Have you ever been to Edinburgh? If not, it’s time! Indeed, the capital of Scotland, located on the east coast, offers numerous discoveries and is full of charm. A quick program for a perfect weekend!

The unmissable in Edinburgh is the castle. Most visited monument in Scotland, we understand why when you see the photo. The fact that it dominates the town will give you great photo opportunity at all times of the day. Many tours are offered to you.

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Many of us have already patronised a Japanese restaurant.

Sushi, sashimi … the raw fish is good when fresh. But how many of us have ever been in a real Japanese restaurant? Because this gastronomy is not just for sushi, far from it! Let’s discover the true Japanese cuisine.
This traditional cuisine mixes gastronomy and display like few others. Housed in a half circle,  in front of you is the chef who prepares your food to order! Prawns flambé, tofu, grilled chicken, the choices are plentiful. And when the cooking begins,everyone quiets down for the show. Cutting, singeing, cooking … the dexterity with which these chefs prepare your meal has no equivalent to wet your appetite!

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From November 11th to 18th, held in Bilbao is a must for all lovers of cinema and in particular short films, the Zinebi festival.
This international festival of documentary film and short film, created in 1959, has evolved to finally be of reference to its kind today. Recognized by the Oscars, it sees many personalities parade each year. Ennio Morricone, Jane Birkin and Roman Polanski, for example.
This is the 53th edition taking place this year, and the Arriaga theatre is where the majority of the movies will be shown. The movies are divided into three categories (documentary, fiction and animation), and every year more than 1500 films from over 150 countries compete.
It’s a great excuse to come and discover the city of Bilbao, the capital of the Basque Country, as well as the Guggenheim Museum, Casco Viejo, Puente Colgante … or why not enjoy a game of Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés stadium!

Book your hotel in Bilbao now, with Hotelopia.

At the other end of the world from Europe, is a wilderness where a group of animals is king: the Kangaroos. Humans there are only tolerated, and when they go to surf the mythical waves, sharks become the threat…

Let’s be serious for a bit! Blogtelopia isn’t here to say stupid things, but to make you want to travel! Then, let’s leave together for Australia …
 
It takes several months to explore Australia. The regions are very different, the areas are large and many  “unavoidable” places are located on opposite ends. It is therefore difficult to make a selection in a few lines … Complicated … Blogtelopia enjoys a challenge, so let’s  go!
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On the 1st and 2nd of November in Mexico, the very celebrated Day of the Dead festival takes place. This tradition dates back to over 3000 years when many families came together and pay tribute to the memory of dead loved ones.
 
The morning is mainly devoted to prayer. Altars are installed in homes and everyone gathers to pray for the soul of the deceased. During the afternoon everybody goes to the cemetery. The graves are cleaned and decorated. Offerings can take the shape of the dead’s favourite dishes or flowers (mainly those of zempaxuchilt, the rose of India).

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All weekend long, you have probably seen people on the street acting a little weird…People scaring people, monsters out of their graves … Do not worry, it’s normal, it’s Halloween!

You know that being casually dressed on October 31st, especially at night, exposes you to attacks from zombies and other crazy creatures! But do you know where does this little crazy celebration comes from? Blogtelopia knows and since we’re nice, we’ll tell you.

 Originally a Celtic religious festival at the time of the Druids named Samhain or Samonios, Halloween comes from “All Hallows Eve” or “the evening of All Saints’, on the eve of the Christian festival of All Saints Day. The most famous character of this festival is Jack-O’-Lantern, from an old Irish tale; he would have sold his soul to the devil, but eventually never gave it away.

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Turns out the Brits no longer consider Germans to be the most troublesome tourists on holiday.  According to a survey carried out by Realholidayreports.com, the Russians have won the title as the most complained about nationality.

It seems that in resorts across Europe this summer, Russians have gone one step further in battle over the sun beds.  Turns out they are not just getting up early in the morning to reserve a sun bed, but have been spied putting beds into their hotel rooms overnight to secure a poolside spot in the morning.

What’s more, the survey has highlighted other disagreeable Russian holiday behaviour  which includes stocking up on the all-inclusive buffet bars, swearing in public areas, dressing in chav gear (tracksuits and trainers), and flashing money around.  Obviously, no one’s made a study of the Great British behaviour in Magaluf then?

As Blogtelopia reported a few weeks ago, it’s not just the Russians or the Germans that should be pinpointed for sparking the sunbed wars.  Turns out the Brits are just as bad. Check out this Youtube link with shows how a hotel full of Brits in Majorca’s Palmanova reserve sun beds in just 2 minutes and 26 seconds at 6.30am one morning – now if that isn’t shameful….

For holidaymakers returning home to the UK from Europe with a wallet full of euro currency, Blogtelopia has good news for you.

Businesses across the UK are gradually starting to adopt the euro meaning that you can start spending in selected outlets.

Emerging euro-towns include Bournemouth, where around fifty outlets have agreed to take the new currency.

Also Swanage on the Dorset coast also accepts the Euro, as does the little village of Rye in West Sussex.  There’s also a nightclub in Birmingham and a few spots in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile that are euro happy.

For everyone else, pop into your local Marks & Spencer which now also accepts euros.

And if you live anywhere near Dunster in Exmoor, you can spend euros as easily as pounds, as this village has laid claim to being the first place to openly accept euro as well as pound (the same exchange rate applies).

So it seems that UK businesses are becoming early euro adopters – it’s just such a shame that with the fall in the British Stirling, the UK Government are so slow to catch on.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to  pronounce the Spanish Balearic island “Majorca” or “Mallorca”, drink a can of Heineken, say,  “The water in Majorca don’t taste like what it ought to”, and find out!

This Heineken advert from around 1985 which is not just a guide, but a little piece of Youtube nostalgia for a Monday morning. Classic!

Meanwhile, anyone holidaying in Majorca (Mallorca) this week may bump into former Manchester United, now Madrid football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo around town.  He was spotted leaving what looks like Mood nightclub in Portals Nous just outside of Palma this weekend.

Mood is a big favourite with the rich and famous yacht lot, orange tanned expats and other z-list celebrities living on the island.  If any other celebs are looking want a real insight into Mallorcan nightlife, then come join us in the little Spanish bars around Palma’s old town.  We can guarantee you won’t be recognised (and no-one will care who you are anyway).

More from Blogtelopia’s Majorca Celebrity Watch later this summer….

Website www.360travelguide.com has found a loophole in the Ryanair rulebook allowing airline passengers to claw back some cash.

We’ve reported on Blogtelopia how Ryanair is happily becoming Europe’s most hated airline, due to proposals to charge passengers extra for taking a pee, carrying luggage on the plane or to be issued a sick bag.

But here’s how customers can turn the tables on the airline and get cash back from their flight.

Since Ryanair charge the same in Euros and Pounds for food and drinks from the in-flight kiosk, simply pay for your purchases with a £50 note but request  change in Euros.

The recent rise in the Euro currency means you will get more than the equivalent change back.  So pay £50 for a £3 coffee for example, and request change in Euros, which will give a return of €54, and a tidy €7 profit.  This will more than make up for any in-flight peeing or sick bags used on route.

We’re also guessing that this is one loophole Ryanair will be rapidly revising, so anyone travelling on the airline in coming weeks, make the most of it while it lasts!