One possibility to enjoy the action and to stay in luxury is the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, one of the city’s most sought-after hotels, situated on the banks of the Grand Canal. A former 17^th century Palazzo, it has a classic, composed elegance, and a restaurant that’s very popular with the Venetians.

A three-night stay is from £790 pp (two sharing) including BA flights from London to Venice and accommodation with breakfast. Private water taxi transfers can be arranged at a supplement. Call Sunvil on 020 8758 4747visit www.sunvil.co.uk.

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Visit Europe’s most northerly capital and experience its unique atmosphere – a mix of stylish restaurants, relaxed cafes, tempting shops and fascinating museums set in an otherworldly land of ice and fire.

You will be staying at the three-star Hotel Cabin, 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre with spectacular bay views, and near to the biggest geothermal swimming pool and spa in Iceland. Price includes three nights’ accommodation with breakfast (two sharing) and return flights from Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow (with free in-flight entertainment system!) Stay at the hotel Loftleidir on the same basis for £299 pp. To book visit www.icelandair.co.uk.

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Modica, Sicily – August 13, 2008 – For the first time, U.K. travellers will
enjoy luxurious complimentary perks this October as Italian Connection –
Italy’s most exclusive and intimate walking, cooking and cultural tour company
– unveils three tours featuring the new Complimentary Smooth Arrival®
service. The company’s Piedmont Vineyards and Lakes, Savoring Sicily and
Splendors of Sicily tours will each feature the new Complimentary Smooth
Arrival® service providing U.K. visitors with free airport transfers and free
pre-tour hotel stays at 4-diamond properties.

“For the first time, we are delighted to offer our guests from the U.K.
complimentary airport transfers and free accommodations in luxurious 4-diamond
hotels in Catania, Turin, and Palermo,” said Anita Iaconangelo, founder and
CEO of Italian Connection. “Our exceptional, personalised service and superb
attention to detail set our tours apart from all others in Italy - thereby
creating the most authentic local Italian experience available.”

Italian Connection’s Splendors of Sicily tours are October 10-18 and October
20-28, and include complimentary Catania airport transfer and free stay at a
4-diamond hotel in Catania. Guests will be among the first to experience the
Roman mosaics recently unveiled to the public at the Villa Tellaro on this tour.
This particular tour was selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of the
“50 Tours of a Lifetime.” Cost is £2745 GBP.

For those seeking culinary decadence – including fresh truffles - coupled
with dazzling countryside walks, Italian Connection’s Piedmont Vineyards and
Lakes tour is October 17-23. It includes complimentary Turin airport transfer,
and a free stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Turin. Cost is £2285 GBP.

For U.K. explorers interested in the authentic sights, sounds, and tastes of
Sicily - far removed from the hurried bus tour concept - the Savoring Sicily
tour from October 29-November 4 provides a rare look at the area’s distinct
past and diverse culinary present, with hands-on cooking lessons and visits to
archaeological sites. Tour includes complimentary Palermo airport transfer and
free stay at a 4-diamond hotel in Palermo. Cost is £2135 GBP.

Visit http://www.italian-connection.com for detailed itineraries or to book a
tour.

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22 hotels in Lanzarote declared illegal by the Supreme Court of the Canary Islands still face an uncertain future.  As the controversy over their fate continues.

Some of Lanzarote´s best known hotels are in the firing line, such as the five star Gran Melia Volcan in Playa Blanca, the Natura Palace and the Gran Castillo.

In total eight five star hotels, ten Apart-hotels and four new developments still in the planning stage have been decreed to have flouted an edict controlling construction on the island.  Which was created back in 2000 to militate against unfettered building work.

However two local councils essentially chose to ignore these new rules.  And granted licenses to hotels which contravened this ruling in two of Lanzarote´s main resorts, namely Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.

Established hotels in Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote´s leading resort, managed to escape the controversy.  As local councilors here adhered to the new planning restrictions.

A police unit that specialises in fighting organised crime was then formed to investigate whether the former mayors of Teguise and Yaiza were guilty of accepting bribes from developers in return for building licenses.

A view that was supported by the Supreme Court of the Canary Islands as a result of an action instigated by the central island government in tandem with  the César Manrique Foundation.

A further meeting was held recently between the Director of the Environmental Department of the Canarian Government, representatives from the Ayuntamientos of Teguise and Yaiza and the hoteliers association Asolan. But the leader of the island central government failed to attend – making a final consensus impossible.

Those assembled were simply left to agree that a case by case study was necessary to explore how the offending hotels might be brought into line.  There is some suggestion that these hotels could even be demolished.  But most island observers consider this highly unlikely.  As Lanzarote can ill afford to do such damage to the local job market or the islands international reputation as a holiday destination.

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Owners of holiday villas in Lanzarote will be cheered by the news that British visitor numbers to the Island Of Fire have jumped 15.6% during the first half of 2008.  According to new figures just released by AENA, the Spanish airport authority.

The upsurge in tourist numbers is particularly remarkable in the light of current economic conditions.  With many industry observers suggesting that the current credit crunch, allied with a weakening pound against the euro, will have an adverse effect on overseas travel.

Lanzarote however has clearly confounded these expectations – as British consumers seem intent on ensuring that they still enjoy their week in the sun.  With 509,755 British tourists visiting the island during the first six months of the year.

And it´s not just the British who are refusing to lay down their buckets and spades.  As Irish tourist numbers to the island have also been on the rise.  Up 5.4% across the first half of the year.  With Lanzarote welcoming 123,047 guests from Eire – a remarkable figure that illustrates the islands popularity as a holiday destination in the Republic.

Other nationalities are also reluctant to give up their beach holidays – despite the deteriorating economic situation worldwide.  With Dutch, Austrian, Swedish and Norwegian tourists all contributing to an overall increase of foreign visitor numbers to the island of 5.9%.

The only negative note has come from the German market – Lanzarote´s second largest after the UK.  Where a long-term trend of falling visitor numbers continues unabated as the Germans abandon the island for new and different destinations.  With visitor numbers down 13% for the first six months of the year.

As a result of this overall increase in visitors the many thousands of owners of private holiday villas and apartments on the island are reporting bumper bookings.  And should these trends continue across the rest of 2008 Lanzarote will record the highest number of visitors from the UK in over five years.

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The popular holiday island of Lanzarote is starting to prepare for one of the biggest festivals of the year.  As the Fiesta de Nuestra Senora del Carmen gets underway on July 29^th.

Nuestra Senora del Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen – an icon who is in fact honoured all across Spain, most especially in coastal areas and on islands such as Lanzarote with strong nautical links and traditions.

The evolution of this festival can be traced back to a small maritime town called Haifa – now part of Israel – where local fishermen worshipped the cult of Carmel (ie Carmen in Spanish).

This tradition then started to disseminate throughout the Mediterranean.  Until reaching Mallorca in the 18^th Century.  Where a local Admiral Antonio Barcélo Pont de la Terra encouraged his crew to honour Carmen each year (a custom that survives to this day in Port d’Andratx on the island).

On Lanzarote this celebration has been observed for centuries and the festival is treated with much fervour – especially in the islands main resort – and one time fishing village – Puerto del Carmen.

The celebrations last for no less than ten days.  And the event’s high spot is a very well attended procession – where an effigy of Nuestra Senora del Carmen is paraded from the local church, through the packed streets of the town.  And then down to the waterfront in the Old Harbour district.  From where she sets to sea on board a flotilla of sailing vessels.

Once out on the waves Carmen is asked to cast her blessing on the waters – so ensuring a good and plentiful haul of fish for the year ahead.

Back on dry land there’s plenty of traditional folk dancing and singing.  Along with a full on fun fair, food stalls and a huge fireworks display that marks the end of the event on August 10^th.

Nuestra Senora del Carmen is a must for anyone visiting Lanzarote during this period.

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For ever immortalised by Monty Python´s Michael Palin as “Lanzagrotty” (a description which is met by bemusement from sophisticated Spaniards who holiday here in their droves) Lanzarote lies just 62 miles off the coast of Saharan Africa.  On a similar line of latitude as parts of Florida and Mexico. Creating a clement year round clement with temperatures that rarely fall below 20c – even in the depths of winter.

As a result, the island is enormously popular with Northern Europeans – attracting over one million visitors from the UK and Ireland during 2007 alone.  The majority of whom head for the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.

But Lanzarote has much more to offer than just bucket and spade beach tourism.  The island is blessed with incredible natural beauty – from the eerie twisted shapes of the arid volcanic region in the south through to the verdant palm packed valleys around Haria and Maguez in the north.

This breathtaking landscape has been further enhanced by the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique.  Who campaigned throughout the 1970´s against over-development and sought to illuminate a different path for the evolution of tourism by creating his own unique attractions across the island.

Such as the Jameos del Agua – an incredible underground auditorium and gardens which was described by Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth as the Eighth Wonder of the World.  Or his own house and studio in Tahiche – which is by some way the most unusual property in Lanzarote.  As this was built into five underground volcanic bubbles and which still blows visitors away to this day.

Manrique´s influence even extends to the invisible.  Advertising hoardings are banned.  High rise developments are outlawed.  The island’s tourist resorts remain well contained.  And all of the houses are painted white – creating a pleasing, island wide aesthetic

As a result of his efforts Lanzxarote was declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1994. The first island in the world to achieve such status.

Lanzarote´s natural treasures also encompass the Timanfaya Volcano Park – scene of the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption from 1730 to 17636 – and now Lanzarote´s number one tourist attraction.  The green lagoon at El Golfo.  And a host of stunning natural beaches – such as Papagayo and Famara  – which are amongst the best in Europe.

Whilst Lanzarote offers ideal weather conditions all year round the best time to visit the island is usually during September and October.  As by then the Trade Winds which sweep across Lanzarote from April to August have died down.  And the heat of high summer has mellowed a little.  Whilst the sea is at its warmest – having been heated up by the sun throughout the summer months.

During the winter months the island displays a desert climate – which is little surprise given its proximity to the Saraha.  Which makes for warmer days but chillier nights. As the temperature falls quickly when the sun goes down. But even so – at just four hours flight time from the UK -  Lanzarote, along with the other Canary Islands, remain Europe´s only genuine winter sun destination.

Find out more about Lanzarote by visiting www.lanzaroteguidebook.com – where you can download a free 112 page Guidebook to the island.

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Mark Warner’s sun holiday resorts offer tennis coaching, run by LTA  trained coaches, all of which are endorsed by the  LTA.  The holidays are particularly aimed at the family  market (a good way to stay healthy as a family), but they do offer  adult-only holidays as well.

There’s more information, including prices, at  http://www.markwarner.co.uk/why-choose-us/sun/tennis

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The saying ‘Rome was not built in a day’ has been into use since ages. This speaks of Rome’s beauty and innovation in every field, be it technology or scenery. This Italian capital is a storehouse of talent in the fields of architecture and sculpture. Let some light be thrown on attractions of Rome:

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

This church is better known as ‘Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore’. It was constructed in the year 358 A.D and reconstructed by ‘Pope Sixtus III’ between 432 A.D and 440 A.D. The ‘Basilica’ is well-known for Roman mosaics of the fifth century. This is evident from its ‘Coffered Ceiling’ which is adorned with gold that was brought from ‘New World’. The church is encompassed with many things worth seeing and is considered amongst the most vital Roman Attractions.

Baths of Caracalla

The other name for the above-mentioned baths is ‘Via delle Terme di Caracalla 52’. The construction of these baths got completed in 3rd century. They were being named after ‘Emperor Caracalla’. During heyday it used to cover 27 acres. 1600 bathers could be handled at one time. The sight would indeed be the sight to behold. It should not be missed out.

National Museum located in Palazzo Venezia

This museum is locally known as ‘Via del Plebiscito 118’. It is a home to collections of porcelain, oil paintings, ivories, ceramics, and tapestries. The ‘State Rooms’ open very rarely, that too, for hosting temporary exhibits. Those who are passionate about art can have a great time here.

Rome Restaurants

AI 16

Locally, it’s known as ‘Via del Portico d’Ottavia 16’. Those who intend having fresh, home-made local food can get on to this place. The menu differs from region to region. This is the best place to kickstart your Roman holiday.

Abruzzi

The local name for this restaurant is ‘Via del Vaccaro 1’. It holds the first position in terms of popularity. The menu consists of a broad spectrum of regional dishes, inclusive of vitella tonnata stracciatella and capperi. Abruzzi is said to have a magnetic effect, i.e. one who comes here once would keeping on coming again and again.

Buccilli Hostaria

Locally, this conventional trattoria is known as ‘Via dei Due Ponti 48’. It can boast of a friendly and a warm atmosphere. A huge range of conventional Roman dishes, seasonal Porcini and game dishes, along with fish dishes are being made available here.

Rome clubs and bars

Druid’s Den

This bar is locally known as ‘Via San Martino ai Monti 28’. Such an Irish pub has attained a lot of popularity amongst the tourists and locals alike. Spirits, wines, and beers are being served. A good place, indeed, to release all the tensions.

II Goccetto

This bar is better known as ‘Via dei Banchi Vecchi 14’. The wine bar serves Italian and French wines. The selling takes place through bottle or glass. The mixed crowd, consisting of tourists and locals gets attracted to the bar. You can relax here.

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European Rail, the UK’s largest independent rail ticketing and holidays company, has announced a new partnership with luxury river cruise operator, Amadeus Waterways, to provide wonderfully airport- and aircraft-free rail-to-river packages that depart from London to destinations throughout Europe. To celebrate, they have put together two specially priced and limited availability Christmas season dates on the Rhine and Mosel rivers between Amsterdam and  Germany’s oldest city, Trier.

Departing via high-speed Eurostar from London’s magnificently restored St. Pancras station, each 8 day trip combines the comfort, convenience and security of rail travel with the elegance of Amadeus’s unusually spacious river vessels. Travellers have departure options of 23 November with the cruise starting from Amsterdam, or 30 November and 14 December starting from Trier.

Both packages include return standard-class rail travel, a category E ‘Piano deck’ outside cabin on the Amadeus ship ‘Amadagio’, a generous selection of sightseeing tours, and all port charges and supplements. Prices start at £981 per person, with upgrades to first-class rail travel available from just £158 with complimentary meals or refreshments on high-speed train services. Cabin upgrades, including junior suites, and various other cruise options are available on request.

For bookings or more details, call 020 7619 1080 or email holidays@europeanrail.com.

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