Looking back on my week long, mid-semester break to Italy I simply can’t shake the feeling I got at the top of the Piazza del Duomo, so I thought I’d share, and hopefully inspire some other travelers.

First, I should probably mention that I was traveling with my four other friends, and it was our last day of our five day Italian extravaganza. Nobody wanted to leave Italy, the land of pasta, pizza, wine, and gelato (four things that will never taste the same to me again), the place where people relax and enjoy simple pleasures like coffee, which we normally find more of a necessity than an indulgence.  Where real leather was as common as the authentic Venetian masks.  But enough of my Italian tangents, the point is just when we thought it couldn’t get any better we came across the infamous Duomo.  The entire week we were running around Italy we had been so focused on seeing everything that the cities had to offer, I realized we rarely took a moment to stand back and take in everything that was around us.

Piazza del Duomo proved to be the exception.

Totalling 463 steps to the top, we were surprised that the staircases were windy, narrow, and very dark, not exactly user friendly.  About half way to the top you find yourself on a walkway, inside the church walking around the circumference of the dome giving us an up close view of the painted dome.  And if anybody’s wondering, looking from the top tier down onto the inside of the church was just as stunning as standing on the floor of the church and looking up.  After the brief break on a flat surface we continued climbing.  If we thought the stairs before were cramped, it only became tighter!  With a large school group in front of us, and other visitors squeezing by to get back down, I would give up your values of personal space for a couple minutes while you wait to get to the top.

And just as quickly as I felt bombarded by people, I felt overwhelmed by the sweeping views as we stepped out of the stairs into the open air on top of the Duomo.  It’s a small area, but you can walk around in a complete circle getting the full 360º of Florence.  It’s weird how at only 90 meters high, we were able to overlook all of the city, from the people below us at the market, slowly stretching out to the rolling hills and mountains in the countryside.

After getting our pictures from all sides, and constantly repeating how we were never leaving, the exhaustion from a week of walking, combined with a whole lot of stairs seemed to hit us all at once.  If you find yourself in the same position, we found there’s no better place to regain your strength than on top of the Duomo.  We sat down by the fences on the perimeter and watched as the sun set over the city–another suggestion I would make would be to go at this time because watching the sun set on the infamous Italian terracotta houses was truly breathtaking.

The Piazza del Duomo was the perfect ending to our perfect trip, and I hope that you have an experience that’s just as memorable.  Happy traveling!

“Nightlife” can hold multiple meanings, from clubs and bars to scary night walks, we wanted to share five of our favorite ways to spend our nights in London.

Ice Bar London

If you’re looking for a new way to go out in London, look no further than Ice Bar.  It’s perfect for a special night out since it is completely out of the ordinary.  How is it different? Well, yes, it’s exactly what the name indicates, everything is made out of ice. 
You might be a little confused as to how exactly that is possible, as I was, but in a temperature controlled room below ground level, the typical London pubs are put to shame as the walls, tables, glasses, and even the bar are made out of ice. Even the clear floors give the illusion that they too are made out of ice, but don’t worry it’s completely slip free surface.

Don’t worry about being cold, as soon as you step inside they have people throwing heavy, insulated, and super warm hooded capes over your head. When you’re downstairs you have 40 minutes to take in this spectacular bar before the next group is ushered in.  40 minutes didn’t sound like a lot, but it turned out to be the perfect amount of time to take tons of pictures with friends, and you get a complimentary drink with your ticket!

Going to Ice Bar was definitely one of the coolest London experiences I’ve had since I’ve been here and I would definitely encourage both visitors and residents of London to head over to Mayfair and have the chance to look around the eclectic and one of a kind bar.

Medieval Banquet

Nothing says unique nightlife than a Medieval Banquet.  This is meant to make you feel like you’re having dinner with King Henry VIII, and is a really great option for adults and families alike. 
As soon you enter the torch-lit banquet hall, you’ll realize this isn’t your typical dinner party.  Your four course meal is served alongside Medieval entertainment, also known as the Royal Court Show as history is reenacted featuring street performers, knights, and even wenches!

If jousting knights, Tudor-esque performances and medieval songs and dancing don’t sound like your sort of thing, don’t worry because you’re provided with unlimited wine and beer with your meal.  Also, the two hours of theater entertainment is followed by live music, dancing for the guests, and the open bar continues so it’s a guaranteed fun experience for everybody.

Now, with Christmas approaching, you also have the option to attend the Christmas Banquet option, which includes an even bigger meal and much more dancing and entertainment.

Jack The Ripper Tour

I have a love/hate relationship with scary movies, it’s almost like I can’t not look.  I had the same feeling when I saw the Jack the Ripper tour–I knew it would be terrifying, especially since it’s based on real events, but I just had to do it anyway.  So on a cold, dark night I went out and learned about the gruesome details of the infamous Jack the Ripper.

Walking down the old alleyways, seeing a haunted pub, and learning about the murders from autumn of 1888, was actually less frightening and more intriguing than I thought.  Our tour guide had such an extensive amount of knowledge of the topic and could answer any questions we had.

So if you’re looking for a thrilling but entertaining way to learn about London’s notorious Jack the Ripper, I highly suggest going on this tour for an easy way to switch up your evenings.

Ministry of Sound

The Ministry of Sound, London’s number one club for house and trance music, is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year. The Ministry, commonly known as MoS, was ranked fourth on DJ Magazine’s top 100 Clubs Poll in 2010. There is good reason for this commendable ranking; MoS is as extensive as it is loud.

Within the Ministry there are five main areas: The Box, the Baby Box, the Bar, the Loft and the VIP. The Box is the club’s most famous room, boasting a sprung floor, which allows clubbers to dance on into the night without getting tired, and a specially-built ceiling constructed to contain sound. Dancers are rocked with the beat that pounds out through the numerous speakers positioned around the room. The music is amplified by the psychedelic laser lighting that seems to ricochet off of every surface, creating an almost dream-like effect in the darkly lit Box.

The Ministry of Sound has become one of the leading clubs in global dance music and some consider it to be the only venue that has hosted every famous DJ to date. Every Friday and Saturday night, world-renowned trance and hard house DJs come to spin the night away. The club also hosts disco, funky garage and chill techno.

So come out to the Ministry of Sound some night and discover what the rage has been all about. MoS won’t disappoint.

London Pub Tours

Any visit to London would be incomplete without visiting one of the hundreds of pubs located around the city. Each pub has its own unique feel; whether you are looking for a cosy place to sip on a drink on a cold day or socialise with the locals, the pubs of London are the places to be.

In his writings, Samuel Pepys describes the pub system as the ‘heart of England’. Indeed, pubs have been the focal points of British society for hundreds of years and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Britain. The name pub comes from public houses, which are drinking establishments that are most often owned by a brewery. Pubs offer a wide selection of beer, wine, cider and spirits. Pubs are most often used as places to unwind after a long day of work, catch up with friends and sip on one of the local beers served on tap.

Pubs generally have regulars who, as the terms suggests, go to the pub frequently, generally because it is close proximity to their home or it is a designated meeting spot for friends. While in London, feel like a regular by taking a tour of three of the city’s most famous pubs. Sample London’s famous fish and chips and unwind with one of our expert tour guides. When your trip is over, go home knowing you have thoroughly experienced what it means to be a part of the pub culture of London.

What do reindeer, Santa Claus, dog-sledding, and the Northern lights all have in common? Besides indicators that winter is near, they all call Lapland their home. Located in the arctic circle in Finland, Lapland may not be an expected vacation spot, however it offers way more once in a lifetime experiences than the typical euro-trip.
Not only does Lapland stand out because of its isolated but stunning geography, but also because of its charming society. Being influenced from Finland’s surrounding regions including Norway, Sweden, and Russia, the customs and traditions can vary depending on the part of Finland you find yourself in creating a truly unique culture. However it doesn’t matter where you are, in this seemingly magical country, the experiences are consistent in the exceptional memories they will leave you with.

In a land epitomized by Christmas, this is certainly the time organize a holiday. Although this time of year may be too cold for the extensive network of hiking trails, there’s still more than enough outdoor adventures that won’t threaten you with frost bite. You can get to know more about Santa’s transportation with a visit to reindeer farms where you can go on a sleigh ride and even get your international reindeer license!

Travel to Rovaniemi which is also know as the official home of Santa Clause, a place where Santa becomes more than just a character. In Santa’s Village where the elves do all their hard work, you can meet the big man himself, and even send out mail from Santa’s post office. There are plenty of interesting shops with authentic elf craftsmanship, Santa Park, the Christmas Exhibition and much more.

For more adventurous options, what seems like always freshly fallen snow provides a perfect foundation for a variety of snow sports. Snowmobile through frozen forests, work up an appetite with cross-country skiing, or go on a dog-sled safari, it’s clear that all of Lapland’s activities serve as unforgettable experiences for their visitors. Remember that during Christmas and the winter months, there are very few hours of daylight, but don’t worry because what seems like eternal darkness is really the perfect backdrop for the Northern lights, reflecting beautifully on the pure white snow.

Lapland may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when thinking of a winter holiday, but the experiences and memories certainly won’t be leaving your mind anytime soon!

To the aborigines of the wild and desolate Australian outback, Uluru is a sacred and mystical site. To travellers from around the world, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a thing of wonder and mystery. Uluru is one of Australia’s most distinctive landmarks. The giant red rock rises out of the land like the sun rises above the horizon, inspiring photographers, painters and nature-lovers with its exquisiteness. When I first gazed upon the Dreaming rock, I was astounded by the natural beauty and spiritual energy vibrating through the air.

Uluru towers above the earth, reaching 318m at its highest points. It is made of arkrose sandstone and is 8km in circumference. It is considered an inselberg, which literally means “island mountain” and stands along with the nearby Kata Tjuta formation as the only two testaments to the evolution of the earth in an otherwise flat landscape. Archaeological findings suggest that humans first settled in the area around Uluru approximately 10,000 years ago. Europeans first explored the area in 1872 when Ernest Giles first mapped Uluru and named it Ayers Rock.

The Anangu, the aboriginal people who have lived near the formation for hundreds of years, consider Uluru a sacred dreaming site. The Dreamtime was when the great spirits created everything upon the earth. The concept of ‘Dreaming’ can refer to several things; it can be an individual’s spirituality, such as when a man or woman says they are part of Kangaroo Dreaming or Dingo Dreaming. ‘Dreaming’ is also the place where each person’s spirit lives eternally. The aborigines believe that every spirit existed before its time on earth in the Dreaming and that it continues to exist after the death of the body. The Dreaming pervades every aspect of an aboriginal Australian’s life. It is a complex and unique network of stories, faith, knowledge and practices. The aborigines believe that there is a hollow space beneath Uluru that houses Tjukurpa, the Dreamtime.

1) Discover the Legends surrounding Uluru- Visit the Museum

In order to visit Uluru, visitors must buy passes to enter the park. These can be purchased through our Uluru Pass. Once you have entered the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, it is best to begin your adventure by visiting the cultural centre located near Uluru’s base. Not only does the centre have an extensive list of all of the activities happening in the park but also introduces you to the culture of the Anangu. The centre presents material relating to traditional culture and park history. The entrance to the cultural centre tells the story of the Anangu people and the various aboriginal beliefs and stories that involve Uluru. There is also an art centre in the vicinity that sells incredibly intricate aboriginal art. It’s nearly impossible to resist buying the incredible pieces they have in the store (I bought a hand-woven aboriginal pillow cover that reminds me of Uluru every time I sit down on my couch).

2) See Uluru from Every Angle

When you see Uluru, you realize why the aborigines believe it to be the centre of their spiritual existence. The sheer size of it is enough to inspire awe in anyone. The colour of it reminds me of the embers of a fire; the oranges and reds seem to intensify as the sun moves on its path through the day. To really experience the majesty of Uluru, you need to get up close and personal with the giant monolith. Our Uluru Pass, besides getting you into the park, also includes several walking tours. Visitors to the park can walk around the entire base of Uluru, while also witnessing the flora and fauna of the beautiful Outback. Keep a sharp eye out for Malu (red kangaroos) and echidnas as they are not found anywhere else in the world outside of Australia. Explorers and adventures can also discover the rugged beauty of the Kata Tjuta formation. Kata Tjuta is close to Uluru and with its deep gorges, unique rock colouring and exotic flora it is not a destination to be missed.

3) Experience Night-time in the Outback

There is nothing like the outback after the sun has gone down. Stars blaze brightly above, the air gets cool and refreshing and if you listen closely, you may hear the lonely sound of a dingo’s far-off howl. Star gazers and romantics will find the Sounds of Silence Dinner particularly entrancing. Diners get to sample real bush tucker, including kangaroo, emu and barramundi, and sip on champagne as the sun sets on Uluru. After the delicious dinner experience, explore the heavenly stars above with an experienced Star Talker who will walk with you through the net of constellations hanging in the sky. Night in the Red Centre is an otherworldly experience; my friends and I felt as if we had travelled through the mists of time back to a primordial land.

4) Take to the Skies above the Red Centre

The Anangu consider Uluru to be one of their most sacred sites. When tourism began in Uluru, they were dismayed to witness visitors climbing up and down Uluru’s lofted peaks. Today, the local indigenous community requests that visitors do not climb Uluru. The path that leads to the top of the monolith crosses a sacred dreaming path, a fact that has caused the traditional owners of the rock much anguish. Though the path is still accessible, it has become smooth over the years from visitors’ feet and the path remains closed for most of the year. Those who wish to see what Uluru looks like from above but desire to respect the wishes of the Anangu will delight in a breath-taking Helicopter ride over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. If you choose to see the formations this way, you will witness some of the most awe-inspiring views Australia has to offer.

5) Experience the Bushman Lifestyle

A trip to the outback is not complete without experiencing the bushman’s lifestyle. Bushmen are the wild cowboys of the outback; they drive cattle, work farms and sheer sheep on a farm circuit they call the Wallaby Track. Needless to say, Bushmen are a fiery bunch (think Hugh Jackman’s rough and tough portrayal of a drover in the blockbuster Australia). Bushmen, after a long day’s work droving cattle, often sit around the campfire telling stories and eating bush tucker. You too can experience this sort of lifestyle, albeit in a slightly more comfortable way, by setting off on the Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon 3 days camping safari. Campers will explore Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon over the course of three days, with two nights lodging in the permanent campsites at Uluru and Kings Canyon that boast off-the-ground beds and a hearty supply of bush tucker.

Traveling with your entire family can create some of the best memories, but it can also come with the stress of pleasing all family members.  Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of activities in Paris that are perfect for families, so you know it’ll be a good Parisian time for everybody.

Disneyland Paris

Being just 20 miles outside of Paris and easily accessible by any form of transportation, nothing says “family” more than Disneyland.  Not only is this the only Disney theme park in all of Europe, but this park comes with more than enough perks to please the whole family.
Your first reason to breathe a sigh of relief?  Since Disney has everything you could want in two adjacent and easily accessible parks, that means you don’t have to struggle to get the whole family to multiple places in one day.  Second, FastPasses are a great option to skip the queues so the kids don’t get restless.  Finally, it’s guaranteed fun for the whole family, whether you’re five or fifty, you can’t deny that you’re never too old for the magic of Disney.

Aquarium de Paris (CinéAqua)

Another good family option, the Aquarium de Paris is located in the heart of Paris, right across from the Eiffel Tower.  Located underground, the aquarium is newly renovated so  now there’s more than ever for your family to do.

With 40 tanks filled with thousands of different seawater species, children and adults will both find themselves in awe of the beautiful aqua-life, or even a little scared in the shark tunnel. Learning is always an opportunity, but the kids will actually be eager this time as there are both documentaries and animated cartoons teaching viewers about this completely different world.  Of course being interactive is almost a necessity for family fun, and with touch pools, feeding sessions, and lots of live entertainment, the Aquarium de Paris is the perfect way for your family to experience Paris’ more unique version of museums.

Asterix Park

Let’s face it, amusement parks are inescapable if you’re looking for good, old fashioned family fun.  Kids are running from ride to ride, and parents play the carnival games so their children can win the giant stuffed animal.  A huge park with rides, candy, games, and entertainment is the perfect day. If Disneyland Paris is too mainstream for you, try Paris’ very own Asterix Park.  Completely unique to Paris, this park offers 5 different ancient worlds to discover, from the Gauls to the Roman Empire, there won’t be a shortage of activities for anybody in the family.  If you’re not a huge fan of roller coasters, fear not because there’s also tons of live shows and interactive games for some friendly competition!

Luxembourg Gardens

If you want a truly Parisian experience with the whole family, Luxembourg Gardens is the perfect place to spend the day.  With tons of statues, flower gardens, and fountains, Luxembourg is commonly seen as a romantic place.
Yet there is a vintagecarousel, puppet shows, ponies, and a lake for model sail boats, so kids will be just as entertained as adults will be relaxed.  In addition, there’s free musical performances!  So if you’re looking for that specifically French experience, what matches it more than Parisian gardens with the family?

Museum of Magic

I guarantee you that this is the type of museum the kids can get on board with.  This low-key, underground museum has a quirky vibe and doesn’t need tons of prestigious paintings or sculptures to hold your attention.

Instead, both parents and kids will be intrigued by the 30 minute magic show, optical illusions, and hands-on interactive games that play with your mind. There’s also a dedication to the history of magic and how it has progressed, but don’t think they’re about to give away all their secrets!  I should mention that both the show and the rest of the museum are in french, but don’t worry if you aren’t fluent, magic knows no language and the pure enchantment and mysteriousness that lies in this museum is well worth the visit.

So enjoy your next family vacation to the fullest!

In second place of Britain’s top 10 favourite holiday destinations is France. The rivalry between France and Britain became once again very clear during the Rugby World Cup but now that is all behind us, here are ideas to explore la belle France.

Holiday destination 2: France

Paris Landmarks
If you enjoy Paris sightseeing, there are plenty of things to do in the gracious capital city of France.  The Eiffeltower is a landmark you literally cannot miss when visiting Paris.  Tour the Eiffeltower and have a peek behind the scenes with our special Paris tour.

At night enjoy the splendour of illuminated Paris safely from a coach, which will then drop you off at the infamous Moulin Rouge for an evening of glitz and glamour. Alternatively, see the city of light during an evening cycling tour with an English speaking guide. Cycle passed Paris highlights as the Notre Dame, The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees. After the tour you will take a cruise on the Seine and sip some of France’s excellent wine.

You also have to make time for a cultural trip to Versailles from Paris and admire the beauty of the Palace while you explore Versailles at leisure. Lastly for the romantics among you, we offer a private portraits in Paris tour, where a photographer will lead you through the historic Latin Quarter and make portraits of you and your loved one to remember this  magical moment in Paris.
Nice and the French Riviera
People looking for milder climates should visit Nice in Southern France. Take a city tour of Nice and discover landmarks like the Promenade des Anglais, Old Town and Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
Take off from Nice and tour the French Riviera, where you will visit the most glamorous places on earth. Revel in the old glory of Monte Carlo, admire the beauty of Antibes and touch down in Cannes, known for its film festival.

Wine Tours in France
We also offer a few wine tours that wine connoisseurs might enjoy: take the wine road through Provence tour with tastings at Chateau Saint Martin and Chateau Font du Broc. Enjoy wine tasting tours in Bordeaux, the largest and most famous wine region in the world or you can take a wine tour in Lyon, which lies in the Beaujolais region.

In Avignon, the wine tour consists of  tasting the most prestigious red wine in the Rhone valley in the winery founded in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  You can also explore the city St Remy where Vincent Van Gogh painted his Starry Night.

Cultural reference: Van Gogh’s paintings and the Da Vinci Code
Vincent van Gogh used to live in the Provence and let the landscape inspire his paintings not only in St Remy but also Arles one of the bigger cities in France.
A Van Gogh tour from Marseilles is also available, and after visiting the landmarks you can participate in a regional olive oil tasting Of course France is also associated with great French food: the Belzier tour offers you seafood and wine of the Languedoc. Also in the Languedoc area, lies Rennes le Chateau, a medieval town and discover how the stories and the religious conspiracy theories influenced the story of  The Da Vinci Code.

With its scope of possibilities for city break to beach holiday or culture weekend - no wonder that France stays a popular holiday destination for Britain.

Photo credits Flickr: Eiffeltower by liam!!-Moulin Rouge by Torfo- Versailles by Renata Barros- Vineyard by crabchick - Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

The website 101holidays.co.uk revealed the  the top 10 of holiday destinations in Britain. Over the next couple of days, we will tell you about the wonderful things you can experience in each of these holiday-destinations. We’ll start at the top and work our way down.

Holiday destination 1: Spain

Madrid
The capital city Madrid is ideal for a city break.  Book a bike tour in Madrid and explore the city by bike in small groups with a local tour-guide.
If you are a culture-vulture and in Madrid for a couple of days, it might be worth investing in a Madrid card.  Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, it will grand  you one-time entrance to more than 50 museums, unlimited use of a tour bus, free entry to a number guided tours and  attractions like Zoo- Aquarium  and Faunia Theme Park. Museums to visit in Madrid include Prado National Museum, Reina Sofia N Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Spend one night in Madrid enjoying the Spanish twist on dinner and dance:  attend a night of Flamenco dancing at the Florida Park.

Barcelona
The rugged mountains of Montserrat have inspired stories:  Parsifal is supposed to have found the Holy Grail here and St Peter himself left a statue of the Virgin here. Discover Montserrat by taking an afternoon tour from Barcelona and visit the shrine of the Black Virgin – patron Saint of Catalonia.

Many of the extraordinary buildings in Barcelona were built by Antoni Gaudi, a visionary Modernist architect. Seven of  his buildings have been listed as World Heritage sites. Take a Gaudi tour to discover more about Passeif de Gracia, the Park Guell, Casa Museu Gaudi and Sagrada Familia church. The tour only runs form April to Oct.

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Seville
Tapas (small plates of appetizers) are integrated in the culture of Seville – going on a tapas crawl is how many a night is spend. Seville has hundreds of places to eat tapas: make it easier for yourself by going on a real tapas tour. Your local guide  will introduce you to the best tapas places around.

Photography enthusiasts will enjoy the Seville photography tour. Discover the picturesque side to Seville and take pictures of the architecture and markets with the help of your guide a local photographer.

Mallorca
The only way to explore Mallorca is by scooter. Drive around, fully insured, in small groups and see Palma Bay, the historic centre of the city and discover the fishing culture by Paseo Maritimo. There are enough refreshments stops along the way – but you do need an international driving license to join!

Ibiza
A perfect alternative way to spend the day on Ibiza: visit Aquamar Water Park. One of the islands top attractions the waterpark has plenty of pools and slides to keep everyone entertained for the day. There is a cafeteria and bars for refreshments or go to the picnic areas if you like to bring your own lunch..
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Valencia
In Valencia is the City of Arts and Sciences: a complex devoted to scientific and cultural dissemination in Europe. The complex itself is worthy of a visit with its many exhibitions and activities and one of the buildings not to miss is the Oceanographic park. An underwater city, where you walk through several habitats of the world, teaches you about biodiversity and the ocean’s eco system. You can see aquatics animals, mammals, birds and fish and even enjoy a dolphin show.

Lanzarote
We finish with a dinner offer you can’t refuse: a volcano bbq in Timanfaya National Park. It is the largest volcanic region in the whole of the Canary islands. A guide will lead you via the Lunar route to the famous El Diablo restaurant in Lanzarote.
Take in the gorgeous views while the food is grilled on volcanic heat. The evening is completed by music from local musicians.
A perfect night out in Spain.

Photocredit: Flickr Flamenco dancer -Flydime/ Montesserat- Catedrales e Iglesias/ Tapas- The Foodie Gift Hunter/ Beluga- Mike Johnstone/ BBQ- Sylviane Moss

This October, half-term in the UK will end with the Halloween weekend (Halloween being the 31st of Oct which falls on a Monday this year, we’re expecting most celebrations to happen the weekend before.)

Top of the scary things to do in London must be the London Dungeon. The attraction shows you 1000 years of the capital’s most gory history and presents you with three thrilling rides, one of which opened this year: the Vengeance 5D laser ride! Educational and fun, the Dungeon will entertain the whole family.

Celebrate Halloween in London at the London Dungeon with the amazing show of Stingy Jack

Jack was a clever but lazy and gambling man. When it was time for Jack to die, the Devil tried to collect his soul but Jack managed to trick him twice. The third time the Devil didn’t even bother to show up and Jack was sent to Heaven.

At the pearly gates, St Peter refused to let Jack in because he had never done a selfless act in his life.  So Jack knocked on the gates of Hell but the Devil was still annoyed with him and so refused to let him in. The Devil threw a coal in a hollow pumpkin (or turnip, depending on which version you read.) for Jack to use as a lantern and send him on his way.

Thus Jack (O’Lantern) roams the dark on Halloween as he has nowhere to go.

So all Halloween period (15-31st Oct 2011) be aware while you make your way around the Dungeon as Jack can pop up anytime…

We have been given a family ticket* that admit two adults and two children to the attraction - all you have to do is answer this question:

Q: Halloween is officially celebrated on which date?

Send us the answer in an email to competition@isango.com with HALLOWEEN in the subject line. Competition closes 9pm Sunday 23rd of October - Winner will be chosen at random.

* tickets will be send out by supplier - ticket valid until the 31st of Mar 2012 for the Dungeon in all six locations.

Picture credit: www.the-dungeons.co.uk

Everything seems to have its own special day it seems and today is World Egg Day. If you’d like to mark the second Friday of October in your calender next year, you won’t have to be reminded of this annual celebration.

Here we have gathered five eggcellent (ba-boom ching!) egg facts from the internet:

1. The colour of the yolk is determined by the food of the hen: the more yellow pigment the grain has, the deeper yellow the yolk.

2. There is some debate whether brown eggs are laid by brown chickens and white eggs by white chickens.This poultry site tells us it is genetically determined and depends on the breed of the chicken.

3. It also mentions Auracana chickens that lay blue-ish eggs!

4. The largest chicken egg produced by an ordinary chicken was found in China: 6.3 cm wide and 9.2 cm long, weighing 201g making it three times the size of a normal egg. Ouch.

5. Double yolk eggs are often laid by very young laying hens that have just started laying, before their systems settle down. There is not a breed which just lays double-yolks as there is not enough room in an egg to have twin-chicks!

Hungry? Why wait? Book a cooking course in Florence or a Thai cooking course in Bangkok! * yes horrendeously contrived, nothing to do with the eggs but it is a lovely thing to do on your holiday!

picture credit: Flickr - Rubber Slippers in Italy

If you are a parent wondering whether the children hadn’t just started school: it is indeed not long until October half term starts again. Luckily, there is no need to panic - here are a few half term ideas to keep the kids and you entertained.

Explore Nature
Weather permitting, take the kids out to the woods. The Woodland Trust has a handy site where you can find the nearest woods to you. The site is full of ideas like den-building and forest foraging. The Woodland Trust also supplies a variety idea packs with activity sheets, puzzles and games that they can email to you for free.

Capital time
If you decide to visit London during half term, you can skip the line at the London Zoo when you pre-book the tickets. This half-term London Zoo has a Halloween theme. For “Boo in the Zoo” London Zoo will open a brand new bat cave, tells spooky stories in teepees and the kids get creative in the Zoo’s Animal Adventure exhibit.

No visit to London would be complete without a visit to the West End: treat the children to tickets for Matilda the Musical. The Royal Shakespeare Company production opened last year in Stratford upon Avon to raving reviews. The classic Roald Dahl story about the clever Matilda who discovers she has magical powers, is filled with cheeky songs by comedian Tim Minchin and is a spectacular show for children of all ages.

For those who are looking for to spend the half term week in Europe:

Amsterdam
Amsterdam can indeed be appropriate for children: the Anne Frank house has special child friendly displays to explain the historical significance of the place. Little scientists will love the NEMO museum in Amsterdam, where they are forbidden NOT to touch anything: all is there for them to explore. Visit the famous Vondelpark and perch in the cafe Groot Melk huis that organises special kids craft sessions for €5 per child on Wednesday and Saturdays.

Berlin
Germany’s capital of Berlin is full of history, once containing the Berlin Wall, symbol of the Cold War. See what remained of the Wall, the so-called Eastside Gallery covered with paintings and graffiti, visiting the Reichstag will give you a beautiful view of the city but you can also explore the Berlin on segway.

Paris
You can visit the Eiffel tower and even go ‘backstage’ and get tickets for the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, and children will love the Paris Story: a multi-media presentation about Paris’ history.
For a real treat take the kids to Disneyland Paris for a day. You get picked up from your Paris hotel for a day full of fun and rides among your favourite Disney friends.

Theme parks in Florida
If you are looking for some sun and entertainment further away: we have tickets for Disney World Orlando in Florida. You also have the option visit one of the other theme parks like Universal Studios or Sea World.

Photocredits: Flickr NEMO Amsterdam - Rebekah gmela; Forest - Felixion