Fira by night on Santorini, Greece. Photo credit: Manuco.

Lela wrote this guest post about a weekend in Santorini. She is a world traveler who works as a writer for HostelBookers.

Santorini, Greece is perhaps the Mediterranean Sea’s most famous — and infamous — island gem.

Formed by a volcano rising from the Aegean Sea and shaped by a massive explosion 3,000 years ago, Santorini is known for its white plaster buildings, red rock-lined harbor, and pristine volcanic beaches. Over time, Santorini has become one of Greece’s most popular destinations and a great place to spend the weekend.

If you’re going to visit Santorini and its iconic capital of Fira, there are so many fun places to go and see and shop and eat that one weekend might not be enough! Fira is the largest town on the island and perhaps its most beautiful, with white buildings perched on top of a 900-foot-high cliff. Fira has most of the island’s museums, hotels and economic infrastructure. It can be reached by vehicle from Santorini (Thira) National Airport, or the most fun way, by cable car up the cliff from the ancient port of Gialos below the town.

Afrodete Hotel. Photo credit: HostelBookers.

Santorini has a number of accommodations but if you’re visiting on a budget, there is none more ideally located than Afrodete Hotel. Selected by HostelBookers among the most Romantic Hotels in the world, the 10-room hotel is located just 100 meters from the caldera promenade and 500 meters from the center of Fira, where shops, restaurants, and activities await your discovery. If you want to just relax, Afrodete has a large outdoor jacuzzi that overlooks the beautiful blue waters and red cliffs of Santorini’s harbor. It is the ideal place to unwind and enjoy your weekend.

When you decide to get out and about, one of Santorini’s prime photography and sunset spots is the town of Oia, located 9 kilometers north of Fira. Oia is an ancient town on the tip of the island and is considered the most romantic spot on Santorini. Another town you might want to visit is Akrotiri, located south of Fira and known as the “Pompeii of Santorini” because of its volcanic-ash preserved ruins. There is also a neat medieval castle and lighthouse worth visiting at Akrotiri.

The much photographed town of Oia, on the island of Santorini, Greece. Photo credit: sub_lime79.

If you enjoy the beach, Santorini has pristine beaches that, thanks to volcanic materials, come in several different colors. Red Beach is located west of Akrotiri and features red sand and tall red rocks. Kamari Beach, on the eastern side of Santorini, has black sand and is most popular with tourists. White Beach is located near Red Beach and features dark sand with white pebbles and towering white cliffs.

Santorini is still an active volcano, so if you have a more adventurous side you can join one of the boat tours to the island’s central feature — the growing, hot lava dome of Nea Kameni. In fact, boat tours around the caldera are very popular year-round and give visitors to Santorini a close view of rock-carved houses, ancient ports, and small white churches.

If you love to try different foods, Santorini has plenty of dining options, especially in Fira. One of the town’s most unique places is Sphinx Restaurant, a restaurant located in a restored mansion high above Fira that offers amazing sunset views over the caldera. Archipelagos Restaurant is a traditional Greek restaurant located in one of the oldest captain’s houses in Fira, dating to 1860. If you’re looking for a bar experience, one of the highest rated is Palia Kameni Cocktail Bar in Fira.

You can find more about special Hotels and Hostel in Greece by checking their 2013 HostelBookers Awards page.

Champagne-Ardenne. Photo credit: Tourisme Champagne-Ardenne.

Fancy a France wine holiday?  Then think about heading to the famous France wine travel destination of Champagne-Ardenne.

If you’re a budget traveler, the region’s six visitor’s passes now include more tourist attractions and sites than ever. Each pass features special offers, discounts and free admissions to diverse places and activities in Champagne-Ardenne.

From A Season In Champagne-Ardenne. Photo credit: Tourisme Champagne-Ardenne.

Here are the 6 Champagne-Ardenne Passes:

1. The Champagne Pass (Oenopass) gives travelers a selection of visits to champagne cellars and champagne heritage sites. The pass is available for 5 visits or 10 visits.
2. The Golf Pass (Pass Golf en Champagne) offers travelers the chance to play three rounds of golf at any of eight participating clubs.
3. The Reims City Card is designed for travelers who want to explore the city of Reims on a short break. It covers a champagne cellar visit and tasting and two audio-guided tours.
4. The Troyes Pass is a booklet of 11 vouchers which grant admission to five different museums, free champagne and chocolate tastings, bicycle hire, a guided tour and discounts at selected fashion stores.
5. The Pass Tourisme 52 in the Haute-Marne features 33 special offers and discounts on local heritage and history sites to accommodation.
6. A French Ardennes pass is expected to be launched in Spring 2013. This visitor’s pass will cover twelve varied local tourist sites and attractions.

The landscape of Champagne-Ardenne. Photo credit: Tourisme Champagne-Ardenne.

Find out more details at www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk.

Heidelberg at daytime. Photo credit: Heidelberg Marketing GmbH.

Greg wrote this guest post about traveling the Rhine and Swiss lakes.

Escorted holidays allow travelers to visit unique holiday destinations, while leaving the stress and hassle of modern travel behind. When it comes to river cruises Europe brims with exciting ideas – one of the most popular being a trip along the Rhine, which winds from Switzerland, through France and Germany, towards the North Sea.

Tours begin in Lucerne, a gorgeous Swiss alpine city, nestled beneath snow-capped mountains on the shores of a crystal mountain lake. Visitors may stroll through quiet lanes and sleepy squares or even venture up the nearby Mount Rigi – before setting sail for Germany. The trip north takes travelers past stunning mountain scenery and picturesque villages. The history of Europe plays a big part in any cruise along the Rhine – you’ll experience scenery untouched by the modern world and explore environments which evoke Europe’s rich medieval past.

Lake Lucerne from Pilatus. Photo credit: Ttrainer.

On to France, cruises arrive in Strasbourg known historically as the ‘Crossroads of Europe’ thanks to its position on the border with Germany. The city is full of medieval history: the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Barrage Vauban bridge – and Grand Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking the streets of the city is like stepping back in time: half-timbered houses crowd the streets and flowers bloom from gardens and window boxes.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Strasbourg, France. Photo credit: Jonathan Martz.

Further north, Heidelberg (top) continues the medieval adventure, sitting on what is known as Germany’s ‘Castle Road’. Heidelberg treats visitors to its atmospheric, Gothic castle and an idyllic, cobbled Old Town – unchanged even in the wake of centuries of conflict and war. If you’re traveling during the festive season, there’s even a large Christmas market to explore. Don’t forget to stop into some of the cosy bars and pubs throughout the town to experience traditional German Wurst!

The entire Rhine valley is populated with glimpses of ancient Europe: castles perch high on hills, and protected towns offer the opportunity to explore their history and culture firsthand. The region is also well-known for its winemaking tradition – in the town of Rüdesheim, you’ll be able to sample some of the region’s native varieties on the famous Drosselgasse street. As the cruise moves into northern Germany, the Rhine valley reveals views of vineyards, historical monuments and the castle-strewn ramparts of Lorelei rock. The ancient cities of Koblenz and Cologne round off the experience, showcasing a variety of beautiful Gothic architecture and a proud medieval legacy.

With so much history, within touching distance, European tours open a door back through time. Luxury cabins, five star service and a range of optional excursions mean river cruises can offer their guests an unforgettable Europe travel experience.

From Green Photos: Venice. Photo credits: Charles Christopher.

“Venice is a mystery whose fairy tale bridges and strange sotoportegos can make anyone feel like an adventurous child again.” – Charles Christopher, photographer

Venice is beautiful.

We were so thrilled when photographer Charles Christopher shared his stunning Venice (above) and Hollywood photography.  And we’re excited about his Dream of Venice book project with JoAnn Locktov.

From A Venice Green Guide. Photo credit: Amanda Ruggeri.

Today, we’re charmed by this video, Venice in the Snow, created by one of our favorite travel companies Walks of Italy.  Previously, they have shared fab green guides to Venice (above), Florence and Rome with the blog’s readers.

Rock Bar, Bali. Photo credit: AYANA Resort and Spa Bali.

Sasha O’Shea wrote this guest post on her 5 most awesome things about Bali.

Bali is known worldwide as a hot-spot destination for travelers of all sorts, from the adventure loving thrill-seekers to the glamorous wine-and-diners, from  surfers to first time travelers, from retirees seeking a seaside sojourn to families looking for fun and festivities. No matter what it is that you’re after, Bali can accommodate.

With so many amazing aspects to Bali, you may be left wondering ‘where do I start?’. To help you plan your holiday, I’ve put together my top picks for the most awesome Bali experiences – no matter what kind of holiday you’re seeking, these Balinese activities are sure to please.

Rock Bar

In Jimbaran, at the AYANA Resort and Spa Bali, there sits the most spectacular bar you might ever lay your eyes on. Perched at the bottom of a rocky hill, nestled amongst the stone on the shore of the ocean, is the Rock Bar (above). Enjoy a cocktail or three as waves crash against the rocks underneath – this is about as close as you could possibly get to seaside refreshments, you’re essentially sitting on top of the ocean. A lift brings guests down the hillside to the bar; you cannot actually access the Rock Bar on foot!

Uluwatu Monkey Temple

Down south, in Uluwatu, is a beautiful temple sitting atop the cliffs. The view is spectacular and the temple itself is breathtaking. The real draw card, however, are the Temple’s local inhabitants: masses of wild monkeys. Be careful though, the monkeys, while very used to tourists and not shy about getting up close and personal, are notorious thieves. These cheeky locals steal loose items from unsuspecting travelers.

Street Food

Trying out the local cuisine is arguably the best way to get to the heart of the culture in Bali, and if you love fresh ingredients and tantalizing new tastes then Bali will be an absolute treat. While there are many fine dining restaurants and plenty of Westernized cuisine available for the less adventurous taste buds, you really can’t go past the Balinese street food. Wherever you go, you’re bound to find an array of different food carts and stalls with all sorts of unique dishes on offer.

Goa Gaja

The Goa Gaja is an ancient cave, thought to have been built by monks in the early 11th century. Translated to English, Goa Gaja literally means “Elephant Cave”, it has been used by both Buddhist and Hindu monks as a place of worship and meditation. It is covered in elaborate carving etched into the stone featuring many religious and traditional Balinese figures and icons.

Elephant Safari Park

The Elephant Safari Park in Taro claims to be the world’s best elephant park. Guests to the park can touch and feed the elephants up close, take photos with them, watch shows where elephants and trainers demonstrate their skills and visitors to the park can even ride the elephants through the lush Balinese jungle – what better way to see the amazing flora and fauna of Bali than from the back of a pachyderm? There’s also a restaurant, museum, and lodge for guests to stay at.

These might be my five most awesome things about traveling to Bali, but there are so many more, so don’t stop there. There’s a plethora of amazing experiences to be had, so get out and there and soak up the essence of Bali.