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Majorca has been home to a number of sporting talents through the years. Right now, as the ATP World Tour Finals progress, the island can be proud of its contribution to international tennis in the shape of Majorcan star Rafael Nadal.

Top tennis players from around the world are battling it out in the 2009 Finals. The showdown event will take place between the 22nd and 29th November in London, as the last professional tournament of the men’s season. Stars such as Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Majorcan born Rafael Nadal are all predicted to go far.

Nadal himself was born in Manacor on Majorca. Proving himself to be a talent from an early age, he achieved world number 1 spot in August last year. Nadal is not the only Majorcan to reach the dizzy heights of tennis stardom, either. Former champion Carlos Moya was born in Palma de Majorca, rising to become world number 1 in 1999.

Budding tennis pros can now easily enjoy the same favourable climate, fresh food and beautiful scenery that nurtured both Nadal and Moya through their early careers when they head to the Mediterranean island of Majorca. The island is offering great deals on Majorca hotels at the moment across a range of popular locations, from quiet resorts along the coast, to the triving town of Magalluf and capital city of Palma de Majorca. Deals on all inclusive Majorca hotels for example can be found for as low as £20 per person per night currently. Meanwhile, those wanting to improve their own tennis skills can take advantage of the many facilities available both at the hotels and out in the local communities, where all types of player catered for. Whether you’re a keen tennis player or a spectator, the life of an island tennis star – complete with luxury hotel accommodation – could be a lot closer than you think. The wide variety of cheap hotels available means you are bound to find something to suit you.

Anyone who has been watching the steady rise in popularity of Sharm el Sheikh over the last 20 years will have been impressed by both its determination and consistency. The region has made the successful transition from out-of-the-way backpacker village to mega tourist Mecca and, what’s more, has made it look easy. Nowadays, it’s firmly established as a leading holiday resort that has just one reason for being: to provide the ultimate holiday experience. Its all round appeal is reflected in its excellent year-round weather and its unique desert-versus-ocean contradictions. Added to this, with Egypt currently attracting praise as a great value holiday destination, visitors to Sharm el Sheikh can benefit from a good mix of luxury and affordability as well.

Accommodation

You’re unlikely to find uninterrupted calm and seclusion on your visit to Sharm el Sheikh, but you’ll find pretty much everything else. The range of Sharm el Sheikh hotels is staggering, with everything from top end luxury resorts to affordable family accommodation. Hilton, Sheraton and Ritz Carlton are just some of the big names that have taken up residence over recent years. Prices across all hotel types are being made even more attractive by early bird deals and special offers, meaning that five-star luxury on a budget is easily within grasp. If this doesn’t sound quite your style, then you’ll be more than satisfied by the range of smaller boutique resorts and budget hotels.

Activities

If you’re keen to find out what Sharm el Sheikh can do for you, then you’ll be pleased to hear that its range of activities is just as varied as its hotels. Located on the southern point of the Sinai Peninsula and looking out over the Red Sea, the region’s greatest attractions have always been underwater. Its breathtaking coral reefs and exotic marine life have made Sharm el Sheikh particularly popular among scuba divers, but there are plenty of other watersports on offer as well.

If you’d prefer to keep your feet on dry land then there are plenty of health and sporting facilities to get involved with – or if you fancy relying on someone else’s feet for a while then horse riding or camel trekking are some of the more adventurous options. Desert safaris, quad biking, shopping and, of course, lazing in the sunshine on the beach or by the pool all add to the experience.

Culture and history

With so much on the activity front in Sharm el Sheikh, history and culture may seem to have taken a back seat. One of Egypt’s most important religious sites lies just nearby, however. St Catherine’s monastery is said to be the place where Moses saw the burning bush before he travelled up the majestic Mount Sinai nearby to receive the Ten Commandments.

Nightlife

For those after a wild night out, Sharm el Sheikh is more than happy to oblige with its Las Vegas style bars, clubs and casinos. It’s bright lights and buzzing atmosphere mirror Vegas nightlife. It does, however, have one real advantage over the Nevada’s isolated playground… Sharm el Sheikh’s beautiful coastlines and stunning underwater scenery will always be a central part of its charms.

Sharm el Sheikh may have been crafted to be many things to many people, but its natural wonders will prevail. Explore them to the fullest through hotels4u.com with some excellent deals on Sharm el Sheikh hotels this winter.

Choosing the right family holiday can be a difficult task. The perfect location should have a good selection of activities, attractions and relaxation so there is something to keep everyone happy. A destination that is practiced at providing the perfect balance is Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. Offering an appealing Mediterranean climate, glistening coastlines, numerous opportunities for action and adventure and a multitude of family-friendly Mallorca hotels, you can’t go wrong when you choose this island paradise for your next family getaway. Here’s a selection of top activities awaiting you in Mallorca to get you started:

Waterpark thrills
There is plenty of waterpark fun to be had in Mallorca. One of the largest waterparks in Europe – Aqualand, El Arenal – has in fact made the island its home. And if that’s not enough, there is a sister Aqualand in Magalluf – not to mention a number of other parks just waiting to be explored across the island.

Marine zoo fun
For a fun family day out visit one of Mallorca’s highly recommended marine zoos. Marineland, in Calvia, offers regular dolphin, sea lion and exotic bird shows, or head to the Palma Aquarium in Playa de Palma to marvel at the 700 species of sea life on show.

Safari magic
The magic of safari isn’t just confined to the depths of Africa – an auto-safari experience through Mallorca’s beautiful nature reserve countryside offers you the chance to see giraffes, zebra and much more.

Cave mysteries
Head to Porto Cristo on the east coast of Mallorca to explore the natural wonder that is the mystical Cuevas de Drach – or Dragon Caves. Stand in awe of the exquisite rock formations as you explore the caves or take a boat trip on their underground lake.

Mini golf mayhem
Mallorca offers mini golf with a twist at ‘Golf Fantasia’ in Palma Nova. Ideal for keeping the whole family entertained for hours on end, the park has three tropical-themed 18 hole courses.

Sea adventure
Enjoy relaxation in the sun and deep sea exploration all at once when you take a trip in a glass-bottomed boat. Set sail from a number of different locations, including various stops between Calas de Mallorca and Cala Ratjada, for an adventure everyone will enjoy.

There are numerous opportunities for excitement and entertainment awaiting families in Mallorca. For top enjoyment on your holiday, hotels4u currently has some great deals on Mallorca hotels as well, so your perfect family break is well within reach.

The Balearic Islands have been experiencing chart topping temperatures recently. Holiday-makers have been feeling the heat as the mercury rises to over 40°C in some areas, but with the prospect of a pleasant autumn following hot on its heels, there’s no better time to take a look at the wide selection of great deals on Menorca hotels.

Menorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands and an excellent choice for relaxing under a clear blue Mediterranean sky. The island’s picturesque coastlines are one of its top attractions and with over 100 beaches on offer there’s something for everyone, from family activities and watersports to perfect islolation. To make the most of your sunshine break, have a look at the selection of Menorca’s best beaches for all occasions below:

Best for seclusion – Cala Turqueta

Cala Turqueta on Menorca’s west coast is an effortlessly beautiful beach that has been left untouched by the tourist trade. There are no facilities available, but there are incredible views with an endless blue sea to look out over as you relax in almost total seclusion.

Best for families – Son Parc

Located on the island’s north coast, Son Parc offers safe, shallow waters and plenty of activities, ideal for families seeking a day in the sunshine. The beach is also nearby Menorca’s only golf course, offering enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to slip away for a quick round of golf.

Best for activities – Cala Galdana

This southern beach has a huge amount to offer the active holiday-maker. Stunning scenery awaits you in the shape of a beautiful horseshoe bay and cliff backdrop, as well as a wide range of activities. Mini golf, watersports, boat trips, cycling and taking in the scenery while strolling along the beautiful coastline are all ready and waiting to be enjoyed.

Best for nature – Cala Trebaluger

This picture-postcard beach on the south coast can be found at the mouth of a river, surrounded by pine forests. There area is accessible only on foot and is perfect for enjoying nature, particularly bird watching. With no facilities available you’ll need to go prepared – take a picnic with you and enjoy some time under the shade of the pine trees.

Best all-rounder – Son Bou

Stretching 3km along Menorca’s south coast, Son Bou is the island’s longest beach. There’s more than enough room to enjoy the breathtaking views from a sun lounger or beach-side bar, or get involved in the activities on offer including a range of watersports. The beach is an enduringly popular choice with holiday-makers, but occasional strong currents mean that care should be taken, particularly with small children.

With so many stunning beaches waiting to welcome you, there is something for everyone on the laid back island of Menorca. A Mediterranean holiday doesn’t have to break the bank – check out the great range of Menorca hotels deals at hotels4u.com for your next sunshine break on this paradise island.

Turkey has been attracting plenty of attention this year. Beautiful, affordable and offering something for everyone in a uniquely east-meets-west way, it’s understandable the country has been causing a stir in the holiday charts. The destination has been hailed a great value choice for 2009 by numerous travel companies and major currency exchangers. Saving money is certainly a key consideration for travellers in tricky times, but with the daily grind getting even grittier, reducing stress at the same time is equally important. Going all inclusive with one of the many great deals on Turkey hotels at the moment is a happy solution.

Low-stress

Deciding to go all inclusive can in fact be the difference between a serene holiday experience and an extremely stressful one. If you’re worried about how to entertain the family or whether you’ll ever get a quiet moment to yourself, then all inclusive is the obvious choice. Swimming pools, gyms and other sporting facilities often come as standard, with cultural extras such as Turkish baths a popular addition. Kids playground and crèche facilities are widely available and many resorts will be able to help you with planning day trips to local attractions, so that you’re totally catered for whether you fancy marvelling at the Acropolis of Pergamum or just lounging by the pool all week long. The low-stress factor can be enjoyed by couples as well. With drinks and food all covered and on-site activities on hand if desired, couples on a romantic break – or even friends just enjoying time away together – can indulge in a genuinely stress-free experience.

Low-cost

An obvious stress-buster, going all inclusive in Turkey at the moment is a prudent choice financially too. Money itself, of course, is often a major cause of anxiety on holiday. Worrying about having enough spare for the children’s activities or another night on the town automatically undoes some of the positive effects of a holiday. Fortunately, as a ‘best value’ destination for UK travellers Turkey is easily a winner. The pound is strong against the Turkish Lira at the moment and the cost of living is generally low. Add to this the ready availability of affordable Turkey hotels and it’s no surprise that UK holiday-makers are flocking to its glittering shores. Going all inclusive on the coast this September, for example, can cost as little as £17 per person per night.

It’s worth noting, as well, that while the cost of living may be low the costs of eating out and buying alcoholic drinks in Turkey have been rising. So when compared with bed and breakfast or half board options, this makes all inclusive even more attractive.

Thanks to the huge amount on offer, Turkey is guaranteed to delight UK holiday-makers for a long time to come – and its excellent value all inclusive resorts will make sure they enjoy it in comfort and style.