The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has put together a Travel checklist of things you should do for your safety before going abroad, we have brought out the most important ones. Have a look, it will make you enjoy your holidays even more!

• Find out where the nearest EMBASSY will be; check their website to find out what services they offer and their opening times.
• Don’t travel without INSURANCE; make sure it covers you for any activities you are likely to undertake such as extreme or water sports
• If you are travelling within the EU, get a free EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD for free or reduced emergency care. Even if you do, you still need full travel insurance!
• Remember, you can call 112 to contact the emergency services in any EU country.
• Check with your doctor to find out if you need any VACCINATIONS before you travel.
• Make sure you’ve got correct VISAS for the country you are visiting and that your passport is valid.
• Take PHOTOCOPIES of your passport and other important documents and keep these separate from the originals when you travel and/or store them online using a secure data storage site.
• TELL a friend or relative where you are going and for how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible and an emergency contact number
• Take enough MONEY for your trip and some back-up funds in a mix of cash and travellers cheque –  make a note of the cheques’ numbers before you go.

Feeling a bit peckish this week, fancy heading out for a meal? Well it just so happens you’re in luck. As of yesterday- Monday 26th April- the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants were announced, deliberated by over 800 food critics, chefs and restaurateurs a lift of the 50 best places to dine this year was announced. It was decided that the finest place to eat on the planet is restaurant ‘Noma’ in Copenhagen, Denmark. The cuisine is a refined Nordic and Scandinavian interpretation supervised by head chef René Redzepi.
The USA did well this year with three restaurants in the top ten, ‘Alinea’ in Chicago was best places for the US with 7th; the UK’s ‘The Fat Duck’ came in an impressive 3rd with Italy also claiming a top ten boast. Spain however continue to dominate the crème de le crème of fine cuisine with four top ten placing with last year’s winner ‘El Bulli’ losing the top spot and slipping to second.

The most important social network worldwide has announce that from tomorrow on, there will be an alliance with Spotify. Last week there was a similar agreement between Facebook and Pandora. Now the Premium users of the music program will be able to share their music with their Facebook friends and friends will have the option to rate and comment about it.

As you may know last Thursday 22^nd it was Earth Day. There were events held all around the world to make people aware of the consequences of pollution and to the event encourages us all to do that little bit extra to protect the world we live in. Now in its 40th year, this Worldwide Day has been celebrated in different ways.

This weekend in Rochester a special celebration to commemorate the 40^th anniversary is to be held, The MI Earth Day Fest . This morning the Festival started with a parade but it also involves 200 green and wellness exhibits, kids corner arts and activities, organic food and drink, renewable energy equipment, home improvement and energy conservation, electric and hybrid vehicle displays, green home and garden products, and other healthy and green living resources.

The festival offers people ideas and opportunities to join the international push for a cleaner and healthier environment.  It runs until 7 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Just a video…

How the world stopped because of the volcano…

Flying through the volcanic ash: a pilot\’s view

Any plan for next week? We have the perfect suggestion  for all you party lovers. Forget Ibiza and the Greek island, this month head on over to Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand. Here every month during the full moon you can take part in one of the world’s best parties.

Since the mid 80´s this small slice of paradise has steadily grown into one of the most famous nights out on the planet regularly attracting between 20,000-30,000 fun loving people

So this month we suggest heading to the Full Moon Party where the bars, clubs, music and beach stay open till sunrise.

What are you waiting for with luxurious and cheap accommodation draped across the sands come with Hotelopia to Thailand.

Iceland Volcano erupted yesterday from within a glacier. But the consequences are not only being felt in the isle but around Europe. In Iceland, it melted ice and triggered flooding in the surrounding area, hundreds of people had to be evacuated, but in Europe it has caused a complete air traffic chaos.

Airspace over the UK has been closed off at least until tomorrow, Thursday 16^th at 7.00 am because of the huge clouds of ash  that the volcano has spew into the atmosphere. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of passengers were looking for other means of transport (Eurostar and ferries)

Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Finland all have, or are planning, no-fly zones today. Russia has also reported problems, so be careful if you are flying today or tomorrow to one of these countries and check first.

Popularly known as the city of canals, Venice is one of those   cities that you have to see to believe… it is of the most romantic cities of the world. Let yourself be seduced by the magic of Venice and indulge in its history by strolling through St. Mark’s Square, taking a ride in a gondola to get to know the canals, admiring the famous Bridge of Sighs or marvelling at any of the numerous palaces that reflect the city in its heyday.

And if you have time, visit some of the islands that stretch around the city centre. One of the most famous islands is Murano Island, famous for its authentic glassware craftsmen who continue to manufacture products in the most traditional way.

Venice is a MUST in Italy, with the good weather starting it could be the perfect destination for a romantic weekend. Book your hotel in Hotelopia

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It is sure you know quite a few restaurants you could recommend right now if you were asked where to go for dinner. However, there are probably some other restaurants that you have been and that you liked but you can’t remember their names or you don’t recall exactly how to get there.

The solution is easy and cheap and will help you find and remember the restaurants you like easily, in your city and when travelling:

- Whenever you go to a restaurant, pub or café you like ask for the place’s card.

- Write on the card any suggestions, what you liked about the place, what you didn’t…

- Keep it together with all the other cards, in a card holder, and album or something like that.

-If someone asks you where to go or you don’t know what to do one night just take a look at your album and you’ll get some brilliant ideas, you will never forget anything!

For those who do not know, The Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It is decorated with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of celebrities honoured by their contributions to the entertainment industry. This place celebrates its 50th birthday and will be having special events and parties.

The proyect was first announced in 1953 but it wasn’t until 1958 when a model of the Walk was presented in a Ceremony organised by the Chamber of Commerce of LA. The first eight starts were also presented during this act. After some legal problems it was started on 1960 and finished during spring 1961.

This year 2010 is specially important to the Walk because it celebrates its first half century. There will be a great festival in June and a special and exclusive party in November.

Have you not been to Hollywood yet? This is the time! Book your hotel in Hollywood in Hotelopia.