Though the sun is the common denominator here, not all European sun destinations are created equal. Some are very laidback, where relaxation would be the only thing on your daily to-do list. Others are non-stop action, with a mix of cultural attractions, lively nightlife, and adventures. Most offer a little bit of each. Your Travel Counsellor can help guide you to the spot that is right for you.
If you’re the type that loves to party by night and lounge by day, Spain’s Mediterranean sunshine, sophisticated cities (think Barcelona and Madrid) and off-shore islands, like Ibiza, might be the perfect prescription for your holiday needs. For the gourmet-minded traveller, perhaps Italy’s beautiful Tuscany and Rome, or Lisbon, Portugal’s culinary capital, will satisfy your appetite. For the romantic types, and for couples celebrating anniversaries or a recent wedding, the Greek islands – Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos – or the south of France (Monte Carlo and Nice) will make the heart grow fonder. If you crave something that is a little more exotic, consider picturesque Dubrovnik and the Markarsa Riviera, or the excitement of east meets west in Turkey’s Kusadasi and Bodrum.
The good thing is that European sun holidays are so accessible. After just a short flight from Ireland, you could be sitting on the beach, running silky sand through your toes and sipping a frosty cocktail. Or you could take a trip down a scenic highway to your mobile home in France or Italy, or spending the night camping under the stars. Your getaway can be a long weekend, or an extended stay, depending on the time you have. Before the blustery winds arrive, plan your exit strategy. Book a holiday to a place where the sun is shining and the weather is wonderfully balmy and warm.
<div class="subhead"><h2>Why you should go:</h2></div>
Sun holidays nurture the soul. Research has found that sunshine in moderation boosts your spirits, makes you feel more energetic and banishes the winter blues.
Here’s a fact to pass along to your boss: Employees who take regular holiday breaks perform better in their jobs than desk-dwelling, non-holiday takers.
Some studies suggest that the risk of heart disease drops among those who go on holiday.
Barcelona
Thursday 28th February 2008
Travel Counsellor: Mary Foyle
This year, the girls and I decided to return to Barcelona for our annual ‘catch-up’.
We flew out at the end of February and booked into the Hotel Catalonia Princesa – a 3 star central hotel. We arrived in the evening and as it was dark outside, we were directed along the main road by the reception staff to Las Ramblas, the centre of tourism in Barcelona. I was a bit worried as it seemed to take quite a while to reach civilisation. However, on exploring the pedestrianised area beside the hotel the following morning, we discovered that in fact we were really quite central and only 5 minutes walk from Las Ramblas and the Plaza Catalunya. The hotel itself was in a very old building but had recently been renovated and the public areas and rooms were all lovely, breakfast was excellent and the staff were very helpful.
On the morning after we arrived, we headed to the Plaza Catalunya to purchase our ‘hop-on, hop-off’ bus passes. Barcelona is a huge city and it would be impossible to... view full story
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