You’re by the famous Spanish coastline, there’s no better way to spend your first day than to follow a good old Spanish tradition. Have a siesta at Plaza de los Naranjos which is an open space in among some fantastic buildings. The plaza dates back into the 15th century and thus is situated in the Old Town. It was eventually won back from the hands of the Moors after a Christian campaign sought to turf out the Islamic invaders. Now, however, it's a place of serene Spanish beauty. Flowers of orange, yellow, purple and white litter all over the ground enriching the atmosphere. The buildings are whitewashed, glazed in pure white paint as indeed is the Mediterranean tradition. There’s outdoor seating for the multiple cafes that offer a light lunch and a mid-day coffee. There’s also an abundance of restaurants that also serve chilled alcohol during the lunchtime. It's a nice place to come and gather with friends to socialize and talk about the day’s events. In classic Spanish style, the history of the monarchy is also on display with a statue of King Juan Carlos I. The Chapel of Santiago is a Gothic-style place of Catholic worship. It’s the oldest religious building still standing in the plaza which was also built in the 15th century.

It just wouldn’t be a sea resort without a fabulous marina and Puerto Banús does not disappoint. The ocean blue color of the water is so stereotypically the Mediterranean, it's calm and smooth, awesome for a slow ride down the coastline. The marina is popular with all manner of wealthy characters, from business executives, movie stars, sports heroes, and of course the aristocratic class. It's little wonder, the marina is surrounded by cafes, boutique shops, whitewashed residential homes that have a mixture of 2-floor and 3-floors. As soon as the sun says goodbye for the day, the shoreline erupts in color, with yellow hues and reds business signs lighting the water. Those that want to host a gathering on their own yachts do so in their own small section on the western side of the marina. The smaller boats all have their own places to tie themselves to the shore and here is where you will find businesses that offer rental services. Be sure to book early if you do, as the marina sees 5 million visitors every year so demand is high.

 It has the word ‘mile’ in the name but the Golden Mile is actually around 4.8 miles of Spanish coastline. Marbella has some the best beaches the country has to offer, and wherever there are beaches, you will find luxury. The Golden Mile consists of brilliant restaurants, cafes, historic buildings, churches, beaches, marinas, and hotels. It's the stretch from as far east to as far west that the city can manage at its most southern point. The Andalusia region is one of the autonomous regions of Spain, and it plays host to Marbella. And you can see the region’s influence on the food that is served in the restaurants namely seafood. For a long time, the coasts have been fished for their richness sources and cooked in tapas dishes. Everything from fresh tuna to mussels has found their way into the plates of the locals and tourists. The way seafood is usually eaten in this region is by frying it, and the food on the Golden Mile is no different. You can get some excellent fried prawn and chorizo salads to go along with your espresso. The Golden Mile is also actually quite calm for most of the year. Many tourists will situate themselves on one of the beaches and the locals will be going about their daily lives of shopping and socializing. For the majority of the stretch, it's a peaceful walk as the hot humid air slowly breezes up and down the coastline. The waters are content and rarely do you see high curling waves forming and crashing onto the shore. Nevertheless, there is a lighthouse called the Faro de Marbella, built in 1864. It's 29 meters high and it has modern automatic timers and uses photoelectric cells to shine brightly across the water and land, warding off any ships. It also acts as a landmark for local fisherman that may not have ships with radar. Source Jorg Wiengrill

Marbella is a Mediterranean city, so you can expect to be competing with other tourists to make your way through its cobblestone side streets and beautiful architecture. So why not just always have a place to stay and not have to book yourself into a hotel everytime you want to enjoy the city? As you might expect in such a popular destination in Spain, there are Apartments for sale Marbella has to offer. With over 20 years of experience in helping clients to find a property that specifically fits their needs, there’s more than a chance that something will suit you. Whether you need 2 apartments or 4 bedroom penthouses, there is a property that is modern and tailored for your needs. You have the pick of best residential areas in the city, from Los Flamingos, Estepona, East Marbella, Elviria, Casares and Puerto Banus too. Every apartment is blessed by a gorgeous view and from no matter what angle the home or apartment may be facing, you have a view out toward the Mediterranean Sea. Choose to be a little further inland and closer to what the action is, then you will be walking distance from all the bars and restaurants. If you want to be a little more subdued and value your peace and quiet, then a property closer to the mountains on the eastern side of the city will be great for you.

To the south, you have the eternal blue of the sea, but toward the north, you have the Sierra Blanca Mountains. Sierra Blanca stands for ‘White Range’ and this is because the amount of vegetation at the foot of the mountains leaves a lot to be desired and thus the pale cream limestone is exposed. The highest point is at around 1,275 meters above sea level. The mountains have an almost uniform shape of their peaks with a triangular outline. Thus if you fancy a hike up the mountains for a day you will need to ditch your trainers and most likely get a pair of proper hiking boots to grip the steepness of the slopes. The best way to get to the mountains is by the Marbella Town roads, as there is no real back dirt road to get on. The views that you get from the peak called Pico del Lastonar are breathtaking. You can see the new boats and yachts that are coming to port from miles away. Cruise ships can be seen dancing on the edge of the horizon and fisherman out at sea casting their nets. By far it's one of the best things you can do in the city is to climb up the mountains to see Spain as you’ve never witnessed before. Marbella is typically laid back and very inviting to everyone. It's not going to match the business of other Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona, but it is the second largest city of Andalusia. It's got enough of a nightlight atmosphere to make you forget where you are. During the day you might even see some of the most famous people from around the world sailing into the marina. The calm waters allow for late night swims but also, a chance to sail the coastline from end to end most days. The apartments are spectacular. You may be surrounded by some ancient buildings but the homes and apartments are entirely modern. Painted in the sheer white color, they set the perfect serene Mediterranean scene. The seafood is a fresh as it gets with batches of catches coming in all throughout the day. Marbella is a stereotypical Spanish sea town resort, in all the best ways imaginable.

The Location

There are loads of cities, towns, and villages in Somerset, all with unique charm and something to offer. If you’d like to enjoy a touch of hustle and bustle, Wells in a great place to go, holding the throne for the smallest city in the country. For those looking for a quieter trip, you have loads of villages to choose from, and they are all steeped in ancient history. Cheddar is a great example of this. Famous for its massive gorge, this small village is filled with natural sights which will take your breath away. Of course, it will be worth doing some research to find your ideal location.

Once you have an idea of where you’d like to stay, you’ll be able to start looking at the accommodation you’ll be using. For an authentic taste of Somerset, nothing will beat looking for cottages to rent. Capturing the true feel of the countryside, an option like this will make your experience feel much more realistic than one spent in a modern hotel. Along with this, a lot of people choose to camp while they are in this part of the country, with the huge abundance of sites and open fields making it incredibly easy to get yourself pitched and ready to go. Like your location, it will be worth researching this to get the best option.

Finally, as the last part of this, it’s time to think about what you’ll be doing during your time in Somerset. If you stay in Wells, you will have plenty of options on your doorstep, with a great cathedral and loads of other historical structures littering the city. In the countryside, you may have to work a little harder to find things you’d like to do, though. Long walks through protected areas can be stunning, and you will be able to find a surprising amount of landmarks on your travels. It would be wrong to forget Longleat, though, as this is very easily accessible from this part of the country.

Hopefully, this post will give you everything you need to take on a vacation to the South West. This sort of trip can be very enriching, giving you the chance to relax like never before. Of course, though, it’s important to do some research for yourself, as this will ensure that you’re only ever choosing the options which appeal to you the most.

The best things to do in Cardiff 

There is only one place to begin, and this is with some of the best things to do during your weekend away. There are lots of great things to do and see in Cardiff. If you are a fan of history, St Fagan’s National Museum of History is an open-air museum that is situated in St Fagan’s Castle. This is well worth a visit, as you can see more than 40 rebuilt and rescued buildings from all over Wales. Other notable attractions include the Cardiff International White Water Centre, heading to Cardiff Bay, which also happens to be the location of the Doctor Who Experience, taking a water taxi, and going arcade shopping.

There are lots of great places to eat in Cardiff. Aptly titled ‘Fish’ on Pontcanna Street, is a restaurant where you can pick out a fresh fish from a real working fishmonger. The chef will then cook it in front of you in any way that you like. Don’t panic if you’re no expert, though, as you can simply let the pros choose for you. If you are looking for the best burger in Cardiff, The Grazing Shed does not disappoint. From the Hula Hula burger and the John Wayne burger to a great mixture of chicken and vegetarian burgers, this burger joint has something for everyone. Other notable places to visit include The Clink, Casanova, Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, Mezza Luna, and Shaam Nights.

Last but not least, it is always nice when you can save a little bit of money when planning a trip away, isn’t it? There are a number of different ways that you can do this when visiting Cardiff. This includes buying tickets online in advance, as well as getting tickets to the international matches in autumn if you are planning on visiting the main rugby venue – the Principality Stadium.

So there you have it: the complete guide to planning a weekend in Cardiff. Hopefully, you now feel more prepared for your trip to this part of Wales. No matter whether you are a party animal or you are someone looking for culture and natural beauty, Cardiff delivers. Make sure you follow the tips regarding saving a bit of extra cash too. After all, it is always fun to do more for less, isn’t it?

Holiday rentals

Campsites

Hostels

Guesthouses

Homestays

Holidaying in a city is a great way of experiencing more culture and more different ways of life than you can on the average village/coastal/small town trip. Cities have their own vibes, and they tend to be the home to the biggest must-see sights and sounds of the place you’re visiting, but because they are so buzzing, you need to really plan well to make the most of your journey. Here are a few things that will help you with that:

Safety First

Travelling to cities is generally a little more dangerous than travelling to more rural locations, simply because there are bigger crowds and it’s easier for pickpockets and other opportunists to strike and relieve tourists of their possessions, or worse. So, put your own safety first, try to blend in with your surroundings and make sure that anything valuable you’re carrying is in a safe place that can’t be easily accessed by criminals.

Make Friends with Public Transport

It’s usually easier to travel around big cities via their public transport system because the roads can get pretty congested, So before you go, check out what public transport is available and how it works. Then, when you get there, head to a tourist information booth and pick up a map or two to ensure that you don’t end up getting lost frequently.

Work Out Your Landmark Route

As you can see by looking at www.vlondoncity.co.uk, big cities like London have a huge number of amazing attractions that tourists like you will eat up, but if you want to see as many of them as possible, you need to get organised. You need to work out what you want to see and which landmarks are close by, so that you can see them in order, thus saving time and money and allowing you to squeeze even more in. Spontaneity is great, but if you don’t work out a sightseeing route, you probably won’t fit everything in.

Do you enjoy spending weekends away with the kids at campsites? Then you might be missing a trick if you haven’t considered the latest canvas craze. Glamping is a modern concept that involves sleeping in slightly more luxurious accommodation than you might have found in the past. Today, this post will present some information about glamping for anyone who wants to try it out at some point in the future. Of course, the best thing about this idea is that you probably won’t have to sleep on an airbed, and you’ll achieve higher levels of comfort when compared to regular camping. 

Glamping in a Yurt 

Lots of farmers and campsite owners have invested in yurts during the last few years to increase their income from the glamping market. Those constructs are excellent because they provide comfortable accommodation while keeping your family warm and protecting you from the elements. It says at http://www.yourhealthyliving.co.uk/glamp-it-up that most yurts also come with a wood burning stove in the middle, and that means you’ll never wake up feeling cold. Many of the yurts you can hire today sleep more than six people, and so you only need one for the entire family in many instances. If you want to check out some of the best places to spend a weekend glamping like that; you just need to search online. 

Glamping in a shed

People who visit music festivals regularly might have encountered the concept of glamping at those events. While standard tickets enable people to bring a tent; you can often pay a little more to glamp in a small wooden shed. The construct will contain some purpose-built beds and some basic utilities. However, you don’t have to visit music festivals to spend a weekend using glamping solutions of that nature. There are many dedicated sites around the country, and so you just need to search online again. Lots of those locations allow people to bring their pets, and that’s a massive bonus for families that don’t want to leave their dogs at home. Some of the best places to visit include:

• Shepherd's huts, Kent
• Right on the coast, Norfolk
• Farm retreat, Carmarthenshire
• Pods for the Peaks, Derbyshire

Mobile glamping

If you want more flexibility when it comes to deciding on the locations in which you enjoy glamping with your family; it makes sense to purchase a mobile solution. There are companies out there that make and sell tiny houses on wheels these days, and they’re perfect for the glamping experience. http://mobilehouses.co.uk/tiny-houses-on-wheels/ state that anyone can tow one of those items around the country if they have a powerful enough car. You’ll have to make a substantial investment, but that will mean your family can spend weekends away glamping whenever the mood presents itself. Best of all, you can personalise it to be a home from home! A pair of cute striped curtains at the window, a fluffy rug and some trinkets for example will allow you to feel homely and cosy on your travels. 

Now you know more about glamping and all the different options on the table; you can start to arrange your first outing. Of course, it’s sensible to pack all the same supplies you would take along on a regular camping trip. However, you won’t have to worry too much about air pumps or tents. Even if you choose to purchase one of those tiny houses, the decision should pay for itself within only a few years because you won’t have to cover all those hire costs. Enjoy!

Travel is wonderful because of the experiences it opens us to. We get to see new sights, sounds and cultures, all of which have can work to change our outlook on life. Hence why travelling can can improve your life and transform your thinking. It can open your eyes to the things you take for granted and make you confront aspects of your personality you’ve never seen before. And, the opportunities don’t stop there. Travelling also exposes us to a wealth of new people and potential friends. Nothing beats making a lasting friendship while you travel. Instead of knowing you because they’re close and it’s convenient, friends you make while away can become lifelong soulmates. After all, you picked each other out of everyone else. These are friends you’re likely to have the most in common with, and that’s important. Not to mention that friends from different cultures can teach you a lot about ways of life you weren’t aware of.  But making lasting friends while you're away isn’t always easy. Time is often limited, and cultural differences can make communication tricky. Which is why we’re going to look at a few of the ways you can ensure that such friendships stand the test of time. 

Knowing where to meet people

You can’t make friends if you don’t know where to meet people while you’re away. Of course, this varies from place to place. Often, something as simple as going out for a drink can lead you to new friends. But, if you want something which is guaranteed, you could always book up for something like these Travelsphere escorted tours where you’re sure to meet like minded people you can spend a lot of time with. Many a friendship has been formed this way. Equally, getting involved in social activities can offer friendship opportunities. Something as simple as getting involved in local entertainment will throw you into the thick of things. Always be on the lookout for social opportunities like these. 

Overcoming fear of cultural differences

Even for the regular travellers among us, cultural differences can seem daunting. Many of us shy away from having full depth conversations in languages other than our own. We don’t want to embarrass ourselves by getting things wrong, or not being able to understand. We also shy away from more subtle cultural differences, like popular culture and manners. Again, we don’t want to get things wrong or offend anyone. So, other than polite exchanges, many of us fail to develop in-depth relationships with people we meet out and about. In truth, though, cultural differences aren’t generally as vast as we expect. Language is the highest barrier to cross. But, you can pick things up fast during general conversations. And, if you explain the situation to the person you’re talking to, they’re sure to take things slowly for you. As for the rest, even small differences in popular culture and what’s considered polite are easy to overcome. For the most part, we’re all much more similar than you might expect. Instead of shying away from differences, embrace them. Point out how your cultures vary, and you may find that you can bond over this. Differences certainly aren’t anything to shy away from. 

Spend time together

Of course, one chance meeting doesn’t make a lasting friendship. During your time away, it’s important to make time for the potential new friends you meet. That doesn’t mean that you have to impose on their time or give up your holiday to the cause. But, it’s worth setting a date to meet at least once or twice and spending substantial time together. Simple things, like dinner dates, or meeting for a drink will do the trick here. Spend that time getting to know each other in the same way you would with a new friend back home. Find whether you have common ground. Then, consider whether the relationship is worth continuing.