Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jul 13

This Mediterranean archipelago is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Europe and is officially known as the Republic of Malta.  The country is soaked in a rich history, which has included occupation by an array of countries including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Sicilians, French and British. With a broad range of sites of historical and archaeological interest, the island has been influenced by its past. With mild, wet winters and dry summers, the island enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate. Whether you want an active holiday or one spent lazing by the ocean, there are a broad range of Malta hotels and resorts that offer something for all holidaymakers.

Things to See

See the Hypogeum Temple, a 5,000-year-old underground mortuary temple created by an ancient, vanished culture, for visitors interested in the historical side of Malta. Malta also boasts numerous notable churches, including the Mosta Church, with its strong Christian history – John’s Cathedral in Valletta. Dine on Maltese cuisine, if you’re wanting to immerse yourself in the Maltese culture and try to attend a “festa” in one of the local villages, with locally made breads, sausages and pastizzi, a pastry filled with ricotta and peas.

There’s So Much to Do

To add another dimension to the holiday, Malta also affords plenty of opportunities for sun, fun and relaxation, as well as excellent sightseeing opportunities, after you’ve finished make sure you have looked at the Malta hotels on offer. Boating, golfing, hiking and horseback riding are all part of the spectrum of activities on offer for Malta. For the more adventurous helicopter tours of the island or underwater safaris on special glass bottom boats that ensure they receive an up-close-and-personal view of the island’s aquatic life, but there are many other things to do on the island. For those holidaying with a family, there is plenty on offer to keep the little ones entertained, including Playmobil factory, the movie set from the 1980 Popeye movie, known locally as Popeye’s Village and a waterpark. With pampering services which will help just about anyone to relax, for those who like being pampered, there are Malta hotels with the opportunity to do so.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Crete has so much to offer the holidaymaker, that it is hard to know where to start when you arrive. This Greek islands is the largest of the group and has so much to see, with a thriving culture and number of historical attractions. The fact that it is one of the oldest civilizations in Greece means that many people come to Crete to see the historical sites. With a terrain which is extremely mountainous and criss-crossed by three different mountain ranges, Crete enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and warm summers. As varied as the local attractions and beaches, make sure you choose one of the Crete hotels which are available, to appeal to your own unique tastes and interests.

What to See

The Minoan palace of Knossos, the old Venetian port and city of Chenia, the ancient Roman archaeological site of Gortyn, the Venetian castle of Rethymno and the Samariá Gorge, are some of the popular modern-day tourist attractions. The beaches around the island all possess their own unique character, from the high sand dunes of Agios Pavlos to the fields of lilies surrounding the beaches of Xirokambos – Sitia. Surround yourself with expansive beaches and crystal clear waters and look at the array of Crete hotels and resorts, with a variety of price points.

What to Do

From scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing, windsurfing, boating or windsurfing, there are plenty of water activities on offer – so dive in. There are plenty of mountainous areas of Crete, including coastal paths and gorges, for those who like the outdoors and hiking. Look for nightlife all over the island, from almost any Crete hotels or villages, including swanky nightclubs or discos in the capital city of Iraklion or traditional tavernas in small villages where you can learn local dances.

Where to Stay

Where you’re staying will depend on what you want to do and see in Crete, but there are many beautiful natural spots to feast your eyes upon, including the White Mountains, Amari Valley or Kournas Lake, with plenty of hotels in Crete located nearby. Or for metropolitan fans, there are the cities of Chania (the oldest inhabited city in the world), or Rethymnon which will charm the socks off you with its harbour market and famous nightlife.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jun 26

Lanzarote, a beautiful Spanish island located in the eastern part of the Canary Islands chain, offers amazing volcanic mountains as well as expansive beaches. Since the island is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protected site, there are numerous restrictions on the style and amount of development on the island.  Visitors to the island can choose from an array of Lanzarote hotels, restaurants, and clubs, in addition to the stunning natural beauty. This means that no high-rise apartments or condominiums are on the island and billboard advertising is not allowed. Your island holiday experience is guaranteed to be one to remember, with so many sights on offer, alongside the many restaurants, bars, shops and cheap hotels.

Timanfaya National Park

This part of the island looks almost martian since the landscape is barren and desert-like, due to Lanzarote’s Montañas del Fuego – or Fire Mountains. There are plenty of rare plant species to marvel at in this fertile area and guided tours around the park will help you to make the most of the region – there is even the chance to view the landscape while riding a camel.

Jameos del Agua

There’s more to these caves than meets the eyes, as it has been turned into into an underground complex, with a swimming pool, auditorium, restaurants, and gardens that have been designed to complement the natural look of the surrounding caves.

Lanzarote Aquarium

Get up close and personal with the sea life of the Canary Islands in this large, interactive aquarium. You can really close with many of the species, like the warm water sharks, in the aquarium’s three touching pool.

Castillo de San Jose

Now it has been turned into a modern art gallery and restaurant with beautiful views of the harbour, but this fortress has an intriguing history, having been originally built to help protect the island from pirate attacks in 1799.

There is a tendency to be more natural developments with enhanced privacy, for many Lanzarote hotels and villas. In fact, many offer such superb surroundings and facilities that guests often decide not to leave their resorts at all and opt for the comfort and convenience of an all inclusive hotel package.