Your backpacking travel planner

There has always been a tradition for Brits to head abroad for their summer holidays, and when you consider the steady stream of poor weather that we all have to endure throughout the winter months it really is no surprise! By the time we enter spring, everyone is longing for the sort of sun and warmth that can only be provided by a weather system not found in our own country!

Obviously finances play a huge part both in terms of where people go, and whether or not they go at all. With this in mind it is important to consider the more affordable places to visit which will give you a total chance of scene, as well as climate.

One of the first places to spring to mind is Malaga, in Spain. Spain is renowned for being a cheap place to stay. Food and drink is a fraction of what you would expect to pay here in the UK, and on top of that, the coastal resorts surrounding Malaga have wonderful weather records. Of course, despite the fact that flights to Spain are in general very affordable, you still have to consider trying to find the best deals, which is why you should think about having a look at off peak flights to malaga. You can save a lot of money by searching in this way and getting there cheaply will only make you value your holiday even more!

Ar you getting ready to travel in Europe? If the answer is yes then you will need to prepare for your trip and ensure you pack all the things you need. Luckily there are many great shops like Travel Ready that are ready to help! They are a one stop shop for travel accessories for people taking a backpacking trip in Europe or further affield. Whether you are going on a holiday, backpacking excursion or a quick business trip, Travel Ready are one of the sites that will get you kitted out.
     If you want suitcases, holdalls or other luggage items then you would be foolish not to check them out. They search far and wide for the best travel products on the market. They then cut this list down to the top 200 or so. These are then placed on the Travel Ready site in a nice orderly fashion. This is so convenient to have the best products on the market all categorised neatly in one place. Convenience is at the heart of everything they do.
     The site was built with the buyer in mind. They want the process of purchasing travel goods to be as stress free as sunbathing under the Caribbean sun. If you have any queries then you are strongly encouraged to get in touch. You are also encouraged to check out their blog with news and articles about all things connected to travel.

When we think of the best holiday destinations in Eastern Europe many people will tend to think of popular destinations such as Prague, Budapest or Krakow. All of these are fantastic places to visit in their own right - but did you know that Russia has a growing number of visitors coming to the country for business and recreational travel that are often overlooked by many people in Western Europe.

     The country has some truly stunning cities to visit - steeped in hundreds of years of history that stretch far beyond the early twentieth century communism period that the country seems to have been unceremoniously tarnished with by many people from western nations. Moscow and St Petersburg are exciting and different cities from many other city destinations in Europe, and offer the visitors a unique taste of a culture and people that have provided the world with some of the greatest known figures in the fields of art and music. As well as unique architecture and places to visit, visitors to the country can also enjoy the unique experience found with Russian river cruises.


      Whether you are travelling to Russia for business or for a holiday, you will still require a visa to enter the country. Both Russian visitor visas and russian visas for business and work will carry a charge to obtain - but you can find many sites online that can help you through the process of obtaining a visa to enter this beautiful and historic country country.

If you are travelling around Europe and choose to visit the West of Ireland during your visit, there is a good chance that you will by flying to Knock Airport in County Mayo. Whether you are travelling for business reasons, to see family in the area, or are on a backpacking holiday, the West of Ireland offers some beautiful scenery and unique experiences that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages and backgrounds. However, you will find that many people will travel to this region of Europe for for religious or spiritual reasons, with Catholic people in particular from across the world and Europe taking pilgrimages in the region. Knock Shrine which is visited by around 1.5 million people every year is famous for an apparition of the Virgin Mary that was said to have taken place in the year 1879. Now people visit the shrine and the surrounding area for a peaceful and spiritual pilgrimage or holiday experience that can be a welcome break from the hussle and bussle of larger tourist cities in Europe.

     The area apart from its airport is relatively remote, so getting around may be best achieved by car. Visitors to the area may choose to take up the option of car hire Knock Airport at a reasonable rate, thus allowing themselves the freedom to explore the region at their own pace and leisure. There are however also pilgrimage experiences that can be booked at the airport itself of through companies in the local region. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary that is a touch more relaxing than visiting a big city in Europe, why not take a trip to Knock and find out why it remains one of the most popular visitor destinations in Ireland.
 

Welcome to travel guide Europe and our guide to the best holiday destinations to visit in Europe during this wonderful Christmas period. If you have been lucky enough to avoid being grounded by the snow at airports such as Gatwick that have ruined so many peoples holidays this winter – why not pack your bags and set off on a holiday to one of the many great European holiday destinations for winter travel.

Of course, when it comes to choosing the best Christmas holiday destinations in Europe opinion will be divided and there is always going to be differences in choice depending on your interests, age and disposable income.. For example, if your personal cup of tea tends towards a fantastic Christmas party inspired by twinkling Christmas lights, superb local cuisine and part filled music – then the best countries to visit in Europe for a Christmas holiday must surely be found in the UK and France. London and Paris are famous for their seasonal festivities, whist you can also travel to Germany for an authentic outdoor market experience with beers a plenty!

If you can afford to travel to destinations outside Europe, cities such as New York and Florida are brilliant places to visit at Christmas – and of course New York will provide you with all the Christmas shopping opportunities you will ever need! Florida will of course also have some good weather for this time of year if you fancy something a bit different to snow and freezing temperatures!

A Brief Overview of Portugal

Portugal offers one of the warmest climates in Europe and provides the backpacking tourist with a wealth of things to see and do.  Typically, a backpacking vacation implies that you are travelling on a budget or have limited funds.  Not to worry.  There are a number of cheap hotels in Portugal that you can take advantage of.  Additionally, since most international flights land in Lisbon (the capital), there are a number of Lisbon hotels that you can take advantage of as well, although we wouldn’t call all of them cheap.

Backpacking Hot Spots

Although many backpacking tourists prefer to explore the inland regions of the country, it is the beaches and seaside mountains of Portugal that holds the allure for many backpackers.  If your choice is Portugal’s countryside, then you might want to consider one of the following areas:

- Castelo Branco
- Évora
- Douro Valley
- Leiria
- Miranda do Douro
- Viseu

However, if you want to observe the wildlife of the region in its natural state, then you owe it to yourself to backpack and explore the Azores or Madeira Islands.  Additionally, the mainland has nature reserves situated in the Douro Valley, at Peneda-Gerês and at Serra da Estrela.

Gems and Secrets of the Country

For many tourists, the Algarve is the destination of choice with its abundance of natural beauty and some of the most stunning coastlines in Portugal.  Unfortunately, it is gradually becoming overdeveloped and is no longer the hidden gem or secret that it once was.  However, it is still worth exploring because some of the Algarve’s beaches are less visited than others.

Amarante is one of Portugal’s most magnificent little towns and well worth the visit.  It is a lovely city that features some spectacular architecture with beautiful paths and trails to explore along the River Tamega.  Many tourists have commented on how beautiful the architecture and the green streets are as they reflect off the waters of the river.

If you travel to Oporto in the north, you will be at the gateway to another one of the gems and secrets of the country, namely the Douro River Valley.  The most outstanding characteristic of this valley is the vineyards growing along the sloped banks of the river.  The local wineries in the area are complemented by some stunning panoramas of the river.

Events and Cultural Festivals in Portugal

During the summer months, there are numerous fairs that take place especially in the northern regions of the country.  Additionally, there are a number of music festivals that take place that might be of interested to you.  These festivals are typically set in some of the most beautiful countryside and small, quaint villages.

To the north – the two oldest festivals in the region are the Paredes de Coura festival and the Vilar de Mouros festival.

To the south – along the western part of Portugal’s southern coast is the Festival Sudoeste, by far the oldest and most famous of Portugal’s many festivals.

 It may seem a little pessimistic, but before you even think about setting set off on a backpacking holiday or vacation to any of the best holiday destinations in Europe that are discussed here in my blog, you should always be fully prepared for a worst case scenario. For this reason I would always ensure that you have sufficient travel insurance coverage to suit the activities that you are likely to take part in on your trip. Although travel insurance policies for single trips and holidays to Europe are readily available online these days from just a few pounds, if you are planning a longer excursion (perhaps on a month long backpacking holiday) or are planning on taking part in any extreme sports or other potentially dangerous activities during your visit then you will need to ensure that your policy covers the worst case scenario in such eventualities before you take out the policy.


     Travelling in Europe should always be a fun experience you remember for the rest of your life - and for the vast majority of backpackers and holidaymakers on the continent this will be the case - but please also keep in mind that at some of the holiday destinations in Europe you may plan to visit on your travels, you may possibly find that the standard of health and safety can on occasions be less thorough and strictly regulated than the conditions we are perhaps used to here in the UK. For this very reason, proper preparation as well as due vigilance and care for your personal safety are always essential.

      If the worst happens and you do fall foul of an injury or illness whilst on your holiday, then it’s always advisable to seek the advice and expertise of a qualified holiday claim specialist or solicitor who will be able to give you greater clarification on your legal options, should you wish to pursue them. In many cases, any initial enquiries you make are usually available for free, and you may find that seeking legal advice in such scenarios is often far less intimidating than one would potentially expect. If the accident or illness that occurred on your holiday was not through any fault of your own, it is possible you could be entitled to varying levels of compensation – but the help of experts in the field is invariably the best path to take to explore your options.

If you are looking for an exotic holiday destination with a difference this winter then why not jet off on one of the great safari holidays available in locations across East Africa. If you tire of looking at the architecture, museums and art galleries that adorn Europe’s great cities and instead are looking for one of the best holiday destinations that will allow the visitor to get away from urbanised areas, then there is probably no better way of experiencing the great outdoors, going back to nature and seeing Africa’s vibrant and varied wildlife.

A Kenya safari will doubtlessly offer the traveler a holiday of a lifetime - and unique experiences of another world and way of life. With cultures, peoples and landscapes so different to those found in both urban and even rural Europe safari holidays can offer the visitor and exciting step into the unknown. With incredible natural wildlife seldom seen in the wild in many other locations across the world that includes mighty elephants, fleet footed leopards and powerful rhinos, there is no better way to enjoy these animals in there natural habitat than going away on Safari.

In this blogpost were going to be looking at what I believe are the 5 of the best online resources and travel websites to help you plan, prepare for, book and ultimately enjoy your dream backpacking holiday to all of the best holiday destinations in Europe. With the following travel tips and advice hopefully you will find some useful resources to help your trip go smoothly - and also save you a heap of money too!

1. InterRail - http://www.interrailnet.com/

It may be somewhat cliché, but as any young backpacker will tell you these days, getting around Europe with an InterRail travel card is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel - and importantly give you the great amount of flexibility you will need to enjoy all the brilliant backpacking holiday destinations in Europe. Booking a ticket online is quick and easy, and the travel cards are valid in the vast majority of countries in Europe.

2. Hostel Bookers - http://www.hostelbookers.com/

Quite possibly the biggest and best online resource for backpackers who are looking to compare and book hostels in Europe and indeed, across the rest of the world. I used have used this site when traveling, booking holidays, stag dos - you name it. Its really easy to use, has an extremely simple booking system and has many useful reviews from likeminded travelers to help you make informed decisions on where to stay based on your personal requirements whether it be location, cost, atmosphere etc.

3. Gaynors Sports of Ambleside - http://www.gaynors.co.uk/

While far less well known outside of the UK than the 2 sites I highlight above, Gaynors is a great shop for anyone looking to take on a backpacking holiday, camping trip or who simply enjoys the great outdoors. Their shop in Ambleside in the Lake District is packed with great gear at low prices or you can also save time and money by buying online. Whether you are in the need of backpacks, waterproofs or boots they have hundreds of products from well known outdoor brands and tend to have some great deals available throughout the year.

4. Low Cost airline Guide - http://www.low-cost-airline-guide.com/

Need help on finding the availability and price of cheap flights to Europe? This great resource is one of the quickest and easiest ways to compare and find out the latest flights online with this low cost airline guide. Listing all of Europe’s best holiday and backpacking flight destinations in the UK, Spain, Romania, Russia, Norway, Serbia, Portugal and pretty much anywhere else you can think of - you’re sure to be able to find the details you need to plan and book your flights whilst traveling in Europe.

5. World Backpackers Forum

If you are planning a backpacking trip or simply need help along the way its nice to be able to share your thoughts, questions and concerns with other likeminded individuals online. With this travel forum you can find backpacking tips and advice, ask questions, raise concerns you may have and generally soak up the knowledge and info of other people who are enjoying their traveling in Europe and other holiday destinations around the world.

If you are travelling to the beautiful Turkish city of Antalya or indeed any of the stunning g scenery that can be found in the surrounding coastal region of the country then you will most likely want to arrive via the nearby airport. Turkey has some of the most unique and naturally beautiful coastal and mountainous scenery in the world, so taking a holiday or backpacking trip to Antalya is best enjoyed if you allow yourself to explore beyond the confines of the city itself.

If you tire of the great attractions of Antalya such as the city walls and Hıdırlık Tower, as well as the numerous bars, shops and places to eat in the historically rich Kaleiçi area of the city, then why not look further affield and take advantage of car hire Antalya airport and take the chance to investigate the towering mountains and cliffs that surround the city. There are also the fantastic nearby Konyaaltı, Lara and Karpuzkaldıran beaches that are well worth a visit for travelers and visitors to Turkey. In order to get around the region more easily visitors can take advantage of cheap car hire Turkey and get around at their own leisure and speed.

Known as the Emerald City, Seattle is well used to its fair share of rain! Not that this doesn't have its disadvantages though. The city is a wonderfully green and vibrant colour, thanks to the very healthy plant life! Seattle is a wonderful place to visit though, and is full of interest. The Autumn brings (other than rain) the Octoberfest, a beer festival popular across the whole of the city, and Bumbershoot, a music festival, owing much to Seattle's fine history of wonderful musical exports.

One of the great things about my job is that I get to travel across the UK and occasionally to some of the best city destinations in Europe as part of my work - as well as for the sake of holiday and leisure as I frequently document in this travel blog. Of course it’s never ever going to be as much fun travelling Europe in this way when compared to seeing the many great European holiday destinations in the way I enjoyed then when I was on a backpacking trip - but at least it means you can see many great locations and never feel too tied down.

Whether it be for meetings Leeds, or for conferences and events in more exotic and exciting locations across Europe, one thing you can say is that you don’t get too bogged down in one area for too many months at a time. Of course, if you can tie in a business excursion with a few days holiday you can enjoy all these great holiday destinations after all the hard work is completed and then you can get the best of both worlds! After all, you would have to be crazy to pass up the opportunity to enjoy the best holiday destinations just because of a meeting or work. So why not combine the 2 - clearly all work and no play makes me a dull boy!

If you are planning to take a holiday in Europe this summer then regardless of your personal choice of Euro holiday destination, one of your main concerns will naturally be finding a suitable hotel, hostel or other form of holiday accommodation that falls within your budget in the place you are travelling to. Luckily for travellers of all ages, these days a holidaymaker or backpacker can readily use online resources to find cheap hotels in their chosen city destination quickly and easily and comparing prices and facilities that may be available in potential places to stay can now be carried out with ease at the push of a button or click of a mouse. Whether you are looking to make a 1 or 2 week hotel reservation for a family holiday in Europe or are looking to book a few nights stay at your next hostel in a city destination on a larger backpacking holiday in the European region, then the widespread availability of the internet has undoubtedly made the whole process incredibly simple and streamlined for travellers to find accommodation cheaply, quickly and easily.

If you are looking for a vacation destination in Southern Europe that offers natural scenic beauty, friendly people and a wonderful hot, sunny climate then look no further than the Greek Islands. There are so many holiday resorts to choose from on the dozens of islands that collectively make up this region of Europe, although I would personally strongly recommend you check out Kefalonia - one of Europe’s best holiday destinations for a summer break.

I’ve never been a fan of package holidays as I feel they are often rather restrictive, so I would instead suggest taking out car hire Kefalonia Airport and driving around the island visiting many of the quaint little fishing villages. Driving round the island you will find that each place you visit that offers a unique picturesque ambience all of their own. Taking advantage of the cheapest car hire in Greece can also allow the visitor to explore the island’s mountainous areas, sandy beaches and many charming tavernas and restaurants.

As many travellers who have visited many countries across Europe will no doubt be aware, the continent has a number of cities that have become immensely popular with UK visitors on Stag Nights who head to central and Eastern European city destinations in search of some Sunshine, Fun and abundant amounts of cheap beer. Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Riga, Krakow and Tallinn are now all very popular destinations for Stag Weekends as they are widely accessible with cheap flight companies.


Each of these holiday destinations also offers many options for cheap hostel accommodation – and each city also provides entertainment and quality nightlife that is rarely rivaled in other locations across the world. While on a stag do, its seems to be the case these days that it is essential that the lads involved look the part - and therefore ensure that the groom is forced to don some sort of ridiculous outfit, while other members of the party should always think about picking up a personalised stag t shirt for their trip so they can enjoy all the fun of a stag night in these great European locations.

If you are a big fan of both sunshine and golf and are looking for a holiday destination in Europe then you can’t really go wrong with visiting one of the may beautiful golf resorts that France has to offer. If your idea of a perfect holiday is smashing the ball off the tea in a great temperate climate as well as enjoying all the great hospitality and facilities you would expect from the worlds top golf resorts then French golf holidays could be just the thing you are looking for this summer.


Golf resorts such as Le Touquet, Hardelot and Chantilly remain extremely popular destinations for golfers looking to find the best golf holiday destinations that France has to offer, whilst the South of France also offers some stunning courses alongside unbelievable scenery and weather conditions. If you are a big sports fan looking for a European holiday with a difference then why not treat yourself to a superb golf break in France this summer.

Austria is justly famous for its excellent skiing. What makes Austria particularly appealing for skiing holidays it that restrictive planning laws mean that any Austrian ski holiday is not going to be marred by the sorts of concrete developments that often get in the way of the breathtaking mountainous scenery in other countries. The Austrian landscape has been maintained to remain pure and beautiful, providing a wonderful backdrop to any ski holiday.

Of course, no skiing holiday is complete without a buzzing apres ski scene, and that’s another area that Austrian ski resorts really deliver in. With great beer, wine and simple but delicious food, Austrians really know how to show their guests a good time. Mayrhofen in particular is famous for a great night life, and the annual Snowbombing music festival which puts a world-class music festival right in the middle of the mountains.


As many of you will have recognised, the further east in Europe you go, the cheaper things tend to be, and Austria is no exception. By no means as cheap as genuinely Eastern European countries, ski holidays in Austria certainly won’t break the bank in the same way a group ski holiday to France or Switzerland may do.

If you’re after pristine scenery, deliciously simple food, great beer, great skiing and a great time at a reasonable price: Austria could well be your perfect ski destination.

If you are looking for a holiday destination in Europe that offers visitors a variety of great natural landscapes including truly beautiful natural coastline and warm temperate waters, then there are surely fewer places better to take a vacation than Dalaman in Turkey. This area which is to be found in the South West of the country is sandwiched between the mountainous areas and the beautiful ocean and has great beaches and coastal views in natural abundance, and for this reason proves a great draw for tourists around the world. The area is also popular for its sporting facilities and archaeological sites which are of some interest to tourists.

If you want to explore the coast further and without restriction why not take advantage of the widely available car hire Dalaman Airport? Whether you choose to stay in the more upmarket hotel accommodation or prefer to save money and enjoy the great outdoors by camping out under the stars in the back drop of this picturesque natural coastline, you’re sure to want to take advantage of cheap car hire Turkey to make the most of your visit to this region.

Although I’ve spent a lot of time visiting many of the best holiday destinations in Europe ranging from Krakow to Barcelona, its not every month that I can afford to take a holiday abroad. Sometimes I personally think it’s nice just to spend a weekend somewhere closer to home in the UK, rather than fuss around with booking flights, packing rucksacks and the like. Rather than always traveling abroad and bumming around in hostels, why not instead spend your money differently and treat yourself to a good quality hotel and enjoy all the great attractions of some of the UK’s best places and cities to visit.

When it comes to places to stay in the North of England, Leeds undoubtedly remains one of my favorite cities. It has a nightlife that is unrivaled in the north of England with many superb clubs and bars in the city centre - while Headingley is also a fantastic place to watch international cricket or rugby league and also boasts great bars like the Arc and Original Oak. The surrounding areas of Leeds also offer a great opportunity for walks in places like Otley and Ilkley. So why not book a weekend break and stay in Leeds serviced apartments and enjoy the North of England in style.

If you enjoy backpacking in Europe then one country that you really must see is Spain. When it comes to Europe’s top holiday destinations, Spain certainly has them in abundance, whether you are a holidaymaker looking to travel with your family to some of the country’s many great beaches or a young backpacker looking to explore some of the great cities that Spain has to offer tourists. The country remains the top holiday destination for people travelling from the UK, with literally thousands of Brits flying to Spain each year in search of some summer sunshine. If however like me you prefer to be a little more adventurous than just lying on a busy beach all day, then one of the best ways to get around if you want to explore mainland Spain more feely is to look for cheap car hire Spain online.

You will be pleased to know that there are many rental companies that tend to operate in and around Spain’s major airports - such as those found close to Barcelona and Madrid. Getting car hire Madrid airport for example, is a very quick and easy way to get set to travel and explore the surrounding mountains and countryside. In order to save time, you can book online and then simply pick up the keys on arrival at your holiday destination, then simply drive away and start exploring! I would always advise that booking your car hire services online is highly recommended as it is quite simply the quickest, cheapest and most convenient method of renting a vehicle in Europe.