08 Dec 2020
A visit to Hvar this summer will allow you to explore Croatia's best beach life, natural scenery, nightlife and more.
Swathes of pebbly beach edging gently into the sea. Intimate bays with old-fashioned fishing boats bobbing beautifully in the water. Stunning Gothic palaces that dominate picturesque town squares and traffic-free streets. These are just three of the reasons why the Croatian island and its eponymous town are the place to be this summer.
Charming, charismatic and ever beautiful, Hvar is one of those rare destinations that caters for anyone and everyone. It doesn't matter what you're into, you'll
14 Aug 2020
Dubrovnik, often referred as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is located in Dalmatia, in the southernmost corner of Croatia. Its old town has been a protected World Heritage site since 1994. Dubrovnik has always been the centre of Croatian language and literature, birthplace of numerous famous writers.
Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century BC, when it was called Ragusa and belonged to the Byzantine Empire. Later in history, it had many other “owners”, such as the Kingdom of Hungary, Venice, France,
Yugoslavia, and of course Croatia since its independence.
One of the most famous attractions is the Dubrovnik Summer Festival,
26 Mar 2020
Few places are as mind-numbingly unforgettable and extraordinary as Croatia. A journey here isn't something you're likely to forget in a lifetime (or three), and if you're looking for proof, here are our reasons below.
1. Follow in the footsteps of the Starks and Lannisters
There are lots of reasons to visit Croatia, but judging by recent press releases from the nation's tourism office, this will be number one for many of the people flying to Dubrovnik this summer. Unless you've been living with your head underneath a rock for the past half a decade, you'll know this is one of the stunning shooting locations for
18 Dec 2019
Balkan Holidays provide fantastic holidays to Portoroz, a coastal town in Slovenia, at the heart of Europe. Portoroz (literally "Port of Roses") is known as the capital of Slovenian seaside tourism and nightlife and is defined by the interaction of rich culture and history, music, natural setting and gastronomic delights.
You can stroll by the sea, do some jogging on the beach, go for a swim in the pools and the sea, attend beauty and health care programs at thermal spas, immerse yourself in the busy nightlife and enjoy a wide choice of sports and recreation to revitalize your body and
13 Dec 2019
Croatia's islands are a diverse bunch with fascinating individual nuances and personalities. Like any family, there is contrast aplenty to be found here. From energetic Brac to isolated Lopud, you're in for an absolute treat. You're going to enjoy getting to know this extensive family if you come back more than once, or visit more than just the one island during your stay.
And what a family to behold! There are 1,244 landmasses if you count every little rock and islet, however only around 50 of these are permanently inhabited. Depending on what you want for your holiday, it may well be best to examine what the islands below
21 Oct 2019
Great decision, you want to return to the slopes! With Balkan there is a loyalty bonus of 5%, so you’re already saving.
Our advice for year two is to lower your expectations of what you learned last time, and take it slowly. Definitely prepare by getting fit (see our previous blog article). It’s a good idea to keep a Trello.com list of ‘stuff you’ll need’ for each day to help you avoid forgetting anything.
Lessons are great at any level, especially if you are unfamiliar with the resort you’ve chosen. You’ll get to know the slopes in safe company and then have spare time to explore your
16 Oct 2019
Preparation for a ski/board trip is key. This is especially true if you are a beginner, as there will be many falls (on soft snow!), and lots of physical demands, such as carrying skis. So, to get most enjoyment out of your trip, the best advice is to prepare your body for a week on the slopes.
One of the key challenges is the strain put on your thighs as you ski. After a day many will find their legs complaining and shaking, and you can avoid this by being prepared. Core stability is also key, for balance, for a good ski posture, and to get up when you fall.
As with all sport, warming up and stretching at the end of the day are
08 Oct 2019
Your choice of ski destinations is vast, from Japan to Scotland, from New Zealand to Lebanon. (According to Wikipedia, a Lebanese engineering student returning from studying in Switzerland brought back the sport of skiing in the early twentieth century.)
Why choose the Balkans?
What Bulgaria offers is unique. It’s a down-to-earth, fun and great value ski/board destination. Many are sceptical, then return year after year, having fallen in love with the place.
It’s the ideal place to learn to ski, everything is easy and straightforward and you are not competing for slope time with many advanced skiers. There is a warm
01 Oct 2019
The first thing to do is to get your trip booked well ahead of time to give you plenty of time to get ready. Here are our top ten things to thing about:
1. UK indoor ski slopes
It’s very worthwhile to book lessons at an indoor slope. There are different sorts of slopes, from very old and decrepit to new and pristine.
Highly recommended is a trip to a ‘real snow’ slope, where snow is made and the temperature is kept low.
It makes a fun day out, especially as often you’ll find the slopes positioned close to shops, cinemas and restaurants. It is possible to get a feel for skiing in one day, but many slopes
25 Sep 2019
Is this an expensive hobby? Well, it’s certainly more expensive than knitting or running. But as with all things, you can pay a little or a lot. You might compare a week in Romania skiing with a week in Japan, and you will guess that there’s a clear difference.
Overall, if you choose carefully, you’ll find a great value ski trip. Here’s one we’ve costed up from start to finish for Borovets, Bulgaria.
Item
Cost
Ski package
£350 (3* half board,
