The largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is a great escape for every type of traveller looking for laidback beach holidays on a budget. Whether you’re taking the kids on a family trip, going on a romantic retreat or clubbing the night away, there are plenty of package holidays to choose from.

Watersports
With ocean temperatures hovering around 20C throughout the year, Gran Canaria offers a variety of aquatic activities to try out. Home to some of the world’s most famous wind surfing spots, the best locations are on the east and south side of the island with the strongest winds in Poza Izquierdo, where the PWA windsurfing tour final is held every year. For scuba diving, the El Cabrón Reserve is a mariner’s mecca with plenty of tropical sea life to check out including sea horses and angel sharks. Experienced divers should explore the shipwrecks down in the deep waters of Puerto de Mogan. If you’re not keen on diving, other sports are available all over the island including water-skiing, body boarding, snorkelling and sailing.

Nightlife
When it comes to clubbing, Playa del Inglés on the southernmost tip of the island takes the cake. One of the largest resorts in Europe, it’s known throughout the Canaries for its mix of nightlife, from live music to salsa dancing and techno clubs. Go to the Kasbah Centre in the heart of the city for plenty of places to let loose no matter what your party preferences, including the Yumbo Centre, which has more than 30 gay-friendly hotspots.

Landscape
A volcanic island, there are a variety of rock formations worth a visit for the geologically inclined; The Roque Nublo, an ancient point of worship for the native islanders, being the most renowned. With paths all over the island, you can climb many of these cliffs for views of nearby northern Africa, or hire a jeep and drive through the dirt trails. Those on family holidays should go on a safari, and see the famous sand dunes of Maspalomas along the southern coastline from the comfort of a camel. But it’s not all desert in Gran Canaria, there’s also tropical valleys with reservoirs, plantations and fruit and palm trees scattered throughout the middle of the island, easily accessible by car.

Shopping
Stop by the street markets where you’ll find everything from souvenirs to home-grown produce and knock-off designer labels. For traditional Canarian dishes, go further inland to one of the smaller villages where local farmers sell stock like goat meat, indigenous vegetables and fresh cheeses. For a more upmarket shopping experience, Las Palmas is the high street hub with commercial chains throughout the three main shopping areas of Las Arenas, La Ballena and Avenida Mesa y López. Although the stores stay open until 8pm, don’t forget they shut for the Spanish siesta from 1:30-4:30pm every day.

Whatever the weather, there are many exciting things you can do in London. Even in winter, London enjoys many sunny days, and although you might still need a coat, hat, gloves and scarf to keep out the cold, there is no reason not to visit some of the many outdoor attractions of the city. There are many parks, walks, and historical sites to explore, though one item that should be on the itinerary of all London breaks is a walk along the south bank of the River Thames.

When the sun comes out in wintery London, so too do the people and you will find a good many of them doing just that; taking a stroll along the famous South Bank walk.  Starting at Tower Bridge and heading west, this walk takes in City Hall, the Second World War battleship HMS Belfast, Hays Galleria which is a shopping arcade a little away from the river, the London Dungeon, Southwark Cathedral, the Cannon Street railway bridge, the Anchor public house (where you can enjoy an excellent lunch), and right by there is Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This theatre is modelled on the original Globe and in true Shakespearean tradition you can see plays in the open air, though it is not open in winter.
Next you pass the Millennium Footbridge which you can cross to visit St Paul’s Cathedral. Returning to the South Bank you pass in front of the Tate Modern which is certainly worth a visit. You will walk under Blackfriars Railway Bridge followed by Blackfriars Bridge and soon you will see OXO tower. This is followed by Gabriel’s Wharf where you will find several popular restaurants and shops.  Continue past the London Studios to the National Theatre (the largest public funded theatre in the UK) and the Southbank Centre (which incorporates the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Hayward Gallery). Altogether these form a dramatic (and some find overbearing) concrete maze of theatres, concert halls, bars, restaurants, balconies, halls and auditoria.
You have now reached the most popular open space in the whole of the City, which in the summer months can be overcrowded, but on sunny wintery days is ideal.
Continue on under the Hungerford railway bridge and the Golden Jubilee Footbridges and to Jubilee Gardens, a small park at the end of which is the London Eye. In summer the queues of people waiting for a ride on it are daunting, but in winter it takes very little time to get a ticket, and if you have a head for heights it is worth the effort; from the top you will see amazing views of the City. Afterwards continue under Westminster Bridge and view the Palace of Westminster across the river.
Perhaps that is a good place to end the walk and get a taxi or tube back to your hotel to get refreshed before dinner. However cold it might be outside, it is always warm inside the theatre and certainly you will wish to take in one or more of the many West End shows. The best way to obtain tickets for many of the more popular ones is to purchase one of the London theatre breaks which include hotel accommodation and theatre tickets in a single package. Not only do these save money, but often you can get the best theatre seats too.
Don’t let the winter put you off as there are always plenty to do and see in London, whatever the weather.

Europe has been a top tourist destination for as long as people have been traveling. Some people choose to backpack their way through Europe and either camp or stay at a hostel and others choose to stay in boarding-houses or guest-houses. Tour packages are still another way to see Europe without breaking the bank and some people travel with a group because sharing hotels and tours is a good way to share the expense.

Whichever way you choose to travel matters less than what you choose to see and with Co-op Travel you book to visit Europe cheaply. There are many fabulous attractions in Europe that are free or low cost. That is not to say that you should skip seeing the Vatican if that has been a life-long dream of yours. See the Vatican and then see attractions that are free or low cost. The following are just a few note-worthy attractions to mention.

A wonderful place to visit to start your holiday is Budapest, Hungary because they have always been the most Westernized country in Eastern Europe, because a huge portion of the country (more than any other in Europe) speaks English and because they have lots of free or low cost attractions. Margaret Island is in the middle of Budapest, free to get to and includes medieval ruins, meandering pathways, a musical fountain and a zoo. History enthusiasts will appreciate the many museums (100 in Budapest alone) such as the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts with art from masters such as Raphael, Rembrandt and Goya. This one offers free tours on certain days.

Throw some coins into the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous (if not THE most famous) fountain in the world. It stands over 85 feet high and over 65 feet wide and depicts Neptune riding a chariot pulled by seahorses. Legend says that if you throw 3 coins into the fountain you will return to Rome. The Pantheon was built in 126 AD as a temple to the Gods of Ancient Rome. The dome of the Pantheon was the world’s largest dome until 1436 and today it is free to visitors. For the people with the Vatican dream; the Vatican is free the last Sunday of every month.

Visit the Prado Museum, one of Spain’s most popular attractions, and see paintings by Goya, El Greco and Diego Velázquez as well as Greek sculptures – call ahead for free days and hours. Madrid’s Royal Palace is free on most days and visitors can see things like works by Caravaggio and Goya, the Royal Armoury, the Royal Pharmacy and the Sabatini Gardens.

There are many more attractions in Europe, which are free or low cost, so make sure you read up on the country you are going to before you go. Europe does not need to cost an arm and a leg as long as you know where to go.

Jetting off around the world can seem like a great plan, particularly when you are young and you have your whole life ahead for work. However, before you start to make arrangements or bookings, you should do your homework. Check out how much travel insurance for backpackers may cost you and click here. Price comparison sites are a great way to get the best deal but also a policy which is comprehensive, covering you for everything you wish to do while you are away.

The first thing that an insurance provider will look at is your age before analysing the length of your trip, the countries you may wish to visit and the activities you want to do. When booking accommodation you need to think about whether you will have somewhere secure to store your belongings. It is not particularly advisable to take anything too valuable away with you as this adds to the risk of theft.
You may choose to visit countries which are still developing in terms of medical infrastructure and you must check whether these are actually covered by the policy you choose. Heading out of Europe means that the EHIC card will not be of use so you must have a back-up plan. Additionally those seeking to really let loose and try adventurous activities such as white water rafting or gorge walking will need to tailor the insurance to their individual needs.

Whether you want to experience a Full Moon Party in Thailand, hit the golden sands of Australia, hike Africa’s biggest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro – or see all the cities of Europe, having the correct travel insurance package will leave you with peace of mind if anything does go wrong. In addition it’s a great way to convince your parents that you will be safe as you take your opportunity to gain some independence. After all the world is waiting for you.