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!

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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.

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...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

Sex on the Beach - Hangover in Jail?

A year ago this month a British couple were arrested in Dubai and charged with indecent behaviour after a local police officer caught them having sex on a beach. They received a three month prison sentence before boarding their flight home, red faces all round. Under the circumstances they were pretty lucky to escape a flogging. However the episode serves as a useful reminder that there may well be unforeseen legal consequences associated with getting frisky al fresco.

Romania punishes such transgressions with distinct severity whereas Swedish attitudes are notably more relaxed.In European countries the penalties are generally milder but even in Germany, for example, a prison sentence is possible, although the matter is much more a question of judicial discretion.

In popular holiday destinations like Croatia and Turkey they dispense fines for perceived public indecency. In Spain, fines can amount to a hefty 75,000 Euros. ¡Madre mía!

In Greece, Italy and Eygpt you can end up in jail for if you're caught in a public clinch. And the sentence would not be a token spell in the slammer. There's a real possibility you could spend years behind bars.

Islamic countries are the most unyielding in their moral opposition to open displays of affection. In Dubai merely kissing and hugging in public can be punished with a custodial sentence.

Topless sunbathing, or otherwise loafing about in the buff, is frowned upon in Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand and South Africa and definitely to be avoided. The best thing is to approach the customs and laws of the country you find yourself in with an attitude of respect.

However, if your preferred menu must include free-range nooky then Bulgaria, Norway, Canada and Jamaica should number among your choice holiday destinations. In these places you'll get off with a caution!

How to Save Money to Travel

Ahh yes, the eternal conundrum. We all want to travel, but travel costs money, now doesn't it? Whether travel must necessarily be a huge drain on the ol' bank account is a theme for another blog post, but I'm certainly ready with a few ideas for how to save up a few extra quid (or bucks, if you will).

I have to say, I don't think you're doing the student life right if you don't figure out a few money-saving shortcuts during your first years of uni. I've known people who have spent overdrafts (and second and third extensions) solely on alcohol - true story - but on the other hand, those who have come out miraculously able to pay off debts and skip off to Morocco after exams. Most of them, I must admit, had a bit of help from the Bank of Mum and Dad, but still: world of difference.

Still, I actually think you've more chance to save if you're not a student. Students live generally a very bare-bones kind of lifestyle and there's not always a lot to cut down on, whereas once you're out in the real world, your spending habits can go a bit wild. In any case, philosophy aside, here are my tips:

1) Those things at the bottom of your legs? They're called feet.

Rediscover them. Ditching the car can save you an absolute fortune. Clearly, most people are not in a position to go without wheels totally, but it's worth asking yourself whether you really need it for that nip to the cornership or taking your kids to school. Walking's in my blood. I used to walk home 5km home from school each day and then in Vienna 7km to work and back. I loved it. It's certainly a lot less frustrating than sitting in a traffic jam or cursing when the traffic lights turn red. If you're in the position to try a less auto-filled life, give it a go.

2) Brown bag it.

Do you remember your school lunchbox fondly? I do! So revive it. Pack yourself a little picnic for lunch each day and you could save several pounds each meal. If you're more of a hot meals for lunch kind of person, this requires more organisation, but it's relatively easy to whip up a huge batch of chilli and take it to work a few days in a row or freeze it for later use. Sandwiches made at home tend not only to be healthier if you skimp on the mayo, but much cheaper than the store-bought variety. Additionally, with all these new cooking skills, you can impress your date or partner without forking out for restaurant food!


3) Make staying home the new black.

For all you social butterflies meeting your friends at fancy bars and restaurants several times a week: reconsider. It's great fun, but incredibly expensive. Why not throw a dinner party and get your friends to reciprocate? Have a cheese and wine evening or stay in with some friends, pop some popcorn and watch a movie. Obviously don't become a recluse - but start thinking about cheaper alternatives to activites you enjoy.

4) Save automatically

If possible, arrange with your employer that a cut of your paycheck is deposited automatically into your savings account. If this isn't possible, try to be disciplined and do the same yourself with online banking. Even if you don't manage it every month, it's better than nothing. At home, try keeping a piggy bank around. At the end of each week, empty all your spare change into it. Nice and easy - you won't even miss it!

5) Get a second job

Think you can spare an evening or two a week - maybe a day at weekends? Then this option may be for you. Jobs for students in particular are easy to come by: bar work, restaurant work, call centres, fast food gigs, even tutoring, so there's no excuse. If you're already in fulltime work, things are more tricky, but depending on the time you're willing to invest, it is possible. Many restaurants and bars will take on staff for just a few shifts a week, particularly for awkward shifts other employees like to avoid. If your hours are more flexible, try joining an agency to pick up odd shifts here and there.

6) Do odd jobs

Babysitting, dog walking, lawn mowing? The world is your oyster. Ask around your circle of friends, post flyers in your neighbourhood, talk to your local parish, whatever you like. If you have additional talents, why not offer those out as well? Trained as an electrician? Quick and easy fixes. Studied history? Tutor some struggling students. Know a second language? Try teaching someone else. Make sure your prices are fair and people will pick up on it.

7) Keep your eye on the goal


It always helps to keep a close eye on your finances, particularly when you're saving for a particular goal. If you don't watch out, you can easily fall behind or fall totally off the wagon - this is not good! Make sure to check your bank statements regularly (internet banking is a godsend), keep your receipts together and try keeping a spreadsheet of your expenses so you can identify where your money's going. You might discover some seriously big drains this way that you'd never noticed before.


What are you favourite ways to cut back when you're saving? Do you give up eating out, maybe hold back on that daily cappuccino? (I'm lucky - we have a decent coffee machine at work) Maybe you have some more ingenious ways! Let me know!


Come along and join the discussion in the HolidayCheck forum here. While you're there, remember that if you submit a hotel review you will not only be helping millions of other travellers make up their minds on where to go, but you can also win a nifty little Travel Translator for all those tricky situations abroad.