Looking back at 2010 now that it is gone for good, as a traveller that is probably how it will be remember: The year of the volcano.

Iceland, and its unpronounceable named Volcano were the headlines during more than a week, when the whole air space in Europe stopped because of it. The chaos affected not only holidays but important meetings, sports events and much more

2010 has also been the year of the terrible earthquake in Haiti and the 33 miners in Chile, it has shown that society in the XXI century is also willing to help, cooperative, caring and supportive.

Good things and bad things have happened during this year that we will remember in the future…we hope that 2011 is full of trips, holidays and nice stays in hotels!

Hoy comienza, como cada año a finales de Mayo, el San Miguel Primavera Sound en Barcelona. El Forum acogerá más de 60 actuaciones, repartidas entre los 6 escenarios y los tres días de duración de entre las que destacan los históricos ‘Wilco’ y ‘Pet Shop Boys’. Una gran variedad de artistas de diferentes estilos: rock, electro, folk…la mayor parte de los grupos que participan son desconocidos para los asistentes, pero gracias a la calidad de sus actuaciones, el boca a boca y las redes sociales, consiguen el interés del público en sus conciertos.

Si te apetece un poco de música alternativa apúntate a este festival de conciertos al que  también pueden asistir los más pequeños de la familia. Si no vives en Barcelona, recuerda que las mejores ofertas para hoteles están en Hotelopia.

The Cannes Film Festival was founded in 1946 and it is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals. It is held annually in Cannes, a coast city in the south of France, also known for its luxury shops and restaurants.

This year’s 63rd edition takes place from 12 May to 23 May (this Sunday). American film director Tim Burton is to be the President of the Jury that will give the festival’s most known award La Palm d’Or (the golden palm) for the best film.

Do you fancy being around celebrities and the most famous actors and actresses? Want to have a nice weekend by the sea? Do not hesitate, this is your opportunity! Make your reservation in Hotelopia!

The Expo Shangai 2010 will be, undoubtedly, one of the events of the years (together with the Winter Olympic games in Vancouver and the World cup in South Africa). It starts in exactly 53 days and will last from May 1^st until October 31^st. It is expected to have a sum of 70 million visitors and at least 200 participants.

We all know that Expos always have a mascot. Shanghai’s one is called Haibao. The name is easy to remember and it comes from Hai Bao, a typical lucky name in Chinese tradition. Its shape was developed from a Chinese character meaning people. It has already been place all over Shanghai . Moreover, the theme of Expo 2010 is “Better City, Better Life,” representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments.

The UK pavilion is still under construction. It is an outstanding, visual demonstration of the UK as a creative and innovative nation. Developed by Thomas Heatherwick, the centrepiece of the UK pavilion is a six storey high object formed from some 60,000 slender transparent rods, which extend from the structure and quiver in the breeze. This rods will illuminate the interior by day and the exterior by night.

Shanghai World Expo will be the most spectacular and important event of its type. It is an Expo for the 21st Century and every participant is working hard to make be unique and unforgetable. If you haven’t decided what to do in your next holidays, this could be a candidate! Check your hotels in Shanghai in Hotelopia.

The Academy Awards (popularly known as the Oscars) are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry. The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is one of the most prominent award ceremonies in the world.

Yesterday night was the 82^nd edition of this ceremony, held in the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. The night was, as always, full of magic, beauty, fashion and surprises. The biggest surprise was the victory of Kathryn Bigelow. She is the first woman to win an Oscar for best director. Her film ‘The Hurt Locker’ won also Best Picture. The film with low budget triumphed over Avatar, the favourite.

Films with low budget, a woman winning the Best Director Oscar…Does this mean that Hollywood is changing?

CeBIT is the world’s leading tradeshow for the digital industry. It is held in Hannover, Germany and it starts today until Saturday 6^th.  From exhibits to conferences and corporate events, it is the meeting point of the ICT world. The most important sellers and developers of the IT business from all around the globe get together with industrial users and all buyers who are passionate about technology.

This year the official CeBIT Partner Country in 2010 is Spain. This country is not simply one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations; it is also an attractive place for high-tech industrial companies. The country of “sun and party” is already undergoing the benefits of the rapid expansion of ICT technologies in all fields of life, such as e-Government, Education and Health and therefore it is an example of IT application.

If you are passionate about technology or your company is in the ICT business, do not hesitate, CeBIT is a great opportunity to find new partners and to know where the industry is going to in the next future. If you are looking for accommodation you will find the best hotels in Hannover in Hotelopia.

Oslo from Holmenkollen

This year, the European music contest will be celebrated on 29^th May in Norway. Before, the representative of the UK will be chosen in Your country needs you, a BBC programme. About this programme we only know that last year’s representative, Jade Austen, will be there and so will the rest of the components of Sugababes, who will present their new album.

Oslo is the city where the European Song Contest will take place this year. It is Norway’s capital and also the biggest city and the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental centre of the country. The city’s unique position between a fjord and the hills makes it an unforgettable experience. During summer one can enjoy a summer concert at Holmenkollen, or order a drink at Aker Brygge. Or take a bike ride through Nordmarka. The city also has several interesting museums – the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Fram Museum, the Ski Museum, the Munch Museum etc.

If you want to organise a different trip, try organising a cruise around the fjords and don’t forget to visit the capital at the end of May so you can be there for this fantastic contest which at least will be fun to watch. Don’t forget to make your hotel reservation in Hotelopia. Oslo,why not?

Amy Williams, Skeleton

Vancouver has been, during the month of February, the place to be if you are a winter sports fan. It has held (and will be holding until next Sunday 28^th February) the XXI Olympic Winter Games, an international multi-sport event.

It started on 12^th February with the traditional lighting of the Olympic torch, after the flame had travel by air, earth and water in a 106-days journey across Canada. Of course it was light in Olympia, Greece, as it is meant to be.

At the moment, the countries with more medals are the United States with 25, Germany with 22 and Norway with 17. Great Britain has achieved one gold medal, won by Amy Williams in Skeleton.

Of course, Hotelopia can find the best hotels in Vancouver if you have just decided you would like to see the last days of this magnificent sports event or the closing ceremony, a unique experience.