Posts by : Izy Berry

If you’re planning a holiday to Spain, it might be worth considering timing your visit to coincide with one of the country’s many, often unique festivals. From flamboyant, fabulous carnivals to street food fights, there’s something to cater to almost any imaginable whim or dabbling. So, before you book your flights, read on for a round-up of its most exciting celebrations.

February: Sitges Carnival

Visit Sitges in February, and you’ll find this beautiful seaside town has been ignited with colour, feathers and eleganza for the Sitges Carnival. A predominantly LGBT event, this extravagant celebration involves a parade, shimmying drag queens, and the sombre ‘burial of the sardine’ ritual which takes place on Ash Wednesday. Loud, proud and wonderful, this epic party is one of Europe’s gay cultural epicentres, so book your visit early to avoid being disappointed.

June: El Colacho Festival

If you find the thought of dressing up as Satan (albeit a yellow jumpsuit wearing iteration) and attempting to jump over newborn babies troubling, seek your kicks somewhere other than El Colacho Festival in Castrillo de Murcia. This religious festival dates back to 1620 and is said to rid the brave babies who volunteer of evil spirits and protect them from illness. If this doesn’t sound wacky enough, if you attend, you might be chased through the streets by a whip-wielding member of the Brotherhood, who will not hesitate to give you a lash. Ouch!

July: Running of the bulls

It came to international attention in 2014 due to a somewhat daring selfie-snapper, but if you’re planning on attending the running of the bulls in Pamplona, taking snapshots is the last thing you’ll be worrying about. As a cavalcade of charging toros is unleashed, you must hotfoot it to the finish line through hazardously cobbled and winding streets. Or you could just show up for the after party.

August: La Tomatina

Have you ever glanced at a jar of ragu and wondered what it would like to be slathered from head to toe in tomato sauce? Then you might want to book a place at La Tomatina, the world’s largest organised food fight, in which truckloads of ripe tomatoes are lobbed in the village of Bunol until the streets resemble the prom scene from Carrie.

While any old city can have a film festival or comic-con it takes a certain level of eccentric allure to attract tens of thousands of people to being doused in tomatoes or potentially gored by a rampaging bull. Spain has this by the bucketload, so don’t neglect to pursue the more alternative aspects of its culture next time you visit. You might just become a regular, catching your flight to Spain to be part of the fun year in, year out.

Images by Oh-Barcelona,com, LpsktLibrarian and fearghalonuallain, used under Creative Commons license

Once upon a time, Harlem in New York was notorious for being an unsafe place to visit, a place that was rife with crime and where taxis refused to go. Nowadays however, Harlem is a different place, and if you’re on a trip to New York, somewhere you need to go. You still have to be careful – watch out for pickpockets and don’t walk through the parks at night etc. – but just as careful as you always should be when visiting an unfamiliar big city.

The Harlem Renaissance happened in the 1920s and 30s, which is when the value of African American music, literature and political figures was recognised by the wider community. The Savoy Ballroom, for example, was a Harlem institution. It was where young people came to dance to swing music during the 1930s, specifically young black people (although not exclusively) who were not allowed in white-only ballrooms. Clark Gable is said to have visited the Savoy one night and famous poet Langston Hughes was a regular.

Unfortunately the Savoy was shut down and demolished, but today there are places still standing that were central to the Harlem Renaissance movement, such as the Apollo Theatre.

The Apollo was a popular music hall in the 1930s. It became the largest employer of black theatrical workers in America and was the only place in New York to hire black people to work backstage (source: apollotheater.org). Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne performed at the Apollo, making the theatre a mecca for jazz lovers. It’s still a working theatre today.

Another historical monument to visit in Harlem is the Church of the Intercession. It was built by famous architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1915, although the church’s history goes back even further as it was founded on another site in 1846. Today if you attend a service at the church you’ll hear the church’s gospel choir.

Harlem has always been known as a centre for gospel and jazz – the National Jazz Museum in Harlem is well worth a visit if you’re an avid music fan. It’s also famous for its soul food and you can find plenty of places to eat dishes like fried chicken, barbecue ribs, cornbread and okra. Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken  is the soul food restaurant critics are currently raving about.

From food, to jazz and historical buildings – Harlem should be overlooked. It’s rich history and vibrancy makes it a fascinating place to visit.

Spring is at our doorstep, with all the beauties nature can offer us at this time of the year. But there is other beauty to be seen during this season – the wonderful Easter celebrations all across Europe. There are many great things to discover at this time of the year – some of them are unique, worthy of laying eyes on them. Here are a few examples.

The Dance of the Dead in Verges, Spain

Verges is a small town in the Girona region of Catalonia, with about 1,200 inhabitants. It is a town built around a medieval fort, worthy of visiting at any time of the year. But for Easter Verges becomes a place that can offer visitors something unique – a Dance of the Dead (Dansa de la Mort), which is performed every Easter after the Passion play.

Dances of the Dead were common in the Middle Ages all across Europe, but today the one observed in Verges is the only one that is still being performed. This is what makes it unique – and the fact that it is still performed as it has been for centuries.

Verges is located close to the city of Barcelona, at a bit over 1 hour of driving.

The Easter Trees in Germany

Easter is a very popular holiday in Germany – it represents the start of spring after a long and cold winter. School is off for two weeks around the holiday, and workers have a very long weekend – Good Friday and Easter Monday are official holidays. Many Germans travel around the celebration, others prefer to relax and play redflush on mobile. but all of them raise an incredibly colorful “Osterbaum” (Easter Trees) – branches or trees decorated with colorful dyed eggs and ribbons to salute the rebirth of the nature (along with the resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Easter mass at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice

Basilica di San Marco is one of the best known landmarks of Venice, along with the public square on which it is located. There are many things to see in the cathedral itself – but none of that compares to the feeling of participating at the late night Easter mass organized at the church. It can be a truly uplifting and moving experience – hundreds of people silently praying in the light of the candles, their murmur accompanies by the sound of the cathedral’s bells.

If you plan to visit Venice during Easter, it’s best if you arrive on Good Friday – it is a workday in Italy, so visitors from other Italian regions will likely not arrive until Saturday. This can help you find lodging in the city much more easily.

A good road trip can be the highlight of a year, or even a lifetime. With some key components: a great car, a bunch of friends, good music and an interesting itinerary, you’re setting yourself up for a very memorable trip. What’s important when planning an awesome road trip? Well, these are my suggestions of what you should keep in mind for the ultimate road trip.

1) Find a Great Car

If you already a car, then you’re sorted for your road trip, but if you’re in the market for a new car why not consider something like the 2015 Mustang, the ultimate road trip car. Finding a car is definitely the first step, you want something comfortable, good on gas and something that’s well maintained and going to be safe for your trip.

2) The Perfect MixTape

While we don’t use mixtapes anymore, it’s important that you find some good music to keep you company on your road trip, especially if you’re traveling longer distances. It can be quite tiring driving for hours and hours on end, but a great soundtrack completely changes the mood.

3) Lots of Water and Snacks

Water is important and often water from gas stations is hideously expensive. Take some from home and take some snacks from home, especially fruit, jerkey and vegetables to ensure you’re maintaining some balance to your diet while you’re away. It can be tempting to make use of every single drive thru you see on your trip, but it’s best to find a balance even if you’re on holiday.

4) A Great Itinerary

Get creative with your itinerary, go somewhere you’ve never been before. Ask friends for suggestions of new places nearby your destination they think you might love. Search on TripAdvisor for popular activities, sites, cafes and restaurant. You’ll be surprised by how much there is to do. Create an itinerary that’s super exciting and allows you to make the most of your road trip.

We’re currently heading towards the end of summer, so please make the most of all these glorious road trip days before they’re long gone.

Traveling can be hard work, you need to be mindful of what you take with you, trying to find a balance between packing as light as possible but still having everything you need. Here are my suggestion of essential products to travel with that will ensure you travel comfortably.

1) A Good Skincare Regime

Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you can neglect your skin. Actually when you’re traveling you should put in a little more effort as you’ll be in the sun more, and probably more exposed to the elements such as salt water, wind and pollution. Whether you have sensitive skin or normal skin it’s important that you find a skin care regime that is tailored for your skin.

2) Packing Cubes

I can’t get over how useful these are. I can fit so much more stuff in a confined space with my packing cubes. It also helps me to organise my clothing better than ever. The great thing about packing cubes is that they’re pretty inexpensive and totally reusable, so once you have a set you’re good to go. I tend to take three packing cubes with me, one of each size: large, medium and small. If you haven’t tried them already, get onto it.

3) An Ebook Reader

There’s absolutely no way I could carry 60+ books in my backpack, but that’s what I do every single time I travel thanks to my ebook reader. It’s perfect for long flights, long waits, when I’m stuck waiting for a bus that was supposed to show up three hours ago and so on. It really helps pass the time quickly.

4) A Smartphone

Yes, yes, I know. Not everyone has a smartphone and not everyone wants one. Fair enough. But I find mine so useful for its maps, keeping in touch with friends and family at home and of course the camera. I have a better quality camera but wind up using my phone camera so much because it’s always on hand. I think for the price of a smartphone, it’s so many useful tools in one.

What products do you love to travel with?

You stare out at the doldrums of your daily life – the nine to five, the evenings watching game shows, the same meals every day – and think, “My word, I’m bored.”

Indeed, it’s a feeling we all have from time to time. That need to drag yourself out from the rut of sheer boredom.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to just throw a dart into a map, pick a destination and jet off to some sun kissed paradise?

Well, that’s exactly what we’ve done. Using Heathrow Airport as our base of operations, we’ve picked some flights at random, dropped our car off at the Heathrow meet and greet, and had a ball in a foreign wonderland – all to report back to you.

What did we find?

Malaga

People visit Malaga for the sun, but many more stick around for the stunning architecture and wealth of things to do.

The capital of Andalusia, this is a buzzing haven of sun, the type of place where you can sit anywhere and watch the world pass you by.

For a start, give the Picasso Museum a visit. The home of cubism, this museum will make you fall in love with those angular shapes and curious colours.

Once you’ve filled your mind with culture, why not fill your stomach with some sweet red wine? A speciality in the region, your best place for a gulp of grape is La Casa del Guardia, the oldest tavern in Malaga – and arguably the best.

Alicante

Another sunny bastion in Spain, the historic port of Alicante is perfect for those searching for fresh sea air and more yachting adventures than you can shake sangria at.

Those on the hunt for seaside adventures would do well to visit the Port of Alicante. Filled with historic architecture, simmering heat and the gentle thrashing of the waves against lilting yachts, the port is exactly what you need to chillax.

But if you fancy an air conditioned space that’ll get your brain cells working, head to the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art. Filled with a dazzling array of works, you won’t regret your visit.

New York

New Yoik, as the locals call it, is the city where something is always happening. Whether it’s the sell-out shows on Broadway, fine pizzerias on every street corner or a hip art scene that’s thrived in popular imagination, you won’t run out of cultural behemoths to peruse.

When you first hit the Big Apple, take a trip around the classics – the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Plaza. They’re tourist hotspots for a reason.

Moreover, if you are looking to jet off to your destination perched on the lap of luxury, consider a private flight to NYC to ensure your travels start off on the right foot. Keep in mind that comfort and luxury is never a bad combination.

And if you’re feeling peckish, why not head to the finest restaurant in the city? Narcissa offers a vast menu, friendly staff and delicious foods. So, grab a bite and enjoy yourself.

It could be argued that – over the years – Las Vegas’ image has been both a blessing and a curse to the city. The Nevada settlement has grown and grown and grown, with its fame and status doing exactly the same, but for many years it was coming up against something of a glass ceiling. That glass ceiling is now being shattered by – ironically – some big glass buildings, among other things. Today Vegas is not just about dice rolling across tables, but about currency cards being swiped in some of the world’s most upmarket stores and restaurants.

Las Vegas’ traditional image – that of neon and kitsch, Elvis and the Rat Pack, buffets and roulette tables – was never a problem for the millions of people that visited each year in the late 20^th Century. And indeed those are the associations that continue to attract a vast percentage of the city’s tourists today. But the city has had a few hurdles to come in order to make sure visitor numbers grow, and it would appear that the powers that be keep getting this right.

First of all Las Vegas needed to become more family friendly. That box was pretty much ticked some years ago when the present-day “Strip” came to life. Once a town where the neon signs were the cheery facades purely for drinking and games, there are now themed hotels like Treasure Island and Excalibur that will excite kids both big and small. There’s family entertainment and toy stores, and the hotel pools are populated with inflatable cartoon characters and water guns.

For a city where more than anywhere else, money is its lifeblood, the next big challenge for Las Vegas however was bringing in that money. Vegas simply wasn’t tapping into a lucrative market of people who seek style and sophistication. For people who can holiday in Paris or Venice in a whim, hotels replicating them were not enough to attract them to Nevada.

Once again though Las Vegas has adapted and – alongside all the other features that make it popular with people from all walks of life – is delivering a more classy experience for its visitors. Central to this is the CityCenter development on the Strip.

CityCenter comprises a cluster of hotels, game sites and condominium towers – all striking, glass and metal structures; more Manhattan or Dubai than Treasure Island. There are upmarket stores and restaurants, and one of the largest public art collections – valued at over $40 million – in the USA. Part of that collection is housed in the sumptuous Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Meanwhile the multi currency card is a common sight further along the Strip at the Fashion Show mall. Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. are among the highbrow names with premises in the centre.

A million leagues from the gentile activities and amenities traditionally associated with cruise holidays, the world’s first smartship – Quantum of the Seas – offers technologically-advanced excitement for sea-faring guests.

Rather than simply allowing you to enjoy all your beloved home comforts at sea, the Royal Caribbean ship seems determined to offer a high-tech experience straight out of a science fiction film.

Cruise ships have changed a lot in recent years – in this post we’re going to explore what we can expect from these revamped entertainment behemoths…

Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean

Improved Internet

Over the past 15 years, cruise lines have been trying to address the issue of offering high speed, inexpensive internet connectivity – even when hundreds of miles from land. As we’ve all become more dependent upon online services, super quick internet has become the cruise industry’s white whale – with all the major lines striving to improve their services.

Quantum of the Seas benefits from the fastest internet on a cruise ship, able to offer speeds comparable with the strongest on-land connections. Provided by O3b Networks, the connection is capable of supporting video chats, movie downloads and TV streams. Compared with other cruise lines which offer internet services which often struggle to download web-based images – the Quantum is miles ahead.

This feature certainly helps the Quantum appeal to perhaps the most difficult of all demographics, teenagers, who will invariably rather chat on Facebook than enjoy their holiday.

Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean

Technologically-Advanced Crew

As well as the robotic bartenders, the organic crew members aboard the Quantum of the Seas have received technological upgrades. Every crew member has received a Windows tablet device which allows them to access important passenger and ship information at the touch of a button. With a capacity of more than 4,000 guests, the crew can instantly check for any dietary or health requirements of any guest – allowing for a more personalised service.

A spokesperson for cruise travel agent, Cruise1st, explained: “As the demand for cruise holidays continues to grow, cruise lines are building bigger and bigger ships. Passionate cruise fans who have enjoyed cruise holidays for decades have voiced concerns this could compromise the personal service – however with improving technologies, the crew are able to offer the personal touch to a greater number of guests.”

Unique Activities

The Quantum of the Seas is the first cruise ship to play host to a skydiving simulator, the RipCord by iFly, positioned on the vessel’s top deck directly next to the surfing and body-boarding simulator.

Also located on the top deck is the NorthStar Observation Pod – a small glass pod which lifts passengers 300ft above sea level, offering incomparable views across the oceans and approaching landscapes.

The number of Royal Caribbean smartships will triple by next year as the Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas join the fleet in April 2015 and Summer 2016 respectively. This demonstrates a firm belief on the company’s behalf that cruise holidaymakers want a more futuristic and technologically-advanced experience.

From charming villages and culturally rich cities to beautiful beaches and captivating coastlines, Portugal boats a great deal of attractive qualities. But in addition to these alluring characteristics, the country also has a low-key and laid-back attitude, which makes it perfect for those wanting a relaxing break from the daily routine.

What’s more, every inch of Portugal’s stunning landscape has something special in store. So, regardless of where tourists and travellers decide to go, they’ll be greeted by a variety of beguiling sights and sounds.

Saga Travel makes holidays in Portugal happen throughout the year. If you’re thinking of visiting but aren’t sure what to do or where to go, these three locations and justifications should help you make the right decision.

Lisbon – For the history and culture

Despite benefitting from a gorgeous waterfront location and favourable yearlong climate, it could be argued that Lisbon’s finest assets are an intriguing history and various cultural attractions. After all, this is Europe’s second oldest capital and has witnessed countless changes over the years.

Be sure to visit Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of St George), which was the royal residence until the late 15th century, the impressive medieval Manueline architecture of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronymite Monastery), and perhaps Lisbon’s most famous sight – Torre de Belém (Belém Tower).

Porto – For the food and drink

Like Lisbon, Porto is packed full of historic and artistic delights including the UNESCO-listed old city centre. However, this destination’s crowning glory has got to be its food and drink, especially the wine.

Despite the fact Portugal’s cuisine might not be as famous as neighbouring Spain, the fresh seafood diet featuring plenty of spice simply has to be sampled. However, this should always be accompanied by a glass of Porto’s finest wine. And as you might have guessed, this is where port comes from, so be sure to indulge in a tasting or two.

Madeira – For the landscape and scenery

Seeing as Madeira has earned the nickname “Pearl of the Atlantic,” you know that this island around 622 miles from mainland Portugal will be quite unique. With dramatic yet diverse landscapes in addition to a wide range of stunning flora and fauna, Madeira’s scenery has to be seen to be believed.

Island activities include a hike along ancient irrigation channels known as the Levadas, admiring the village of Santana’s architecture, climbing its highest peak of Pico Ruivo (1,862m/6,109ft) and enjoying a round of golf.

As you can see, Portugal provides a wide variety of holidaymakers with an equal amount of attractions and activities to enjoy and experience. Whether you choose to explore cultural cities such as Lisbon and Porto or decide to discover an awe-inspiring island like Madeira, this country is the place to do so.