Planning a Holiday with the Entire Family

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The warmest seasons of the year are approaching and this typically brings the task of planning the family holiday. No matter where it is you want to go the first thing you will probably want to consider is where you will stay. Depending on how long your holiday will be, you might find renting a cottage more satisfactory. This is because they are usually self-catering, allow pets and have plenty of space for everyone. If you want to get away from the business of the city then a cute country cottage will be just what the doctor ordered.

Spending quality time with the entire family in a quaint country setting is so much fun. There are not as many distractions as there may be in a large hotel or resort, leaving plenty of time to get together and play games, walk the countryside or even just relax together and watch TV. If you have a large dog, he/she will fit right in as most of the time holiday cottages have ample space for pets to roam and play. In fact some of them even have special quarters, bathing areas and “playgrounds” just for the dogs.

It is simple to find independent cottages by browsing online and listing your search requirements. All you do is enter the number of people and/or pets, the dates you wish to check in and check out and of course your desired location. For example, if you’d rather take your holiday in Wales then you can type that into your search criteria. Perhaps you just want to stay close to home but outside of the city. There are holiday cottages located all over the UK and finding the perfect one is not difficult. The only thing you want to remember is to start booking early as you want to be sure you do not miss out on the one that appeals to you most.

Dos and Don’ts in Dubai

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When in Dubai, it’s important to remember that there are local customs that must be observed. A number of visitors and expats have fallen foul of local laws in the past few years and have been surprised at the severity of the authorities’ response. To make sure you don’t get in trouble on your next trip to Dubai, check out some rules you should adhere to on your holiday.

Whereas once it was a lovely Arabian port, welcoming people from far and wide in a relatively relaxed and cosmopolitan environment, in recent years the authorities have started to assert Islamic law more strongly and ‘tidy up’ what they view to be a slow eroding of standards and increased Western influence.

Tourists who fall foul of local customs may find themselves causing offence where they had no intention of doing so, or even finding themselves in trouble with the law. Even when laws don’t explicitly forbid something, failure to conform to ancient customs can unwittingly cause real upset.

For this reason, it is well worth reading up on local customs and understanding the rules and etiquette of Dubai – and indeed any country that you are visiting as a tourist.

The important thing to remember is that Dubai is a Muslim country. In many ways it seems very Westernised, particularly with its luxury consumer goods, large expat population and huge business and industrial activity.

However, its laws are still conservative and in line with the religious guidelines of Islam. For example, alcohol is prohibited and Muslims aren’t allowed to drink. However, alcohol is easily available from restaurants, bars, leisure clubs and hotels. You can’t buy it from supermarkets and you absolutely cannot be drunk in public or drink on the street. Of course, you cannot drink and drive and if you’re caught doing so, a prison sentence is likely. If you’re in Sharjah, alcohol is totally banned. The local sentiment around alcohol can be variable, so test it by observing local customs before acting.

Drugs are absolutely outlawed on a zero-tolerance basis and the penalties are extremely harsh – the death penalty can be incurred for possessing even the smallest amounts. Be aware that baggage is very carefully screened when entering the country and you also need to check the banned medication list before entering Dubai, as some prescription medicines are outlawed.

Be careful when engaging in conversations about world affairs and politics, particularly if you are tempted to criticise the royal family of any of the Emirates or senior business families. This can land you in hot water and innocent comments can be taken out of context, particularly in the current heated state of world affairs. So err on the side of caution, particularly when passing the time of day with strangers.

Watch out for your safety as a pedestrian, as driving can be erratic and speeding is very common. Don’t cross the street unless it’s a marked pedestrian crossing and when driving, avoid using the furthermost left lane so you won’t be forced over by aggressive drivers. Road rage and poor driving are both becoming issues and if you’re tempted to make ‘inflammatory’ hand gestures which are picked up by the police, you could find yourself fined or even landing in jail.

Be careful of your possessions when you are out and about in the crowded tourist areas of Deira, particularly Naser Square. Don’t withdraw large and conspicuous sums of money from cashpoints – go into the bank or conceal the money well. Robberies are fairly frequent and they tend to go unreported in the press.

Equally, watch out for conmen. Don’t arrange any meetings with people who approach you, give out personal details or engage with any requests. Speak to the police if you find yourself harassed or uncomfortable. Be incredibly careful too if you’re visiting Dubai on a property-purchase trip as there are a number of new estate-agent scam rings operating.

Photography can be an issue. Don’t take pictures of women, especially those wearing national dress as they can take exception unless you’ve asked them first. It’s always good practice to seek consent before photographing strangers.

Be aware that the rules around nudity are far more conservative than in the West and nude sunbathing, for example, is not permitted. It goes without saying that sexual acts in public are absolutely forbidden and there have been several cases of Westerners caught in the act, receiving jail time and then being unceremoniously deported.

Women should also take care to dress sensibly and avoid skimpy outfits, particularly in busy areas. This is especially the case in districts such as Deira and Karama. Avoid small bikinis on the beaches. It’s much better to dress conservatively out of respect for your hosts than get yourself into trouble. Similarly, men should not go shirtless in public.

Homosexual travellers sadly do have to exercise caution, as homosexuality is still considered a criminal offense in Dubai and can lead to deportation. Cross-dressing and public displays of affection are considered enough to fall foul of local laws in this respect.

Finally, bear in mind that Dubai may be modern, but it’s strictly Islamic and its laws need to be understood and respected. As with all countries, ignorance of the law is not a defence. Exercise common sense – such as not criticising Islam and following local customs around Ramadan and other holy festivals. Planning, observing local rules, showing respect and being alert to your surroundings will help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip to this fascinating and diverse country.

Guest by TravelSupermarket, where you can compare flights to Dubai to find the best price before you book your holiday.

Beach Villa Breaks in Lanzarote

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Lanzarote is one of the more unusual holiday destinations in Europe. It is one of the Canary Islands, which although part of Spain and the EU are in fact located off the North West Coast of Africa. So the climate here is very different to the European mainland. Whilst the scenery is literally out of this world, thanks to large scale volcanic activity which partially transformed Lanzarote back in the 18th century.

The secret to Lanzarote’s popularity is undoubtedly the climate – as like the rest of the Canaries the island basks in sunshine all year round, thanks to its location off the African coast and close to the Tropic of Cancer. This makes the weather here markedly different from mainland Spain – as on Lanzarote you can hit the beach even in December.

As a result there is also year round demand for accommodation in hotels, apartments and villas in Lanzarote, especially amongst British tourists, who are the largest visitor group by nationality, accounting for some 800,000 arrivals per year. But you’ll be glad to know that the island isn’t in any away dominated by British bars screening non-stop Sky Sports, as Lanzarote also boasts a welter of interesting cultural attractions too.

But what most visitors want to do on arrival is hit the beach – and there are plenty of perfect playas to explore around the island. Lanzarote’s beaches are regarded as amongst the best in the Canaries and once you’ve paid a visit to the 8km long golden sandy bay of Famara or the bright white beaches of the Caletones Blanco you’ll see exactly why this is such a beach lover’s paradise.

Visitors will also find that there are excellent beaches in all of the main resorts. Playa Blanca in the south of the island is arguably the best choice if you just want to lounge on the sand all day as there are three great beaches within the resort itself whilst a short walk to Papagayo produces another five coves to enjoy.

Costa Teguise in the north of the island is also a good choice, as the resort is home to no less than five large expanses of golden sand, the most popular of which is Playa Cucharas. This beach is located in the heart of the resort and is also patronised by the local windsurfing community, making it a good spot to sit and soak up all of the action.

There are close to 100 beaches on Lanzarote in total and it is possible to book good quality self catering accommodation in close proximity to nearly all of them. Some of these villas are situated well away from the main towns and resorts though so it pays to hire a car if you are planning to stay in one of these locations. Fortunately car rental on Lanzarote is very inexpensive so this won’t bite into your holiday budget too deeply. Remember to take your driver’s licence and birth certificate with you though as these are mandatory documents for anyone planning to hire a vehicle on Lanzarote.

Hurghada Airport

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Located in the Red Sea district of Egypt, Hurghada Airport sees seven million people per year pass through it, with an average of twelve flights per week from various destinations across the globe from more than forty different airlines.

I found that it has a lot to offer in the way of killing time whilst waiting for a flight or as I can’t wait to get started it’s a great place to shop having just arrived. With a newsagent and a bookstore essential to pick up the perfect holiday read, shops selling traditional local made jewellery, clothing and souvenirs, and a duty free store for the all important perfumes and confectionary products. There is also a 450 square metre duty free store in the recently added extension to the terminal. Here I found all of my favourite brands of duty free cosmetics and perfumes, tobacco and liquors as well as some new exciting additions. The many banking facilities available came in very handy to enable me to continue browsing the great selection of shops without running out of money.

We all know that children can get rather bored waiting around but not in Hurghada, in the lounge is a children’s play area to keep the kids happy. I noticed that disabled passengers can benefit from platforms for wheelchairs and services at both departures and arrivals were available, apparently with these you need to advise before you fly. An extremely convenient concept is a cloak room where I stored my suitcases and bags safely while waiting for my flight, leaving me free of worrying about losing any luggage. Travelling home, I was able to continue my vacation in the style that I had become accustomed to when I located and made use of the VIP area. I needed to book this in advance but it is an ideal place to relax and take it easy.

I discovered a car hire station within the terminal for vehicle rental, as well as plenty more just off site. Also available are regular taxis and tourist cabs outside and I was given the advice to agree on the fare before departing. The regular taxis do tend to be cheaper than the tourist cabs. Also available on site are minibuses, these have no set time table and only leave once they are full to capacity with passengers.

A post office on site provides mail services as well as Internet connection, money exchange units and several payphones to let your loved ones know that you have arrived safely at your dream destination.

There are plenty of snack bars, cafes, vending machines and a restaurant to relax in, as well as various lounges for the all-important stop over nap! The restaurants cater for traditional and local cuisine as well as standard European food. There has been a recent three hundred-metre extension of the terminal, making it all the more roomier and spacious. In the café area, movies are usually shown on the TV screens, very useful whilst I was take off.

All in all I declared that this was the perfect airport to start my Red Sea holiday resort holiday.

Moving to a Foreign Country

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All around the world there are people who live in countries that are not their own. These people are there for many different reasons but some of the most common are school and work related purposes. Moving is already one of the most involved processes that most people can go through in their personal lives and being able to make the move efficiently is a very good way to avoid a lot of stress and make the process much easier on yourself.

When you are moving it is always a good idea to assess the situation well before you actually move so that you are able to figure out what it is that you will be taking and what you may not necessarily want to take with you at all. However, when you’re moving out of the country there are a lot of other things to consider as well. When you would normally need a moving truck you may find it useful to have a shipping company instead.  

Having a company that is able to move all of your things across the world without having any of them damaged or broken is a very valuable tool when you are making an international move. Finding a company that is able to move all of your things and give you a good price is a very good thing to have access to when you are moving over long distance.
One of the best long distance moving companies is Robinsons Removals as it is one of the most professional and experienced shipping companies that can help you in literally every aspect of moving, It is somewhat rare to find a company that can help you as much as Robinsons can, but when you are able to find one like that you should take advantage of it.

Budget guide to lesser-known Paris spots

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Everyone who has been to Paris has been up and down the Eiffel Tower, walked through the Louvre, and traipsed along the Champs-Élysées. If you are planning a return journey, why not consider a few cheap attractions you haven’t seen? Here is a guide to getting to know another side of Paris without blowing your budget.

Jazz clubs

Paris has been famous for its jazz scene ever since the 1930s, when violinist Stephane Grapelli and guitarist Django Reinhardt founded the Quintet du Hot Club de France. At the Boquet du Nord jazz club, some of the older regulars actually played with Stephane Grapelli (85 rue de Maubeuge). And La Chope des Puces, a bar near the house where Django Reinhardt used to live, is a kind of ‘temple’ to the great guitarist (122 rue Rosiers, 93400). At both of these venues visitors to the French capital can enjoy regular live music.

Django Reinhardt
[Image by ky_olsen.]

Shakespeare and Company

For anyone on a French course France is obviously the best place to be, to immerse yourself in the language. However, if you crave half an hour of reading in your mother tongue, head to Shakespeare and Company, the legendary English bookshop in Paris. It is also a kind of commune for artists, who earn their board by working for two hours a day and reading one book a day (37 rue de la Bûcherie, Sorbonne).

Shakespeare and Company
[Image by ktylerconk.]

Free museums

The Paris Museum of Modern Art has works by Picasso and Matisse (11 avenue du Président Wilson), while the Petit Palais features fine art from the medieval era all the way though to the 19th century and is full of works by old masters (Avenue Winston Churchill). Both of these museums are free of charge to visitors, as are the museums of famous Paris residents Honore de Balzac, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie. The Carnavalet Museum, which is another free option, covers the general history of Paris in 100 rooms (23 rue de Sévigné).

Culture Rapide

Poetry slamming is a kind of competitive poetry, where writers see who can impress the audience the most, and the crowd offers a score out of 10 for each participant. Although it was invented in Chicago, it is now huge in Paris. Culture Rapide (103 rue Julien Lacroix) has slams in French every Tuesday, which often feature performers from French-speaking Africa and Canada. If you are just starting to learn French in Paris and not feeling brave enough, you can still compete as there are slams in English every other Monday.

Stand up

Oliver Giraud’s hit stand-up show, ‘How to Become Parisian in One Hour’, plays five days a week at the small Theatre de la Main D’or. The show covers how to act like a true Parisian in various situations: in a restaurant, while shopping, when out clubbing, if you are talking to the opposite sex, and so on. Giraud’s website says: “You love Paris but you think that Parisians are rude! You’re right, they are! You are too nice and you want to become arrogant!” Discounted tickets are available online for only 15 euros.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg
[Image by harshlight.]

The magnificent Jardin du Luxembourg has several fine sculptures and water features, including the famous Medici Fountain. Regular puppet shows are held in the garden. These shows are in French, but the language that is used is simple. The garden is also popular with chess players, and spectators are welcome. All over Paris you should be able to see people playing boules, and you might even be able join in if you can break the ice.

Things for kids to do in Paris

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Paris is most often thought of as the perfect city for a romantic getaway. However, it may surprise you to learn that it is also one of the top European cities to visit with kids. Not just because of big name theme parks such as Disneyland Paris or Parc Asterix either – Paris is a vibrant and stylish metropolis which is full of adventures to enrapture and delight travellers of all ages.

Paris is incredibly child friendly. The streets are flat, making it easy for tired legs and strollers, plus there are kids’ activities around every corner, especially during the spring and summer months. Most UK airports fly to Paris directly, with the average flight time being around an hour and a half.

The most famous of Paris attractions is the Eiffel Tower. This is a great day out with the kids, especially if you decide to climb up rather than take the lift. It is usually best to buy tickets in advance and download the bilingual children’s activity guide before you go.

There is a very reasonably priced restaurant on the first level called 58 Tour Eiffel which has an excellent children’s menu. At night, the tower lights up every hour and is absolutely beautiful to behold from anywhere across the city.

Although churches aren’t usually top of a child’s list of fun activities, Notre Dame Cathedral is the exception to the rule. Climb the 387 steps of the tower to discover the gargoyles and breathtaking views of the city. Fans of the Disney film, or Victor Hugo’s book, will love exploring this entertaining and cultural experience.

If you want to spend some time in the fresh air, then Paris has an array of parks and playgrounds. At Jardin de Tuileries you will find toy sailboats, a carousel, a Ferris wheel and puppet shows as well as plenty of places to sit down for a picnic and let the kids run free.

There are plenty of child-centred attractions in Paris. The Cité des Enfants is one of the best kids’ museums you are ever likely to visit. It is packed with hands-on activities which are guaranteed to entertain and it has the amazing Parc de la Villette just outside.

The Parc de la Villette is quite a few days of entertainment in itself. Designed with play in mind, the park features a dragon slide and an amazing bamboo maze. Reclaimed from an old industrial space, this Bernard Tschumi-designed space is futuristic and full of fun.

For a step back into old-world Paris, the Jardin d’Acclimatation should not be missed. Arrive by taking the “petit train” from Porte Maillot and enjoy the old-fashioned carnival rides, sprinkler park, zoo and marionette shows.

Le Jardin des Plantes is Paris’s Botanical Garden and is another place full of adventure for enquiring minds. There is a brilliant zoo here as well, but the main attractions are the huge dinosaur bones in the Natural History Museum. There is also an amazing labyrinth which will provide hours of fun for all the family.

Another science museum which is packed with interactive activities is the Parc de la Villette. There are no fewer than 10 different theme parks here which contain a wide variety of different playscapes. This includes the amazing Garden of Dunes, which features a jungle gym, a rolling landscape and plenty of opportunities to climb and run. There is also a Garden of the Dragon, a Garden of Movement and, for older kids, a Garden of Childhood Fears!

If your kids are into things that sound a bit gross, then why not take them on a tour of Paris’s sewer system? It is actually totally sanitary but gives an exciting glimpse into the underworld as you marvel at the sophisticated 19th-century engineering that provides part of the city’s infrastructure.

Of course, there are three big art museums in Paris – the Louvre, Pompidou and Musee D’Orsay. It’s usually best to pick just one to explore during your visit, unless your kids are particularly keen on art. The Louvre is one of the best for children. It contains ancient mummies, France’s crown jewels and, of course, the beautiful but tiny Mona Lisa.

Le 104 is an amazing pace to visit with children. It is part museum, part art installation and one of the most special places in Paris. All the exhibits are designed for play and exploration. It is also home to an amazing carousel.

Whatever you do in Paris, there is magic to be found around every corner. Even a simple thing such as choosing which pastry to have for breakfast is an exciting experience. There are plenty of places to stop and have a snack or a picnic and just absorb the sights, sounds and smells of the city.

Take a trip around the markets for fresh bread and cheeses and totally immerse yourself in the Parisian way of life. Stroll along the Seine or participate in one of the many walking tours – there are plenty of ways to explore the city. Paris for kids is an amazing adventure.

Guest post by TravelSupermarket.

Flights from Newcastle to Bangkok

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My boyfriend and I love holidaying in Thailand, and this year we tried out the cheap flights from Newcastle to Bangkok for the first time – purely for convenience and avoiding booking the extra days of annual leave to deal with travelling in the UK before we even get to our destination.

Flying from Newcastle made a super easy beginning to the holiday. It makes so much difference just taking a quick road trip to the airport, checking in and relaxing with a drink! If you’re already in a chilled out mood for browsing the shops they have plenty of little boutiques as well as the usual suspects. Or if you’ve forgot any essentials – more my style than chic shopping-queen I have to admit! – you can nip into Boots etc. Duty-free is available of course, ready for beating the post-holiday blues for another few minutes once we’re back from beautiful Thai paradise to British ‘summer’.

This was our first time there, but there are plenty of flights from Newcastle to Bangkok leaving every week with all the packages we’ve come to expect holidaying in Thailand, and some cheaper prices compared to the London airports like Heathrow and Luton. I would definitely recommend checking out the offers available when you’re planning your break to Thailand – and based on the amazing holidays we’ve had over the years of course I have to recommend to everyone trying out Bangkok and the stunning Thai beaches and southern islands at least once in your lifetime!

The airport itself is just outside Newcastle, in Woolsington, so it’s an easy drive up the A1/A696, or you can hop on local transport if you haven’t managed to persuade friends or family to drop you off by then. The usual Tyne and Wear Metro, or coaches out of Newcastle or Sunderland work just fine – it’s around 20 minutes out from Newcastle and an hour if you’re hailing from slightly further afield, around Sunderland. We were lucky/smart enough with bribing my boyfriend’s Dad to drop us off, and the drop off/pick up area made it painless.

We checked in without the usual huge queues and stress of navigating a multi-terminal airport. It was great to relax with drinks and get in the holiday mood before even boarding.

I had a sneak peek at the executive class lounge for BA, which looked even more swanky and comfortable – so we might make a little extra time to relax at Newcastle before next year’s break. Even without the first class treatment this time I was really impressed by the easy experience at this impressive airport. The location out at Woolsington is just right, and there’s everything on offer as we expected. The staff who we interacted with were friendly and knew what they were doing – it’s nice to speak to someone alert and who knows you just want to get on your way as quickly and painlessly as possible! When we’re booking up again we’ll be looking for our flights from Newcastle based on this experience.

Malaria: The facts

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The excitement we experience in the run up to a holiday can often lead to oversights being made. At the smaller and less significant end of the spectrum, the results of this may mean we forget to a particular item, or neglect to organise transfers at arrival and return. At the more serious end, it could mean failing to adequately protect against potential illness. An example of this is forgetting to start a course of malaria tablets far enough in advance of a trip to a risk area.

Although high profile cases of malaria – such as the media catalogued illness of Cheryl Cole in 2010 – have served to raise the profile of the illness, many are still unaware of how serious this disease is and how easily it can be contracted. The key thing to remember is that you are often required to take malarial medication in advance of a visit to a risk area, as well as during and after the trip. As well as medication, you can protect yourself with use of traditional items like mosquito nets.

Even with all of the necessary precautions in place, it pays to be aware of how contraction occurs and potential symptoms that can indicate infection. Malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium, which lives in both humans and the Anopheles mosquito. These mosquitos can therefore pass the parasite to people when they bite.

Those who contract malaria can experience symptoms including fever, shivering, vomiting, convulsions and headaches. An attack most commonly begins with a rising temperature, which can then fall over a period of just a few hours. Because the illness is accompanied by headaches and a general feeling of being unwell, it can at times be mistaken for influenza.

All visitors to Africa, or other risk areas like Latin America and Asia should therefore be aware of these symptoms and make sure if there’s one thing they don’t forget while making holiday preparations, it’s malaria medication.

Milan City Break Guide

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The northern city of Milan is Italy’s catwalk capital. This stylish, business-minded city also plays host to a number of cultural and artistic attractions. Home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and the world’s most famous opera house, Milan offers a variety of attractions that make it a perfect place for holidays to Italy.

If you are visiting Milan for two or three days, it’s possible to fit in the biggest highlights while still taking in the culture, food and nightlife of the city. Milan enjoys warm summers, which make July and August perfect times to visit. The run up to Christmas is another popular time to get the most from Milan’s famous shopping experience.

The most obvious attraction is the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral). However short your time in Milan, it is unlikely that you will want to miss a visit to the Duomo, which is the world’s largest Gothic cathedral.

Once you have taken in the extraordinary exterior of this building, you can step into the vast interior to view a huge number of artworks and monuments. The less fainthearted can then attempt to ascend to the top on foot to enjoy far-reaching views of the city. It’s also possible to reach the top in a lift.

Shopping is one of the favourite pastimes of the Milanese. There are many good areas to shop, including the Galleria Vittoro Emanuele II, a vast shopping arcade which dates from 1867. For those who want to window-shop in the more prestigious areas, take a walk down Via Montenapoleone, where you’ll find world-famous luxury brands such as Prada, Versace and Gucci.

The Castello Sforzesco is Milan’s castle and can be found conveniently in the centre of the city. It is home to a number of museums with a huge range of exhibits. The grounds and courtyards are also a good place to relax after a tiring shopping trip.

Milan is home to two major football teams, Inter Milan and AC Milan, who share a ground at San Siro (officially Giuseppe Meazza Stadium). It’s often possible to get tickets for matches and with two teams sharing a stadium, you’re bound to catch one at home.

Although it’s neither Florence nor Rome, Milan is home to some great works of art. The Pinacoteca di Brera is the most well-known gallery and displays pieces from many greats, including Bellini and Raphael.

The most famous piece of Milan’s art collection is Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper fresco. The Last Supper can be seen at the Santa Maria della Grazie convent, much of which was bombed in 1943. Luckily the fresco survived. This is obviously a major attraction in Milan so be aware that you need to book in advance.

If the Last Supper has made you peckish, then you’ll find you are in the right city to enjoy some excellent cuisine, from tasty snacks to extravagant meals. Famed Milanese dishes include illa risotto alla Milanese, a saffron infused risotto and cotoletta alla Milanese, pan-fried veal cutlets.

If you have been shopping or visiting some of the major attractions you’ll find many eateries in the Galleria Vittoro Emanuele II. But if you want to splash out, there are plenty of fine establishments across Milan and the city has no fewer than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants.

If your time in Milan is limited, you’ll want to get the very best from the city’s nightlife. La Scala is the Mecca of opera fans. Getting hold of tickets is not always easy, so if you are unsuccessful you could make do with a visit to the La Scala Museum.

Leonardo da Vinci spent much of his early career in Milan and he was not only an artist, but an inventor and scientific thinker as well. The National Museum of Science and Technology exhibits his contributions to the history of science and technology.

Milan is a great city to visit any time of year, but many people choose to go for St. Ambrose Day on December 7th when there is a street fair. Milan’s biggest celebration is in early June each year and is known as the Festa del Naviglio. The city comes alive with music, shows and carnivals.

From opera and art to fashion, Milan has much to offer. The main attractions and shopping areas are all located in the centre of the city, so they are relatively easy to fit into one weekend.

The unforgettable Gothic cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Last Supper, are just two of the main draws that will help make this a memorable weekend. Not forgetting, of course, a peek into the designer shops of the rich and famous.

Guest post by TravelSupermarket.