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Cycling the Amber trail from Budapest to Krakow, a rewarding route that leads through Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, does not necessarily require you start cycling from Budapest. While Budapest is indeed a worthwhile city to explore, which could also be done on a bicycle, it makes sense to consider establishing your base on the outskirts of Budapest and perhaps visit the center of Budapest on day trips.

There are two possible towns, both very low key, very scenic being located right on the Danube river, that make for a very pleasant base from which to explore the surrounding countryside and sites along the Danube. These two small towns are Vac and Szentendre. Vac is on the left bank and Szentendre on the right bank of the Danube, and both are essentially the gateways to the so called Danube Bend, where the river winds between hills towards Ezstergom, your exit point from Hungary on the way to Slovakia.

Vac was founded in the 11th century, when the town became an episcopate, a period from which date some of its earliest churches, namely the Vac cathedral, though most of its Romanesque architectural features were destroyed during the Mongol conquest. The surrounding general vicinity around Vac has been settled for centuries before that on account of good natural conditions, abundant forests, fertile soil along the mighty river and its usefulness as a navigable trade route.

Vac has a fascinating history. Sacked by the Mongols in 1241, Vac began to prosper again in late Gothic and during Renaissance periods. But then Turks invaded Hungary and for over a century until 1686 Vac had suffered neglect and destruction. Vac reemerged by the second half of the 18th century and some of its finest architecture dates from the late Baroque period and the Neo-Classical era that followed.

During the 19th century period of industrialization, the building of the original railway line in Hungary in 1846 between Vac and Budapest provided significantly to Vac development. Unfortunately as a result of the turmoil by World War I, Word War II and subsequent annexation of Hungary into the Soviet block, Vac had to endure major setbacks and suffering. Since the fall of communism and return of Hungary to democracy in 1989 Vac has came forth as one of the region’s most desirable locations where to live and its return to newly found prosperity shows in its refurbished monuments and pleasant ambiance of street life.

York can certainly be a captivating choice when searching for weekend breaks in England and while you may want to visit famous attractions such as York Minster and the JORVIK Viking Centre, there are also several less well-known gems in the city that should not be missed.

One place that is certainly worth a visit is the Quilt Museum and Gallery. The first museum in the country to be dedicated to quilt-making and textile arts, the cultural institution holds a fascinating collection of items from the 18th century right through to the present day.

Various items of clothing – such as bonnets, dressing gowns and skirts – can be viewed at the museum, as can banners and quilts. It is also home to a silk coverlet made in 1718, the earliest known dated piece of British patchwork.

A mixture of both temporary exhibitions and permanent collections can be found here, with various shows by contemporary craft-makers taking place throughout the year.

The museum, which is located in St Anthony’s Hall, is open all year round from Monday to Saturday, so there should be plenty of opportunity to visit it while on a holiday to York.
Stopping by the Museum of the Royal Dragoon Guards can also make for a fascinating afternoon out.

Located on Tower Street opposite Clifford’s Tower, the museum gives visitors an insight into the history of the Yorkshire-based armed regiment from its inception in 1685 right through to the modern day.

There is also a multimedia area where you can watch a number of short films looking at the regiment’s history, as well as its present work. A wide range of military uniforms are on display, including 17th century jackets, ceremonial cloaks and modern helmets, as are paintings from artist Edward Payne, who served with the Dragoons during the second world war.

You can also stop by the gift shop, which sells various books and other items of regimental memorabilia. Admission for adults is £2, while senior citizens and children pay £1 for entry.

York is well-known for its historic architecture; even the cheap hotels in York can be found in some impressive ancient buildings, however you can get a greater sense of the city’s medieval splendour by visiting Barley Hall. Once used by the Nostell Priory monastery and the former home of lord mayor William Snawsell, the oldest parts of the property date back to about 1360.

While it was obscured by an office block in the latter stages of the 20th century, the development has since been restored to replicate what Snawsell’s home would have looked like in 1483.

The exposed timber frames and high ceilings of Barley Hall can give a real insight into what life was like hundreds of years ago, as the development also features what it is thought to be the only horn window – which is made from flattened pieces of animal bone – in England.

Permanent displays of medieval artefacts and costumes can be viewed, while there are also annual changing exhibitions and one-off events taking place. It is open seven days a week all year round, although visiting hours are reduced in the winter months.

Entrance to the hall costs £4.95 for adults and £3 for children. However, your ticket will be treated as an admission donation that will entitle you to free entry to the attraction for 12 months after you visit, so will be able to go on repeat trips to Barley Hall for free!

To see some more of the city’s archaic architecture, visit Fairfax House. Situated in Castlegate, the Georgian townhouse is said to contain one of the finest collections of English 18th century furniture in the world. A range of exhibitions and events – such as music and comedy shows – are held throughout the year, so there is plenty for you to see.
Entrance is £6 for adults and £5 for concessions; however like Barley Hall your ticket includes free admission for a year.

If you’re in need of a breather, stop by one of the two branches of Betty’s tearooms that are located in the city. Here you can tuck into a range of scones, biscuits and other sweet treats, as well as a cup of tea or coffee, before checking out some of York’s other fantastic attractions!

Sardinia is not the first place you’d think of when looking to go on holiday, however if you’re looking for something different from the normal beach holiday in the sun, then look no further than the Mediterranean Island of Sardinia.

You’ll find untouched beautiful landscape and stunning scenery combined with plenty of things to do which make holidays to Sardinia different from any other you’ve been on.

Firstly, rather than booking a hotel, why not stay on an Agriturismo farm or in a log cabin?

An Agriturismo farm is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in true Sardinian culture – you’ll live with a Sardinian family who will put you up in their home, usually on a farm.

You may be asked to help out with some of the daily tasks as part of your stay, however you’ll be away from the city; and if you’re lucky you may get away with just putting your feet up for a few days, as you’re still paying for your accommodation. Most farms offer activities to pass the time, such as cookery classes, wine tasting, tours of the local area or horse riding tuition.

You’ll experience the Sardinian way of life, and be treated to some local cuisine, at a much lower cost than if you stayed in a hotel in Calgiari.

Alternatively, you could hire a log cabin on a campsite. Again, cheaper than a hotel, but located in the middle of the countryside where you can soak up the sun in the summer when temperatures top 30°c. Some log cabins have their own swimming pool for you to cool down in, or there may be communal pools in the camping village.

Things to do

Unless you’re planning on doing literally nothing for the duration of your stay, you’ll want something to do, so read on and discover what Sardinia has to offer.

Visit Calgiari

See the Nuraghe of Sardinia – the village of Barumini is home to a megalithic monument (called Nuraghe) built over 3000 years ago that is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are over 8000 nuraghes still standing in Sardinia, some of which have been excavated and been made open to the public. Dotted all around the island; you shouldn’t have to look too far to spot one of these historic structures.

Check out Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park – situated off the coast of Sardinia, there are many small islands in La Maddalena National Park which can be explored by boat tours starting from the small nearby town of Palau. You may even catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming in the area so remember to take a camera.

Visit Costa Smeralda – a luxury tourist destination featuring amazing beaches, Costa Smeralda is a hangout for the rich, with many yachts and boats on display in the harbor in Porto Cervo. There’s plenty to do along the coast, mainly water sports such as sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving.

Head to Alghero – one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, Alghero is an historic town with many bars and restaurants, and immaculate white beaches. If you like outdoor activities, Alghero should be on your list of places to visit, with caving, climbing/hiking and mountain biking trails all on offer. The most famous sight in Alghero is Neptune’s Grotto, a cave in the sea, with boat trips available to tour the cave. Neptune’s Grotto is also an ideal location for scuba divers, with many underwater caves also nearby.

The lakes and lagoons of Sardinia – Sardinia has many lagoons and lakes, including Santa Gilla and Cabras lagoons; home to pink flamingos. For a day away from sightseeing, head to Lake Gusana, where you can hire a boat out on the lake, or go kayaking if you don’t mind getting wet.

Sardinia’s events and festivals: throughout the calendar year there are many different festivals on, the majority of which are celebrating the rich history of Sardinia:

April:

San Giorgio festival (St George’s Day) in Bonnanro, Bitti and Onifai is celebrated with a horse led procession through the centre of the town.

Sardinia Day – April 28th: The National Day of Sardinia, commemorating the Island’s release from Piedmont ruling, is celebrated with processions, parades and firework displays.

May:

Sant’ Efisio Festival – Similar to most celebrations in Sardinia; a huge procession is led through the center of Calgiari, carrying an effigy of Sant’Efisio, while locals play a Sardinian wind instrument called a “launeddas”. The reason behind the festival is that in the 17th century, thousands of people died during a plague, and the town prayed to Sant’Efisio to save the people of Calgiari.

Cavalcata Sarda – Usually the third Sunday in May, Cavalcata Sarda is another festival and parade, featuring over 3000 horses, horse races, dancers and musicians.

June

St John the Baptist Day – June 24th: Similar to Cavalcata Sarda, the celebrations feature horses, dancers, poetry competitions, musical performances and a huge fireworks display.

July

S’Ardia horse race – A 2 day festival in honor of the patron saint of Sedilo, St Constantine. The main spectacle is a horse race, where the best rider of Sedilo is chased around the course by 100 other horse riders.

August

The Archer’s Tournament – 24 archers take part in a medieval style competition, followed by a medieval parade.

Fireworks and fried fish – on August 14th in Alghero, at the port on Busquet walkway, a fireworks display is put on for spectators, while there are stalls selling various different fried fish dishes.

September

The Shoeless Men Run – a large battle is re-enacted to depict the fight between locals and the Saracens.

The festival of Sant Miquel – September 26th, celebrating the patron saint of Alghero in true Sardinian style, with parades, musical performances and a fireworks display.

October

Sagra della Castagna – The chestnut fair held in late October. The event includes wine tasting, food stalls and as always, a parade.

November

Mountain Products Agricultural Fair – celebrating the Island’s arts and crafts, the fair shows off paintings, exhibitions and musical performances by locals.

Try some of the local food

You can’t go on holiday and spend your time eating the same boring meals you’d have at home, so why not sample some of the local dishes such as:

• Porcheddu – roasted pig cooked on a wood fire
• Malloreddus – gnocchi served in a meat sauce with either cheese or tomato
• Stufato di capretto – a goat’s cheese casserole served with eggs and artichokes.
• Culurgiones – onion, egg and garlic ravioli, served with potatos.
• Ostrich – the meat is supplied by two local ostrich farms on the Island, and is prepared as a speciality.

Finally

Not everyone on the Island will speak English, especially the further in land you go, so you’d do yourself no harm to learn some Italian phrases. In some towns, people speak Catalan and French, so you may be able to get by using either of these languages.

Just south of Barcelona in the Balearic Sea is the Balearic Islands, with the largest one named Majorca. The recommended times to travel would be during the months of May and October, keeping in mind that July and August are the most crowded. With a total of three hundred and seventy five advertised beaches between the four islands, you are sure to find a few to your liking.

There are times when deciding on a last minute Balearic Island holidays package would be worth your while, especially if those times happen to be in the slow season. While your weather conditions may not be ideal, your prices would be decidedly less expensive. The beaches are open all year around for your enjoyment and while the water conditions may be slightly cooler, you will have it all to yourself.

At least three of the islands stand ready to entertain you with a day full of fun filled water activities at their water parks. Make sure and check for hours of operation as some do not open all year around. Bring the entire family and enjoy rides on multi-slides, descending water Kamikaze like shoots, lazy rivers or wave pools and a pool designated just for parents and kids.

If you are fortunate enough to come across a last minute Balearic Islands holidays package for the peak season, then you are in luck, because not only will the price be right but so will the fun. Hiking is considered as a favorite past time on the islands and with so many venues to choose from like the beaches, state parks and other sights to see, is their any wonder?

As with other islands, water sports are in high demand. Whether your favorite is on top with Jet skiing, kayaking, under tow on a banana boat, or below with snorkeling and or diving, its all here. Join a group tour and head out for some fishing, or learn to sail while enjoying the sparkling Balearic sea. Nothing could be closer to paradise.

The opportunities are endless, with four islands to choose from, like traveling by bus to Formentor. This ride will afford you picturesque views like never before seen to a cove complimented by a beautiful beach. You can make the trek to S’Albufera des Grau (a nature reserve) or Es Freginal Park where you can enjoy everything that mother nature has to offer while relaxing to some jazz.