Today Hotelopia wants to take you into some of the biggest religious temples of the world, their architecture and decoration are considered a work of art that is worth visiting, follow us:

-          Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome: It is the biggest temple in the world (although it is not a Cathedral) with 218 metres long and 136 metres high to the dome. Among its architects artists as important as Raphael and Michelangelo. Inside the temple there are numerous spectacular sculptures and paintings in the Renaissance style.

-          St. Paul’s Cathedral, London: It was built at the end of the XVII century and it was one of the few buildings that survived the Second World War in the city. The dome is the perfect place to have views of the city and it is the second in size, after St. Peter’s.

-          Seville Cathedral: It is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world. It was built on the remains of the mosque. In fact, the “Giralda” (the tower) was part of the mosque that was reconverted to Christian after the Reconquest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site from 1987 and it serves as the burial site of Christopher Columbus.

-          Cologne Cathedral: It is the biggest church in Germany and it was the highest building in the world until Washington’s Monument was built in 1884. Its Neogothic style is a landmark of the city and it is the most visited monument in the country. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage.

If you like this kind of architecture and the works of art of the Renaissance and Gothic periods, do not miss this incredible churches.

Minorca, an emerald-blue and white island

With an extension of 702 km2, and 216 km of coastline that includes a total of 120 beaches, Minorca, is the most Eastern of the Balearic Islands, and is the first place in Spain to glimpse rays of sunlight.

If you are looking for nature in a pure state, then Minorca is what you are after. The island is mainly flat; its highest peak is Monte Toro with an altitude of 358 m.a.s.l. from which exceptional panoramic views over the island can be appreciated. You can discover the hidden coves on land or by sea. Minorca was declared as a Biosphere Reserve in 1993. Its coves and landscapes are highly unique, and in addition, its biodiversity makes it even more special.

Port of Maó is believed to be the second largest natural harbour in the world, with a length of 5 km. Ciutadella, located in western Minorca, is impregnated with history and in its streets you breathe a mixture of architectonic styles that have been inherited from past civilizations.

Book your hotel in Minorca.

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A festival is always an unforgettable experience. Add to that a stunning location (on the shores of Loch Ness, in Inverness, the heart of the Highlands) and top up with the biggest rock band in the UK at the moment, and you get Rockness. This festival is making a name as one of the musts of the summer, and its finding its place among the most important Festivals of the year (it wone Line-up of the Year at the UK Festival Awards last year).

This year’s headliners can be trusted to play their best hits, as Paolo Nutini will get everyone singing along on the last day. It may not be as sunny as Benicassim or as big as Glastonbury but this festival is worth a try, you will not regret it!

Rockness will take place from the 10th to the 12nd of June near Inverness, check hotels in Hotelopia.

Maybe you watch it with sarcasm, maybe with joy and enthusiasm, maybe it is just an excuse to meet up with friends but whatever the case, Hotelopia bets you will be watching this year’s Eurovision contest (next 14^th of May).

If you do like it, you may be watching it live from Dusseldorf Arena. If you happen to be in this city during the weekend, take the opportunity to join the Germans by the Dusseldorf´s Thyssen skyscraper. The building will be transformed into a gigantic TV screen for the occasion, as live images of the competition will be projected onto its façade.

This year’s UK representation will be Blue, the world’s famous group.  Some other contestants will be Jedward, the twins from Ireland and another couple of TWiiNS from Slovakia among others. Find the best hotels in Dusseldorf in Hotelopia.

Here is a little trip from traveler to traveler: if you are starting to plan your summer holidays over the next few weeks there are some things you should take into account:

1.      Book early: the sooner you book, the cheapest you will get your flights and accommodation.

2.      Ask people: People you know might have travelled to where you are planning to go, there is no better guide than friends or family, because they know what you like and they can tell you their experience: best restaurants, hotels and places to visit.

3.      Go on internet, but do not believe everything: It is clear; Internet is a great source of information when travelling, but be careful! Not all the information you find is true and not all the opinions you read are going to be exact: both possitive and negative views can be caused by specific people or circumstances that may have changed.

4.      Plan and enjoy: Planning doesn’t mean you have to follow it to the dot, but it will help if you know where you want to be and what you want to do in general terms. Its taking off the stressing parts of your holidays.

If you follow this few and easy tips you’ll have the time of your life and while you are there, you will just enjoy and relax!

Spring is always a good time for a city break. Cities have open spaces for enjoying the sunshine if it is good weather and world-class indorr attractions in case of rainy days.

Capitals in the South, such as Madrid, Rome or Lisbon are, in this time of the year, the perfect temperature, if you wait too long it may be too hot, but now it’s the time for terraces and beers in the sunshine and walking and sightseeing as much as possible. If you prefer going further north, Berlin is a perfect mix of historical and modern architecture and Amsterdam is now not as cold, so the perfect time to hire a bike and cycle by the canals.

These are just some possibilities, capitals around Europe are only a few hours apart, so get your ticket and get visiting!

Today Hotelopia would like you to don your walking boots and come with us on a brilliant trip to the highlands of Scotland. With this year’s summer months shaping up to be great ones (touch wood) we thought we would look a little closer to home for that idea get-away.

The highlands (and lowlands) of Scotland boast some of the most spectacular and undisturbed moorland and mountains in Europe, so why bother with the stress of organising a complicated holiday when all you need to do is put the family in the car and head north? With well trodden routs and walks such as Arran coastal walk, the Conwal way and East Highland way, but to name a few there really is an abundance of choice.

If you’re feeling the call of the wild then head to the north west to areas such as the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, where mountains such as Suilven, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mòr await nestled amongst the lochans and moorlands.

Off the west coast you can easily visit islands such a Skye, Eigg, Muck and Rum. Further south the island is Islay is a must for the whiskey lover amongst you.  While on the subject of whiskey, the Speyside Way walk will take you past some of the best distilleries Scotland has to offer, and it would be rude not to stop for a wee dram or two.

Scotland also has some of the best seafood in the UK, coupled with the world famous beef and venison trying the local cuisine with its home cooked feel is also a must.

As summer approaches most of us will be looking forward to kicking it back on a nice quite beach, possibly  with the family, lazily sunning ourselves and letting the worries of real life wash away. If however this idea sounds utterly boring then Hotelopia will let you in on a little secret.

While the masses of Europe head for southern Spain, Italy and France we would like to take you to an action packed week in the French Alps. Many people are oblivious to the abundance of activates the Alps has to offer in summer, and if you know where to look you can find a whole host of outdoor activities ready and waiting under the summer sun.

Take the cycling Mecca of Alpe d’Huez for a prime example, in summer this skiing refuge transforms itself into an adventure sports heaven. The 21 hairpin bends leading up to this resort have led to some of the greatest moments in cycling’s history. If you feel up to the challenge hire a timer from the bottom of the mountain, get on your bike and see how your efforts fares against cycling’s best. If you prefer something a little more dirty, then you’ll be pleased to know the vast majority of ski lifts stay open in the summer months enabling you to throw your mountain bike onboard and head off to some of the Alps most challenging downhill runs.

Paragliding is another option if you have no fear of heights, and looking down on a summer alpine setting is a breathtaking and highly recommended activity.

If this all sounds a little too much then Alpe d’Huez still has something for you. The valley has 143 miles of beautiful, marked hiking trails and 12 lakes within walking distance from the resort, so you’re easily able to cool off after a hard day.

Just this one small mountain has so much to offer, so with a little time spent looking you are guaranteed to find an activity to your liking in the Alps. The mountains, meadows, lakes and scenery in this summer paradise deserve your time; and we can guarantee that once you’ve been you will forget all about that bucket and spade and be back for some more.

A week of flamenco, feasting and horses makes Seville’s April Fair, “La feria de Abril” one of the most spectacular festivals in Spain. This year, it will be from Monday the 2^nd until Sunday the 9^th (the exact dates change depending on Easter).. It officially starts with the illumination of the gateway at midnight, on the Monday, it is the night of the pescaito when people have fried fish for dinner inside the casetas. That night is when all the members of each caseta get together.

The following days there will be lunches and dinner with tapas, relaxing chats about life, Sevillanas and Flamenco singing and dancing in traditional dresses and visits to friend’s casetas. Some will also horse ride around el Real or hire a carriage. Gastronomy is part of Sevilla’s life, and it is also a very important part of La Feria; Jamón Serrano, fried eggs and fried fish are the most typical food to eat. This or other tapas are always topped up with some Manzanilla mixed with 7up, a very refreshing drink called “rebujito”.

Most casetas are private, and joining one can be expensive, however there are a number of casetas open to the public, where you can drink, eat and dance as much as you are willing to. Some sevillanos can invite you for a drink and a tapa, even if they don’t know you, but remember it is not an invitation for the afternoon!

Colourful and cheerful, this festival is the reflection of the spirit of the city: come and visit!

Gibraltar couldn’t have a better mixture, it is a vibrant destination that combines the spirit of the Mediterranean with British Tradition, an interesting place to visit if you happen to be arround.

The border between Spain and Gibraltar is defined by the Airport, so it has to be closed every time a plane needs to land. Once you are in it, you really feel in England, apart from the fact they drive in the right side of the road.

If you are planning to walk around this British territory of around 7 km2 here is what we recommend:

Shopping: Gibraltar shops are tax free, thanks to the tax free status Gibraltar enjoys. This is specially interesting in parfumes, watches and other high value objets. Don’t forget to take a look at the shops in the Main Street.

History: From a historical point of Gibraltar has been in the middle of many battles and several different countries have claimed it, each leaving a mark on the area, as well as remnants of their own occupation of Gibraltar. Do not miss the opportunity to talk to Gibraltarians, they are very helpful and will be delighted to tell you their impressions.

Nature: The Rock of Gibraltar can be accessed by taxi, buses or cable car, on the top you will have some amazing views of the sea, the Mediterranean to one side and the Atlantic Ocean to the other. On sunny days you will be able to see Africa, on the other side of the strait. The semi-wild Barbary Macaques form an integral part of the Rock, they interact with tourists, but you should be careful, they can bite! Moreover, you shouldn’t miss the spectacular St. Michel cave.

Nature, history and shopping a great blend topped up with excellent views, take a closer look…