With all the recent media coverage surrounding overfishing and declining tuna stocks, Catalan chef Carme Ruscalleda is trying to create some balance in the ocean by getting jellyfish on the menu.

Anyone that’s been stung by these pesky sea creatures while holidaying in the Med will soon be able to take revenge and order them freshly cooked (minus stingers) at Carme Ruscalleda’s restaurant in Sant Pol del Mar near Barcelona soon.

A combination of warming sea temperatures and a decline in the jellyfish’s natural predators, such as turtles, tuna and sharks means jellyfish populations are growing to become potentially a sustainable oceanic food source.

The Mediterranean jellyfish haven’t yet been classified by the EU as legitimate food stuff, so currently the sea creatures have to be imported from China, which is crazy considering the amount of jelly fish we see during the winter months floating in the waters off Majorca.

Their popularity on menus in the Med will depend on how well they’ll be accepted by the diners and will mean a change in cultural attitudes towards these slimy sea creatures.

Found in restaurants throughout Asia, the Chinese believe jellyfish benefits, balance blood pressure, improves cholesterol, and helps joints.  It’s also good for the skin and great for the cardio-vascular system.  This is however, after the jelly fish has been correctly prepared and seasoned, so don’t try cooking jellyfish at home just yet folks.

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….

With “A” Level results coming out in the next couple of days, now’s a great time to either head to the airport (if they’re not that great) or head there anyway and take a year out.  Either way, there’s a world beyond college so we’ve put together some of the best life changing experiences for anyone considering taking a gap year.

Yacht Crew
Hotelopia is based in the beautiful Balearic Island of Majorca, which is also home to one of Europe’s biggest yacht marinas.  Most of us here have friends that work on the yachts and had we known just how much money can be made (wads of it) working as a stewardess, chef, or deckhand, we would’ve been over here at the age of 18 (and retired at 30).

What’s more you get to travel around Europe or the Caribbean for free.  For the latest crew jobs, check out www.crewseekers.net Don’t forget your sea-sickness tablets.

Ski/Snowboard Instructor
With the ski season just a few months away, now’s a good time to get applying for instructor jobs around the resorts.  But you don’t need to be an expert on the slopes to work here.  There are hundreds of chalet jobs available.  Check out the Adventure Jobs website for inspiration.

Working in the resorts around Europe
As I mentioned, we’re based in Majorca.  It’s so much cooler than working in England.  To get a job with TUI, one of the world’s largest travel companies, like I did, check out their overseas jobs page.

Instructor training
If you have aspirations of being a snow or watersports instructor but need some training, then visit www.flyingfishonline.com to fast track your way to the a great Gap year.

Teach English Abroad
Finally, teach English as a foreign language in super cool and cheap destinations including China, Taiwan and Thailand.  For just £150 you can complete an online TEFL course which will make you legible to apply for jobs abroad.  www.teflengland.co.uk

For Brits who just can’t keep their bits covered on holiday, here is Hotelopia’s guide to favourite nudist hotspots in Europe.

Note that many of Europe’s top nudist beaches are in Spain.  According to legislation, the Spanish Naturist Federation states that nudism is just one of your rights here, allowing you to happily get your kit off on the beach.   So feel the freedom.  Just don’t forget the sunscream.

1.  Tahiti Beach, St Tropez, France: Since the 1960s, the south of France has become topless tolerant, and even embraced bare bodies sunbathing on the beaches.  Probably the best place to risk whipping off the bathers is Tahiti Beach in St Tropez for the all-over golden tan.

2.  Es Trenc beach, Majorca: This is a favourite beach for most Hotelopia staff here in Majorca, although I’m not sure how many of us head to the nudist section.  This paradise beach features not just white powder sands and turquoise waters but lots of nuddies somewhere in the middle.  Be warned!
3. Platja Mitjorn, Formentera: As the baby of the Balearic Islands, Formentera offers miles of relatively empty golden sands, and a natural paradise for those who forget to pack their swimwear.
4.  Paradise Beach – Mykonos, Greece: operating on a 70% topless, 30% nudist basis, this beautiful Greek beach offers the freedom to get back to nature.  What’s more, no one will complain.
5.  Platja d’en Bossa, Ibiza: There’s nothing reserved about Ibiza’s longest beach, Platja Mitjorn.  Spilling over from the island’s hedonist days, it’s as acceptable to get your kit off here, as it is to keep it on.
6.  Studland Bay, Dorset, UK: And if you’re reluctant to leave the UK, then Studland Bay in Dorset has been the location of a nudist hotspot for years.  Although there have been reports that the beach is eroding, there’s nothing stopping visitors from getting naked here.

If you feel more like a “beached whale” rather than a “beach babe” on holiday, the chances are, you’ll also avoid having your photo taken.

After reporting yesterday that tourists are turning to airbrushing to touch up their holiday pics before sharing on websites such as Facebook, here are Blogelopia’s top tips to looking good in photos:

1.    Posture: Apparently, if you stand up straight in pics, you look instantly thinner and lose a dress size.  If you suck in at the same time, you’ll look like a goldfish.
2.    Avoid harsh light: That rules out any sunny daytime shots then (unless you’re cowering under the shade under a nearby palm tree).  Alternatively, if you’re not looking your best, only get photographed at night, and without the flash.
3.    Avoid thongs, mankinis, and other bad swim wear: Invest in a big sarong and cover up all your bad bits.  Unless of course, like Peter Stringfellow, you live in Majorca.  Because then you can get away with wearing a thong on the beach (almost).
4.    Invest in instant image altering camera equipment: The HP Photosmart says it can reduce a man’s beer belly and make women a dress size smaller.  I just wonder what it does to the rest of the figure.
5.    Tagging on Facebook: If you’re tagged in other people’s pics and it’s too late to un-tag:  Blame it on the sangria:  That’s right.  Everyone goes a little wild on holiday.  Why shouldn’t you?
6.    The camera never lies. If you really want to do some airbrushing, then download for free Google Picassa, reduce red eyes, resize, add some colour play around and if in doubt, superimpose a picture of someone else.

Finally, ignore all of the above. Why care what other people think?! You’re on holiday, and your friends, workmates etc aren’t.  So loosen up, enjoy the moment, and say “cheese.”   Happy holidays!

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….

At Hotelopia, we’re lucky enough to be headquartered on the beautiful Balearic Island of Majorca.  So for this month’s newsletter we included an insider’s guide to the island.  And here’s the link.

Majorca also happens to be one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.  But we’ve steered clear of the usual holiday hot-spots such as Magaluf and recommended visitors  stay in other areas of the island.

And no one knows the island like a local, so we asked Hotelopia employee Mateau Nicholau for his tips.   Just to be on the safe side, I had the difficult job of checking out his recommendations, and I’ve added a few of my own.

So even if you don’t get to follow the whole itinerary – let’s face it, it’s rather exhausting – pick a few off the list to ensure you see more than the average tourist here.

And don’t forget, be the first to receive news of deals, offers, and other destination guides by subscribing to receive our newsletter here.