Morocco is a world apart from European holidays. However lying just to the south of Spain this new world is easily accessible and with a number of budget airlines beginning to fly to these exotic shores there has never been a better time to plan your trip.

If visiting Morocco, the ancient imperial city of Marrakech is a must! Lying at the foot of the stunning Atlas Mountains (also well worth a visit) this ancient city is full of wonderful bazaars where you may haggle for the most intricately hand crafted lanterns, wonderful infusions of spice and herbs and palm oil, a new hit in the kitchen.

Marrakech also boasts impressive palaces and tombs which, twinned with their stunning gradens, are said to embody ‘peace and tranquillity.’ Alternatively head to the old town or ‘medina’ where the bustling squares and bazaars will be filled with salesmen, fire eaters, jugglers and noisy souqs.

After a full day spend the night in a traditional Riad (Old Moroccan Guesthouse.) With their peaceful internal courtyards usually filled with fountains, flowing water and jasmine flowers you can’t help but relax and soak up your day.

However you chose to spend your time here it will most certainly be an assault on the senses like you have never before experienced! Hotelopia would love to introduce you to this part of the world and with our wonderful offers including a number of excellent Riad’s in the old town there has never been a better time to step in to the exotic.

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland, and the third one in the UK. There are many reasons why you should visit and we will give you some of them today:

First of all it is a city full of live: nights out are a must, concerts, musicals, exhibitions… there is always something going on for every taste!

Without a doubt shopping can be another reason, specially for girls. The best brands and companies around the world sell in what is known to be the largest and best retail centre in the UK outside of London.

Moreover you should not forget to visit one of its well-known tea rooms. We recommend The Willow Tea Rooms, good tea and good interior design in one place. There, you can also get a taste of the famous architect and designer Mackintosh who was a Glaswegian and one of the principal exponents of Art Nouveau.

If you want to go deeper into Mackintosh art as well as seeing some Dali paintings and other artists works you should also visit the Kelvingrove Museum, impressive building and a nice permanent exhibition.

A weekend in Glasgow is what you were looking for, a bit of everything and all in one! Book your hotel in Glasgow in Hotelopia.

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.

What about a nice weekend in the south of England? It is not always necessary to go out of the country to discover somewhere beautiful, different, special and charming. Those words describe perfectly the essence of Dartmouth, a small town in the south of England that is famous for its castle and its colourful houses.

Dartmouth is a smart choice; a nice, tranquil and peaceful place to get out of the city’s traffic jams and stress. There are plenty of things to do: have a walk to the castle, or get the little boat that takes you there; or take the ferry to Kingswear, where you can see and get on a steam train. If the weather gets worst the Cherub Pub is the place to be. It is also worth knowing that it is Dartmouth’s oldest building.

Soon winter will be over (or at least it is something we are all looking for) so book your hotel in this wonderful little town and get out of your day to day routine!

Edinburgh is a city known for its castle, its gardens and tales. However, the birthplace of Harry Potter is also known for being one of the most expensive cities in the UK. Today we suggest a few places you can visit for free in this wonderful Scotish city.

First of all, you cannot miss the National Gallery of Scotland, located in one of the most popular streets of Edinburgh, Princess St, it has a very extense collection, with paintings of Velazquez, Titian, Van Gogh or Cezanne. If you prefer an outdoors activity and you are brave enough to go out in the Scotish weather,  you should definitely visit the Botanic Gardens, beauty in a variety of forms and sizes. Finally, if you are more of a music person you should stop at the jazz bar, a small bar in Old Town where there is music every night, ideal for relaxing whilst having a drink.

So there it is, activities for everyone without spending more than you can afford.

Travellers, the moment has arrived to write a letter to the Three Magi from the Orient. Where would you like to go on a trip next year? Which destination would you love to explore? Which city or town to pick? Which country to tour? Now is the time to write down your travel wishes. Who knows? They might even come true. Have you been good?

Where would you like to go in 2010? What was the most enjoyable trip away you had in 2009?

Winter is upon us and some ski resorts are now open and ready to receive lots of ski buffs after the first snowfall of the season, who are keen to get away for this long weekend break, in commemoration of the Spanish Constitution. Hotelopia recommends three destinations: Andorra, the Pyrenees and Alps. This time, we have skipped over Mount Saint Elias, located between Alaska (USA) and Yukon (Canada), where three ski mountaineers strapped on their skis and descended a 25- kilometre long “ski slope.” A feature documentary was made of their adventure.

Club Gascon is a Michelin-starred restaurant in London where you can dine for 14 euros, without fear of getting sent to the kitchen to wash the dishes afterwards. It’s not the only one either. Thirteen restaurants with one or two Michelin stars have decided to offer their customers menus for less than 30 pounds (33.6 euros). Michelin Pied à Terre and the Foliage are two such restaurants. In the case of Club Gascon, which offers the lowest price, the menu includes a dish of the day, a glass of wine, dessert and coffee. The owners of these establishments say the crisis is the main reason why they are promoting this initiative. This means that on the London tube, you could here the following conversation between three friends backpacking around Europe:
“Where do you want to eat today?”
“Let’s get out the Michelin guide and look for a cheap restaurant.
“What do you think? One or two stars today?”

A mining company in search of gold has apparently destroyed 100 metres of the Great Wall of China. The most well-known monument and tourist attraction in China was built 2000 years ago to protect its borders from invaders attacking from northern Asia. Until this mining company decided to blow it sky high, the Great Wall of China was 6,000 kilometres long. Previously, it had reached 8,000 kilometres, but with the passing of time and human intervention, parts of the wall are now in ruins or have disappeared. When travellers visit the wall, they might come across country houses nearby that were built with stones from this monument. Destroying the wall today could involve a hefty jail sentence. Many walls have been built and many others destroyed over the last 2,000 years, but the Great Wall of China stands proud, like a gigantic dragon, enduring the tests of time. It is simply amazing. Fortunately for the travellers who have yet to admire it in person, there are still 5,900 kilometres left standing.

On the occasion of the Agrotur Trade Fair held at the Feria de Cornellà Exhibition Centre, the newspaper “ Periodico de Cataluña” interviewed Enric Brufau, the director of this event. In times of crisis, the rural tourism industry is not only holding up, but it is even managing to continue growing. Enric Brufau believes that the crisis has caused travellers’ habits to shift. Now they opt for shorter stays in destinations that are closer to home, instead of going on long overseas trips. He also declared in the interview that sitting in front of a fireplace is an excellent therapy for relieving stress.
Quite a few years ago, rural tourism began to become an attractive option to consider when planning a holiday. At the beginning, this alternative popped up almost spontaneously and there were no regulations set up control it. Nowadays however, rural tourism is a sound alternative for travellers. Now that there is no more arguing about whether it’s time to put the heavy duvet on the bed, shall we sit in front the fireplace? Maybe we aren’t that stressed out or maybe we can’t get rid of all of it, but isn’t it worth it just to enjoy this moment?