A focal point of pretty much anyone's summer holiday, the beach is the place above all others to relax with a cocktail in your hand, read a good book, and catch up on your suntan.

However, it's not all about snoozes and siestas - many beaches around the world are famous for being hotspots for exciting activities and get togethers that make them an exciting hub for their local town. We've put together a little collection of our favourite activity beaches in Europe.

 

The buzzing beach at Sesimbra, Portugal. By culebrense via Flickr.

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With the often drab, rainy and - let's face it - downright miserable weather in the UK, who can blame us for dashing off to warmer climes at the nearest opportunity? Many of most popular resorts around Europe are flooded with sunshine all year round making them the perfect place to bask in the heat.

So if you're getting tired of the rainy season, take a look at some of our favourite suntraps, grab a hotel deal, and get packing...

On the beach in Ibiza (image by Philip Larson)

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However you feel about the modern day monarchy, there's no denying that it's an important aspect of Britain's historic roots.

So, to celebrate the Queen's upcoming Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic games this summer, we've rounded up some of our favourite regal heritage sites throughout the UK where you can walk the red carpet, without royally dipping into your bank account.

 

Windsor Castle by mharrsch via Flickr

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Me in Benidorm :) 

 

What are Harry’s recommendations for holidays in 2012?

 

There are so many great trips to go on this year I don’t know where to start! Of course, it’s worth planning a visit to London this summer if you haven’t already, so that you can join in the festival atmosphere that will accompany the Olympics! Our capital city is set to become the focal point of the world for a couple of months this year, so you’d be silly to miss out. Plan a week away and really see the city through the eyes of a tourist – you’ll be amazed at what London can offer when you treat it like a holiday destination!

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Five Things You Didn't Know About Malta

All this week, we’re delving under the skin of Malta and discovering why it makes such a good holiday destination. Aside from the sunny weather, historical sites and wealth of culture on offer – not to mention the sandy beaches – there’s lots more to this Mediterranean hub than you might realise. So before you book one of our Malta hotels and discover the country for yourself, here are five things you might not know about our destination of the week:

 

St Pauls Anglican Cathedral by Glen Bowman

 

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There's no holiday spot quite like Malta - it's a little bit European, a little bit African, and a whole lot of lovely. Here at Hotels4U HQ, we've been talking a lot about our upcoming summer holidays, and where all of our dream destinations would be; and it's no surprise to hear that Malta was a popular choice.

We decided to dig deeper and work out what exactly it is about this lovely island that makes it such a unique and popular travel destination.

A view of Valletta Harbour, Malta by Glen Bowman via Flickr

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Hurrah - at long last, the Easter bank holiday is on its way. And with four days to fill, you'll no doubt be looking for activities to keep the kids occupied over the weekend.

There's a huge selection of Easter egg hunts and activities happening all around the country, and we're on hand with a selection of places where you can spend the day scampering around in search of Easter goodies and - of course - some cheap hotels you can stay in while you do it.

What could be better?

Image by danceswithlight via Flickr

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Oh, holidays - how we love them. Let us count the ways... The shifting time zones, the excitement of getting on the plane, cultural expectations, sights to see, new languages to decipher and - of course - lashings of sunshine to do it all in.

Sounds exhausting, doesn't it?

While we've all scheduled in a day with our feet up at least once while on holiday, it's fair to say you probably wouldn't expect to go to bed as part of your evening's entertainment.

So as we head into the final week of National Bed Month, we've rounded up some bizarre bed-themed attractions throughout the globe where you can expand your cultural experiences and put your feet up away from the hotel.

The B.E.D Nightclub in Miami (via nightcure.com)

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Holidays mean different things to different people.

For some of you, a holiday is an opportunity to cut loose and blow off some steam; a chance to finally shake off those desk-job blues, dance on the beach until dawn and try as many exotic spirits as your liver permits.

Others might see a holiday as an opportunity to learn more about a new culture, visit museums, soak up the local historical monuments, and lose themselves in a gallery or cathedral.

Then there's a third category of holiday-goers; those who just want to sleep.

Holidays, after all, are about R&R, TLC, and getting a GNS (good night's sleep, for those who aren't down with the acronyms). So as part of National Bed Month, we've been chatting about our favourite serene Mediterranean spots where you can just kick back and bask in the peace and quiet.

 

Sunset from the Mitsis Roda Beach Resort and Spa 

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When you go on holiday, a good night's sleep is an essential part of the entire experience. Whether you're combating jetlag, recovering from a boozy night on the town, or just indulging in a lazy lie in, nothing quite beats the comfort of a freshly made bed.

We've rounded up some of our hottest deals on hotels around the Mediterranean that will help you get a good night's sleep on your break abroad.

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