As per usual we kick off with our top 10 travel articles from across the web:

photo courtesy of ScRO

1. Summer is just weeks away, what better way to spend it than sampling the world’s most imaginative ice-cream, you don’t have to travel to the other side of the globe for all of them!

2. If globe-trotting in search of ice-cream doesn’t apeal, maybe swimming pools will. Unique and amazing pools illustrates some of the finest swimming pools to spend your summer in luxury.

3. Reykjavik as told by Sigtryggur Baldursson of Icelandic band Sugarcubes.  An inspiring take on the world’s most Northern capital city, giving an insight to local life. Worth a few minutes of your time regardless of whether you have been to Reykjavik or not.

4. Howard Marks returns to Taiwan, albeit for different reasons than his last visit in 1988! His account of both trips is insightful to say the least; from evading extradiction to the US, to making the most of the diverse nightlife, Marks’ trips were action packed throughout.

5. May is upon us and Hostelworld share their favourite events from across the world happening this month. From as far afield as the Australian Heritage Festival and The Houston Art Car Parade.

photo courtesy of Isidro U.

6. Marseille: Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2013. What affect is this title having on the city? The Guardian examines Marseille’s cultural side through its outstanding art and impressive architecture projects.

7. National Geographic bring us their Best Guided Tours for 2013. Sometimes it’s better to let the experts guide you, find out where you should be going this year; anywhere from safari in Kenya to cycling in Tuscany, there is something for everyone!

8. Miami bound this year? Make sure you read Miami’s top blogs before you go for all the tops tips on food, arts, night-life and more, the local writers know it best.

9. With the release of The Hobbit on DVD last month, it is time to renew that dream of going to New Zealand. Discover how you can go about planning a trip with Lonely Planet’s guide on how to visit Middle Earth.

10. The ‘trekathon’ a new way of seeing a city, whilst keeping in shape. A 26 mile walk around the outskirts of a city is apparently becoming a popular trend, all in one day. Discover the routes around Paris, Amsterdam of Barcelona.

Holiday of the Month – Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Less than 20 years ago Sarajevo was making the headlines for all the wrong reasons and this unfortunately still lingers in some Western minds. The reality couldn’t be any different, this fascinating city is well and truly back on its feet and provides one of the best value destinations in Eastern Europe. Described as where the East meets West, the city is home to an incredible blend of culture with both its strong Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences. There simply is no other place in Europe where you can see Mosques, Synagogues, Orthodox and Catholic churches all in one eye line. Stumbling around the Turkish Quarter you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Istanbul but just a few minutes walk away you find yourself immersed in Viennese architecture.

There are of course remnants of the past horrors that inflicted the city in the mid 1990′s; bullet holes can still be found around the city. However talking to local Sarajevans you are given the impression that this is a city moving forward and there is much to be positive about.

photo courtesy of Bryan Pocius

It was not just the Bosnian War which saw the attention of the world on Sarajevo, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 and also the 1984 Winter Olympic games also put the city in the spotlight, albeit for very different reasons! These three historic events are still evident across the city and shape the city’s tourist attractions, ensuring a trip to Sarajevo doubles up as an interactive history lesson. Free walking tours leave from Latin Bridge everyday at 4pm, an absolute must-do; a chance to see Sarajevo from the perspective of a local Sarajevan.

Sarajevo provides excellent value for money in every aspect, certainly one of the cheapest European capital cities. Bosnian food benefits from the diverse culture and consequently there is an excellent range to keep your palate excited. Personal recommendations are Ćevapi, a grilled mince meat dish and burek a traditional filled pastry snack rolled into a spiral, they both taste better than they sound and are extremely affordable!

Here our top 10 features of the last month:

Courtesy of girolame.

1. Think of skiing in France? Think of the Alps? Think again! See why the Pyrenees is more affordable, more enjoyable and more… French.

2. Photo of the month from National Geographic is a stunning shot of a manatee off the coast of Florida. An absolute must-see!

3. Photographer’s girlfriend leads him around the world. A unique set of photos from across the globe taken by Murad Osmann.

4. From the Amazon to the Nile, the Mississippi to the Danube, almighty rivers tattoo the worlds surface and make for some awesome wet and wild adventures. Lonely Planet list their top waterways of the world, how many have you been on?

5. Ecuador’s spectacular trainline reopens this summer after 4 years of renovation! The pictures are quite remarkable, it certainly on our ‘must-visit’ list!

Quito-bound train, Ecuador. Courtesy of jsbarrie.

6. Spring can often be the best time of year to travel, the sun starts to appear more often and the natural surroundings are astounding wherever you are. National Geographic give us their top spring trips from bourbon tours in Kentucky to Europes largest marshland in Romania!

7. Enjoy the finer things in life? Michelin- starred chef Heinz Beck gives his top 10 restaurants the world has to offer.

8. Winter is nearly over, celebrate with a wide range of Spring breaks. You could find yourself anywhere from a Welsh farm-stay to a gypsy caravan tour of Cumbria.

9. Similarly, you could learn to rock climb in the Peak District! This video is a crash course from pro climber Mina-Leslie Wujastyk.

10. Wherever you are on the globe, hangover food is always required at some point or another. Browse through the suggested world top 10, from as far afield as Korea and Israel. We can personally vouch for a few, Poutine in Canada being a personal favourite!

Holiday of the Month – Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

The largest and oldest national park in Croatia is also the most outstanding! Home to sixteen lakes and countless waterfalls, it is a natural paradise year-round. Perfect for hikes to suit all abilities, whether you are after a full day marching through the picture-perfect scenery or you just fancy a gentle stroll between two areas. There are road trains and boats to take you between the varying sectors if you prefer.

It is possible to see the highlights in a day but equally there is enough to keep you fascinated for a week long trip and there are plenty of options for accommodation ranging from camping to luxury hotels. We chose to drive down to the area for the day, it is about 2 to 3 hours from either Zagreb or Split. No trip to Croatia is complete without. That is a fact!

Courtesy of sobrecrocia.com.

Feast your eyes on the top 10 features of February.

Nyepi – Balinese New Year. Photo courtesy of mattspong.

1. March is upon us and there are plenty of exciting festivals across the world this month. You could find yourself booking a trip anywhere from Sydney to Nepal. If we had to pick one, we would be off to Bali for the New-Year celebrations!

2. The 2013 Oscars were last month. If like us you didn’t make it out to LA, here is 10 reasons why you should; The Guardian’s 10 Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles.

3. Visit somewhere closer to home this month and see what Wiltshire has to offer. Steeped in history and naturally asthetic it will make a perfect short break this spring.

4. Not all the best waterparks are in North America, a blogpost from A Luxury Travel Blog shows you why in 5 of  Europe’s best waterparks.

5. National Geographic’s Photo of the Month for February captures a truly picturesque scene in Kyoto’s Hirano Shrine, Japan. Definitely worth a minute of your time!

St Basil’s Cathedral – Moscow. Photo courtesy of verygreen.

6. Moscow is covered in beautiful architecture, take a browse through its 5 most stunnings buildings and Moscow will be added to your ‘to-visit’ list immediately.

7. Going for a stroll in Seoul – discovering South Korea’s capital on foot provides an insight to its natural side amongst the vast metropolis.

8. Be a responsible traveller and take a trip that is beneficial to the country you are visiting,  - 10 Great Adventure Trips That Give Back.

9. It’s not long until the Cannes Film Festival, but if you are looking for something a little alternative on the movie circuit, the Insect Fear Film Festival in Illinois might be the one for you. Sufferers of entomophobia steer clear!

10. 36 hours in Melbourne - the essential guide to Australia’s second city in a day and a half.

Holiday of the Month – Wanaka, New Zealand

As the Southern Hemisphere’s summer begins to draw to a close it reveals some stunning autumn destinations, including the angelic Wanaka on the South Island of New Zealand. Set on the shore of the vast Lake Wanaka with the intense scene of the Southern Alps to the north, Wanaka is a genuine beauty-spot.

It is the ideal base for an adventure holiday in any season; the region is home to multiple top ski-resorts in the winter, whilst the summer is perfect for a multitude of hikes or water activities out on the lake. Just an hours drive from the international airport in Queenstown, it is well connected and is a must visit for anyone travelling ‘down under’.

No excursion would be complete without a visit to the strangely unique Puzzling World, full of baffling puzzles, illusions and the ‘Leaning Tower of Wanaka’!

Photo courtesy of missbossy.

Take a look at our top 10 features of the last month.

photo courtesy of Alan1954

1. ‘No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.’ Yet many Brit’s have seen just a glimpse of the place we call home. The Guardian provides the ultimate travel guide to England. Perfect for discovering hundreds of things to see and do right on your doorstep.

2. Accommodation can often be a big chunk of any travelling trip, for those who like comfort at a small cost, check out the 10 best luxury hostels in Europe.

3. As the fresh spring air descends across Europe, there is no better time to crack out your bicycle or walking boots! Guardian readers give their top tips, featuring the 500 miles of footpaths on the Isle of Wight and the beautiful Lon Las Ogwen cycle path, in Gwynedd.

4. Skiing in England? Who would have thought this possible! There is no need to go abroad to experience the slopes this season, head to one of six ski centres in the north of England!

5. There are some things that perhaps are not so great about England, London has the worst average vote for its hotels! Top is Dresden, time to book the next flight to Germany!

photo courtesy of cedartree_13

6. New Zealand is only nearly everyone’s ‘to visit’ list, and it’s not hard to understand why. Your trip is guaranteed adventure and National Geographic show you how!

7. It is not just NZ you can find some adventure, the new craze of zip-wires is seeing the longest zip-wire open in Wales, have a look at other epic rides across the globe.

8. Discover the underwater magic off the coast of Malaysia, just watch out for those monsoons!

9. First-time travellers are often put off by negative press regarding risks and scams. Be smart, read up on 10 common travel scams and how to avoid them and put your mind at ease.

10. Whereever you are in the world, it is always good to party. Learn about how different cultures tackle hangovers, you might pick up some tips!

Holiday of the Month – Den Haag, The Netherlands.

This month we were looking for an overseas trip on a tight budget, we were recommended Den Haag in the Netherlands. Just an hour from Amsterdam it is a well connected city with a lot to offer if you scratch below the surface. Known better in England as The Hague, the common initial perception is a city with a strong political presence, home to multiple international instituations. Whilst this is true, there is a lot more on offer here. It is a facinating city for history buffs with countless museums and galeries depicting Holland’s eventful past, it is home to the Dutch royal family who inhabit Huis ten Bosch in one of the cities many large parks, begging to be explored. A trip to the seaside town of Scheveningen, at first feels like going to a poor imitation of Blackpool but when the sun brings the dutch beach-goers out, it comes alive as a bustling tradtional seaside resort.

Reflections of Binnenhof and Grote Kerk in the Hofvijver pond. Courtesy of Digi-Jo

This month we will be looking back at some of the highlights of the year gone by as well as looking forward to a prosperous 2013 in the world of travel.

Here are our favourite articles from the last month.

photo courtesy of Yim Hafiz

1. The Guardian summarise 2012′s travel hits before revealing their 2013 Hotlist, featuring Sri Lanka, Brazil and Papua New Guinea amongst others.

2.  2012 was another busy year for Matt Harding, if you have not seen any of his Where The Hell is Matt? videos, then be sure to check out his 2012 effort, dancing in 55 countries!

3.  British traveller Craig Easton was awarded the 2012  Travel Photographer of the Year Award. Amongst his work he features a project depicting the ‘dreich’ weather in Scotland, dark but with a strange sense of natural beauty.

4. 2012 in the UK was dominated by the Olympic Games. All that excitement has seen many people vowing to travel to Rio for 2016, find out why you should be joining them too!

5. The Guardian give their Reader’s Best Discoveries of 2012, ranging from a take-away in Hong Kong to a railway station in India.

photo courtesy of Chika

6. A new year brings new resolutions, read Lonely Planet’s resolutions for 2013. They are certainly a fair few which the Not Just a Holiday team will be trying our best to find time for this year.

7. Orlando has a lot more to offer than just Disney, find out why here and make 2013 the year to go.

8. Discover Eastern Turkey’s historical wonders with the ancient Gobekli Tepe, over 11,000 years old!

9. January can often be a quiet month for travellers so close to Christmas, but if there is one way to kick off 2013 as you mean to go on, it is the Nozawa Fire Festival in Japan.

10. Manhattan clearly has a lot to offer, it doesn’t need anyone to sell its appeal, however some of its gems are always that easy to find. The New York Times gives an insightful guide to the literary of NYC.

Holiday Experience of the Month

Reykjavik, Iceland.

Since the global financial crisis of 2007, travel to Iceland has once more become affordable for the average traveller. A trip to Reykjavik provides a perfect base to explore what the land of ice and fire has to offer. During the winter, the days become extremely short, just 4 hours of sunlight, but by no means does the country goes to sleep! Reykjavik comes to life at the weekends with the locals partying through to the small hours in their quaint coffee shops that turn into bars as the evening progresses.

No trip to Iceland would be complete without taking in the big three, known as The Golden Circle; Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Pingvellir. Their natural beauty, set in the winter’s ice and frost, epitomises Iceland’s charm and leaves you adamant on returning as soon as viably possible!

Feast your eyes on the following!

photo courtesy of Skistar Trysil’s

1. The winter is certainly upon on us, which means only one thing, ski season! MSN Travel gives you their guide to the cheapest places to ski this winter.

2. For the cheapest way of getting to the slopes this season as well as general travel bargains, we recommend looking at HolidayPirates.

3. Everyone likes to save a few pounds if they can whilst travelling but can you take it too far? Check out the argument against ‘Pound-Foolish travel‘.

4. Want to learn a new language? Get the 1,000 most popular words down first and you could master it in 22 hours!

5. If you have never been to Hong Kong, it will be high on your list after watching Gregory Kane’s fascinating highlights in So Long, Hong Kong.

photo courtesy of kabacchi

6. For those of you have not yet seen Gunther Holtorf’s 23 year road trip, it is a must watch. Taking his beloved Mercedes, ‘Otto’ to places as far apart as Brazil and North Korea, a truly inspirational traveller.

7.  North Italy’s hidden gem – Vicenza. More than a Palladian masterpiece say our friends at The Guardian.

8. Off to Paris any time soon? Don’t go before a quick browse of these top 8 tips for Paris travellers.

9. Global art project Before I Die utilises public spaces to bring together peoples thoughts. Well worth a moment of your time.

10. With new hotels springing up every day across Asia, A Luxury Travel Blog summarises the best of the bunch.

Holiday of the Month

As it will soon be Christmas we thought we would share with you our favourite budget Christmas trip, Germany’s 4th largest city; Cologne. Its easy to see why Cologne is a top destination this time of year; it is home to seven bustling Christmas markets to put you in a festive frame of  mind. With so many markets to choose from if you are short on time be sure to prioritise Neumarkt, Cologne’s oldest market for a good mix that summarises the German Christmas market experience perfectly.

If the masses of gifts and decorations don’t take to your fancy then the markets should not be overlooked for their high quality range of German food from the traditional sausages to the seasonal gingerbread the markets are the number one place for a cheap eat.

photo courtesy of rachel_titiriga

We have narrowed them all down to present our 10 favourite travel stories and features for you to enjoy.

photo courtesy of uggboy

1) Ever fancied living the life of a secret agent? To coincide with the release of Skyfall, Trivago compiled a list of the top 10 hotels featured in Bond films.

2) You don’t have to look that far for a sense of adventure, have a look at 10 alternative ways to explore London.

3) A ‘rarely fulfilled dream’ say The Guardian. East Tirol, Austria - a ski resort with empty slopes, cheap food and drink and incredible panoramic views.

4) Fancy skiing  a little closer to home? Check out Sawday’s Top 10 chalets in France

5) The 25 most photographed places on earth, how many have you snapped?

Photo courtesy of alfieianni

6) The Caribbean or the Indian Ocean? Escape to the sun on a budget this winter with The Telegraph’s guide to cheap winter holidays.

7) The best roof-top hotel views ever? Apparently so.

8) Austrian Felix Baumgartner sky dives from the edge of space, breaking a 52 year old record. Have a look at these shots of Joseph Kittinger’s jump in 1960.

9) Photography has never been so accessible, make the most of your camera phone with Mashable’s  top Instagram tips.

10) How to make the most of a business trip! Lonely Planet give a guide to the essentials to maximising your spare time.

Holiday of the Month

Montreal is a genuine an all-year-round destination, but autumn provides its true beauty. A city known for its abundance of open spaces, its parks transform into a collage of red and brown. As the summer comes to an end, the prices fall so it is also a cheap time to visit before the Canadian ski season kicks in. Montreal is known for its culture and the French blend makes it a truly unique city, well worth a visit.

photo courtesy of abdullahh

Cosmopolitan and cultured, Strasbourg packs a lot in and provides the perfect alternative French city break.  Crammed with some of the best musuems in France (the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame and the Musée Historique to name just two) your days are best spent combining visiting a musuem and hanging out in one of the student filled bars in the pretty old town.

Strasbourg is cycle friendly so if you get lucky and have fine weather, take advantage of the vast cycle network and pedal around the city on the local cycle hire scheme.  One of the most-sees in the city is the famous Petite France, a quaint and historic area which contains riverside parks and narrow lanes, providing the perfect setting to soak up the atmosphere of the city.  Our favourite activity was rowing boats within the beautifully kept lake in the Parc de l’Orangerie – just be careful to stay away from the swans!   Strasbourg has some great places to eat – we recommend S’kaechele (the little kitchen), a cute, bustling restaurant that serves some great local food at reasonable prices.

More Info:

• Tourism Strasbourg: www.otstrasbourg.fr/?lang=en
• Strasbourg in images: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7ZlaoXu2-8

Photo by Geoterranaute.

Hamburg, Germany

A city synomonous with the early days of the Beatles legend, Hamburg has got a lot more to offer than 1960′s music nostalgia. A port city in spirit and style, it offers the visitor a hedonistic night scene with the famous Reeperbahn mixing an edgy red light district and bouisterous bars and clubs.  With a real mixture of immigrants living in the city, a wide variety of international food including German, Asian and Portuguese offer a wide range of delicious restaurants.  Also, if you are lucky enough to visit on a warm Autumn day, the artificial river beaches are great fun to sit back and enjoy a beer with the locals.

Wherever you are in the city it seems you are surrounded by water (The city’s 2302 bridges are more than Venice, Amsterdam and London combined) and some of the best restaurants and bars are located next to picturuesqe waterside spots. However, our best meal was at the aptly named Meatery, located close to the Botanical Garden and serving some great steak and wine – make sure you book before as its very busy.  If you are looking to try some fresh fish, we also loved Fischereihafen, located closer to the water and serving popular dishes to a local   and international crowd.  If you want to visit the bar where the Beatles played their famous night long sets head to the Indra Club, and kick back and enjoy the unique slice of British Rock history in a fascinating, undervalued city.

More info:

• Hamburg Tourism: www.hamburg-tourism.de/en/
• Hamburg in images: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICrLx5aoo9w

Photo courtesy of Luxtonnerre

Budapest, Hungary

Probably the most ‘unalternative’ of our featured ciites, Budapest still doesn’t quite have the number of tourists it deserves.  All the better for the visitors who do make it to this breathtaking and character filled historical city.  If Budapest is not near the top of your list of next cities to visit, shift it there now.  Situated on the Danube River and with the backdrop of the Buda Hills, Budapest offers a strikingly beautiful architecture and a real sense of the unknown.  It boasts fantastic food, stunning baroque and neoclassical history, mixed with a varied and high quality restaurant scene and nightlife.

We spent our days wandering the streets and taking in the sights and distinct character of the city.  Budapest offers low prices and you can therefore wine and dine with a sense of freedom.  We enjoyed a few (too many) cocktails in the famous Gresham Palace, an oppulant Art Nouveau masterpiece how renovated into a Four Season hotel.  We loved the island oasis of Margit-sziget, the perfect destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city – the island contains two public baths fed by thermal springs and an outdoor theatre.  Our favourite restaurant was easily the Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő -  it was the ultimate local Budapest experience and it did not dissappoint with huge portions of the classic beef goulash.  You also have to check out the upmarket Gerbeaud Cukrászda, which serves delicious cakes and pastries to Budapests young and affluent inhabitants.

More Info:

• Budapest Tourism: www.budapest.com
• Budapest Timelapse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbbkj2GhDmo

Photo courtesy of R. Melero

Hotel:

• Basic: La Jabotte from £115 per night (Antibes)
• Comfortable: De Provence from £145 per night (Cannes)
• Luxury: La Perouse from £209 a night (Nice)

Eating:

• Antibes: Restaurant Aubergine
• Nice: Fenocchio Glacier
• Cannes: Le Salon des Independants

In the last month, the team have been to Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. All these trips have been fantastic and we will be telling you all about them in the weeks to come. Sadly that has meant our blog favourite ‘Favourite Travel Experiences of the Week’ has been on holiday too, missing in action for over 5 weeks. Therefore, without further ado, we present a very special feature of our Favourite Travel Experiences of the Week Month #17, to give you some of the best travel stories and features out there.

Photo courtesz of Tim Morris

So, we present our 10 favourite travel stories and features, as well as our holiday recommendation of the week:

1) We came across this yesterday from our Travel favourites at the Guardian. City guides: insider tips to the best cities in the world.

2) Summer is upon us and its time we all went out for a long walk.  Wild Junket introduces the 7 of the most famous walking trails in the World.

3) And what was it that Winston Churchill said about long walks and golf? We dont happen to agree and rather liked Tony Jacklin’s feature on great golf courses.

4) Another great photo gallery from National Geographic.  This time they introduce World Wonders.

5) Guardian Corkboard – becoming harder and harder to find but we really enjoy them.  Keep them coming Guardian team.

Photo courtesy of TejvanPhoto

6) Thinking about going to Rome? Don’ steal the ruins!

7) Some great trips on how to travel smart and arrive at your destination relaxed.

8) These lists are irresistable aren’t they? The 45 Places to Go in 2012 from the New York Times.

9) The London Olympics are almost upon us. The Lonely Planet tells you where to eat.

10) Beautiful stuff from the Travel Photography of the Year 2011.  Our favourite is number 4.

Holiday of the Week

We recently had the pleasure of staying in the Hotel Kazbek in Dubrovnik and knew instantly it had to make the list.  With the stunning city of Dubrovnik providing the perfect destination, the hotel itself is located in a beautifully renovated renaissance castle with all of the modern amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel.