Berlin 2009: No More Bricks in the Wall

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, no city in Europe has seen more development and change than Berlin. Divided for more than 40 years by the wall, this year the city celebrates the 20th anniversary of its fall. For those who've yet to see Berlin, now is the best time to pay a visit. The city is surprisingly affordable and full of magic, thanks to HolidayCheck's tips. What are you waiting for?

History and culture

Escape tunnels have become one of the most popular attractions for locals and international tourists alike. After World War II, hundreds of captives from East Germany took advantage of the soft soil beneath Berlin to tunnel their way under the wall. Some of the tunnels were like small tubes, barely big enough to crawl through, while others were tall enough to stand up in. It's estimated that about 300 people managed to escape through the tunnels.

More history can be found at the Museum Haus (Wall museum) at Checkpoint Charlie (Friedrichstrasse 43–45), which displays a permanent exhibition on the history of the Berlin Wall and on the international fight for human rights. The exhibit includes many objects used by fugitives in their escape. This well-known crossing point in the Berlin Wall between East and West Germany became a symbol of the war and a gateway to freedom for East Germans.

The Old Stasi Headquarters are also worth a visit, which chronicles how the secret police of the GFR conducted surveillance on its citizens. Most of the guides are former prisoners, arrested while the Communist Party was still in power, so you can be sure to receive insider information.

The East Side Gallery is an international memorial for freedom. It is a 1.3 km long section of the Berlin Wall located along Mühlenstrasse, and consists of approximately 100 paintings by artists from all over the world. It was painted in 1990 on the eastern side of the wall. Even though it's not the original wall, small authentic remains are still preserved in a church on Bernauer Strasse.

Eat and Drink

One cannot truly experience Berlin without sampling some of its famous fast foods. Look for Imbiss (snack) kiosks throughout the city selling Bouletten or the ever-popular Currywurst. Berliners love this spicy combination of fried sausage covered in curry powder and ketchup.

Be sure not to miss Konnopke , which has been serving its legendary bites since 1930. They can be found under the Eberswalder Strasse subway station arches, and are renowned for their tasty Currywurst. What’s so special about the sauce they serve? It’s a secret! Preparations begin at 6 a.m, so if you’re stumbling around Berlin in the early hours and looking for something special to satisfy your hunger, head to Konnopke.

Finally, rest!

To experience a perfect mix of luxury and tradition, sleep at the Hotel Adli . Our users simply love this 5-star hotel located right in the very heart of Berlin, by the Brandenburg Gate. It opened for the first time in 1907, hosting political leaders and celebrities for years. In 1945, a devastating fire almost entirely destroyed the magnificent building. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the people in the reunified city of Berlin refused to be without their legendary hotel, and few years later the New Adlon reopened.

Different in every aspect is the Ku’Damm101. Located in the district of Charlottenburg on the western end of Kurfürstendamm (also known as Ku’Damm) this hotel features modern luxury, harmonic colours, high-quality materials and high-tech communication. Last but not least, breakfast is served seven stories high, above Berlin's rooftops.

5 Top Honeymoon Destinations

When your big day is over, and you've spent the entire day showing off your smile to the cameras, you just can't wait to leave for that dream holiday. Here is a list of 5 top honeymoon destinations.



Seychelles, into the Wild
In the Seychelles you'll find the largest natural park in the world, with over 115 isles to choose from. Lagoons, peaks, coral reefs, lush vegetation contribute to making this destination unique. Some islands boast ingranite digenous wildlife and at sea, the turtles and wide variety of tropical fish provide excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. North Island offers real romance seekers the most secluded beach in Seychelles, Honeymoon Beach, with waters that change to different shades of blue depending on the time of day. Need we say more?

Discovering Mauritius
This tropical island, located off the coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, features an incredible ethnical variety: the Creole 'rainbow society' blends African, Asian and European cultures. An interesting and important aspect of this diversity can be also found in the delicious and multicultural Mauritian cuisine. Apart from the breathtaking white, sandy beaches, honeymooners looking to combine a South African safari with a beach destination will find the perfect spot for diving and hiking among exotic plants and animals.

Maldives, pure relaxation
Just take a peek out of your plane's window and you'll know you're landing in paradise. Below you a pattern of atolls stretching one after the other and massive, brilliant blue lagoons. After a long day lying on the beach, you may choose to pamper your body and senses in one of the many wellness centres. The Maldives are also known to be one of the best sites in the world for diving, so if there are any energies left, try a new and astounding experience: night snorkelling.


Barbados, more than you expect
The Caribbean is famous for its beaches, but Barbados has much more to offer, it's one of the liveliest islands in the Caribbean. If you choose a Barbados honeymoon it is bound to be anything but dull. Those wishing to explore the island can visit the capital city of Bridgetown for shopping and sightseeing or take a tour to discover how the traditional Barbados rum is made and then have a cocktail by the beach while enjoying a stunning caribbean sunset.

Fiji Islands, the real Garden of Eden
Exclusive, heavenly, intact, the Fiji Islands feature miles and miles of pure white beaches, azure lagoons and untouched reefs, as well as rainforests and mountains bursting with rare bird and animal species. But what makes this place of rare beauty so special and unique are the Fijian people and their wonderful culture. As soon as you will land, you will no longer be a visitor, but a welcomed friend. No wonder that it's one of the favourite wedding reception sites.

THE ULTIMATE CRUISES

BEYOND BORDERS

If you're looking for the experience of a lifetime, this type of cruise is what you need. An Antarctic cruise is entirely different from any other cruise. You won't be shopping or eating in luxury restaurants. Instead, you'll be taken ashore on an inflatable boat to walk among penguins, check out seal colonies or take a dip in the thermal waters of Deception Island, one of the only places in the world where vessels can sail directly into the centre of a restless volcano (The South Shetland - lying about 60 miles north of the Antarctic Peninsula). There are also stunning iceberg formations, vistas of glaciated mountains and whales to watch from the ship.
Antarctic visits are mainly concentrated at ice-free coastal zones over the Antarctic summer, the five-month period from November to March. Each month has its own attractions. November is early summer, and the birds are courting and mating. December and January feature hatching penguins and baby chicks, along with warmer temperatures and up to 20 hours of daylight each day. February is late summer, but the whale sightings are more frequent and the chicks are beginning are fledging. There is also less ice in the late summer, and the ships are not as booked up as earlier in the season. One important tip: try to book your cruise on a small ship, or you might have a tough time getting off for your excursions: the IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) allows no more than 100 persons ashore at a time.

WILD NATURE

For travellers in search of rugged natural beauty, breathtaking mountain peaks, fjords that stretch nearly forever, cosmopolitan cities, indigenous historic peoples and cultures, and vast tropical rainforests, South America is a cruise revelation.
This huge continent covers thousands of miles and extends from the equatorial tropics to the sub-Antarctic. It is, of course, too big to sample on a single cruise. There are two primary routes - and not only do they rarely connect but they also are incredibly different. Around-the-horn cruises typically sail between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, and feature lots of fjords, the wild beauty of Patagonia and Cape Horn - the southernmost point on the continent; and the Amazon cruises, getting in close contact with dense rainforsets, indigenous tribes and abundant wildlife.

The beauty of a cruise - as opposed to a land tour - of South America is that the region is simply too vast to explore comfortably and many area are unaccessible by road. Ships go where very few hotels exist - and even folks who like a little edge in their travel may feel relieved to re-board their ship after a long adventurous day paddling canoes up a tiny Amazonian tributary or hiking out to a peninsula to observe penguins!

A PLACE IN HISTORY
100 years after the sinking of the Titanic, a twin cruise will mark the Titanic's original cruise.
The ship, carrying the exact number of passengers as 100 years earlier – 1,309 people -, will sail from Southampton on 8th April 2012 and will follow the RMS Titanic's original itinerary, passing by Cherbourg on the French coast before calling into the Irish port of Cobh. From here the ship will sail across the Atlantic, arriving at the Titanic site on April 14th/15th exactly 100 years on from this tragic voyage, where a memorial service will be held to pay tribute to the brave passengers and crew who perished on that fateful night. The voyage will then continue to Halifax, Nova Scotia, the final resting place of many who were on board, before sailing on to New York, the Titanic's ultimate planned destination.
The food served will match the sumptuous menus on the original voyage; the entertainment will include music and dancing in the Georgian style.

FIRST-TIME CRUISES
Never been on a cruise before, curious but always been too suspicious to find out? Cruises don't have to mean endless days at sea. Mini cruises are becoming more and more popular with time-famished holidaymakers. They're also a great way to get a foretaste of what a cruise is all about, so perfect for first-time cruisers. Mini cruises generally last four to five days and include all the usual on-board entertainment and sometimes much more, but you get more for your money than you would with a land-based holiday as you usually visit two to three destinations in one trip. To mention only two options, go can go classic, choosing a cruise which will take you to Malta, Italy (Naples, Rome and Florence) and then France (Cannes) before returning to Barcelona. Or, discover the Baltics under a completely different perspective, sailing through Estonia and Russia, and back to Stockholm.

You're probably not the only first-time cruiser, check travellers' reviews and find out...

TIME-RICH TRAVELLERS
For those lucky travellers having a lot of time, a round-the-world cruise is the ultimate in cruising. Usually lasting anywhere from four weeks to three months, these cruises take in just about every type of destination you can think of. A typical trip, starting in the UK might take you across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and USA, through the Panama Canal to a few ports in South America before cruising on to some South Pacific islands, including Hawaii, then on to the New Zealand and Australia. Asia comes next, followed by Africa or the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean. Of course, you can do this in the opposite direction or join a cruise for just a section.
A world cruise is a hassle-free way to experience plenty of different cultures without having to deal with airports and check-ins, lost luggage or arranging your own transport. Just have to think up a smart way of packing.

GOURMET CRUISES
If you're fascinated by celebrity chefs and think you will never be so lucky to get a table at one of their posh food palaces, here's a tip: celebrity chefs are increasingly teaming up with cruise lines to create at-sea eateries. And while being exclusive, these onboard restaurants are a terrific way to enjoy the star chef experience at a relatively reasonable cost. Well, once you've paid for the cruise, of course.
In addition to providing cruise lines with a little extra glamour the presence of illustrious and critically acclaimed chefs does wonders for the calibre of the nosh on board. Another big plus is that you'll find them on the less expensive lines as well, not only on luxury ships.
The essential added value is that cover charge is very reasonable compared to the land-based experience and reservations aren't limited to VIPs – you'll just have to book in advance.

If you had an interesting sea experience, you may share it in this forum!

Honeymoon disasters!

The ultimate example of a honeymoon gone haywire is probably the one in the film The Heartbreak Kid (1972), but the young will probably be more acquainted with the remake starring Ben Stiller. But in real life, such disaster honeymoons are not rare, as the following stories testify . . .

Like a fish out of water
A young couple was staying at a hotel with a large swimming pool. They decided to go for a swim, and the bride tried on the new bikini she had recently purchased. As she swam and splashed around in the pool, she soon discovered that her bikini was too large, and it kept coming off. But being the only ones in the pool, she and her husband laughed and playfully retrieved the bikini from the pool's bottom.
That same evening they dressed for dinner and headed to their hotel's elegant restaurant, where they were seated next to a huge aquarium. Strangely, the aquarium was devoid of any aquatic life.
When the bride asked their waiter why the aquarium had no fish in it, he smiled broadly and said, "That's not an aquarium...that's the swimming pool!"

The Illegal Tree
A couple got married in December and set off for their honeymoon in Colorado. While driving through a snowstorm their car's exhaust fell off, forcing the groom to get out in the blizzard and attempt to fix it. They continued to drive through a pine forest and felt inspired to stop and cut down their first Christmas tree as newlyweds. They stopped and the groom went to cut a tree. He was walking back with the tree, when suddenly a buffalo ran out of the forest and started chasing him. He threw the tree on the car and started the car as fast as he could. The couple laughed about the incident until, about 100 feet down the road, they spotted a sign that read, "Do not cut the trees. Punishable by a $1,000 fine." They quickly got rid of the tree and continued, only to hear a screeching noise as the brakes failed. By the time their brakes were fixed, they'd given up on their hopes for a honeymoon, and headed back home to Iowa.

This can't be a good sign
Another couple had to stay in an airport hotel the night before leaving for their honeymoon. The bride was half asleep when someone knocked on the door. Her husband went to answer the door and came back quickly to rouse her. She looked up and a cop was there, standing at the foot of their bed. He asked if they knew there was a dead man outside their window (their room was on the ground floor). The newlyweds looked out the window and indeed, there was a body on the ground! The whole night they saw coroners and crime scene photographers. They both thought „this can't be a good sign". They got no sleep that night and left the next morning with the poor guy still there on the ground. When they got got back they found out that he had had a heart attack... God rest his soul.

Water sick!
One couple stayed at an expensive resort near Cancun, Mexico that offered tons of activities and a honeymoon suite package. However, they both got horribly sick shortly after arriving. The bride woke up with such bad stomach aches that she had to remain in the foetal position the entire day. They felt terrible the whole trip and could hardly wait to get home and go to the doctor. While waiting for the bus to the airport they sat down at the bar. That's when the noticed the bar staff washing the glasses out with tap water and no soap - the same water they'd been told not to drink. The realized that every glass and dish they'd used was probably contaminated. When the couple got back to the States, they had to go on medication and were still sick for another week.

The importance of knowing foreign languages
One couple was honeymooning in Spain, enjoying a picnic lunch in a crowded park, when they were mugged by two men with a knife. They stole their money, camera, watches, and wedding rings. When the couple went to the police, her husband tried with his best Spanish to explain that they had been robbed. The groom later realised he'd mixed up his verbs and told the police they had robbed someone by mistake! Needless to say, the police weren't very sympathetic. To make things worse, their hotel in the next city refused to believe they were married because they had passports with different names and no wedding rings, so they were put in a room with twin beds. The final straw was when the Spanish airline placed the bride – who was scared of flying - and the groom in different rows.

Try before you trust
A couple living in Arizona was getting married and the groom said he would sort out the honeymoon if the bride would have organized the wedding, promising to amaze her. She was truly amazed when he confessed that their honeymoon would have consisted in a cross-country trip in a van. They would have visited relatives in Florida, loaded some antique furniture at her parents house in New York, and finally visit New Orleans.
After the reception the couple was ready for the adventure, which began with the groom and other friends h stuffing the bride and her cumbersome dress into the van, completely staining it (the dress) with grease.
On their way (it was July), the AC broke and they got a flat tyre, TWICE!
Once in Florida, they were obliged to sleep on separate couches, because the relatives wouldn't let them book a hotel. Next stop: New Orleans, where everything went wrong bacause the groom actually forgot to organise anything! Two days later they were on their way back to Arizona.
The couple broke up after 3 years!

No one can forsee how a honeymoon will turn out. Even if you've organized it in every single detail, bad luck is always round the corner. The overall lesson for a honeymoon disaster is, stay positive and stick it out together. Many people say that they laugh about these things, looking back. Most important, avoid viewing your disastrous honeymoon as a bad omen for your marriage. Beginnings don't always show how it will turn out!

Check out these perfect hotels, or share your disaster holiday with us!

Six Great Wine Destinations

Fond of wine, and not only because you like getting tipsy? Then why not consider visiting one of the following major european cities for your next city break?

Here is a list of events which are well worth the trip!!! Enjoy!

EXPOVINA – Zürich (Switzerland) from 29.10.09 to 12.11.09

This is Switzerland's largest wine show! On board 12 boats anchored near Bürkliplatz, visitors can choose between 4,000 wines from 22 countries and 5 continents. In addition, 6 speciality restaurants offer diners a diverse range of culinary delights.

More information (only in German, unfortunately) on www.expovina.ch

Looking for the best Zürich hotel deals?

VINITALY – Verona (Italy) from 08.04.2010 to 12.04.2010

This five-day event is a true opportunity to find marvelous wines, and not just the biggest names. Producers, traders, restaurateurs and humble wine lovers - from Italy and beyond will be flocking to Verona for this event. The fair is divided into buildings, each representing an Italian region, and has a growing section of international wines too. Be sure to organize yourself: the map will surely help!

www.vinitaly.it

Tired after a day wandering around stands and drinking? Verona hotel deals

SALON VINS ET TERROIRS - Paris (France) twice a year, from 06.11.09 to 08.11.09 and in April

Every year around 250 independent wine makers gather to showcase their wines to the public. Tickets cost €5.50 making the event both affordable and popular.

Best hotel offers in Paris!

FENAVIN Ciudad Real (Spain) in May (dates not available yet)

This is undoubtedly the largest wine fair in Spain, and a point if reference for learning more about the wide selection of Spanish wines. The most unique feature of Fenavin is the Wine Gallery, where representative wines from the different exhibitors are lined up to simplify the visitor's tasting. Each wine comes with an informative index card containing the name of winery, brand name, estimated price in euro, viticultural notes, varietal components, awards and ratings and other pertinent info such as their location inside the fair, which makes it easier to select and buy them in a second moment.

In need of a siesta? Look for Ciudad Real hotel deals

LONDON INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS FAIR – London (UK) from 18.05.2010 to 20.05.2010

An incredible opportunity to taste over 20,000 wines, take part in seminars and tutored tastings, and why not, buy some bottles!

Be sure not to miss this event, because one of the world’s most important annual wine and spirits trade events will celebrate its 30th birthday in May 2010.

Visit www.londonwinefair.com

After a long day of wine tasting, rest in the perfect London hotel

VINO FAIR - Ljubljana (Slovenia) from 08.02.2010 to 11.02.2010

This fair has a long tradition, the first of its kind being held in 1811. In 1955, the fair won the approval of the OIV (Office International de la Vigne et du Vin - the International Office for Grapevine and Wine), and the VINO fair has adhered strictly to its high standards ever since. This makes the annual Ljubljana Wine Fair one of only six European wine exhibitions certified by the OIV, with medals and diplomas awarded being officially recognized in all European countries.

More info on http://www.ljubljanafair.com/ljubljana-exhibition-and-convention-centre/

Check out the best hotel offers in Ljubjana, user-tested and approved

"Ludicrous Lawsuits – when your holiday ends in the courts"

Courts often have the dubious pleasure of sorting out bizarre claims from holidaymakers. Complaints about there being too many natives on the beach, that the waves were too high or even tales of bed bugs which cause psychosis seem to find their way almost daily to the courts. HolidayCheck brings the hammer down on the strangest cases of all.

A storm in a teacup?

Certainly creative, a German gentleman took umbrage at the windy conditions confronting him while on holiday in the Seychelles. Clearly an avid swimmer, his disappointment in not being able to utilise the sea as he'd imagined meant he ended up taking his sorry tale to the courts, seeking damages for the waves being too high. His claim was overturned.

File this under 'Possibly Slightly Overreacting'

In 2003, the Library Hotel in New York got a nasty surprise when they found themselves being sued by the Online Computer Library Centre. The charge? Why, using the Dewey Decimal System as an innovative way to number the rooms in this book-themed hotel. As it turned out, the Dewey Decimal System is a trademarked brand! Luckily the opponents were able to settle their differences, allowing the hotel to continue using the system.

...and yet, there were always plenty of sun loungers.

In 2008, David Barnish sued Thomson for breach of contract after he discovered his hotel was overrun with Germans! The rather provocative headlines fuelled a battle of the stereotypes between the tabloids in England and the Bild newspaper in Germany over which country's citizens are really the worst tourists. Disappointingly for the sensationalists, the claims were actually quite reasonable and the judge ruled in favour of Barnish, stating that customers staying at a hotel featured in an English-language brochure and having paid for additional services should reasonably expect to be served in their own language.

Once bitten...

A New York man sued a hotel in New Haven over a case of serious bed bug bites! Although the stay lasted only one night and was, in fact, two years ago, Luis George claims that he still suffers severe emotional distress and insomnia from the pesky critters. Those must have been some seriously scary mites.

A pooltry excuse

As incredible as these cases may seem, none of them can really top the case of the Polish mother who claimed that her daughter became pregnant on holiday in Egypt – courtesy of the swimming pool! Despite the chlorine content of the water and the question of how sperm got there in the first place (do we really want to know?), the mother claims her daughter didn't have any contact with boys. We'll see how this one goes.

Top 5 London Markets

Loads of visitors to London head for the tourist drags of the West End like Oxford Street but London also has many markets that not only have a wide range of wares on offer but also take the visitor to parts of the city they may not otherwise get to see:

Borough Market is held beneath railway arches that branch out from London Bridge Station. This setting has made the area a popular location for film shoots and Bridget Jones amongst other had scenes filmed here. Borough market is a wholesale farmer's market heldd every Saturday with a great range of fresh produce such as vegetables and British cheeses (Neal's Yard Dairy). After a hard morning slogging around the stalls why not make a beeline for the nearby George Inn (77 Borough High Street, SE1) for a relaxing drink.

Camden Market is a major tourist attraction. Here you can buy clothes, antiques, music (including tonnes of bootlegged stuff), candles (lots of candles), healing crystals and other assorted New Age nick-nackery. Some people insist it used to be a lot better but even 15 years ago you still had to rummage through piles of tat before finding something worth buying. That's half the fun. Camden Town is also well known for its buzzing night life.

Columbia Road Flower Market is a great place to floral pottering. Located close to Shoreditch tube this is a very nice way to spend a Sunday morning. The Market's on between, 9am and midday and there are plenty of lunch options in thelocal area.

Covent Garden. Now that you've got into the market habit why not visit the former convents garden, just off the Strand. You may be none the wiser as to it's popularity since it's so expensive and quality is mixed. But the market area is fringed by some nice shops and the London Transport Museum Shop is good for London souvenirs.

Greenwich Market. You can get there with the Docklands Light Railway but a boat ride is a great way to get to Greenwich (ferries depart regularly from Embankment), a really nice part of London. There is a lot to see here, apart from the Market which sells arts and crafts, books and clothes.

The Whole Hog: 7 Magnificent Adventure Holidays

If you're planning a holiday that's a bit different why not go the whole hog and opt for one of the following extreme adventure holidays? HolidayCheck is happy to share some ideas that'll have you rummaging for your passport.

Icebreaker cruises – These are not just a chance for shy people to get to know one another. A nautical adventure par excellence awaits those intrepid souls (fool)hardy enough to brave the northern seas. Icebreakers cruise the partially frozen waters of the Baltic, for example, and those on board are occasionally offered the chance to take an icy plunge in the ship's wake. HolidayCheck user Simone reckons this is, 'an absolutely unique experience'.

Tornado chasing – Every year the American Midwest is ravaged by marauding twisters that tear through houses as if they were made of matchsticks. Despite the very real misery that these storms cause, a niche travel industry has mushroomed around the phenomena. People track and chase the swirling pillars of destruction, getting as close as they can for that ultimate thrill.

Race into space – Steven Hawking is up for this and operators are already running commercial flights to the edge of space - 60 miles above the planet's surface! At the very edge of the Earth's atmosphere these select group of interstellar tourists can experience the kind of weightlessness that their wallets experienced after they paid for the ride.

Surf a volcano - What a paLAVA! Nicaragua's most recently formed volcano, Cerro Negro, offers those whose middle name is 'Danger' (and anyone else who's up for it) a chance to ski down ashen slopes. Talk about off-piste!

Trail of danger – The Chinese mountain Hua Shan is criss-crossed by many trails. The one that leads to the summit is carved into a virtually sheer rock-face. Thousands of brave walkers make the climb each year.

Devils Swimming Pool – The Victoria Falls offers a spine-tingling confluence of splendour and risk for the dare-devil visitor. The Zambezi plunges 400 foot down a rocky gorge, sending clouds of mist into the African sky. That's why the locals call the place Mosa-oa-Tunya ('the smoke that thunders'). Close to the edge of the falls there is actually a well known natural basin perfect for bathing. Check for crocodiles first.

Wreck diving – The pressure's on. Hardly surprising if you're 12,000 foot below the waves off Newfoundland looking at the wrecked hull of the Titanic. The macabre opportunity to survey the ruined hull of the White Star Line's luckless vessel is now being touted by specialist tour operators.

Read more www.holidaycheck.co.uk - your first stop when planning your holiday! Read reviews from other travellers, look at holiday snaps and videos or chat to others at the forum.

Themed Hotels: An overnight stay the adventurous way!

Who wouldn't want to book a hotel bed in a hot air balloon or a bouncy castle? Even if those options don't exist yet, anyone itching to try out something more adventurous than a common or garden hostelry is well accommodated in one of a new breed of themed hotels. HolidayCheck, one of Europe's major hotel review platforms, is happy to present eight distinguished establishments:

Crane Hotel (Holland)

Hafenkran Hotel in Harlingen, Holland hoists the holiday expectations of its guests to surprising heights. The driver's cabin in this decommissioned crane is operational, allowing the guest to determine precisely his or her own ideal sea-view. HolidayCheck user Chris enthuses, 'Perfect. Aesthetically pleasing design with fine attention to detail. You can set everything yourself (lighting
and air conditioning etc) via a console by the bed. It's really special.'

Cave Hotel (Tunisia)

Discover your inner Neanderthal at Hotel Marhala! This antidote to high-rise ostentation is located in caves below ground. 'Those looking for an authentic adventure (in the positive sense) are well catered for here,' reports HolidayCheck user Frank-Michael

Jail Hotel (Switzerland)

Experience adventures, thrills and excitement all at once when you sleep 'behind bars' at the converted prison hotel 'Löwengraben' in Luzern. The place has been a hotel since 1998. Stripy jim-jams compliment the jailbird look. 'If you're looking for a reasonably priced room in central Luzern, coupled with a novel hotel experience, this is a good place to try', according to HolidayCheck user Mark.

Plane Hotel (Sweden)

Everyone knows you can't get a decent night's sleep on an aeroplane. Things are different at the Jumbo Hotel in Stockholm. This old Boeing 747-200 is roomy and comfortable and guests can even indulge their flights of fancy in the cockpit suite.

Tree House Hotel (Germany)

Pining for your childhood roots? Book in at the tree house Hotel Solling and see how the hotel sector is branching out to cover every possible novelty niche. This place is not only a great choice for kids, it's also a treat for budding adventurers of all ages. Nobody leaves here without a smile on their face!

Igloo Hotel (Switzerland)

Live like an Eskimo in Trübsee Igloo Village in Engelberg. Guests can even build their own igloos. HolidayChecker user Daniela enthuses: 'Everything here, from the chairs to the beds, is made of ice - right down to the tiniest details! It's brilliantly done.'

Underwater Hotel (USA)

In the spirit of Jules Verne's '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea', the Jules Undersea Lodge is built on the seabed 40 feet below the surface. Big windows give guests the chance to appreciate the submarine panorama to the full. There is no direct access to the world above so you have to check in and out with the assistance of a diving suit. Similar hotels are planned for Fiji and Dubai.

If these are a bit too exciting for you, never mind. Just head on over to www.holidaycheck.co.uk to look at and book thousands of hotels worldwide.

10 Disgusting Foods from around the World

What? You thought my disgusting everyday foods post was nasty? But that was just a warmup for the main showing! Here's a delectable selection foods people wouldn't blink twice at when served in their native country, but probably make most of us want to return our lunch.

Drunken Shrimp (China)

A bowl of live shrimp swimming in strong alcohol (baijiu), which is supposed to stun them and thus make consumption slightly easier!

Chicken Cartilage (Japan)

Otherwise known as Nankotsu, this dish is common in Japanese drinking establishments. Apparently it's not bad – just rather hard and chewy!

Pig Testicles (Mexico)

Also known as Prairie Oysters or Criadillas, this falls under the category of 'Surprisingly good if you have no idea what it is.'

Scrambled eggs with pigs blood (Hungary)

A speciality in Hungary, where the first pig slaughter of the season is a big deal. After chasing the unfortunate swine down, someone slits its throat and collects the blood in a pan. Added to this appetitising dish is...plain old scrambled eggs! Apparently has a brain-like appearance, but the taste is not bad at all!

Ants eggs (Belize, South America)

Otherwise known as 'Ghetto Caviar', this is quite popular in Belize. To get yourself a taste, all you have to do is find yourself a suitable ants nest, dig it up and then dig into the eggs. I'm told the taste is akin to citrusy alcohol. From personal experience involving an improperly sealed bottle of Campari, I can certainly believe in the citrus flavour.

Baby Mouse Wine (China)

Unfortunately, it really is just what it sounds like – a bottle of rice wine with the added bonus of several baby mice floating around in it. Deeelicious.

Spider on a stick (Cambodia)

Certainly one of the world's more unusual fast foods (and one I would not get within 100 metres of), but popular in many areas of Cambodia. Apparently this practice gained popularity during the Khymer Rouge days when food was scarce...and the taste just grew on the locals! In some places, hundreds of these tasty 8-legged treats are cooked and eaten every day!

Cynar (Italy)

Probably good if you're feeling stopped up, but not much else I would imagine. This Italian digestiv is made from artichokes! While Wikipedia informs me it can be drunk with cola, lemonade, tonic water or soda water, I'm more convinced from the personal reviews, which indicate that the taste is more akin to overcooked, burning artichokes.

Beer Jelly (USA)

Popular at student parties, this rather unappetising (possibly) dessert item is basically beer, gelatine and maybe a few cheese pops for that je ne sais quoi! (Literally...)

Baalut (Phillipines)

Finishing up with a really delicious one: take a fertilised duck egg, bury it in the ground, leave for a few weeks, then dig up and enjoy!

Apologies, by the way, for including fewer pictures with this entry, but I really didn't have the heart to look most of them up and you guys will probably thank me for it anyway!

Looking to book a holiday, find out more about a hotel, maybe get some travel ideas or just chat to fellow travellers? Well click your way over to holidaycheck.co.uk for all that and much more. Remember, anyone who submits 1 hotel review with four holiday snaps before the end of September has a chance to win a great little Travel Translator. Handy for all those lost in translation moment, or simply just showing off to your friends!

The Top Gay Holiday Destinations of 2009

What are the hottest destinations for gay travellers in 2009? HolidayCheck's users have been pretty much everywhere and have given a lot of feedback on the best gay-friendly places to check out. That's how we can be sure of offering 5 unbeatable tips.

Gran Canaria – The Gran Canarias gay scene is concentrated in the southern part of the island, especially around Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles. The nightlife is frenetic and can be found around the Yumbo Center in Playa del Ingles. There are loads of bustling bars here, around 40 of which cater to a predominantly gay crowd. The Yumbo Centre is a typical shopping centre during the day, but at night it's probably the biggest gay scene in all Europe. The Playa del Ingles nudist beach is a popular place for gays and lesbians to hang out.

Mykonos - This style-conscious gay paradise is also popular with artists and the fashionista set. This combination gives the island a special quality that's just hard to beat. The island is very small and 90% of the action is concentrated in Mykonos town. Gay beaches to explore are the Super Paradise Beach and the Elias Beach.

Barcelona - Barcelona is a cosmopolitan and open city. It's also a favoured gay destination. There's plenty on offer culturally too and although there is no specifically gay area there are a lot of gay bars in the 'Eixamle' district as well as gay shops, discos and pubs too.

Maledives - Even if some are generally intolerant of the scene,the island is nevertheless a popular place to visit amongst the community. Some hotels in Ari Atoll (Hotel Diva Maledives for example) and Baa Atoll (Hotel Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu for example) are more than happy to welcome gay holidaymakers.

Ibiza - There's scarce a resort in Europe that caters for gay holidaymakers to the extent that Ibiza does . The locals are a tolerant and easy going bunch and are happy to welcome a broad mix of visitors to the island. The gay scene is concentrated in Eivissa old town. As far as the beach is concerned, the southern end of Platja d’es Cavallet is a popular meeting point.

For more fun facts, reports and travel information, head on over to HolidayCheck and check out our recent press releases...before moving on to our hotel reviews, photos and videos, naturally.

10 Disgusting Everyday Foods

What makes it ok to eat one thing, but not another? Who knows? But considering how squeamish most Westerners are in comparison to other nationalities, it's amazing how this list of rather nasty foods get so regularly onto our plates and into our shopping baskets!

Stilton – Everybody loves cheese, but less so cheese with mould injected into it. I'm not sure who came up with the idea of injecting penicillium roqueforti into Stilton before leaving it to mature, but it's sure proved a popular, if disgusting, idea.

Haggis – Want to gross out your friends? Take the heart, stomach and lungs of a sheep,

mix in some other lovely ingredients and boil the whole thing in the stomach of the aforeme

ntioned sheep for a few hours. Then tuck in!

Spam – Heavily processed pork shoulder, or something more suspicious? Neither seem terribly nice, but over 6 billion cans of SPAM have been sold to date! While the original name comes from 'SPiced hAM', many other ideas have been ventured: 'Something Posing As Meat' being a favourite.

Bovril – How appetising does the following sound: a thick, salty meat paste that can be made into a hot drink, a base for soups of simply spread on bread as a delicious topping! What? You'd rather have jam? Well, suit yourselves...

Black Pudding – A staple of the traditional English breakfast, black pudding owes its colour to...wait for it...blood!

Oysters – Whoever managed to turn a raw crustaceon into not only a gourmet treat but an alleged aphrodesiac should get a medal.

Gelatine – Made from collagen in animals' skin and bones – deeeelicious! Particularly disgu

sting considering we use it mostly commonly in desserts. Although I've heard chefs have had a good go at making bacon and egg ice cream, so I suppose a bit of cow extract in your pudding isn't so crazy.

Liver and onions – Although some swear by it, the idea of eating liver – as one person puts it 'a giant blood clot' – turns my stomach. Normally served with something along the lines of mash and fried onions, steel yourself before diving in...

Deep fried Mars bar – For many people, this is the epitome of delicious rather than disgusting. A Mars bar (for those who don't know, this is a milk chocolate bar with a caramel and fluffy marshmallow-like filling) is coated in batter, then deep fried for ten minutes.

Caviar – Another one scoring high on the entrepreneurial scale. I can't imagine who first came up with the idea of eating fish eggs, but whoever did it (perhaps on a bet) hit the jackpot! I suppose there's something to be said for taking risks afterall.

Tune in next week, when I'll be dishing up some of the most bizarre and unappetising dishes worldwide! I just thought I'd start on this note to remind us we eat some very weird things right in our own back yard (figuratively, not literally).

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Five Great Coffee Houses in Amsterdam

A wonderful city with a great vibe, my memories of Amsterdam are some of my best. While I admit the city has a well-developed seedy side, I felt it was a friendly place and absolutely loved the system of canals. Part of our stay including watching the annual Gay Pride parade. I think my brother and father were less convinced, but I thought it was fantastic and the atmosphere was incredibly laid-back.

In that spirit, I'd like to share the fruits of my research - five of the very best coffee houses in Amsterdam. As some of you may know, coffee houses recently had to choose between serving marijuana and alcohol. The majority of them settled on marijuana, so don't hold high hopes of being able to get alcoholic drinks at these places BUT if you do fancy a bite of a space cake, a legal toke or just a great cup of joe and some fantastic people-watching, these are the places to go...

Abraxis

Hidden in a tiny alley near the Dam Square, this coffee house has three gorgeous wood-pannelled floors to hang out in. If you head up to the top small, you will find it decorated with live marijuana plants, which can be a thrill to newcomers. The ambiance is lovely and the view from the top is wonderful. If you're not afraid of heights, skip up to the top floor and look down through the glass partition all the way down to the ground floor!

Barney' Breakfast Bar

This is one is great for early risers, since it opens earlier than most coffee houses and also serves (as one would assume from the name) fantastic breakfasts. Also, since they're up near the train station, Barney's is a good place to go when you first hit town and nothing else has opened yet.

La Canna

A large, impressive coffee house boasting three floors, a billiards room, restaurant and even rooms to rent! The service is particularly good and this is a great place for people watching: just find yourself a seat by the second-floor windows for a great view out over the busy streets.

Popeye's

Famous not for its food nor its ambiance, but rather for its owner, Popeye's is something different! Popeye himself is the owner – a jovial, chatty guy who loves nothing better than chatting with his customers, hanging around and greeting and welcoming everybody. Great if you're feeling a little disillusioned!

Rokerij

Part of a small chain with four locations in the city. The original location is probably the best, boasting great service, wonderful food and drinks and a classy, indian-themed atmosphere. Just pay attention when looking for it, or you might miss it!

For more tips, tricks, hotels reviews, pictures and videos, take a look at holidaycheck.co.uk - never had any nasty surprises awaiting you at your destination again!

5 Fantastic Summer Drinks

It's a lovely, sunny summer's day here in Konstanz and - perhaps more importantly - it's Friday! This post is for everybody who's had a tough week and just wants to kick back, relax, enjoy the weather and have a lovely, cool drink (with a bit of a kick, naturally).

1) Spiked Lemonade

Homemade is always a firm favourite: it's delicious, incredibly easy to make and such a creature comfort.


Recipe:

5 lemons
1 lime
1/2 cup honey
fizzy water
ice

1) dissolve honey in a cup of warm water
2) squeeze your citrus fruit and add them to the honey-water mix
3) add a generous glug of your favourite alcohol - ones that work well are citrus-flavoured vodkas or rum
4) top up with club soda and ice and garnish with a sprig of mint for a fizzy, tangy summer treat

2) Traditional daiquiri

The daiquiri is always a firm favourite. While the flavoured kinds are all kinds of lovely, sometimes it's nice to just go with the traditional version (which is also a lot easier to make, I must say)

2oz light rum
3/4 oz lime juice
1tsp sugar
lime slices

1) This is easy: combine all your ingredients in a shaker with ice and mix well! Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with lime slices

3) Zubrowka cocktail

This is another ridiculously simple one. Zubrowka is traditional Polish vodka flavoured with bison grass, which mixed wonderfully with chilled apple juice. So try this:

2oz Zubrowka vodka
2oz chilled apple juice
apple slices
ginger essence
cinnamon stick

1) combine apple juice with just one or two drops of ginger essence to taste
2) add vodka
3) pour mixture into chilled glass over ice
4) garnish with apply slices and a cinnamon stick

4) Cuban Mojito

If a mojito doesn't scream summer to you, I don't know what planet you're on! These are absolutely delicious enjoyed on a hot summer day, a cool evening...just about any time, in fact. Even if you drink them in the rain, it still feels summery. Luckily, they're also pretty easy to make.

1tsp powdered sugar
1-2 limes, chopped
handful fresh mint leaves
2oz white rum
2 oz club soda

1) tip the chopped limes, mint leaves and powdered sugar into a glass and pound them with any suitable kitchen implement until the limes are properly juiced and the mint leaves have been well crushed.
2) add white rum, mix slightly
3) top up with club soda, as desired (some people just prefer the mint, lime juice, sugar and rum)
4) garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy!


5) Pimms

Come on, I am English...! But if you haven't tried Pimms yet, please do. It's fantastic, fruity but not overpowering and very unusual.

5 cl Pimms
lemonade, 7up, soda water - whichever you prefer
cucumber chunks or slices
orange and lemon slices
chopped strawberries
mint leaves

1) pour your Pimms and lemonade/desired mixed into a glass filled with ice and stir
2) add a great big mixture of cucumber, lemon, orange and stawberries and mix again
3) add a few mint leaves and garnish with a sprig of mint
4) enjoy!

Not summery enough? Well, maybe only a holiday will do! Read our hotel reviews, look at holiday pictures and participate in the forum at www.holidaycheck.co.uk

How to Keep Fit on Holidays

Yes, yes, I know: holidays are supposed to be about kicking back, relaxing, enjoying some fabulous food and drinks and NOT about working out! Still, I don't know about you, but it can be a bit depressing to get back from a two-week vacation and find that your favourite jeans don't fit anymore.

Luckily it's actually fairly easy to keep fit on holiday. Here are my top tips:

1) The world is your gym

By which I mean...there are hundreds of free (or affordable) opportunities to exercise more than your mouth on holiday. The easiest is, of course, walking. I'm a big fan of this myself and actually think many cities, in particular, are better seen on foot. It doesn't even seem like exercise when you're wending your way through secret little passageways and charming side-streets.

2) On yer bike, love!

Some cities also offer a rent-a-bike scheme, such as the Velub in Paris. This is great for sunny days - not so much when it's rainy, freezing cold or windy! It goes without saying that if you're off to a more rural area, bikes are one of the best ways to get around and experience the local area.

3) Swim for it

If these don't appeal, maybe swimming is more your thing? Beach holidays are of course perfect for this, but if you're staying in a decent hotel, make sure to make the most of the pool. Lovely and relaxing. You could also engage in a little beach volleyball or frizbee...

4) None of these appeal?

Finally, if these just don't cut it, you could always head off for a run. The best times to go this are usually early morning or in the evening, when it's not too hot and the streets aren't too crowded.

Make sure you know your way around, of course, or at very least know the language! Carry enough cash with you to hail a cab in case you get lost.

5) Get out your dancing shoes

Many countries have local customs and dances, so why not head off into the night to see what you can see? I'm not a party animal but it's great once in a while to go to a bar or club and boogie a bit. Particularly good if you're with friends or your partner, and even if you've been blessed with two left feet, you'll still get a good laugh out of it!

6) Eat locally

Avoid junk food. Why on Earth would you go on holiday only to eat in McDonalds?

Most countries have their own local specialities. You should definitely try these, but be wary if traditional cuisine is heavy in fat or sugar. Make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, maybe even buy from a market.

If you're holidaying near a lake or the sea, also try the local seafood. Not only should it be delicious and affordable, but it's generally very healthy.

---

...but this said, make sure you don't spend your trip counting calories and working out in the hotel gym: not fun at all!

Once you're doing with your workout, head on over to HolidayCheck. Have a skip through our holiday reviews, travel pictures and travel vidoes at http://www.holidaycheck.co.uk