and is part of the resort of St Paul’s Bay which is  located on the North East part of the island. St Paul’s Bay derives its name from the shipwreck of St Paul in AD60. St Paul is believed to have been shipwrecked on St Paul’s Isles which are located in this stunning bay.

Well equipped Qawra holiday homes are perfect for a much needed break

Well equipped Qawra holiday homes are perfect for a much needed break

The resort of Qawra is geared towards the pleasure seeking tourist and though it does not have its own white sand beach (the beach at Qawra is quite rocky) it has a well developed water front which is peppered with many hotels, restaurants and night clubs. The seafront at Qawra also offers many popular water sporting activities like banana boat and speed boat rides which are enjoyed immensely by its many sun-seeking visitors.

Your holiday home in Qawra affords you easy acess to its waterfront

Your holiday home in Qawra affords you easy access to its waterfront

Qawra also has its own piece of Maltese history in the form of its Qawra Tower. The Qawra Tower which now houses a restaurant and a swimming pool was one of the fortifications built by the mediaeval order of the Knights of St John in 1637.  The Knights of St John reigned supreme on the island of Malta for 270 years from 1530 onwards during which they used the island to staunchly defend Christendom.
If you in fact choose to holiday in Qawra, you have a wide variety of holiday homes to choose from. Most of these holiday homes are located within easily accessible resorts which are equipped with all the necessary amenities like swimming pools, health clubs, restaurants and snack bars, children’s play areas, Jacuzzi’s/ saunas etc. Many of these picturesque holiday homes also afford gorgeous views of the Mediterranean and are located in close proximity to Qawra’s busy animated sea front promenade.
So next time if you are looking for an easy getaway which would be a no-brainer to plan why not give Qawra on Malta a try?

Discover intriguing Roman ruins at the birthplace of love

Published November 3, 2008 Europe , vacation rentals 0 Comments
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The city of Paphos is located on the south west coast of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The city which served as the capital of the island during Roman times is believed to be the birthplace of the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.  Paphos which is blessed with a year-round amenable weather is popular with sun seeking visitors and as many as 2.4 million visitors head to Paphos every year via its bustling international airport.

The city is divided into two distinct sections while Kato Paphos(lower Paphos) which overlooks the Mediterranean  is the playground of leisure seekers, Ano Paphos(Upper Paphos) is its main urban center. Both the sections of Paphos are well served by a local bus service so you can choose to stay in either part of the city depending on your preference. Kato Paphos also possesses many of the world-renowned UNESCO listed heritage sites archeological sites like   the mosaics of Nea Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings.

Your gorgeous vacation rental located in the heart of Paphos.

Your gorgeous vacation rental located in the heart of Paphos.

The resort city which has world class recreation facilities also has many breath- taking natural sights located in close proximity to the city of Paphos like the Paphos Forest, the Akamas Peninsula and the Troodos Mountains. The Troodos Mountains which are located to the north east of Paphos and can be accessed via an hour’s journey are popular with hikers and trekkers who enjoy exploring the lush indigenous flora and fauna of these mountains. In the Paphos winters, the Troodos Mountains are covered with a blanket of snow and the vacationing tourists also enjoy skiing on the slopes of the Troodos Ski Centre. At this time, visitors to the island can often enjoy both the ski slopes and the beaches of Paphos within the duration of a single day. Such is the unique charm of this popular Cypriot resort.

The city of Paphos is an ideal resort destination for all the family as it has great beaches (Municipal Beach, Faro Beach and the nearby Coral Bay) all of which offer many water based recreational activities which are a hit with both children and adults alike. In addition to beaches, Paphos also boasts of the wildly popular Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark which is another major family centric attraction on the island.

Your self- sufficient Paphos vacation rental affords easy access to the many attractions of Paphos

Your self- sufficient Paphos vacation rental affords easy access to the many attractions of Paphos

Your vacation rental options in Paphos are all located within close proximity of the city center and are available in a variety of sizes from studios to two bedrooms. Using your vacation rental as a base you can easily explore the myriad charms of the city or you could also if you wish choose to remain within the boundaries of the self-sufficient resorts where many of these vacation rentals are located.

However if you have made the journey to Paphos it is fitting that you take in its most popular sights which include:-

The Tombs of Kings
No actual kings are buried at this site which is located one mile north west of the Paphos harbor though the site does contain the tombs of approximately a 100 Ptolemaic aristocrats who were residents of Paphos . The tombs are extremely impressive as many of them are carved out of solid rock and are adorned with Doric pillars and frescoes.

The mosaics of Nea Paphos
These mosaics are located in a number of ancient Roman villas which are located near the Paphos harbor and are still being excavated. These gorgeous mosaics have been fashioned out of small squares made of marble, stone and glass paste and are definitely a must-see on any trip to Paphos.

The Catacombs of  Agia Solomoni
These ancient catacombs were carved into the Fabrica hill below the ancient Roman city wall in the 4th century BC and they also served as underground chapels for the early Christians. The catacombs are adorned with frescoes and graffiti which were created by the 13th century Crusaders.

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