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We stayed for a week at the 5 star rated Mark Warner exclusive resort in Rhodes Greece during the beginning of June in 2013. We have previously gone with Mark Warner for the childcare we received while skiing in Les Deux Alpes, and were eager to get some time for ourselves again – this being a big feature of their products.

I am more into watersports than the mountain biking and tennis though I did briefly use the tennis courts when on the first day the water was too rough to be open to use even as swimming which is rare. Had we the option of staying longer I would have loved to do some Mountain Biking Tours of the local area.

The welcome was typical Mark Warner friendly and informative and the welcome meeting really puts you in the right place in your mind as if you are like me you may still be in work mode at least still wanting to unwind from the days travel with children in tow. We were introduced to the various section leaders and encouraged to contact even senior management in the event of any need. I can personally say that Sue (Resort Manager) is good to her word and she really does listen and take the time out of her long day to meet and help you.

Our Room

The room was actually a suite and almost fully lived up to the 5 star rating though only a couple of times have I had the pleasure before.

Its short comings were some trim came loose around the sliding door separating the two main spaces and the lack of English speaking channels that were missed if only slightly. A children’s channel in any language would have been great in fact. The other factor was energy saving door cards that turned everything off if I went for a run – Emily and Summer left with no power ac fridge etc. The fridge really needs full time power and in high summer you would like a constant air con in action for 5 star rating. But those things didn’t detract from our enjoyment. A safe that was big enough to hold my laptop would also have been great – or a drawer that we could have locked ourselves.

How air passengers with layovers at London airports such as London Stansted can make the most of their flying visit to the big city thanks to transfers and taxis.

Making the Most of a Flying Visit to Englands Capital

London is not only an exciting city, it is also a vast one and those landing for a stopover at any one of its several major international airports will need to be quick on their feet if they want to take in at least some of the cityys legendary sights such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.

Which Airport do You Land At?

This travel short is a great idea for those of you with an adventurous tooth. For those of you that need a bit more from your hard won 2 week break.

Week 1 : Learn to windsurf

Week 2 : Learn to Scuba Dive

The where is Bonaire

Vacation time should be fun and I do not take anything less. Having said this, I had to traverse a few spots to really discover my favorite vacation locations and I'm glad I did. The amazing thing is that I did not have to travel very far to find some of the most heartwarming retreat locations. Although it is hard to narrow my favorite spots to three places, I have compiled a decent list of some of the most breathtaking places that appealed most to me and the following is a highlight.

The Island of Cyprus

Never before had I witnessed such exotic beauty of virgin lands like I did in Cyprus. As a mysterious spot located right above Egypt and at the south tip of Turkey, it is a dynamic unspoiled haven that gives you a dramatic Mediteranean experience like no other. Apart from the long warm beaches, the inviting historic appeal will have you digging into the rich culture. One unique thing you can do in spring is picking of wild flowers. As a lover of flowers, this was my climax as I got to pick and adore wild orchids that spoke to my senses. Those who enjoy hiking, skiing, snorkeling and turtle watching are also guaranteed maximum fun. I'm artistic as well as a history junky and therefore I could not resist a visit to Paphos which plays host to the famed Villa of Theseus. It is a mosaic marvel that will usher you into the corridors of Greek mythology.

Dublin

The one and perhaps most important reason why I fell in love with Dublin is the rewarding bus tour. Among the exciting stops that impressed me most are the Nationally Gallery and Museum, Trinity College, St Patrick's Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse. The first time I took a bus here was amazing because the tour guide made my stay homely. His explanations of the rich history and culture of the area was demystified in a practical manner. For example, the Guinness Storehouse left an impression not forgetting the drink from the Gravity Bar at the house. There is no question that the beer enjoys a large following around the globe. It is therefore important to taste your own drink here to really appreciate it. After this delightful tasting session, it wasn't quite as easy to find our hotel as it was when we booked it online!

The French Riviera

After assessing the list of my favorite vacation spots, I had to include the French Riviera on my list. With gorgeous crystal blue waters and soothing stretches of beaches, this was an ideal location for me to unwind and enjoy magical nature at its best. I'm not surprised that this location draws tones of people each year from around the globe. Apart from spoiling myself at the beach I also loved hiking at the marvelous Marseille town. The charming and calm surroundings were just what I needed in my tour. The view from the old harbor was a climax as I enjoyed the majestic Notre Dame De La Garde.

For the next few weeks I'll be blogging from Spain and bringing you some fashion and culture from the beautiful Andalucía region.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with a flavour of the music out there in the form of Daddy Yankee with chart topper, 'Limbo'.

@jsmithwriter

(Image Source -  http://34st.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/coach.jpg)

As Coachella draws closer, we can barely contain our excitement! We all know that the festival season truly begins when weekend one of Coachella in is full swing and there’s not much longer to wait with the first weekend launching on Friday 12^th April. The weekend extravaganza will be fuelled with energising music from our favourite performers, beautiful Californian weather and fabulous fashion choices.