Prague is a beautiful city. I have been there myself when my partner took me away for our anniversary. It was an amazing 4 days away and we saw the entire city! In saying that, there is a lot to see in Prague, so much so that I wish I could list them all! Instead, I have decided to list my personal top 5 things to see in Prague.

1. Observation Tower – This was fantastic. We had to walk up some very steep hills in Petrin Hill to get to it and on the way passed Church of Saint Michael, which looks like a Japanese style building, but beautiful. Carrying on up the very steep hill, we eventually reached a beautiful garden of roses of all different shapes, sizes and colours. You will also walk past the Church of Saint Lawrence which is stunning. Finally you will get to the observation tower and there are no lifts to get to the top! You have to walk but it is worth it as it the views are absolutely stunning!
2. St Vitus Cathedral – Another walk up a very big hill, this Cathedral is just beautiful. It lights up at night giving it a wonderful atmosphere and inside there is stunning ceiling work for you to admire. You can also walk through the castle and explore the grounds, watch the changing of guards and stroll hand in hand through the Royal Gardens.



3. Prague Zoo – It was a lovely day when we decided to go to Prague Zoo. There were so many animals from Polar bears to lions and tigers as well as mountain goats! I spent about half an hour wondering how on earth they got up high without falling down the mountains! There are birds and turtles and lizards, it is just amazing! Also you can admire all the people walking their dogs and go to the gift shop to buy a souvenir.
4. John Lennon Wall – Since the 1980’s this wall has been filled with many Lennon-inspired graffiti and lyrics from The Beatles songs. The wall changes continuously, so everyday you will find something new, but the artwork here and lyrics are amazing and so inspiring. I spent a good hour reading everything people had wrote on the wall, some even bought me to tears. From here you can also find a water wheel with a metal fence covered in padlocks. It’s a way people lock their love for one another, how romantic!
5. Wenceslas Square – A wonderful walk up to the National Museum, Wenceslas Square is a very vibrant area of hotels, restaurants, clubs, shops, bars and apartments. Prague’s main shopping area begins here. It’s great to wander around and admire the shops and people in this bustling area; and the view of the National Museum from a distance is amazing. Once you get up to the national museum (buying a coffee on the way of course!) you can just sit and people watch for a while, relaxing on the steps. You can take another stroll from here to the second main square in Prague, the Old Town Square which dates back 600 – 700 years. The most notable attraction is the Astronomical clock.

That is my personal top five in Prague. Have you been to Prague? What did you enjoy?

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Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and is approx 16km from mainland Greece.

There are 4 main areas (prefectures) in Crete: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Lassithi.

The city of Chania is divided into two – the old town and the modern city. Eleftherios Venizelos Square is the centre of the old town where there are plenty of tourist activities going on. The harbour has many historical buildings and a vibrant night life such as the Mylos club right next to the beach. The modern city has historic buildings of its own such as the Orthodox Cathedral.

Rethymnon has one of the largest sandy beaches in Crete (12km). The Fortezza Castle built in 1590 dominates the town. The view from the castle is magnificent especially in the evening. here are several museums such as the Folklore and History Museum which has collections of textiles, ceramics, historic photographs and other interesting relics dating back to the 17th century. As in Chania the nightlife around the harbour is vibrant whilst the beaches have more tranquil bars.

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and is home to one of the two international airports on the island the other being in Chania. One of the most visited places is the ruins of Knossos, the Palace of King Minos which is believed to be the starting point of the Minotaurs labyrinth. Morosini Fountain in the old town is a meeting place with an abundance of cafes and bars in which to sit and relax for a while. Just 30 minutes drive from Heraklion is Arhanes which has beautiful mountains and wonderful architecture.

Lassithi is at the eastern most end of Crete. Its capital is Agio Nikolaos a cosmopolitan town which has managed to retain its unique charm and appearance. There is a circular lake in the middle of the town in which, according to mythology, the goddess Athena used to bathe in. Elounda is just north and a haunt of the rich and famous. Malia is probably the most famous resort on Crete. It is one of Europe’s top cities for nightlife with its many bars, clubs and restaurants.

Where are your favourite places in Crete?

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So you have decided on your holiday destination and you have booked your car hire in France. You’ve hopped onto the ferry from Dover to Calais and you and your family are really excited to get your holiday started. The ferry comes into port and you are eagerly waiting to get off when it dawns you that you have no idea how to drive in France!

It happens to the best of us, so we here at Auto Europe thought we would put together some Driving Information before you jet off on that wonderful holiday in France.

Good to Know: You drive on the right, you can’t ‘U’ turn and a flashing red light means do not enter. Most of the highways in France are toll roads.

Car Hire Requirements: If you choose to go by Eurostar and pick up a car when you arrive you can do so. You must be at least 21 and have held your license for more than 1 year. If you are under 25 you may have to pay a young drivers surcharge so check the T&Cs! You must wear a seatbelt and children must be sitting in a booster seat from age 3 – 10.

Speed Limits: City 31mph/50kph, Open Roads 68mph/110kph, Highways 81mpg/130kph

Fuel: In the larger cities there will be petrol stations open 24 hours and just like the UK, petrol tends to be more on the highway.

If you want to find out more information then why not check out our Driving Information page on our website? Are there any road rules or nice drives you can recommend in France?

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New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Although the North Island has a more tropical climate than the South it has become a more popular destination over the last few years with the release of Lord of the Rings and several other films which were made there.

Let me give you a taste of what you can expect to see on the South Island, my most favourite place in the world. Once you pick up your hire car at Christchurch Airport head north on Highway 1 to Hanmer Springs. Here you will find thermal pools and a beauty spa. The village itself is Alpine style and a perfect base for walking on many of the nearby tracks.

Just north east, on the coast, is Kaikoura where you can go swimming with dolphins and eat freshly caught crayfish. Watch whales or the Southern fur seals that live in the eastern part of the town. The mountains, which are part of the Southern Alps, provide a magnificent backdrop and more walking opportunities.

From Kaikoura take Highway 1 up to Picton. The town itself is quite small and is where the ferries depart for the North Island. However, it is also a perfect base from which to visit the Queen Charlotte Sounds. If you like walking you must do the Queen Charlotte Track. The whole track is 71 kms but you don’t have to do the entire route. Resolution Bay to Endeavour Inlet will take you about 3 hours and is a great way to spend an afternoon. The views are stunning and the peacefulness and tranquility is incredible. There are also some wonderful vineyards in the Marlborough region, which produce some of the best wine in the world, and are well worth a visit.

Next stop is Greymouth over on the west coast. It is quite a trek (approx 4 hours) so a stop off at Nelson Lake National Park on the way is a good way to break the journey. Greymouth is a seaside town with a history of coal and gold mining. Shanty Town is just 10km to the south the building inspired by the West Coast Gold Rush of the 1860’s. Here you can pan for gold and ride on steam trains.

Further south is Westland National Park, where you can visit the glaciers. There are two, Franz Josef and Fox. They are truly amazing sights and the time of year you visit will determine how you best view them. Tours onto the glaciers are available up until the first icefall. After that you can only walk out into the valley to view them or you can take a helicopter ride (weather permitting) and get a more panoramic view.

Continuing south slightly inland on Highway 6 through Mt Aspiring National Park is Wanaka. No matter what time of year you visit Wanaka you can find plenty to do: skiing in winter, waterskiing or sailing in summer.

I could write pages and pages on this fabulous country, but you can only truly appreciate its diversity and beauty by going there and seeing it for yourself. So, what are you waiting for ……?

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Well done Craig! The answer to last week’s question, Which attraction is set to open Spring this year in Universal Orlando, is in fact The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I’d buy my own wand if I went there!

Now for this week’s question.

We are going up to Iceland this week. Known as the Land of Fire and Ice, it is Europe’s 2nd largest island after Great Britain and sits on the Mid Atlantic Ridge. It has many highly active volcanoes, most notably Hekla, Eldgja, Heroubreio and Eldfell. There are also many geysers in Iceland, such as the famous Strokkur which erupts every 5 – 10 minutes. This leads us on to this weeks question.

Q. One of the oldest known Geysers in the world is in Iceland, can you name it?

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Festival season is going to be upon us very soon. It is going to come around faster than you think! Isle of Wight Festival will be taking place on the weekend of the 11th – 13th June and it is set to be great! The Festival has been blessed with sunshine for the last few years, and I remember working there a few years ago and it was amazing. I saw the Foo Fighters live which was so awesome as they are one of my favourite bands. I also saw Primal Scream, Prodigy, Coldplay and possibly one of the best moments was when The Proclaimers came on and sung 500 miles with the crowd jumping up and down singing as loud as they could. It was a great 2006 festival and I would love to go again! But this year’s line up is going to be hot hot hot!

Calvin Harris: He’s done some really catchy dance songs an d who can forget his appearance on the X factor stage during a Jedward number, with a pineapple on his head?

Florence and the Machine: Her voice is amazing! If you haven’t heard Florence and the Machine then it is definitely an album worth listening to. Live she is just brilliant.

Friendly Fires: Fun and kooky and I am a big fan of their song Jump in the Pool and Kiss of Life!

Jay-Z: Who doesn’t know the famous Jay-Z? With hits like Empire State of Mind and Encore he is going to be a great hit.

These are just a few of the wonderful acts that are playing, there are many more which you can check out at http://www.isleofwightfestival.com and there are still some tickets available so book them before they are gone!

You really must plan ahead if you are thinking about going, as you need to book a ferry spot to get over to the island! So pick up your car hire from anywhere in the UK and get yourself down to Portsmouth Harbour or Southampton where you catch your ferry to get you to the festival.

Is anyone going? Who are most looking forward to seeing this year? I’d love to see Calvin Harris and Florence and the Machine again!

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We are looking at what concerts and gigs are going on around the world in the third week of March this week. There are some really good ones in my opinion!

Alphabeat (16th March) – Doornroosje Poppodium, Nijmegen, Netherlands – Alphabeat are a kind of kooky Danish pop band with an 80’s sound. They became huge in the UK with the song Fascination and are a great band to see live.

Mika (17th March) – Senturm Scene, Oslo, Norway – He could be brown, he could be blue, he could be violet sky, he could be purple he could be hurtful, he could be anything you like. With a wonderful stage persona and catchy songs like Grace Kelly, Mika is bound to put on a great show.

Electric Six (18th March) – Amigos, Saskatoon, Canada – Most famous for their songs Gay Bar and Danger! High Voltage, this Detroit-based band have a very eclectic style. They put on a great show live and with some awesome songs it’s definitely not worth missing!

Air (19th March) – Terminal 5, New York, USA – I love Air! Anyone remember Sexy Boy? One of my favourites songs, I would love to see them live, I think they would be great!

Norah Jones (20th March) – The Chicago Theatre, Illinois, USA – This wonderful piano playing lady has had many hits from her album Come Away with Me (one of my favourites to chill out to) and I think her concert will be fantastic.

Massive Attack (21st March) – Entertainment centre, Adeladie, Australia – Their style is often considered experimental but they have had some great hits with Teardrop and Unfinished Symphony and they have a kind of psychedelic feel, which is a great feeling!

Dream Theater (22nd March) – Jockey Club, Lima, Peru – Great progressive metal band which formed in 1985 in Massachusetts. They have sold over 2 million albums and are have some great guitar skills. Great band live.

Bon Jovi (23rd March) – Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, USA – Oh Bon Jovi, how I love thee. Everyone knows they are going to rock!

What bands are you seeing this year? Have a nice weekend!

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When the Easter Holidays come around (not long until April!) You will have a wonderful 4 day weekend to spend with your kids. But what are you going to do with them? There are many events going on in London so your little ones will not be bored! There are many places in London doing Easter Egg Hunts and lots of other things so let’s take a look at what is going on in London.

1. Kew Gardens: They are opening a new outdoor play area called Treehouse Towers! It has giant swings, zip wires, scramble nets and slides. Great for your kids aged between 3 – 11 years old! That’s a shame, I wanted to go! There is also a free Easter egg hunt on 4th April from 9.30am – 12.30pm.
2. Kenwood House: With an Easter egg trail throughout the ground you’d be mad not to take your kids to this beautiful English Heritage site. This runs from the 2nd – 5th April and children only need to pay £1 for a trail sheet. After they have found all the wooden eggs they can trade them for a chocolate prize! After this why not take them around the house and gardens which is free entry!
3. WWT London Wetland Centre: Now I know for a fact you will not be able to resist this season at the Wetland Centre. March and April are possibly the cutest month as there will be little ducklings wandering around the ground. They can also take part in Easter egg hunts and storytelling sessions.
4. The Foundling Museum: This Easter egg hunt takes place on Saturday 11th April. It is free entry for children with an accompanying adult and doors are open from 10.00am – 5.00pm. You can follow the Easter trail and get a yummy chocolate prize at the end!
5. Victoria and Albert Museum: This museum is doing something different for Easter. Create your own Superhero! With 2 weeks worth of workshops from 6th – 10th & 13th – 17th April your kids will be able to take part in a whole range of activities! Become a master of disguise, write your own story, track down Superheroes with the trails.

All these activities going on make me wish I was a kid again, hunting for chocolate, making crafts and having loads of fun! What are you doing for Easter?

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Going skiing can be an expensive holiday but there are several ways that you can save money.

Rather than opt for a package holiday, why not put together your own itinerary. This is especially relevant if you are travelling alone as there are no single supplements to add to the cost.

Flights: Low cost airline such as Ryan Air and easyJet fly to all the main ski destinations but into smaller airports for a fraction of the cost of scheduled flights. Flying mid week will also bring down the cost.

Transport: The best way to get to your resort is to hire a car. Book early to get the best deals and to ensure availability especially if you are going at a busy time.

Accommodation: You will be able to find all types of accommodation on various websites for your chosen destination. Self catering is probably the cheapest option, but you can also get some good deals if you prefer bed and breakfast. You will only get what you pay for so do be careful that you are happy with what you are getting for your money before booking.

Accommodation is cheaper in the gateway city rather than staying at the actual resort. It is usually only a short drive to the slopes or you can catch a bus if you want to partake of the apres ski!

Where To Go: The cheapest places to go are in Eastern Europe. For example in Slovenia a ski lift pass will typically cost €129, a 3 course meal €12 and a beer €1.50. A 2 bed apartment that sleeps 4 could cost you as little as €200 per week.

Do you have any tips on saving money when going skiing?

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According to the Telegraph, the Equality and Human Rights commission has expressed it’s concerns to Lord Adonis, The Transport Secretary.

These scanners are already in place at Manchester and Heathrow airport but may be breaking discrimination laws as well as breaching passengers right to privacy. As shown by Mr Shahrukh Khan who spoke about his experience on Jonathan Ross, saying that girls had print outs of his naked body which he autographed.

In the letter the commission said they recognised the threat of terrorists, but their concerns are ”about the apparent absence of safeguards to ensure the body scanners are operated in a lawful, fair and non-discriminatory manner”.

Also added that they had “serious doubts that the decision to roll this (body scanning) out in all UK airports complies with the law”.

The commission’s chairman, Trevor Phillips has said “The right to life is the ultimate human right and we support the Government’s review of security polices. State action like border checks, stop-and-search and full body scanning are undertaken for good reasons. But, without proper care, such policies can end up being applied in ways which do discriminate against vulnerable groups or harm good community relations. National security policies are intended to protect our lives and our freedoms, but it would be the ultimate defeat if that protection destroyed our other liberties.”

See, I’m not sure about this security scan issue. On the one hand I think it is a fantastic piece of equipment that could really help crack down on the terror threat, but on the other hand there is no way I would ever want to go through one of them where someone can see my whole naked body. How do you feel about this? Would you want a whole body scan? Are you not bothered? Do you think it will help crack down on the terrorists? Let us know your thoughts.

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