1. Hipotel Paris Belleville

Fully renovated, Hipotel Paris Belleville hotel is a dream address for budget travelers in Paris, offering really cheap rates for this main tourist destination in Europe. This French hotel is close to Colonel Fabien underground station, allowing direct access to the major sites of interest in Paris.

2. Hotel Santa Prassede

Santa Prassede is a charming 2-star hotel in Rome, situated just a stone’s throw away from the magnificent Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in the heart of Rome’s historic centre, within walking distance of many major Roman attractions and only 600 metres from the Termini train and underground station.

3. Hotel International

Located in quiet small blind alley, a few steps from Place de la République square, the International Hotel enjoys a convenient situation in Paris, close to the attracting Marais district. Moreover, an array of restaurants, cafés and shopping facilities are close at hand. This hotel offers recently refurbished rooms, bar service, Internet Point and a very helpful staff.

4. Hotel Berna

Right in the center of Milan, the luxury 4-star Hotel Berna is situated at just steps from the Milan train station. Shopping lovers will find Hotel Berna conveniently located within easy walking distance of the famous Corso Buenos Aires shopping street. The excellent location of the hotel makes it also easy to reach famous Milan landmarks such as the Duomo.

5. Hotel Ritter

The Hotel Ritter is a 3-star hotel located in the historic and artistic center of Milan, 10 minutes from Piazza Duomo and 100 metres from Moscova metro station. The hotel fulfills the modern needs both for businessmen and tourists alike and the guest rooms offer a comfortable and exclusive stay in Milan.

Aside from the traditional German Christmas markets or Weihnachtsmärkte, there are many other European destinations where you can spend the magical Advent time. Europe reveals its most atmospheric side in this season and strolling through festively decorated streets and booths can be an unique experience: you will find not only lovely and inexpensive gifts, but also a true Christmas spirit that has nearly been lost.

1. Nuremberg Christmas Market

Nuremberg hosts one of Germany’s most famous and oldest Christmas markets which draws well over a million visitors each year. At the Christkindlesmarkt you will smell delicious aromas of spicy gingerbread, Bratwurst, cinnamon and mulled wine. The Christmas Market is located in the city center of Nuremberg and is magically transformed by evening into an enchanted fairytale village.

2. Munich Christmas Market

At Munich’s traditional Christmas market you can discover fine handcrafted items, warm yourself with roasted chestnuts and taste delicious Lebkuchen and Glühwein. Nearby, you can visit the popular Kripperlmarkt, one of the largest markets in Germany specialized in cribs and Nativity accessories.

3. Strasbourg Christmas Market

It is the oldest Christmas market in France and there are seven different locations in Strasbourg where the Marché de Noël is situated. The two largest ones are located in front of the beautiful 15th century Cathedral. But If you are looking for something more intimate, the Alsace region presents some of the most enchanting Christmas markets in all of France.

4. Vienna Christmas Market

A Christmas market tour or cruise in Austria cannot leave out Vienna, one of Europe’s most elegant and romantic cities. The Rathausplatz, site of Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt, is often snow covered and you will find traditional vanilla-flavored croissants (Vanillekipferl) and walnut balls with rum (Rumkugeln). Music events, pony-riding, fairytale scenes and more than 100 wooden market stalls await visitors from all over the world. Vienna Christmas Markets is held from mid November to Christmas Eve.

5. Bolzano  Christmas Market

Though in Italy the Mercatini di Natale are not as popular as Christmas markets in Northern Europe, some small markets are really worth a visit.  Located in Trentino-Alto Adige, Bolzano  is home to Italy’s best-known Christmas fair. The main city square hosts 80 little wood houses where you can buy handcraft Nativity ornaments and delicious Christmas treats including the famous Bolzano Zelten.  After shopping at Bolzano’s Christmas stands, visit the Enchanted Wood in the nearby Palais Campofranco.

Picture of Christmas decoration originally posted by krisdecurtis

Travel photo competition: last days to enter the Times’ October travel photo contest! Send your favorite travel picture and win a trip to Marrakech, Morocco.

Salone del Gusto: held in Turin, Italy, from the 23rd to 27th October, the Salone del Gusto exhibition is one of the major international events in the food and wine sector and brings together artisan producers from all over the world. Come and taste the huge variety of foods and wines offered!

Salon du Chocolat: are you a chocoholic? The Salon du Chocolat, at Paris’ Porte de Versailles, starts October 29th and is a heaven for all chocolate lovers. With the world’s best chocolate makers, exhibitions, conferences, recipes demonstrations and chocolate fashion shows it is today one of the most popular chocolate events in the world.

1. Top accessible holiday destination: Valencia, Spain

Published August 6th – Valencia is one of the best accessible destinations in Spain and offers wheelchair friendly hotels, high quality public services and disability equipments ensuring both seniors and disabled tourists an enjoyable stay in this modern and vibrant Spanish city.

2. Top nudist beaches in Andalusia

Published August 1st – Here is a list of the best naturist resorts and nudist beaches in Andalusia, Spain. Shed all your clothes and inhibitions at one of these beautiful nude beaches in Southern Spain and give your body a perfect and natural all over tan!

3. Stag parties, drunk English women & hot Swedish girls

Published August 1st – Want to know what it’s all about? Check out the latest and funniest travel news we’ve discovered last month. From drunk elks and Swedish girls to stag parties in Prague, we keep you informed with what’s going on in the world of travel.

4. A gourmet dinner in Venice

Published August 15th – Are you visiting Venice in September and want to experience something different? If yes then this is an event you can’t miss. The Context Travel’s Annotated Dinner in Venice will take place in a typical Venetian restaurant with a special gourmet dinner prepared by a renowned culinary expert. An evening of food and wine in the world’s most romantic city.

5. Cheap accommodation in Sardinia

Published August 7th – Old Travel Agony Aunt gives some useful advise regarding the wonderful island of Sardinia. As an expert world traveler she gives detailed information on where to find a cheap accommodation in Sardinia, how to get around and which are the places you can’t miss, from the Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena island to Alghero.

If you want to take both your clothes and your inhibitions off or you fancy a one-of-a-kind sensual vacation and seek freedom from conventional restraints, then these resorts are ideal places for you to stay! Set in the most gorgeous destinations, these luxury adults-only hotels offer everything you need for a really sensuous, clothing-optional and adventurous lifestyle experience. Amongst lush tropical surroundings and white sandy beaches the only limitation is your own imagination!

1. Hotel Desire Riviera Maya – Puerto Morelos

Desire Riviera Maya Hotel is an adults-only luxury resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, located on Cancún’s sexy Riviera Maya. This tropical resort is a clothing-optional retreat and will definitely awaken your senses. It features a private beach with beach beds, an oceanfront pool, various restaurants and bars, a rooftop Jacuzzi lounge, nightly entertainment and a spa with special treatments for couples.

2. Hotel Desire Los Cabos – San José del Cabo

This is the place where guests come to renew their passion and lose their inhibitions. Adventurous couples who are looking for an atmosphere of sensual freedom will find their cat’s meow at the Desire Los Cabos Hotel in San José del Cabo, Mexico. The ocean view suites offer Jacuzzi, Tantra essentials gift boxes, sensual candles and sparkling wine. In the evening guests can chill-out on large square beds in one of the hotel’s cocktail bars: the open-air shower, fire pits and sinfully delicious cocktails will ensure a romantic night!

3. Hotel Blue Bay Villas Doradas – Puerto Plata

If you want to enjoy a romantic escape with your love in a relaxing environment then stay at the 4 star Hotel Blue Bay Villas Doradas in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The resort is only for the over 18s and an ideal place for couples to relax or enjoy their honeymoon. Its location, next to the 18-hole Playa Dorada golf course, makes it a favorite destination for golf lovers. The Blue Bay Villas Doradas is also a perfect setting for dream weddings that can be celebrated in the gardens or right on the beach.

4. Hotel Temptation Resort Spa – Zona Hotelera Cancún

Unwind on your Cancún vacation at the Temptation Resort Spa, a beachfront hotel where the over-21 atmosphere allows singles and couples to experience a vibrating atmosphere. Guests can socialize at the exciting topless optional pool, at the spa haven or during one of the numerous funny and sexy activities and women can also learn basic exotic movements or lap dance.

5. Hotel Mai Tai Resort – Port Douglas

Mai Tai Resort offers an exclusive adults-only, romantic and private mountain retreat in Port Douglas, Australia, with spectacular views overlooking the beautiful Coral Coast. This hidden gem is the ideal destination for honeymooners and romance-seekers and can host up to 8 guests at one time. Around the pool area, you can enjoy sun bathing au-natural or admire the sunset behind the rain forest.

Zoomarine Water Park

You can have a lovely day out with your family at real value for money at the Zoomarine Water Park, in the heart of the Algarve, only 10 km from Albufeira . Here you will find dolphin and seal shows, a large tropical fish aquarium, a 4 D cinema, rides and different pools for adults, children and babies.

Krazyworld

If you have kids of different ages, this fun park is what you need. Your little ones can feed camels, llamas, ducks or donkeys at the petting farm area or watch the animal show, whilst your older children can sunbath by the pool. Krazyworld is also home of one of the biggest snakes in Europe! The park is located near Albufeira, between Porches and Boliqueime.

Karting Almancil

Go-kart ensures great shivers to all motor-racing lovers. So, if you want to try something different on your holiday in the Algarve, visit the leisure and competition complex Karting Almancil. It is located near Almancil, only 8 km from Vilamoura and 12 km from Faro airport and features a 760 m race track that replicates the F1 Brazilian Circuit of Jacarepagua.

Lagos Zoo

Located in a beautiful park between Bensafrim and Bara de S. Joao, not far away from Lagos, the Lagos Zoo has over 250 species of animals and a 60 m long flight tunnel with exotic birds. Children can observe the animals during their feeding time, one of the highlights of a day at the zoo that can’t be missed!

Jeep Safaris

The Jeep Safaris in the Algarve are very convenient and give you the possibility to discover the Algarvian Mountains and various Portuguese Nature Reserves. Arriving to the most remote points, the tours normally include also lunch and a few stops to taste the Algarvian Medronho, a delicious brandy made from arbutus-berries. These exiting drives can be booked directly at your hotel.

Today movies have a powerful influence on travel decisions and film tourism, also called “set-jetting”, is becoming an increasingly popular holiday option. Are you interested not only in visiting film locations, but also in staying at the hotels where these movies were shot, imagining to be your favorite hero or heroine?

If you want to sleep in the same room where Audrey Hepburn was hiding during her Roman holiday, look out from the same window where Aschenbach watched Tadzio play on the Venice Lido beach, play cards like Goldfinger at the Fontainbleau Hotel in Miami, admire the peak of Mount Etna visible on the horizon of Taormina in Antonioni’s L’Avventura (The Adventure) or imagine the brown-haired Kim Novak/Judy Barton transformed into the blond Madeleine in Vertigo, here is a list of five famous breathtaking film locations you can’t miss.

1. Apartment R/134 Margutta – Rome, Italy – Roman Holiday

The apartment R/134 Margutta enjoys a very central location in Rome, on the prestigious Via Margutta, below the Pincio and not far away from the Spanish Steps. After Wyler’s film Roman Holiday, this exclusive street became home to many famous artists, such as film director Federico Fellini.

2. Hotel Des Bains – Venice, Italy – Death in Venice

The historic Belle Epoque Hotel des Bains in Venice Lido is immersed in a beautiful park and offers breathtaking views either over the sea or the flourishing green garden. Thomas Mann was a regular guest of this hotel and set his short novel Death in Venice here. Visconti chose the same hotel for the homonymous film. The Hotel Des Bains is situated in the center of the Lido, near the Palazzo del Cinema, where the annual Venice Film Festival takes place.

3. Hotel Fontainebleau Resorts – Miami Beach, Florida – Goldfinger

The luxurious Fontainebleau in Miami Beach is the perfect hotel if you want to follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous 007 spy, James Bond: it is the memorable location of Goldfinger. In the opening scenes of the film we see an aerial shot of the Fontainebleau hotel, today a landmark of Miami Beach. The vast complex is a regular movie star hangout and artists such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley were frequent guests at the hotel.

4. San Domenico Palace – Taormina, Italy – L’Avventura (The Adventure)

San Domenico Palace, built around a monastery dating back to the 14th century, is a luxury hotel in the heart of Taormina and one of the settings of Antonioni’s film L’Avventura (The Adventure). The film ends with a famous scene on the hotel’s terrace. The view that can be enjoyed from here and from the pool is extraordinary. The panorama embraces the ancient Greek theater and Etna’s peak.

5. Hotel York – San Francisco, California – Vertigo

When Hitchcock first saw San Francisco, he said it would be a good place for a murder mystery. In fact he chose different locations here for his 1958 film Vertigo. Fans of the film can stay in the York Hotel in Nob Hill, near Union Square, where the character played by Kim Novak lived. The flashing green neon hotel sign that created a ghostly effect in the film was replaced when the hotel changed its name. Today guests of the York hotel can enjoy special martinis and a show in the famous cabaret-style showroom.

Goldfinger movie set picture, courtesy of Hotel Fontainebleau, Miami Beach.

Check this new selection of funny and cool travel gadgets for your next trip that can be purchased online. Some might enhance your travel experience whilst others will languish in your bag, unused. However, there could be some great gift ideas for those on your list who love to travel.

1. Doberman Mini Mobile Alert

When you’re traveling, a pickpocket can easily ruin your trip, lifting your credit cards and money in a few seconds. With the Doberman Mini Mobile Alert you don’t have to stand defensive, use your bra for extra money or wear bigger underpants for your passport. Simply attach the Mini Mobile Alert to your wallet, mobile phone or to other valuables and fix the other end to your bag or pocket. If someone tries to steal it, the Doberman Alert will sound and alert all the people around you of the theft taking place.

2. Bananabox

Forget squashed bananas in your travel bag! The practical Bananabox, designed to fit the majority of bananas, will protect your lunchtime and preserve your favorite fruit anywhere when traveling abroad.

3. Foldable solar panels

Want to charge the batteries of your cell phone, radio or lap top computer while traveling or enjoying the peaceful tranquility of a remote campsite?

Use the foldable solar panels, which are lightweight and fit easily in your back pack.

4. Pocket Shower

If you desire to take a warm shower after a long day of wilderness adventure don’t forget to take with you the Pocket Shower, an absolute must have travel kit for anyone who goes outdoors! While you’re away let the Shower, made of a heat resistant waterproof fabric, soak up the sun and the water will heat naturally.

5. Twister Beach Towel

Remember Twister? Yes, that game where you couldn’t touch the mat with anything but a hand or foot and you had to bend yourself around your friends on a colored plastic mat? Now you can socialize on the beach and have fun in the sun with the Twister Beach Towel, a giant sized cotton towel, perfect for kids and adults alike.

1. Portable washing machine

Have you ever traveled for an extended period of time? At the end of the trip every piece of clothing is dirty and smelly, despite all the hand washing in the world. How about a small and light portable washing machine? It is ideal for traveling, camping, boating or caravaning .

2. Butterfly Music Speaker Pillow

Forget messy headphones and broken wires on your next road trip or on a long flight! The Butterfly Music Speaker Pillow is a sound system with volume control built into a pillow. It’s made of soft and comfortable plush and plays all your favorite music tracks. Thanks to its small size you can bring it wherever you want and have a relaxing rest.

3. Aloe Comfort Travel Socks

In any travel experience comfortable and dry feet can make the difference between joy and misery! Fast-drying travel socks keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters. They are ideal for hiking or for other outdoor activities like camping, fishing, or even just sightseeing. Otherwise try the Aloe Comfort Travel Socks, which are infused with aloe vera and keep feet hydrated during long flights.

4. “Point It: Traveller’s Language Kit” by Dieter Graf

You want to travel the world without speaking a word of English or you don’t have the time to learn the language of the country you are traveling to? The picture guide-book called “Point It” includes hundreds of pictures of useful items that you might need anywhere in the world, from roast chicken to toilet paper. This handy pocket guide has no boundaries, it can be used in every country, from Bhutan to Germany. If you ever have tried to buy pharmaceuticals in a small foreign drugstore you will understand why this is such a useful book! You just have to point to a picture of what you want and forget about the language barrier problems you had in the past, struggling yourself in pronouncing difficult foreign words or trying to mime “red wine”. The items are grouped into different categories such as accommodation, food and drink, travel, entertainment, health and much more.

5. Travel slippers

Leather travel slippers with zip fastening are the ultimate in comfort and style. Thanks to the lateral zip opening they are easy to tuck in every corner of your bag.