Ski Holidays in Slovenia

Skiing is a great sport for all ages. If you are new to the slopes, you may be looking for recommendations for good ski resorts you'll enjoy. This guide will help you choose the best Slovenian ski holidays and resorts for people new to the sport. If you're budget-conscious, you may want to take a look at the Slovenian ski resorts too... they are very affordable.

While skiing has never been a cheap sport, by the time you have bought your clothing, booked your vacation and rented the equipment you require, added all those extras like insurance, skiing lessons and a lift pass, you may feel you need to take out a loan. You may be asking yourself if it is really worth it.

Hold tight to your ski poles... even with a low budget you can enjoy nice ski holidays if you're willing to do a bit of shopping around for bargains, make an effort to eat frugally while you're there, and can make your own travel reservations when needed.

Andorra has always been the most inexpensive place to ski in Europe... but not anymore. Since it joined the European Union, prices have soared. At the same time, this duty-free principality has spent over £112 million over the past few years to build new lifts and make itself a four- or five-star vacation destination. Someone has to pay this bill... and it is the tourists.

If you're a skier looking for a less expensive ski option this season, check out Slovenia. It is one of the top destinations in eastern Europe. One could say, that Slovenia has got a corner on the budget holiday market. The ski resorts are establishing themselves as major destinations in the budget ski vacation market with their excellent skiing, modern amenities and beautiful scenery. These resorts are in particular suitable for beginning skiers, and they charge very reasonable prices.

Whether you're traveling with family or by yourself, this is a place you won't want to miss. Slovenia offers terrific slopes for beginners and those looking for something different than they normally ski. It has something for everyone! The ski resorts are few, but fantastic. Some ski slopes face beautiful pristine lakes, others offer incredible mountain scenery. Courses are varied enough to be safe for beginners, yet challenging enough for intermediate skiers. You'll find Slovenia's resorts to be quiet and relaxing as well, unlike some of the other more well-known resorts around Europe.

Slovenia's most famous resorts are Kranjska Gora and Maribor Pohorje, the site of several international races. Since these slopes are not as high in altitude as some of the neighboring resorts in the Alps, if you want to be assured of adequate cover you may want to wait to see before booking your reservations. While this may seem a bit of a hassle, remember, this makes the slopes easier to reach. The lower center of Kranjska Gora is around 800 meters (approximately 2624 feet).

Slovenia's highest ski resort is Mount Kanin... touching the sky at 2,000 meters (approximately 6561 feet). It is covered in snow until the spring. The Kanin Ski Center is close to both Austria and Italy, so tourists vacationing here can pick up a seven-day pass that allows them to ski for free for two days at the Austrian ski resort of Arnoldstein and the Italian resorts of Sella Nevea and Tarvisio.

One of the most modern ski resorts in Slovenia is the Cerkno Ski Center - my favorite slovenian ski spot. Situated at 1,300 meters (approximately 4265 feet), it has modern snowmaking equipment and the only covered chairlifts in Slovenia. It is also the best equipped slovenian ski resort for families. The Cerkno Ski Center guarantees snow for 70 days every season. It is close to the towns of Gorenjska and Primorska.

Bohinj has a private lake with ski slopes above it. The resort of Vogel, which can only be reached by cable-car, is the biggest and most sophisticated in Slovenia.

That was my Top 5 slovenia ski holidays recommendation for you. Are you looking for excellent downhill skiing? Then let me mention also Krvavec, a slovenian ski resort near Ljubljana, which occupies a meadow on the Kalska range.

Vacation Rental Trip to Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers pleasures for each one's taste. Thinking of an active holiday? Bulgaria has it - swimming, skiing, riding, climbing, hunting, fishing... Thinking of relaxing - amazing nature, sunny beaches, healing spas, monasteries and churches, hospitable towns and villages... Ancient culture, endless beaches and an emerald sea, high mountains with marvellous gorges and caves, clear lakes and rivers full of fish, wide valleys, healing springs, ancient culture, hospitable people, tempting cuisine and wines, diverse flora and fauna...
Rent holiday home or vacation rental in Bulgaria (http://bulgaria-vacation-rentals.com) and enjoy your stay!
All accommodation places in Bulgaria have been categorised according to the 5-star international system. Privatisation has had a favourable impact and today the country is proud of hotels and restaurants that meet the modern world standard.
When you are ready for that once in a lifetime experience of an Bulgarian vacation, consider a private home rental for your source of lodging. Hotels can be nice, but staying in a private home rented for the occasion can give you a chance to see the real Bulgaria. Explore the countryside, walk into the village and visit with the residents, and see what it feels like to actually go home, to a cabin or villa at the end of the day, living as the Bulgarians do. Or, try a beach house if that suits you or an apartment if you prefer a more urban setting. Getting to know the local people by living among them for an extended stay of a few weeks will give you a chance to learn some of the language, or if you already speak Bulgarian to brush up on your skills. It will also give you a chance to learn local history in a very unique way, from the people themselves. You will appreciate all of the similarities of Bulgarian culture with your own, and learn to appreciate the differences as well. The Bulgarians are a wonderful, friendly people with a rich culture and history. Taking the time to live among them, getting to know them as friends and neighbors, is truly an experience you will always remember.
Private homes for rent to vacationers in Bulgaria can be found in various price ranges. If you are looking for luxury, there are villas available. If something more rustic suits your taste and budget, then smaller homes and even old farmhouses are available to appeal to all tastes. Just as an example, one property includes two bedrooms, queen size beds, kitchen, laundry area, bathroom, central eat and the satellite television, telephone and VCR that most tourists are used to having. Imagine though the coziness and comfort of coming back to the house after a day of sight seeing to sit by the fire place, drinking a glass of a local wine, having a light dinner of pasta, and enjoying the peace and quiet of your surroundings. Staying in a hotel in a major city will certainly show you the tourist hot spots, but staying in a private home will show you the real Bulgaria.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in Bulgaria like: 
- Nessebar - beautiful small town on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast a few hours south of Varna. Another one of Bulgaria's many UNESCO world heritage sites. 
- Sozopol - together with Nessebar these are the two sea towns with traditional houses and ancient dig sites. 
- Bansko - a beautiful old village in the Pirin mountains with refurbished homes, stone wall, and cobblestone streets, but increasingly overtaken by resort hotels. Good place for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The birthplace of the Bulgarian revival movement. If you want a true mountain village experience, there are a few other villages nearby from which to choose. In the beginning of august an annual Jazz festival is being held in the town. Skiiers and Snowboarders could find BanskoSki useful.


No visa is required for entry for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
However, foreigners have to register at the police after 72 hours. If you have booked with a travel agency, this will be taken care of. If not - usually, your hotel will handle the necessary paperwork (ask). If you do not stay in a hotel, you will need to go to the police and take the tedious task of registering on your own. Especially for UK and US citizens, Bulgaria is really cracking down on this. Failure to register might mean a 2000 Leva fine (about $1200 US). Also take care that you have an entry stamp in your passport, otherwise your exit could be quite troublesome.
Bulgaria offers tourist attractions all around the year. Most popular are summer seaside resorts, along the entire Black Sea coastline. In winter numerous ski resorts are there to attract tourists. There are many spa, treking and historical destinations that offer incredibly rich variety of experiences.
There are hundreds, maybe thausends of mineral water springs around the country, so this is something you'd better taste and drink. Ayrian and boza are two traditional Balkan non-alcoholic beverages.




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Visiting Istanbul

If you're travelling to Europe, train holidays are a wonderful option for stylish and luxurious travel - but their secret advantage is that they often arrive straight into the heart of some of the most intriguing cities in Europe. One of these is Istanbul, a feature on many holiday wish-lists, and the largest city in Turkey. For travellers interested in discovering the culture and delights of the 5th largest city in the world (by population), and who only have a day or two to explore the city before boarding the train to their next destination, there are a few must-see places in Istanbul which should not be missed.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum

If your interest in Europe is not just limited to the beautiful countryside rolling by, then there's no better way to unearth a little of Turkey's history for yourself than by a visit to the Istanbul Archaeology museum. Established in 1881, it's one of the largest museums of its kind in the world, and contains more than 1,000,000 archaeological pieces from a diverse range of areas - the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa, and even Central Asia. It's a fantastic place to lose yourself in and become immersed in some of the fascinating history of Europe - train holidays can be even more enjoyable with the knowledge of the land's past along the way.

The Grand Bazaar

One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar consists of more than 58 covered street stalls and 4,000 shops. Opened in 1461, it quickly became well-known in Istanbul for its jewellery, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. For all kinds of people travelling through Europe, train holidays or not, it's an amazing place to visit and begin appreciating the Turkish culture - as well as being a wonderful location to find a bargain and a souvenir or two before continuing your journey.

Turkish Baths

For the truly discerning traveller, nothing can surpass the experience of a genuine Turkish bath - the Turkish variant of a steam bath or sauna. For rail travellers in Europe, train holidays do feature all the comforts of home, but there's something to be said for truly immersing yourself in another culture.

In the Turkish bath the treat will begin by relaxing in a warm room, heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air. Bathers then move to an even hotter room before splashing themselves with cold water. After a full body wash and a massage, bathers finally retire to a cooling-room to relax and refresh themselves for the next stop on their journey.

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Enjoy Your Spanish Vacation

If you're going on a vacation and you want to stay in Spain, then what better place to stay than Spain holiday villas? Not only do they provide you with a beautiful location to take your vacation in, but they also provide you with the best prices so you will have more money to spend on souvenirs and gifts for everyone back home than on renting the villa to stay in. This is something that will save you money, and still give you a beautiful vacation at the same time. Find out a little more about the Spain holiday villas that they have available.

These villas are one of a kind, and perfectly decorated to give you only the best while on vacation. Choose from a number of villa styles and sizes to fit your vacation needs. This includes larger villas for the family, or perhaps a small quiet villa for the couple.

If you prefer to be closer to the beach than choosing a beach front villa might be the option for you. Look out the window at the peaceful ocean front with white sands and breathtaking beach views. Who wouldn't want this type of setting to spend their vacation time in?

Of course, if you would rather not spend your days admiring the beach from one of these Spain holiday villas then you can also rent one further from the beach. This could provide you with beautiful woods and landscapes and all of the seclusion you might need to have a wonderful time with the one you're with.

This is perfect if you're a couple wanting a few days of rest and relaxation away from the normal duties of home. There is no way you want to miss out on one of these beautiful Spain holiday villas that just might fit what you're looking for in a vacation.

As for activities nearby, you will have plenty to do. There are many places to shop in the towns to bring everyone back a present from your trip. You also have excursions that might be of interest either on land or in the water depending on what you find more exhilarating.

An adventure and dream vacation awaits. All you need to do is find the perfect place to sleep when the time comes. This is where Spain holiday villas can come in, and you can feel right at home in one of them. Bring the one or ones you love on vacation, and enjoy all that Spain has to offer you.

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A Cheap Holiday in Portugal

If you are looking for go someone cheaper, yet far more sophisticated than the majority of the Algarve, then Faro, the capital of the region is your number one bet. There are some real gems in Faro for you to have a cheap holiday in Portugal.

Where do most people go in Portugal when they visit the Algarve?

Generally, tourists from the UK will visit one of the following destinations: Albufeira, Portimao or Quateria. But why? These places are ridden with British owned restaurants and high rise buildings. If you really want to see Portugal for Portugal, then do not visit these places, instead, visit Faro.

Why is Faro cheaper to visit than the places named above? Because there are less tourists. Ultimately, the more tourists there are in one place, the higher the locals will charge. Now you may think that having a slightly cheaper hotel means you will be getting a bargain holiday in Europe. NO! This is one of the biggest mistakes ever: This is like paying for a £10 a night B&B but then eating in the Ritz.

Going on a cheap holiday in Portugal is not about finding a budget hotel and low cost flights. It is getting the whole package cheaply. This includes you spending budget.

So when it comes to finding a cheap holiday in Portugal, simple go off the beaten track and visit the more Portuguese places. Places such as Faro, Olhao and Tavira are great little towns that are full of pure Portugal. Get hunting for that cheap holiday in Portugal.

Just remember that you need to find a location in Portugal where few tourists go. "The lower the number of tourists, the cheaper your holiday will be"

Holiday destinations in France

The beautiful region of Alsace Lorraine in France offers many exciting finds. Here we offer a guide to this part of France including its climate and gastronomical delights

Alsace–Lorraine has 7 departments consisting of; Haut Rhin, Bas Rhin, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges, and covers the North East of region of France

Weather: The climate is very similar to the south of England, with cool winters and warm summers, but rarely extremes of temperature. The rainfall is quite high, with highest rainfall being in May and June.

The Region: Alsace-Lorraine has managed to maintain a strong identity, despite its extremely chequered history. The area, and various parts of it, have been alternately German or French many times over the centuries. Lorraine has a French language tradition, whereas Alsace has more German-speaking citizens, but the whole region has been part of France since 1945.

Nancy is the old capital of Lorraine, and Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace. Strasbourg is the home of lots of industry, but is still a charming city, with timber-framed houses leaning together and over the streets. The old buildings in this whole region are reminiscent of gingerbread houses!

The landscape of this beautiful area encompasses green fields and stacks of vineyards, which usually offer wine tastings. Other visits range from the sombre, thought-provoking and disturbing concentration camps of the 2nd World War, to the fascinating Kronenburg factory in Strasbourg - we will all know that it has been there since 1664!

Gastronomy: The food and drink of Alsace-Lorraine has a lot in common with that of its German neighbour. Alsatian wine is not to be missed! The whites tend to be exceedingly floral and fruity, which make them very satisfying to drink on their own, but with enough punch to go with most foods. Food-wise, Alsace-Lorraine is the home of sauerkraut, or ‘chou-croute’ in French. The French love this dish, which is more than simply pickled cabbage. It usually comes cooked with a whole selection of other goodies, and it is very worthwhile to try. Other local food to look out for includes the famous quiche Lorraine, foie gras, sausages, beer and the amazing pastries to be found in the bulging windows of incredible patisseries.

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Traveling With Pets From the US to Western Europe

Traveling with pets from the US to Europe is easy to do once you are able to understand the ins and outs of the system, and once you know what to expect. First, there are a few questions you need to be able to answer about your trip in order to ensure smooth sailing for you and your pet (and in order to even make your reservations).

Make sure you plan your trip well, and know exactly which cities you will be stopping over in, visiting, and for how long you will be staying. You will also need to check any restrictions your airline(s) may have, and provide crate dimensions. You may even be able to take your pet into the cabin, depending on its size.

It is also necessary to get information about traveling to the European Union with your pet from individual country embassy websites. This way, you will have all of the information you need about every specific country you will visit, and there is no risk of misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the information provided.

Just like any human being, pets will also need a passport in order to travel to Europe. These are found on embassy websites, and these passports are a certification from your vet that your pet is up-to-date on vaccines and healthy. Also, your pet will need a microchip when going to the EU.

Financially, there are several costs to consider when traveling to Europe with your pet from the US. A ticket for a pet is usually around $200 from the United States, and a visit to the vet can vary in price. Expect to pay another $50 when sending health documents and passports to be stamped. And finally, crate prices can range from anywhere between $50 to $400. These costs cover the basic necessities, but toys and treats should also be considered into your final tabulations.

Customs officials may not check your paperwork every time, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Covering all of the basics, and more, before you set off on your travels with your pet will ensure a successful trip to Europe. Paperwork may seem like a hassle now, but it will make for a positive traveling experience later. Good planning and being well-prepared will reduce the risk of potentially very stressful situations for both you and your pets.

Learning how to travel with pets to anywhere in the world can be easy. There are cities worldwide known for being pet-friendly, and books to learn more about accommodating your pets. You can keep your animal companions happy while on the road or while they are waiting for your return from traveling.

Traveling with pets, or finding accommodations for them when they cannot travel with you, does not have to be a difficult process. The right resources and information can provide for a smooth transition for both you and your pets. Remember, good planning and preparation will benefit you in the long run.

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