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The Canary Island that tourism forgot, Greece and Portugal set to be this year's star destinations and Cotswolds villages. Why go? A half-hour ferry hop from Lanzarote, this is the Canary isle that tourism forgot. There's just one village, sleepy little Caleta del Sebo, with a smattering of whitewashed houses and sandy lanes (there are no surfaced roads on the island) and in winter the glorious beaches, volcanic peaks and dive sites are virtually empty. What to do There are no "sights" as such: people come here for the sunshine, silence and sense of escape. Take a water taxi or Jeep to the white-sand beaches of Playa de las Conchas or Playa de la Cocina - among the most beautiful in the Canaries - or explore Europe's largest marine reserve on a dive trip (buceolagraciosa.es). Where to stay There are no hotels - just a handful of private apartments and simple pensions. Casa Rio in Caleta del Sebo is a bright, well-equipped two-bedroom apartment with sea views from the roof terrace (from €560 per week, graciosagetaways.com). Where to eat Cafe Mesón de La Tierra has the best views of the harbour and the menu del día is great value at €7 (00 34 679 955 969). El Girasol (Calle la Popa 2) is the place to go for fresh seafood - the "vieja", or parrotfish, is a local speciality. Insider tip Adrian Fisk, owner of Casa Rio, recommends taking a boat to Playa del Risco on Lanzarote - a long stretch of fine, golden sand that lies under the spectacular cliffs of Famara. "The only access is by boat or walking down the cliffs," says Fisk, "and most days you will have the beach to yourselves. Take a picnic and spend all day there. The old salt fields are great to explore." Hotspots for 2014: Portugal and Greece to be this year's top destinations Having waded through the annual glut of Where's Hot for 2014 lists, one could be forgiven for assuming we'll all be spending our summer holidays cheering on England in Brazil.

No question about it, airfares on some routes are higher than they were four or five years ago, although Airfare watchdog airfare searchers frequently find hundreds of fares crisscrossing the country for $250 or less round-trip. And even though fares seem higher, let's not forget that, adjusted for inflation; most fares are actually lower than they were 10 or 20 years ago. That said, here's my best advices for making your airfare dollars go further. 1. There's no "magic" day or lead time to buy the best airfare. 2. So search often, over a long lead time, and pounce when there's a deal! 3. Get airfare alerts by e-mail 4. Sign up for the airlines ' e-mail feeds and frequent flier programs 5. Use Twitter 6. Be a flexible travel date flier 7. Search airline sites individually, but online travel agencies are still useful. 8. Use Priceline for last-minute trips 9. Use consolidators, but beware of the restrictions 10. Consider the extra fees before you buy 11. Combine two separate fares rather than buying one fare 12. Use alternate airports creatively 13. Buy tickets on an airline that will refund the difference if a fare goes down Go Here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/hobica/2014/04/01/how-to-find-airfare-deal/7122673/ Extra resources: http://answers.oreilly.com/topic/21800-the-corliss-group-world-travelers-on-surviving-hong-kongs-wildest-sporting-event-of-the-year/ http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1dfsns_the-corliss-group-luxury-travel-agency-barcelona-tourist-guide-the-easy-way-to-plan-your-trip_travel

(CNN) --"It takes me three days to recover after the Sevens," says referee Robert Esser, who is called the plays at the famed Hong Kong rugby tournament for 12 years. "If you find out how to survive it, let me know." The annual Hong Kong Sevens Sevens is the city's largest sporting event, attracting thousands of costumed revelers from all over the world. But making the most of the party atmosphere requires strategy and planning. With the Sevens on March 28-30, experts and hardcore fans have shared tips on how ethyl be getting through the three-day mega party. 1. South Stand commitment mandatory Ask not what the South Stand can do for you, but what you can do for the South Stand. The only large public area where Sevens revelers can drink alcohol, the legendary South Stand brings together Hong Kong Stadium's most passionate spectators--all dedicated to having an outrageously good time. 2. Serious rugby fans head for the East and West Stands Don't be afraid to go to the East and West Stands, because that's where everyone goes to watch the rugby, "says 28-year-old rugby player Rowan Varty, who has taken part in the Sevens since he was born as both a spectator and a player. 3. For costumes, (almost) anything goes The pros advise against wearing heavy suits, big masks and hats that'll have you drenched in sweat and blocking other people's views. 4. Walk to the stadium Roads are blocked and taxis are scarce. Once you arrive anywhere near Causeway Bay, start walking. 5. Pace yourself Winnie Poon, a fan who has been to the Hong Kong Sevens five times, has her own sage advice

Why go? Known as the Dragons Tail, this 30-mile peninsula poking into the Irish Sea feels like a place apart: a stronghold for Welsh language and culture with a distinct microclimate which can see it basking in sunshine while the rest of north Wales is lashed by rain. The chichi yachting town of Abersoch may have been colonised by well-heeled holidaymakers and second homers, but elsewhere youll find empty golden beaches, fishing hamlets and peaceful clifftop walks. What to do Start by visiting Porth y Went, the new National Trust centre in Aberdaron (nationaltrust.org.uk). You can pick up maps, walking routes and ideas for days out, such as a visit to the "whistling sands" at Porthor which squeak as you walk on them, or a boat trip to Bardsey Island, a medieval pilgrimage site. Llyˆn Adventures can organise canoeing, kayaking and coasteering (llynadventures.com), but if you prefer to stay on dry land, the Wales Coast Path runs right around the peninsula. For a day at the beach, Llanbedrog is postcard-perfect.

You already know to budget for tips when you travel. But you should also know who to tip when you travel. It's a no-brainer to tip the maid-at least a couple bucks a day. But don't forget to leave a tip if you're staying at a bed and breakfast, or even a rental property. Those places have to get cleaned too. Did you get any recommendations or reservations from the hotel concierge? You should reward those tips with a small tip. Plus, with so many airport pickups and ride-share services being booked online or through apps, a lot of people forget to bring cash to tip their drivers. That free courtesy shuttle? It's always nice to give the driver a buck or two, especially if he helped you with your luggage. Remember, while tipping is commonplace in the U.S. the rules change when you go abroad. Look for an app like GlobeTipping, which gives you suggestions in 200 countries. Even Starbucks has an app that lets you tip baristas straight from your phone, so watch out for that technology in more establishments.

I fancy myself a backpack-carrying, adventure-seeking traveler, at home in hostels and on hiking trails. But there I was, on a luxury cruise ship, sipping wine with silver-haired foxes, fox-trotting with male escorts in the ballroom, and escorting myself on a tapas-like tour around Europe, sampling cities for a day via ship, bus, foot and bike. It was the biking aspect that had led to my unlikely sojourn on the ship, Crystal Cruises ' Serenity. Months before, my cyclist-enthusiast ears perked up when I heard about the cruise, with biking-based itineraries in several port cities. The regimented itinerary of a cruise with its scheduled ports of call, and the idea of spending that much time on a ship, wasn't all that appealing to me, but the prospect of biking around a few different European cities was. So I packed my sneakers, some cute bike shorts and an open mind. Embarking in Dover, England, I was sure I was the only passenger hauling a backpack on board when the butler assigned to my cabin floor did a double-take at the sight of my luggage. But after a restful sleep, rocked by the waves of the Atlantic and the gentle hum of the ship's engine, thoughts of hostels were but a distant memory. On the first of my 10-day adventure hitting seven cities in four countries, my cousin and fellow cruiser Olivia Female, I, and a few other cyclists biked around Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, on cruisers we were given. We traversed the quaint, compact island, two-wheeling by fawn-hued cows, primary-colored fishing boats and World War II bunkers.

Artists, and art lovers, have been coming to western Cornwall for centuries, but the picture-postcard appeal of St Ives, with its Tate Gallery and Barbara Hepworth Garden, tends to steal the limelight from its plainer sister, Penzance. Yet this historic port has much to love: atmospheric pubs, smart restaurants, designer-y shops and galleries that have established it firmly on Cornwall's art trail. Gallery-cum-boutique hotel Artist Residence is on Chapel Street, the most charming and browsable street in Penzance's old quarter. But for art lovers the real draw is the original designs by British artists in the hotel's 14 bedrooms. The reception area opens into a spacious cafe-gallery hung with paintings of Cornwall (all for sale) and mismatched shabby-chic tables and chairs. On a sunny Saturday it's buzzing with couples and young families, setting a laid-back tone for the rest of the hotel. Friendly staff show us to the Picture Room, a light and airy double with crisp white linen and walls hung with playful graphic prints saying things such as "Rise and shine". It's modest rather than spacious: a comfy double bed leaves room for two stylish arm chairs and a desk with views to the neighbouring buildings. (Only the two attic rooms have sea views.)

Good to know before you travel Passport and visa requirements On arrival in Norway, you must show a valid passport or other official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality. Travelling with pets. Norway is one of few European countries where rabies is not found, and every precaution is being taken to maintain this status. Dogs, cats and ferrets from all EU countries must have pet passports, ID marking and valid rabies vaccination. Dogs must also be given approved tapeworm treatment, minimum 24 and maximum 120 hours before arrival. Small rodents, cage birds and rabbits must have valid import permits issued by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. What clothes should I pack? Whatever the season, the Norwegian weather is liable to change from day to day. So it is a good idea to bring a selection of items.