Cancun

Sun, sea, and the sort of views that make you fall in love with a place: Cancun is as gorgeous as it is fun. A long-time hotspot for vacationers from the neighbouring USA – especially for those who are under 21 – the coastal city has a bit of everything you’d want from a holiday and is now being recognised as such on an international scale. Whether you’re happiest lounging on a bone white beach whilst staring into the opal blue ocean, or you prefer to shop ‘til you drop, you’ll find something you love in this magical city.

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Whale Sharks in Cancun: Where, When, How?

Nature lovers have long seen Cancun as much more than the party city that it’s garnered a reputation for, and for good reason. The Mexican Caribbean coast is home to some of the most stunning nature on Earth, with the marine life being particularly diverse and abundant. One of the most popular animals to see in their natural habitat is whale sharks; these majestic creatures flock to the coast around the seaside city on a regular basis, feeding off the plankton that inhabits the ocean here. Many people make the trip to Cancun to get a chance to see the sharks in all their glory, and you could be one of them too. If you’ve always wanted to swim with whale sharks in Cancun (or just go whale shark watching) then read on, because we’ve got all the information you’ll need on where to see them in all their glory.

Cancun with the Kids

Whilst Cancun has a (well deserved) reputation as a place to party, it’s large and diverse enough that there’s something for everyone, including the little ones. Whilst others might be nursing hangovers on the beach, you can be off exploring ancient ruins, thrill seeking at one of the many local water parks, or learning about the wildlife that makes this area such a beacon of natural beauty. There’s so much to do here as a family that it can be hard to fit it all into a weeklong vacation, but with the right planning you can spend your time having fun and learning about the storied history of this little slice of paradise. Strap in the car seat, because we’re going to show you the best things to do in Cancun for families.

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Spotlight on Cancun’s Spring Break

Where do you begin with Spring Break? Decades of Hollywood teaching us the importance of this yearly tradition for American students has planted it firmly in all of our heads as a concept, whether or not we’ve actually experienced it, or even bothered to do a bit of research on it. Whilst it isn’t always parties and scantily clad young people tasting freedom – real freedom, the kind you only get when you’re away from your parents and of the legal age to indulge in all sorts of other fun activities – when it comes to Spring Break in Cancun, the caricature is more than accurate. If you’re the sort of person who loves meeting new people and having a good old knees up, or you’re looking for where to party in Cancun over Spring Break, then read on: this is the ultimate guide to Spring Break in Cancun!

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Clubbing Cancun Style

Cancun is most certainly a place to let your hair down, in every sense of the term. For some, that means lazing around on a sandy beach with the soft lapping of the sea lulling them to sleep. For others, especially most of those who visit this beautiful city, it means cutting loose with a drink or five. Cancun nightlife is famous around the world for a reason: laid back vibes, late night clubs, and stunning sunrises earned through staying up all night are just a few of the things that make this such a great place to go out. It’s also incredibly convenient, with the vast majority of clubs and bars located in the aptly named “Party Zone” (inside the Hotel zone). With so much choice, it can be difficult to figure out where to head for the night, but with our Cancun nightlife tips you’re sure to have an amazing clubbing experience.

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Dive into Cancun: our scuba diving and snorkelling guide

Scuba diving and snorkelling are the sorts of activities where the memories stay with you for decades, and nowhere in the world is there a better place to dive in than the crystal clear, calm waters of the Caribbean. Cancun and the surrounding areas have a whole host of excellent dive sites, whether you’re a novice or a dive master, and diving culture is very much embedded in the local scene, so there’ll be no trouble finding likeminded souls. The area also has the benefit of having gorgeous scenery close to the shore, for those who are keener on donning a snorkel as opposed to a wetsuit and tank. There is so much to see, both in terms of scenery and local wildlife, that it can almost feel like another planet down there, and no matter what your diving aim, you’ll definitely surface with a renewed appreciation of just how gorgeous the deep blue sea can be.

Santorini

Whether you’re in town for Barcelona’s impressive structures – Sagrada Familia or Camp Nou, you’ll want to pop by some of the city’s other memorable sights too. Here, we could start listing Gothic architecture, Roman walls and some sort of UNESCO World Heritage rundown. But you’re too Google-savvy for that. No, we’ll point you towards achingly cool coffee shops or Barcelona tattoo artists that can do incredible things with ink. Because this is the stuff that makes or breaks, well… a city break. Antoni Gaudi may well have littered Barcelona with some showstopping landmarks – but if your baristas can’t rustle up a more than passable espresso, we’re just not interested.

Santorini with kids? It can be done…

If your holidays tend towards kids’ club and theme park territory, you might be looking for something a little more grown up. It’s at this point we’ll recommend Santorini. And while Cliff-perched quaint villages awash with art and historic ambience might be a world away from a primary-hued ball pit. Honestly, the kids will love it. Castle ruins once romped through by pirates, beaches with the strangest sand colours and volcano craters that really don’t mind if you have a little peer in. What’s not to enjoy about that – at any age? Some pursuits (we’re talking hiking and jet ski safaris) will suit teens more than toddlers. And, yes, you might have to swerve the lengthy wine tasting tours. But there’s nothing to stop you nipping to the winery to stock up your suitcase. For a glimpse into what Santorini with the kids could be like, read on…

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Say ‘I do’ to our Santorini wedding guide

Santorini weddings are romantic, sea-scaped and sunset filled days of joy. And we don’t say this lightly. Those among you who’ve always imagined your perfect day to be something approaching a fairytale wedding – this is your island. Ice white terraces gleam in the sunshine – providing the perfect blank canvas for your colour scheme. Caldera views and – sorry for the cliche – sparkling seas are your backdrop. Plus Santorini’s wedding venues come with everything from on-site accommodation to firework displays and gourmet food. But it’s not all glitz and bridal glam. Santorini beach weddings are no less impressive – but there are venues where the main focus is a chilled out vibe and, of course, the after party.

A wine tasting tour of Santorini

Wine lovers, get ready to wax lyrical about bouquets, finish and perhaps even throw in a comment on malic acids, if you’re feeling fruity. Santorini’s vineyards are ready to welcome you with open arms – and, of course, a cheese platter. If you’re not quite up to speed on mouth-feel, ageing and tannins, fear not. On a wine tour, you’ll rarely be far from a sommelier or two to clue you in to the good stuff. And on Santorini, almost any wine is the good stuff. Depending on your palette, of course.