Toll roads are virtually empty and most of the motorways, with the exception of large town interchanges like Bilbao or Madrid they are very light with traffic and on the whole drivers here do not seem to be in such a rush.

Something we learnt yesterday from a fellow driver you can easily be caught speeding on toll roads as your entrance and exit times are recorded and if you show excessive speed you can be fined on the spot at the exit barrier.

Talking to a cyclist, helmets are to be worn according to the police although locals never seem to bother; or with lights. However this chap told us he had been fined 250 euros for being drunk in charge of a bike and not wearing a helmet on a major road.

There seems to be zero tolerance for any drink driving situations.

The quality or most Spanish roads we have travelled on is excellent, I cannot vouch for mountain trails, which look frightening as you pass the mountains on the motorways, as they wind precariously up the side of the mountains, but the main roads are fine. Most motorways seem little

This may sound blindingly obvious, but you might be surprised to know just how many people leave their own equipment at home on the assumption they will be able to rent some upon arrival, only to then find that it is not quite as readily available as they had hoped. A variation on this is making sure that you understand how much your hire charges are likely to be.

Do you understand what your catered ski chalets are offering by way of food included in the price?

There can be some surprising variations here, but it doesn’t need to be a problem, providing you haven’t been caught unawares by them upon arrival.

Is all of the equipment you are taking with you fully serviced and ready to go?

We are all busy and many of us are inclined to put off little jobs. Discovering that there are problems with your ski equipment after you’ve arrived on holiday is likely to lead to frustration and delay.

Don’t forget that your free European health cover isn’t full holiday insurance. It won’t, for example, pay for your medical repatriation if you are injured. Don’t overlook this

The 1970s saw the birth of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Ranch as a business man’s personal retreat where he could enjoy being with his animals. It would later transform into an animal refuge and attraction with over 1,000 animals housed there. Similar to many other parks, Fossil Rim has several guided tours like the family tour or the adventure tour that you can reserve. However, if you prefer drive through the park with the family on your own it can be done as well. This allows you to take your time and explore the scenic drive path at your own pace. If you choose to tour Fossil Rim this way you can buy the CD or guide book at the Admissions Center. Please make sure to follow all the rules for the safety of your family and that of the animals. Whichever you choose, just seeing the animals is an unforgettable experience that everyone in the family will truly cherish.

The park offers so much more than just driving tours, whether guided or not. For example, if you would prefer the family can learn and dig for fossils in the fossil pit with the added benefit of

Ancient Ruins

Some of the most popular ruins near Dalaman are in Aga Limani. Families enjoy a short hike through the cove and to see the ruins of Lydea. Hippokome or the “city of horses” is another popular site for ruins exploration. This ancient city is situated on a hillside, and easily reachable with a Dalaman car rental. There are six tombs to view right within this area.

Other ruins in the region include stone cut tombs in Gokdag, Lycian in Kayadibi, the ancient city of Oktapolis in Bozbel, and Hisar. There is many an adventure waiting for families, as well as plenty of photo opportunities amongst these ruins.

Pristine Beaches

Want to swim in a warm, blue lagoon? The Blue Lagoon is a natural spot where it’s only a couple Lira for admittance, and so worth it! Visitors enjoy the beauty and kids are safe because the water is shallow. Enjoy the sunshine and snack bar, swim, or even take out a kayak.

Turunc Beach is another popular destination, and features wind surfing and other watersports are popular here, and there is a promenade leading to the nearby village.

With a

The island feel is quite different from that of Thailand and the surrounding Indonesian islands, an overgrown town or dwarf city runs the entire width of the island providing a bustling metropolis Indonesian tourist culture. I say tourist culture as this is not the Indo way of living, I am quite sure that if you were to visit a dainty town in the mainland half the public would be 24 hour taxi drivers and the other half selling bracelets, but nevertheless the air is highly charged and the area has a good overall feeling.

Surfers from all over the world hit up the semi famous beaches surrounding the area known as Kuta which promise reliable and powerful waves, the perfect opportunity to show off to the thousands of bikini clad girls which line the shores. Kuta beach itself is well known for world famous surf competitions drawing in large names and mainstream watersports brands from Australia. So much so that Bali is one of the only places in Asia you can find actual genuine clothing from the manufacturer whose brand is attached to it. This is not to say that fakes are not abundant presenting a humorous

Part of its charm is its undeveloped nature, coupled with a very relaxed and low key environment. Most of the travelers that make their way to Lombok are adventure-seeking souls who absolutely love being outdoors. These type of explorers are drawn to the island’s varied landscapes and activities such as surfing, hiking, snorkeling and diving. One of the highlights for many adventurous visitors coming to the Lombok region is trekking Mt. Rinjani.

Domestic tourists prefer vacationing in Lombok than in Bali for a couple of valid reasons. But the main reason is perhaps the big difference in the overall travel costs. In Lombok, accommodation, food and sightseeing tours are much cheaper. Another great thing about Lombok is that a large part of it is not mass tourism-oriented. Large gated complexes and noisy bars have not taken over the beach scene. If you want to truly experience rustic Lombok, consider a homestay in farmhouses, mountainside villages or simple homes on the beachside.

Staying with a family provides several advantages such as learning the authentic way of island living especially for the Sasak people. Your hosts may also offer to take you fishing, farming, hunting and even show

The Coto Donana

This part of Spain is considered to be one of the most important of the world’s protected areas. It provides a crucial habitat for those migratory birds that pass by on their way from Europe to Africa and, of course, is the only place on the planet that the Lynx still survives. The spectacular landscape is made up of two major ecosystems: the Mediterranean pinewoods and scrubland, and the huge salt marshes, which are part of a large floodplain. The scrubland is supported by one of the largest aquifers in Spain and, consequently, the area sees many species of plants, including rockroses, rosemary and the mastic tree.

The Iberian Lynx and Other Creatures

Definitely the most biodiverse area in Europe, the Donana is a wonderful place to explore on a wildlife holiday. There are over 300 species of birds that can be seen, and 130 of those make this place their home during the breeding season. There are also 37 species of mammals, 21 different reptiles, 11 amphibians and plenty of freshwater fish species. The number of insects is still debated but it is certainly enormous.

The king of the Donana