Roll back the clock 10 years, and the Costa del Sol would be one to avoid. Nearly every inch of the coast was occupied by huge multi-storey hotels, uninviting cafés and cheap souvenir shops – it was also often described as “an overdeveloped concrete jungle.” The Spanish government were so worried, t... Read more
Say NO to a wash out summer! Demand your quota of sunshine and book a summer beach break to one of our top holiday picks for Summer 2012… Costa Brava – This year we’re off to sunny Spain, as the Costa Brava proves there’s more on offer than high rise 70’s hotels, full English breakfasts and lobster... Read more
Seen one hotel and you've seen them all - here are some weird and wonderful places to stay for inspiration for your next trip: An aeroplane up a tree... Make like Tarzan in this exotic tree-top aeroplane hotel room in exotic Costa Rica. Part of a larger resort of more standard hotel accommodation,... Read more
There is a lot to be said for jetting off on a late summer break. To start with you will save a lot of money compared to if you travelled in the peak months. Secondly, the resorts will be quieter so you have a better chance of securing a good spot by the pool and on the beach. You can also get a tan... Read more
Planning a family summer holiday requires a certain amount of creativity so that it’s fun for the kids, relaxing for you, and affordable (our useful online tool is a great place to start). When travelling with young children, you want flights to be relatively short, so if you haven’t planned that mu... Read more
It’s Columbus Day on October 12th and Christopher Columbus’ crossing of the Atlantic is celebrated in many cultures and in many forms. The explorer’s heritage means you can immerse yourself in Italian culture in San Francisco’s 145th Italian Heritage Parade, or you can dance Salsa all week in the to... Read more
With the nation gripped by Royal Baby Fever Part 2 here at Columbus Direct, we have decided to look at ten of the weirdest and most useless baby inventions. These a great way to keep your kids entertained while on holiday. Possibly. We make no promises. Baby Mop If you’re anything like us on hol... Read more
The words barren and beautiful don’t immediately seem to make very comfortable bedfellows, but when it comes to landscapes they fit like hand in glove. There are great expanses of landscape all over the world that at first glance appear to be just barren wilderness, but move in closer and there is a... Read more
The countdown’s on for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and there’s a queasy mix of excitement and trepidation kicking around. Luis Suarez needing to recover from knee surgery might give England a boost in progressing from their group even though Suarez’s mum has said he’ll be ready in time. Wayne Roone... Read more
Do you usually spend your holidays laying by the pool or feeling the sand beneath your feet at the beach? We can’t deny the allure, but have you ever considered getting closer to nature? Columbus Direct offer free horse riding travel insurance, so if you’re looking to see more and do more on your b... Read more