The Hotelopia employee in the spotlight this month is David Rivero.  He says:

Hola! I’m David Rivero, and I work in the Design Department at Hotelopia. With summer starting, I’ll be planning plenty of short breaks to festivals and fiestas taking place around Europe.

Madrid goes wild in celebration of its patron saint San Isidro in May while Menorca turns party crazy at the San Juan fiesta held in June. Visitors and residents turn out in their thousands to see the horse displays. I personally prefer the street party which goes on well into the early hours.

But if like me, you prefer live music, then check out Optimus Alive 09 which is held in Portugal. It’s heavy, it’s rocking and I’ll be there to see Metallica (minus the long hair which unfortunately I don’t have anymore).

See you there!

But if like me, you prefer live music, then check out Optimus Alive 09 which is held in Portugal. It’s heavy, it’s rocking and I’ll be there to see Metallica (minus the long hair which unfortunately I don’t have anymore).

See you there!

It seems the Britsh public are “nun too happy” in response to the group of 17 Bristol boys  dressed as nuns who were caught boozing and behaving badly in Crete according to Handbag.com.

While it seems most Brits are ashamed of their behaviour, the reality is that a market exists for this type of holiday.

Hotelopia is based on the beautiful Spanish Balearic island of Majorca, which is home to one of Britain’s favourite hen and stag party destination Magaluf.

Lagered up stag and hen packs, wearing anything from naughty nuns, schoolgirls and nurses outfits are common place here. But thankfully any misbehaving is contained within this  resort.

Magaluf is a very small part of an essentially beautiful island. Without the boozing Brits drinking their own body weight in San Miguel every summer, the local economy would be hard hit.

So if the 17 men wish to get back into the habit, then they should book a break to Magaluf.  They’ll be welcomed with open arms.

For everyone else, Majorca offers great gastronomy, stunning architecture, free island festivals, and sun worshiping on the virgin white sands, making summer here something of a religion – Amen to that!

Great news! Even though a few of the Michael Jackson concert dates have changed, those who booked a concert ticket and hotel package with Hotelopia and Thomson Experience, can now exchange their package for an alternative tour date -  including the new opening night. Alternatively a full refund is also available.

New tour dates are as follows.
-The July 8 concert has been rescheduled for July 13
-July 10 moves to 1 March, 2010
-July 12 moves to 3 March 2010
-July 14 moves to 6 March, 2010

If you were lucky enough to get a ticket through Ticketmaster and just need a hotel, Hotelopia & Thomson Experience are offering a 10% discount on any new hotel bookings with us. Simply contact us and request a discount code.

And for those still wishing to come to London for the pre-scheduled July weekend, Thomson Experience can offer alternative extras to seeing Michael Jackson in concert including theatre tickets, access to the London Eye or museums including Madame Tussauds.

For further information, contact customerservice@thomsonexperience.com or call 0207 4621563.

Visitors to Paris can now get a unique insight into the city as Metro stations once used as air raid shelters during the Second World War have been reopened to the public.  

The ghost stations with their distinctive emblematic Art Nouveau entrances were first cast into the spotlight as locations for iconic French movies including Amelie which filmed scenes here.

Now visitors can see where thousands of Parisians were forced to take shelter during the war years.  Check out the unique 1900 architecture and classical old War advertisements which have stood the test of time.  For more information,  read here, or contact the ADEMAS, or the Association D’Exploitation du Material Sprague.

The sun’s set to shine all over the UK Bank Holiday Weekend which is perfect timing to visit two of the World’s Top Ten Beaches, according to this Guardian article.

But there’s no need to travel far.  In addition to the paradise sands in Brazil, Australia and The Cook Islands, two pristine UK beaches have been highlighted over other exotic stretches of sand.

First up is Shell Bay in Dorset, renowned for its sweeping golden sands and fabulous views along the Isle of Purbeck.  Take the short three minute ferry ride from Sandbanks to these well kept National Trust preserved shores.

Also making the “best beach list” is Scotland’s Sinclair´s Bay beach in Caithness.  If it wasn’t for the cooling northerly winds, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the pristine white sands and turquoise blue seas for those found in the Caribbean.  What’s more, it’s all on your doorstep (almost).

Madrid is one of Europe’s most exciting cities and during the month of June Spain’s capital positively buzzes with the onset of the summer.
Packed full of more tapas bars, cafes and restaurants than anywhere else in Spain, Madrid is also home to seemingly endless collection of art galleries, not to mention the jaw-dropping architecture.
But don’t just stick to the city centre. Head out to Chueca which is Madrid’s hippest district and now a centre for cool clothes shops and a sizzling nightlife.
Tempted? Then find out more from our customers’ recommendations for things to do in the city.

If you’ve just eaten, look away now.  This is a guide to the world’s top 10 scariest rollercoaster rides posted on timesonline.

For the tallest and fastest rollercoaster, head to Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure, in New Jersey,USA.  Hop aboard to drop a stomach churning 418ft (127m) then reach top speeds of 128mph.

Coming a close second in the fear factor stakes is the Steel Dragon – Nagashima Spa Land in Nagashima, Japan.  This revolutionary ride reaches a speed of 98mph, but offers the ultimate near death sensation, not to mention extreme g-force.
But why wait to visit? You can enjoy the ride right here courtesy of Youtube.

For a totally local view on Europe’s favourite cities, check out Spotted by Locals, which brings together “in-destination” bloggers who give their own unique take on their home town.  Read their tips on the best places to visit in cities including Madrid, Prague, London and Rome etc.

Also, let us know what you think here of places you have visited, so we can include in up-and-coming Hotelopia newsletters.

As far as novelty restaurants go, this one literally takes the p*ss.  A Taiwanese restaurant chain has expanded into China, offering customers the unique opportunity to eat out of a toilet and drink out of plastic urinals in what is possibly the world’s weirdest novelty themed restaurant.

According to Youtube, “It’s supposed to shock and confuse the senses,” says Chen Minkuang, manager of a Taiwan Modern Toilet.  You don’t say!

Making a long road trip has just been made easier thanks to a number of cool applications developed for the iPhone.

Favourites include MapsBuddy, which doesn’t just provide mapping, but gives shortcuts for the nearest petrol stations, restaurants, and other pit-stops you wish to make.

Also, why pay for an internet connectionwhen you can get it for free. Download the app for WifiTrack which detects your location and pin-points the closest wifi spots to where you are.

And for those travelling with kids, there’s even an application for Road Trip Fun.  Game of “I Spy” anyone?

Read more here :