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Top Sights To See in Burgundy, France

April 4, 2010

Many travelers know the area of Burgundy, France because of its wine. It has a worldwide reputation for its grapes and wine offerings, and travelers come to the area just for that. There are a lot of property rental choices in the area, making it simple and easy for people all over the world to visit. If you are planning your stay and aren’t sure what to do beyond imbibing, here are some suggestions:

-Don’t forget the food! While you might be tempted to drink your way through the area, there are many food specialties that should be tried in Burgundy. Escargot, boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin are all specialties of the area. This is great because nothing pairs better with a red wine then these amazing dishes. You won’t have to stray far from your property rental to find some of the most amazing food you can eat.

-Take a bicycle tour. Whether self-guided or with a group, there are a lot of tours out there that will show you the countryside. Surely you can find one near your property rental. From quaint towns to abbeys, with stops at wineries along the way, you’ll discover the region in a whole new way on two wheels.

-Stop and pray. Some of the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in the world are in Burgundy. One World Heritage site, the medieval cathedral of St. Catherine, lords over the town of Vézelay. The Dijon Cathedral, or Cathedrale Saint-Benigne, features sculptures from the eleventh century hidden in the crypt. It is considered a masterpiece of Romanesque art, and is a must-see if you are in the area.

-Visit petite villages untouched by time. With their slate roofs still intact, many of the towns that dot the Burgundy area are relics from yesteryear. They have kept their city centers in perfect condition, and are a welcome sight to visitors who yearn for green rolling hills and sheep in the distance. A leisurely stroll around any of the villages in Burgundy will take you back in time.

-Dijon and all her festivals. You could entertain yourself for weeks in the capital of the area, Dijon. The city is always putting on a show or celebration for one reason or another. But who needs a reason? Stop in and see what they are up to, as they are surely preparing for a new festival right now.

Walk your Way Through Holidays in Spain

March 12, 2010

Walking trips are becoming more and more popular choices for trips everywhere, but especially for holidays in Spain. Traveling on foot is a great way to see not only the villages and cities that make up the country, but also the natural beauty and countryside. The landscape is diverse, and there are a lot of different choices for a beautiful trip. From mountains to sea, there is something for anyone who wants to see Spain by foot.

One popular choice is area of Andalucía. This area is famous for its white villages, mountain ranges, forests and golden fields. It’s a region known for its sunshine, making it a prime location for walking holidays in Spain. You can plan a variety of trips – from short walks in the quaint white villages of the area, hikes between the villages themselves or long hikes in the national parks in the region. The parks are full of mountains, making them a great choice for those who want to make their trip a little more athletic.

A popular walk in the area for many people coming for holidays in Spain is the walking route in Catalonia. This area in the north of Spain is a bit rougher. It starts in the medieval village of Besalu, and continues through the rough terrain of forests and volcanoes. The path can take you through La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, which is a place many tourists never visit. It’s not for the faint of heart, for sure! Even though the volcanoes are inactive, there are still huge cliff faces with steep drops that can shake the nerves of a passive traveler.

If you want to take a walk through some of the most historic paths, try the Pilgrims walk to Santiago de Compostela. This walk is marked by traditional pilgrims’ markings. The path goes through rolling Galician hills, castle ruins and ancient monasteries. The end of the trip is supposed to be marked by embracing the statue of St. James in the cathedral of Santiago. The trip is lined with accommodations for modern-day pilgrims, and in the summer the paths can be lined with these souls. While the ancient version of this trip was intended to take the traveler through many churches in the region and to some religious artifacts, the path nowadays goes through a region known for wine. The trip is intended for personal reflection, but modern-day travelers can find their own way to reflect on the trip.

Algarve holidays are a great experience

February 17, 2010

Algarve holidays are popular for a reason. Besides the beautiful Mediterranean climate, there are world class golf courses, incredible beaches, excellent dining, and fun for everybody. If you’ve never been on one, you’re missing a great trip. Whether you’re single, married, or part of a larger family, Algarve holidays have something to offer everyone.

The geography of the Algarve region is incredible. There are rolling hills, rich valleys, stunning mountains, and of course, some of the best beaches in Europe. One very popular destination for people going on Algarve holidays is the Ria Formosa lagoon. It’s an amazing nature preserve made up of barrier islands that stretches over 170 square miles and is a stopping place for hundreds of species of birds. Visitors to Rio Formosa often make time to visit the nearby town of Cabanas de Tavira for it’s great cafes, bars, and waterfront charm.

Right next to the Rio Formosa is the city of Faro, capitol of the Algarve region. Faro is a safe and charming place to visit, and an excellent base from which to explore the region. Around Faro there is no shortage of fun activities to do and interesting sites to see. For those traveling in September, be sure to see the Faro International Motorcycle Rally, the largest annual gathering of its kind in Europe.

Also part of the Algarve region is Cape St. Vincent, which is the southwestern -most point in all of Portugal. There you can see amazing seaside cliffs that drop 75 feet vertically into the Atlantic ocean, as well as the second most powerful lighthouse in Europe. Cape St. Vincent is home to a diverse variety of birds and marine life, and a favorite stop for Algarve travelers wishing to see some incredible terrain.

Before you go, be sure to visit Lagos, a 2000 year old town at the mouth of the river Bensafrim. Many consider Lagos to be the cultural center of the Algarve, and there you can sample traditional Portuguese cuisine, view examples of traditional architecture, and visit the local museum.

It’s a great time to book a holiday in the Algarve, you’ll be glad you did!

The Ideal Family Holiday

February 13, 2010

What would you consider the ideal family holiday? This answer varies from person to person, but there are always similarities that you can find when answering this question. First off, every family is different. Let’s assume you have three children. Each child will want to do something different on this trip. In order to determine what the best course of action is, it might require a short family meeting to plan out your ideal family holiday. This means that it cannot be the traditional vacation where dad plans out everything. Once you select a destination, in order to keep everyone happy, you need to listen to everyone’s ideas and then make your schedule.

You will only have a limited time on your vacation, so the best way to keep everyone happy is to promise at least one event for each of them. This might mean that your other children are not happy with the decision, but sometimes you have to be the mean one. By committing at least one event or location to visit, you can guarantee that every member of your family will enjoy the trip. They might not love every minute of the trip, but you are guaranteed that they will at least enjoy their specific event. This does not eliminate the ability for some creativity either.

Once you gather the activities that your family members wish to do, then it is now up to you to plan the vacation. There might be things that only you want to see, and depending on the age of your children, you might be willing to devote one day where they are given free access to the city. This might not be acceptable for all families, but this is a vacation, so time away from each other might be needed. Believe it or not, this could help make the family stronger. This is entirely up to you, but it tends to be a good idea to let your family have a voice in the travel plans. Do not schedule too many trips because this might make you more exhausted than you desired.

Overall, the ideal family holiday is one where you can all be happy. As you can tell, there is a lot of work that is needed to successfully pull this off, but if you speak with your family and keep them involved in the planning process, then there is a great chance you will enjoy the trip.

Welcome to the New Travel Eden Vacation Blog

January 27, 2010

Stay tuned for upcoming vacation travel packages from Travel Eden.

Welcome to the New Travel Eden Vacations Blog