This week we are looking at the last eight days of February. There are so many wonderful bands playing around the world, I really wish I could go and see them all. Here are our recommendations for you if you can get yourself there!

AFI, Panamore, Placebo, HIM + many more (21st Feb) – Eastern Creek Raceway, Australia – The Soundwave Music Festival is a great place to enjoy a vast array of artists and will be great day out for all those rock lovers!

Dave Matthews Band (22nd Feb) – Palasharp, Milan, Italy – This Grammy award winning band are well known for their tours around Europe and US. They have long jamming sessions live on stage and each show is different to the next. Definitely worth a see for a great night out.

Jay-Z (23rd Feb) – American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, USA – Who doesn’t know Jay-z? Married to Beyonce, this R’n’B artist will have you bopping your head and singing along to his music.

Basement Jaxx (24th Feb) – Hatch, Osaka-Shi, Japan – Dance the night away with Basement Jaxx with hits like Red Alert this duo are sure to have you off your seats.

Vampire Weekend (25th Feb) – Olympia Paris, France – This American Indie Band are great to see live. They will put on one hell of a show and they create all their own material. What more could you want?

Lady Gaga (26th Feb) – The 02, United Kingdom – Who wouldn’t want to see this controversial young lady perform in her outrageous outfits; different hair colours and great songs. She is my secret guilty pleasure!

Spandau Ballet (27th Feb) – Dom Sportova, Zagreb, Croatia – You are gold! Always believe in your soul, you’ve got the power to know, you’re indestructible, always believe in… You are GOLD! Yeah!

The Temper Trap (28th Feb) – Gloria-Theatre, Cologne, Germany – Absolutely love The Temper Trap. Their music has an upbeat chill out feel to it and when performing live, they are amazing! They must not be missed!

I would love to go the Soundwave Festival this year. I’d hire a car in Sydney, head down to the festival then drive to the city to see some sites such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour. I’d probably not the beach either and take some time to relax. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Bookmark to

One of the most beautiful creatures in the world are sea turtles. The Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest living marine reptiles and the majority of their lives are out at sea. The one time of their lives that they are on land are when they are laying eggs on the beach. The name Leatherback comes from their shells which are not the standard hard shells, but softer.

The Las Baulas National Park is on the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica, about 100km from the border of Nicaragua. This park is one of the few remaining sites that these beautiful creatures nest their eggs on the beach. These creatures are in decline around the world. This is due to poaching, beach development and accidental capture from fishing nets. The project in Costa Rica in the park is dedicated to protecting these creatures as over the thousands of years they have been declining.

So what can we do to help? Why not experience an opportunity of a lifetime and volunteer to help save these beautiful creatures. It is a wonderful thing to do and you will help save an endangered species. During your time here you will:

Work: Assist in all areas of the project work from collecting data to relocation of the nests. You will be given training on site so you will learn something new during your stay.

Accommodation and Food: You will stay close to the beach in rooms with a bathroom and air conditioning. Your meals will be at the local restaurant and it will be a great time to make new friends as everyone eats together.

Transport: You will be doing a lot of walking on and off the beach and there will be a van for trips that are a bit longer. To get to the site you need to arrange your own means of transport.

Communication: There is a telephone line which is used for all forms of communication, phone, fax and email.

You can also take part in other projects, such as building a house for the National Park volunteers, cleaning debris of wood from the beach so more turtles can nest and an ongoing education program with the local schools.

When you are not working you can enjoy the tourist attractions nearby such as Tamarindo Estuary with many different species of plants and animals. You can choose to hire a car and explore the country of Costa Rica, enjoy some surfing and enjoy the views. So why not consider volunteering for this wonderful project and in your spare time hire a car in Costa Rica and enjoy what this country has to offer while having a rewarding experience?

Have you actually taken part in the conservation project? Let us know your experiences and any advice for others considering going.

Bookmark to

During the cover of the snow the majority of golf courses around the UK were closed. Some people don’t fancy playing golf in the rain, so why not consider taking a weekend away with your friends and playing a few rounds of Golf in the sunshine? Here are some of our top Portuguese Golf courses that you should consider playing on.

1. Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort – Central Algarve: If you choose to visit this resort then you have exclusive access to the San Lorenzo Golf Course. The course, designed by none other than Joseph Lee, the legendary Golf architect, will test your length and accuracy at one of the best courses in Portugal. Set in the Formosa Nature Reserve, this course has wonderful thick pine forests with the green just flowing through. With beautiful lakes and lagoons this is one course you will definitely want to visit.
2. Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort – West Algarve: Within this resort there are three different courses giving a total of 36 holes for you to enjoy and test your skills. Set on a 360 acre estate, this is a great venue for people wanting to do something different every day.
   • Penina Championship Course – This course will test a true golfer’s skill as it has a reputation of being one of the hardest courses in the Algarve region. There are many streams and ditches as well as water hazards throughout the course so make sure your swing is on target and you stay focused!
   • Penina Academy Course – These 9 holes are great for the more inexperienced or casual player before heading off to one of the harder courses. This still focuses on accuracy so make sure you concentrate!
   • Penina Resort Course – Another 9 hole course that is full of challenges, not as difficult as the main course, but a great place to go before you head off to the hardest one!
3. CS Sao Rafael Suite Hotel – West Algarve: If you choose to stay at this hotel, you can actually enjoy playing on more than one course!
   • Alamos – A hard course that requires very good concentration.
   • Salgados Golf – Most of the holes here have a water feature, so be careful as it will be very challenging.
   • Morgado de Reguengo Golf Club – Opened in 2003 this wonderful new course feels much more mature as it is set amongst valleys, woodland and rivers.
4. Marriott Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort – Lisbon Coast: This is another hotel resort where you can playon more than one course!
   • Praia D’El Rey Golf & Country Club – This course has previously been voted third best course in Portugal. The first nine holes have a parkland feel, and the back nine have some holes that run along the Atlantic Ocean, what more could you ask for?
   • Campo Real Golf – This course blends into its natural background with many changes in the level of tees and greens so it will be a great course with lots of fun to be had!
   • Golden Eagle – This course has been renovated to bring it up to world class standard. Complimented by beautiful views this is a challenging course so should definitely not be missed!

If you are planning a weekend away with your friends for a Golfing holiday, consider picking up a car hire in Portugal so you can travel to a variety of Golf courses and test your skills on a great warm weekend away.

Bookmark to

We all want something different to do when we choose to have a short city break, so we have chosen Doñana National Park as our destination that is a must see for anyone.

This World Heritage Wildlife refuge in Southern Spain is located between Seville and Huelva. Being a park with many streams, marshland and sand dunes, it is the ideal location for migrating birds to stop over, as well as many other species of animals such as red deer and wild boars.

If you are a huge bird watching fan then this is definitely one of the places to be visiting during your trip to Spain; it has 5 threatened bird species as well as 500,000 other species of animals that come over during the winter migration.

You can choose to admire the birds from many viewing points throughout the outskirts of the park (you are not allowed inside due to preservation) or just sit and admire the views along this beautiful land in a boat ride from the east side of the park.

Also on the outside of the park, you can walk through Strawberry Fields (where 95% of Spanish strawberries are produced!) and maybe even pick a few! It’s always nice to go fruit picking, especially if they are very tasty!

This is a great way to spend the weekend, hire a car in Seville and drive to the National Park which is only 62.2km (42.4miles) away and enjoy a picnic with your family or loved one. Have you been to Doñana National Park? What was your most favourite part?

Bookmark to

Toulouse, the capital of the Mid-Pyrenees region, enjoys a privileged location to explore the Mediterranean or the Pyrenees.The city offers unique architecture, charming streets with imposing churches and stunning parks. Take your car hire and head out of Toulouse to explore some of the towns and surrounding areas. During your holiday in Toulouse, be sure and visit places like:

1. Carcassonne (96 kms to 60 miles): A fascinating town surrounded by a medieval wall. With the outer wall much lower than the inner wall you can stroll around the town taking in the views of the flourishing countryside. Visit the Basilica of St Nazaire, a Romanesque and Gothic church to see the organ of Basilica, which is the oldest organ in France.
2. Lourdes (172 kms / 106 miles): Steeped in religion, Lourdes is one of France’s leading tourist resorts. Visit the sacred Grotto of Massabielle, said to have healing powers in the water; and appreciate the beauty of the statue of the Virgin Mary erected in 1864. Take a trip to the amazing lake minutes from the town centre, formed from a glacier it is one of the largest in the Pyrenees. You can fish, sail and enjoy a pedalo on the lake.
3. Tarbes (154 kms / 96 miles): Gateway to the Pyrenees, you can experience some of the best views of the snow capped mountains from Tarbes in the winter months.Visit the Jardin Massey, a 19th century park and admire its statues and monuments. Explore the Cathedral Notre Dame de la Sede, the town’s small museum dedicated to wartime deportation and the resistance of the region.

With a hire car in Toulouse you can visit the spectacular city of Albi with its famous cathedral and stunning collection of Toulouse-Lautrec paintings. Or visit the charming medieval town of Cordes.

Have you been to any of these cities? What would you recommend your fellow travellers to see?

Bookmark to

The slopes are still going strong even though we are nearing Springtime. If you are looking for a bargain ski holiday, Bulgaria is the ideal skiing destination to head off this year. Only 10km from Sofia is the highest skiing resort in Bulgaria, Vitosha. Being 1800m above sea level, it is great for skiing in Winter and trekking in Summer.

There are many different types of ski runs within this mountain for all ages and ski levels. Vitosha has six runs with the green being the easiest and Vitosha Lake being the most difficult. All the facilities you need are available and there are many ski lifts as well the big Gondola starting from outside Sofia to the top the mountain!

The mountain itself is beautiful and the views are stunning. Within the mountain you can learn some of the history of Sofia and visit Duhlata Cave, the longest cave in Bulgaria measuring at 17.5km long! You can also use the mountain for hiking trails during winter, the most popular marked with iron poles, which would be a fun day out for all the family!

You can easily access Vitosha by car and drive up to this beautiful mountain, so why not consider picking up your car hire at Sofia Airport and having a great getaway with all the family!

Have you been to Vitosha mountain? What was your best skiing experience?

Bookmark to

This week we are going to look at the gigs and concerts going on in the middle of February. There are some great bands touring the world next month, I wish I could list all of them. In fact, if I am wishing, I wish I could go to all of them! Here are our top recommendations for some of the best gigs and concerts around the world. Don’t forget that these are not the only dates they are touring, you can go to their official website to find other dates and see if they are touring in your country.

Massive Attack (11th Feb) – HMV Hammersmith Apollo, United Kingdom – Coming from Bristol, UK, this experimental duo have a different style album to album. I think these guys will be great live Some friends of mine have been and loved it!

Bon Jovi (12th Feb) – Blaisdell Centre Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA – Woaaaaaaaah, we’re half way there, woaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Livin’ on a prayer, take my hand and we’ll make it I swear, Woaaaaaah, livin’ on a prayer… I won’t say anymore. Go see them. Period.

Pendulum (13th Feb) – Silo, Leuven, Belgium – This Drum ‘n’ Bass Australian band will get you dancing around and bopping your head. Some of their stuff is a bit heavier, but other songs like Fasten your Seatbelt is one of my favourites.

Armand van Helden (14th Feb) – Good Vibrations Festival, Perth, Australia – I love this DJ! He makes great dancy songs such as You Don’t Know Me which hit number 1 in the UK. If he is playing at a festival the atomsphere is bound to be amazing. Do not miss it.

Hot Chip (15th Feb) – Rock City, Nottingham, United Kingdom – formed in 2000 this British Electropop Band have an unusual style (as seen in their videos) but are great live. One of my favourite songs was Over and Over.

Cliff Richard and the Shadows (16th Feb) – Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Australia – Cliff Richard is touring! Hooray! We’re all going on a, summer holiday, no more worries for a, week or two! Perfect song as he is in Australia next month!

Depeche Mode (17th Feb) – Royal Albert Hall, United Kingdom – Formed in 1980, this English electronic band are great entertainment. I’ve seen them live and I loved them! They put on a great show.

Joss Stone (18th Feb) – X-TRA, Zurich, Switzerland – This English soul R & B singer-songwriter had her first album nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her voice is beautiful and soulful and it will be a great concert!

Spoon (19th Feb)– Luxor, Cologne, Germany – This is an American Indie Rock band from Texas. Their first single Girls Can Tell was a great success. You will have a great time seeing them live.

Kasabian (20th Feb) – New Age Club, Roncade Tv, Italy – British Indie rock Band Kasabian are outstanding live. I saw them when I was at university and they were just starting out; they put on a great show. I am sure they have improved over the years so it will be a wonderful night out!

I’m considering going to Roskilde Festival this year in July. I would probably fly into Denmark and hire a car at Copenhagen Airport so I can explore more of Denmark. It’s only 35 minutes to Roskilde from there!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Bookmark to

From February 12th – 28th this year, Vancouver, Canada will be host to the Winter Olympics! It is a very exciting time of year with many events being held on the snow and ice. It’s going to be exciting, thrilling and a wonderful experience! The event is going to be officially opened by Governor General Michaelle Jean.

There are so many wonderful sporting events to enjoy, here is a low down on some of them.

Bobsleigh (20th – 27th February): Anyone remember the film Cool Runnings? The Bobsleigh event consists of 2 or 4 people in a gravity powered sled running down narrow, twisting, banked ice tracks. It was first introduced to the Olympics in 1924 in Chamonix, France, then the two man Bobsleigh event appeared in 1931 and finally the womens team joined the event in 2002 in Salt Lake City.

Cross Country Skiing (15th – 28th February): Skiing dates back at least 6,000 years ago, funnily enough, from a photo of a hunter wearing 2 wooden slats on his feet (ski’s) alongside some reindeer! In this sport competitors ski across a long distance snow covered terrain. The first cross country skiing competition came to the Olympics in 1924 in Chamonix, France with an 18km and 50km race for men. The ladies joined in Oslo in 1952.

Figure Skating (14th – 27th February): I love figure skating! It is definitely an art form as well as a wonderful Olympic Sport. It can be done in pairs (Torvill and Dean anyone?), singles or even in groups who perform many jumps, spins and fancy footwork on ice. It first appeared at the Olympics in 1908 in London so it’s been around for quite some time!

Snowboard (15th – 27th February): Snowboarding is possibly my favourite sport. Combining surfing, skateboarding and skiing, it is one of the fastest growing sports and has only recently been added to the Winter Olympics. Introduced in 1998 with two events, the Halfpipe and Individual giant slalom. You absolutely must get a glimpse of some of the stuff these professionals do!

This is just a selection of a few of the events happening at the Olympics, why not check out some more at http://www.vancouver2010.com and let’s enjoy the Winter Olympics! Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its Winter Olympic Time! (You’ve got to remember where that is from!)

Bookmark to

Are you planning a holiday in France in February? Why don’t you take part in the Nice Carnival, the most popular winter event on the French Riviera.

The best time for the fun loving frolics is to visit Nice in February, when the city loses itself in Carnival excitement, the biggest festival in France. The Carnival dates back to 1294 when Charles Anjou, Count of Provence, celebrated the first carnival in Nice. Originally, the carnival was a last chance to party before the beginning of Lent (the 40 day fast), where people took advantage of eating, drinking, and being merry before undergoing 40 days of abstinence.

The Carnival takes place over 2 weeks from the 12th until the 28th of February, where the Promenade des Anglais will be buzzing in the morning and afternoon and lit up in the evenings. This year the themed parade is “King of the Blue Planet” as a sign of our awareness about the protection of nature. It will be represented with floats, vibrant colours, dancers, and confetti.

There are several events that have free admission including the Parade of Lights, the Carnival Parades, and the Fireworks display during the evening. There are several flower parades throughout the carnival. One of the most beautiful to see is the Battle of Flowers where music, charm, and colours are expressed with profusion.

Some of the best local cuisine will be available for sampling. Among the carts and small vendors, you’ll find many restaurants participating with special carnival menus. There are also smaller neighbourhood food fiestas that welcome tourists.

In addition to the celebration this February, there is much to enjoy in Nice. If you pick up a hire car in Nice , you can explore the Cote d’Azur filled with extraordinary hilltop perched villages and Alps towns. Or you can even drive a short distance to Turin (155 kms/96 miles) in nearby Italy, and enjoy the mountainous drive through the charming towns of Grasse, Castellane, and Digne.

Bon Voyage!

Bookmark to

Kathryn! Well done! That is exactly correct! The official name for the construction not due for completion until 2026 was The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família by Antoni Gaudi!

Now for this week’s question…

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and the third most populous municipality in the EU. It is right in the centre of Spain and has a population of about 3.2 million people. There are many beautiful sights to see in Madrid such as the Royal Palace of Madrid which is the official residency of the King of Spain, The Royal Theatre and the restored Opera House which has seventeen shows per year, the National Library which is the largest in Spain, founded in 1712 and Prado museum which is a museum of modern art to name just a few.

But what we want to know this week is… The name Madrid comes from the Arabic “magerit” which means ‘place of many streams’. Is this true or false?

Bookmark to