This year on Saturday 18th May, Eurovision is kicking off in Sweden’s Malmö – the fifth time this country has held the flamboyant event.

In celebration of the 58th annual contest coming up this weekend, we thought we’d take a look at some of the most memorable performances to date.

Image by zeljkojoksimovic via Flickr

UK

Believe it or not, we’ve managed to win the contest five times since it started in 1956 – that’s the same number of times as Luxembourg, France and this year’s host, Sweden. Here are some of our proudest victories.

• 1969 was the year of Lulu's ‘Boom Bang-a-bang’: This Scottish singer’s performance racked up an impressive 18 points. 

• Britain’s Katrina & The Waves took home the gold with 227 points – one of our greatest triumphs to date. 

• We’ve had some less successful stints on the stage too. In 2007, Scooch's ‘Flying the Flag’ got us 23rd out of 24 acts in 2007 with the unusual aviation motif – yes, that’s second to last.

• However our worst ever act was this dud duo, Jemini, with their 2003 flop ‘Cry Baby’, which had us wailing for them to stop. Not only did we come last that year, but the disaster cost us our first ever ‘nil points’ in Eurovision history.

Finland

• In terms of bizarre, this winning Finnish sensation from Lordi (the ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’) in 2006 gets our vote with their heavy metal, zombie-esque monster show.  

Israel

• ‘Diva’ Dana International made headlines back in the late ‘90s for being one of the first transsexual performers to grace the stage with the glitzy number ‘Diva’ which won her the 1999 contest.   
   
• A year later, she fell flat on her face while presenting the 1999 winners with their trophy before running off stage.   

Sweden

• Finally, we couldn’t possibly leave out the most successful of all Eurovision wins – the 1974 hit ‘Waterloo’ from none other than Sweden’s very own ABBA.

• Not only did their iconic performance get them a hefty 24 points, but they went on to be global, well known pop superstars to boot. A definite "win".

For places to stay in these and other noteworthy Eurovision destinations, check out the latest deals from Hotels4u.

Originating from the city of Limerick in Ireland, limericks are a witty or humorous verse or poem, which were made famous by Victorian writer Edward Lear.

Sunday 12th May was National Limerick Day, and a time to celebrate these popular five-line poems. It also gave us the chance to have some fun in the office and think of a few travel-related limericks featuring some of our favourite destinations...

The Limerick countryside (image via Flickr)

Despite a more than welcome bit of sunshine this weekend, we haven’t exactly been blessed with fantastic weather so far in 2013 - unless you’re a fan of wind, rain and snow!

But with half term approaching, families have the ideal excuse to pack their suitcases and head off to warmer climes.

Finding the ideal place to suit all tastes can sometimes be tricky, but don’t stress; here’s a look at some of the best holiday destinations that the whole family will love.

Image by Popofatticus via Flickr

With spring in full swing, and the bank holiday weekend coming up, we thought we’d give you some pointers as to where to go to soak up some sun.

Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or happen to live close by, from England to Scotland, here are some of our top sandy (and hopefully sunny) spots around the UK.

Image: shining_darkness via flickr 

After the Queen celebrated her 87th birthday at the weekend, we thought we’d commemorate this special occasion by taking a look at some of the things you may not know about Her Majesty.

From receiving an elephant as a gift to breeding a new type of dog, it’s fair to say the life of Queen Elizabeth II has never been dull…

Image by Foreign and Commonwealth Office via Flickr

1. Puppy Love

Her Royal Highness is famous for her corgis and she has owned more than 30 of them during her reign. She received her first corgi - named Susan - as a gift for her 18th birthday in 1944, and she currently owns three, Willow, Monty and Holly. A new breed of dog was also introduced by the Queen, when a corgi mated with a dachshund, and is known as a dorgi!

2. On the Ball

The first football match the Queen ever attended was the 1953 FA Cup Final between Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers. Rather than Her Majesty though, it was a certain Stanley Matthews who stole all the headlines after a magnificent performance, inspiring Blackpool to win the game 4-3. Clearly impressed by his display, Matthews later received a knighthood from the Queen in 1965 for services to football.

3. That’s a Wrap

During her time on the throne, Her Royal Highness has received a number of expensive gifts, from diamond brooches to necklaces. But some of the more unusual presents she has been given from across the globe include an elephant from Cameroon, two tortoises from the Seychelles and two black beavers after a visit to Canada. You won’t be surprised to hear that none of these live at Buckingham Palace!

4. Horsing About

One of the Queen’s biggest passions is horse racing and she regularly attends the Derby at Epsom and the Summer Race Meeting at Ascot. She owns and breeds horses which have been victorious at Royal Ascot on a number of occasions, as well as other racing events around the country. The Queen’s racing colours are similar to those worn by King Edward VII and consist of a purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves and a black velvet cap.

5. Picture Perfect

If you’re known for shying away whenever a camera is brought out, then spare a thought for Her Majesty. The Queen is one of the most photographed people on the planet and has sat for 129 portraits, the first of which was in 1933, when she was just seven years old. Two of her portraits are together with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, while in 2004; she sat for the world’s first hologram portrait, created by artist Chris Levine after taking over 1,000 images to give it a 3D effect.

Tell us your best Queen facts over on our Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.

This year, April 19th doesn’t just fall on a Friday. It also happens to be National Garlic Day – an occasion dedicated to spreading awareness of the many uses of everyone’s favourite bulb-shaped plant. In honour of the occurrence, we thought we’d pick out some of the best places to go to grab your garlic fix.

Image by swanksalot via flickr

Although there are more than 6,000 islands in Greece, the majority of them are uninhabited. However, if you fancy an island-hopping holiday, there are still a hefty 227 inhabited islands to choose from. 

While there’s nowhere near enough time to visit them all on a standard two-week holiday, we thought we’d help you sift through the good ones. Here’s a list of some of the most popular destinations (with ferry links) that might help conjure up some inspiration when planning your Greek getaway.

Ferries in Greece (Image by Wallygrom)

Athens

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is a great spot to start your holiday. The country’s capital, it doesn’t just give you a genuine glimpse into the Greek culture, but you’ll also be able to check some of the most famous landmarks including the Acropolis and the Parthenon. To see ancient relics from all over Greece, tour the Acropolis Museum.

Ferries Run To:  Crete, Samos, Lesvos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Aegina, Kefalonia, Spetses and Santorini

Mykonos

Greece’s answer to Ibiza, Mykonos is an ideal destination to visit if you’re looking to dance until dawn. Known for its nightclubs, the island is also home to a vibrant gay scene. The white sand beaches and classic tavernas are great places to visit during the daytime and recuperate in time for the evening. However, it’s not all partying and sunbathing and the traditional windmills at Chora are well worth a visit. The 16th-century structures are a focal point of the island and stem back to the times when the island produced large quantities bread and wheat. 

Ferries Run To: Athens, Santorini, Naxos and Paros 

Santorini

Known for its spectacular sunsets, Santorini is one of the most photographed Greek islands and is instantly recognisable by its blue-domed, white-washed churches. A holiday here can be incredibly relaxing and the island has some one-of-a-kind beaches from the black pebbled beach at Kamari, to red and white sand beaches. For the best views of the much celebrated sunsets throughout the whole island, go to the small coastal town of Oia. Be sure to get there early though to avoid the crowds and ensure you snag a good spot.

Ferries Run To: Athens, Crete, Mykonos and Naxos  

Corfu

Visited by a million holidaymakers each year, it’s fair to say that Corfu is one of the most popular islands. And there’s no surprise why – as Corfu has something for everyone from fantastic beaches to nightclubs and even Europe’s largest waterpark, which is guaranteed to appeal to both children and adults alike. Don’t miss Achillion Palace, a stunning 19th-century structure with an archaeological museum inside and landscaped gardens surrounding the grounds.

Ferries Run To: Patras, Bari (Italy), Brindisi (Italy), Sandara (Albania) and Venice (Italy)

Crete

Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands and is known for its legendary cuisine, which historically, has ties to Venetian food. However, Cretan cuisine isn’t just tasty but also features some of the healthiest dishes too such as stuffed aubergine and baked fish cooked in light sauces. One of the most picturesque places in Greece, it also contains ancient Roman, Turkish and Minoan remains. However, while it might be scenic, it’s also known for its nightlife, with destinations such as Malia famous throughout Europe. 

Ferries Run To: Athens, Ios, Paros, Santorini and Mykonos

If you still need to book a hotel on any one of the islands, check out our latest offers from Hotels4u.com.

At a glance…

Rhodes is one of the largest islands in Greece and the largest in the Dodecanese, the archipelago to which the island belongs. Known for its lively tourist resorts, such as the famous Faliraki, the south of Rhodes is far quieter than the north and known for its laidback pace of life and numerous archaeological sites.

If you're thinking of packing your bags and visiting Greece, make sure your trip with coincides with one of the many festivals that take place every year.

As you soak up even more of the culture and discover traditions that date back thousands of years, you'll discover there's a lot more to this country than drinking ouzo and smashing plates…

Apokries Parade (Image by Dimitris Siskopoulos)

Apokries - Late February to early March

Greece’s carnival season is in February and March and lasts for two weeks, so if you’re visiting during this period you should definitely pack your dancing shoes. This is the most fun and colourful time to visit, with lots of dancing, parades, music, food and drink before the period of Lent begins. Many Greeks fast after this period with the word Apokries literally meaning “saying goodbye to meat.”

Clean Monday - March

The beginning of the 40-day fasting period after Apokries is known as Clean Monday, which refers to the leaving behind of any sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. To celebrate this momentous day, the Greeks traditionally go out to fly kites before eating a Lent meal that consists of several types of seafood, pickled vegetables and dips.

Roasting lamb at Easter (image by Ccarlstead via Flickr)

Easter - April to May

Easter is the largest festival to be celebrated in Greece with almost every town and village in the country holding ceremonies and processions. Food is very important during this period - expect plenty of Mayervtsa soup, Easter eggs and roast lamb being consumed throughout the weekend. It’s also tradition for locals to throw fireworks after attending church on Easter Sunday, while dancing and music is also common.

The Day of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) - August 15th

This is the second largest religious festival (after Easter) in Greece and takes place in numerous locations around the country. The Virgin Mary is an important figure in Greece and it is the tradition for many Greeks to travel back home for the day to celebrate in their local church. Areas such as Lesbos and Paros have longer celebrations, so are popular with visitors who love to party.

Parade in Greece by Francisco Gonzalez

Ohi Day - October 28th

Ohi Day takes place in October every year and means the “Anniversary of the No.” The day is celebrated in Greece, Cyprus and other Greek communities around the world to mark the rejection of an ultimatum given by Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini who wanted to invade the country in 1940. The day is a public holiday in Greece and is commemorated with student and military parades, and most buildings are covered in Greek flags.

If you're looking for accommodation for your Greek adventure, look no further than our latest deals.