07 Jun
Three Wineries in the Algarve Every Wine Connoisseur Should Head to
Portuguese wine is amongst the most famous in the world with Portugal being the world’s seventh largest wine producer.
03 Jun
Three Unmissable Sites of Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela
Steeped in historic and religious importance, Santiago de Compostela in the heart of Galicia is a truly beguiling town to visit all year round. This iconic town is most famous for being the destination of the pilgrimage route that’s been going for over a century along the Camino de Santiago.
11 Sep
Tips for keeping children safe in a swimming pool
A swimming pool can be the centre of many people’s holiday plans. Spending a leisurely week by the pool is all many of us want, however, it’s important to remember the dangers of water, especially if you plan to take children away with you.
27 Feb
Five reasons why Easter is a great time to head abroad
Easter is approaching and many of us are making plans for the spring break. With the weather getting warmer, the nights lighter and the buds of spring blossoming, this time of year can be a great time to head abroad. Vintage Travel explores five reasons why Easter-time and a holiday overseas go hand in hand.
Experience Easter in different cultures
Like Christmas, Easter celebrations are unique to different nations and cultures. Travelling abroad during this time will enable you to experience another country’s unique festivities and traditions.
For example, in Spain, Easter is known as ‘Semana Santa’ – ‘Saint’s Week’ – during which the cities, towns and villages host their own reactions of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – a truly different Easter experience.
Mild weather without being overly hot
True, we can’t guarantee the weather will be great, but by late March and April, many European countries are warming up to an agreeable temperature. The climate at this time of year is certainly cooler than the intensity of the summer, which for many, is welcomed when travelling abroad.
Enjoy less crowds
Whilst Easter is a popular time to travel, as the weather isn’t guaranteed, many holiday destinations are considerably quieter compared to the height of the summer. Consequently, beaches are emptier, it’s easier to get a seat in a restaurant and attractions are less crowded.
Enjoy the beautiful springtime vistas
From the poppy-doused meadows of Andalucía to the lands of the Cote d’Azur carpeted in lavender, the natural world has woken from its winter slumber at Easter and is starting to blossom, flourish and thrive. Consequently, the picturesque landscapes much of Europe is blessed with, are especially beautiful at this time of year. Just remember to take your camera with you!
Recharge your batteries
Having got through the long slog of winter, heading abroad at this time of year, is perfect for recharging our batteries and keeping us going until our summer holiday!
19 Oct
Why the October half term is the perfect time to take the children on holiday
October half term (before dull November sets in) is a great time to get a last minute dose of sun, peace, or entertainment! Flights and accommodation are likely to be cheaper, yet many destinations still have warmth, good swimming and plenty to do. If you want to sunbathe in reliable sunshine, explore, take the kids on an adventure, or soak up some culture on a budget, October half term makes economic sense. Let’s look at some possibilities in the Canary Islands, Crete, Portugal, Spain and Croatia…
04 Mar
Tips for travellers: How to avoid jet lag
Being jet lagged when we arrive at a new location can seriously hamper how we kick-start our holiday. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to help stave off dreaded jet lag and arrive at our holiday destination ready to explore and enjoy our new surroundings to the max.
20 Jan
Top Ten Travel Gadgets
Once upon a time in the not too distant past, we packed our suitcase and wondered whether we’d have access to a phone whilst on holiday. How times have changed; as today we have the ability to stay in touch with the rest of the world even when halfway up the Amazon. If you’re a traveller who likes to stay connected with life back home when you’re on your travels, take a look at the following top ten travel gadgets for the technological discerning traveller.
16 May
Five car hire tips when abroad
From finding the relevant desk at the airport and enduring the lengthy queues, to ensuring you have the correct paperwork in order, hiring a car abroad can be stressful.
Knowing what to expect and preparing for car hire can make the experience considerably less taxing.
13 Oct
Mojacar and its white-washed pueblo: Andalucia’s stunning coastal secret
It is fairly safe to say, there aren’t many destinations in southern Spain that comprise of stunning stretches of sun-drenched sand, atmospheric cafes and bars, top class restaurants and a white-washed old-town clung majestically to a hillside, that aren’t teeming with tourists.
If you did make this proclamation, you’d be almost right, but not quite.
The town of Mojacar, on the Costa de Almeria in the south-eastern corner of Andalucia, would prove your assumption wrong.
When driving along Costa de Almeria, past the bustling port towns of Villaricus and Garrucha, an incredible sight soon dominates the vista – a whitewashed pueblo clung almost precariously to a hillside, looking serenely out towards the Mediterranean.
Welcome to Mojacar!
Mojacar comprises of two infinitely contrasting existences – the ‘Playa’, which consists of a string of pretty, sandy, well-facilitated beaches, and the Pueblo, an old town with cobbled twisting streets housing quirky bars, restaurants and boutiques round every corner.
One of the greatest things about Mojacar is that you get the ‘two in one’ ideal. The ‘Playa’ beckons for a memorable beach holiday, where swimming, sunbathing, banana boats and ice-cream are available and waiting.
Once you’ve had enough of the sand, sangria and squeals of delight from those riding the banana boats, the tranquil, timeless and bohemian world of Mojacar Pueblo awaits you.
Simply drive, catch the bus or walk a kilometre or so up a steep road from Mojacar Playa and you’ll find yourself in an entirely different world altogether. This fascinating, white-washed town provides a taste of timeless Spain. A network of cobbled alleyways ascend and descend around the village.
‘Alternative’ boutiques selling quirky clothes, jewellery, pottery and gifts puts shoppers in paradise. As does lovers’ of authentic Spanish cuisine, with tapas and Sangria being served in abundance in the pueblo’s characterful bars and restaurants.
What’s more, being relatively inconspicuous from the predominant tourist trail, both Mojacar Playa and the Pueblo never get bombarded with an overcrowded stream of visitors.
If you want to discover the best of both of Spain’s irrefutably different worlds, designate a day on your Andalucian holiday to visit Mojacar.
11 Oct
Ca’n Trillo: The perfect accommodation in the Pollenca vicinity of Mallorca
Traditional yet modern would be an apt overall description of Ca’n Trillo. Located not far from the traditional town of Pollenca on the eastern end of Serra de Tramuntana, this beautiful villa sleeps up to six guests in comfort and luxury.
The exterior and interior building design has been used to make houses like this one for a hundred years. The American style fridge in the kitchen is however a relatively recent addition along with all the other modern day necessities that contemporary society demands.
Wooden beamed ceilings and ceramic floor tiles with white-washed walls give a genuine Spanish feel to Ca’n Trillo. The colourful and stylish furniture, artwork and furnishings place a modern stamp on a bygone age of house design. Cool, light and roomy, houses such as Ca’n Trillo were built to a practical standard in order to deal with many hundreds of hours of sunshine beating down relentlessly onto the rooftops of the houses of Mallorca.
The house has three bedrooms plus three bathrooms. The traditional bedroom layout with iron beds and wooden cabinets contrasts with the modern requirements of satellite TV and air-conditioning. All the bedrooms are en-suite and comprise of two twins and a double. Doors lead out into the garden from the bedrooms.
The kitchen, dining room and lounge fuse together in one huge light and roomy open plan room. Cooks can enjoy getting to grips with the local cuisine in Ca’n Trillo’s well-equipped kitchen.
Ca’n Trillo’s exterior is equally as alluring. A sparkling swimming pool surrounded by a large lawn area means guests can bathe and dry off spread out under the sun. As well as the inviting pool there is a hot tub for guests to relax in. Whether it’s being immersed in the hot tub or bathing in the pool, with pretty pencil thin cypress trees planted round the perimeter you can enjoy total privacy at Ca’n Trillo. .
The built in barbecue is further enticement to lure guests at Ca’n Trillo into outdoors. It is easy to imagine a vibrant and joyful party taking place in this beautiful outside area of the house.
Less than a ten minute drive from Ca’n Trillo and all its fabulous amenities puts you at the horse shoe-shaped bay of Pollenca. This characterful town is framed by two mountains, each with their own sacred site on top. Pollenca and all its charms looks incredible against the backdrop of the Tramuntana Mountains.
With wonderful scenery, great restaurants and glorious beaches, your time spent holidaying in this refreshingly unspoilt region of Mallorca will be torn between staying at Ca’n Trillo or exploring the town of Pollenca.
For more information about Ca’n Trillo visit: https://www.vintagetravel.co.uk/villa_details.cfm?p_id=1269
