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 

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.

America has always been notable for its extreme food culture, specifically in terms of the enormous portion sizes. Now however, it seems that food has become another kind of extreme….extremely weird!

This move towards the unusual has more than likely stemmed from the blend of gastronomic imports that are common place in such a multi-cultural place like America.

But as we found out, this makes for some very interesting dining experiences...

China Town in New York City (image by quiltsalad via flickr)

Going on a trip to Ireland doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, if you know where to look, you'll be able to find a number of things to see and do on the Emerald Isle which won't cost you a single penny (or cent). We've rounded up some of the very best:

Although maps and reviews are always a good investment when visiting a new city, there’s nothing better than a recommendation from a friendly face.

So, we’ve rounded up some of some useful travel tips to try if you happen to find yourself in these top destinations around the world:

Image by Trodel via flickr

Whether you like them with a splodge of tomato ketchup, dipped into mayonnaise or smothered in thick gravy, it's hard to beat the humble chip. Well, chip lovers from across the nation can rejoice, as this week (18^th to 24^th February) is Chip Week in the UK.

So no matter how you like your chips, you've got the perfect excuse to eat them! To commemorate this important event on the foodie calendar, we've taken a look at how this favourite food is enjoyed around the world.

Image: Dan Germain via Flickr

United States

Not to be confused with the potato chip (the ones advertised by Gary Lineker), the United States have had a huge influence on the chip. French fries have long been a popular dish in many countries but the US made them even bigger (not literally) thanks to chains such as McDonald's and Burger King who now sell millions of them every day.

Chip Fact: Rihanna, Kate Moss and Michelle Obama are said to be huge fans of the chip.

Netherlands

Traditionally served in a cone, chips (or frietkot) in the Netherlands are served with a large dollop of sauce. Although they can be enjoyed with ketchup, many Dutch natives like to eat their chips with mayonnaise.

Chip Fact: Friday is the most popular day to eat chips.

Belgium

Although the country may be more famous for its beer and chocolate, one of the most popular dishes in Belgium is served with chips. Known as moules frites, this dish is made up of steamed mussels with onions and celery, and served with a portion of tasty chips. The country is also home to its very own Chip Museum - the Friet Museum in Bruges. Visiting? Have a look at our Belgium hotels here.

Chip Fact: John Lennon is said to have covered his chips in tomato ketchup, while Michael Jackson liked them with mushy peas.

UK

Chips in the UK are so popular that just about every town or city in the country has at least one fish and chip shop. Traditionally UK chips or chipped potatoes are cut a bit thicker than in many other countries and are often served with salt, vinegar and lashings of tomato ketchup.

Chip Fact: Over 1.6 million tonnes of potatoes are used to make chips every year in the UK.

Spain

Fancy a plate of chips on your holiday in Spain? Then make sure you ask for some patatas fritas. These are often ordered as a tapas dish and can be eaten with just about anything. If you're visiting, a popular form of fried potato in the country is patatas bravas - potatoes cut up into small irregular pieces and served with a spicy tomato sauce or mayo.

Chip Fact: Thick chips absorb less oil than skinny ones, making them healthier.

Restaurants are starting to become fully booked. Florists are preparing for their busiest time of the year. Card shops are awash with hearts and flowers.

Oh yes, Valentine's Day is almost upon us. But if you're really looking to treat a loved one to the most perfect date ever, why not whisk them away for a romantic break in Amsterdam?

Here's a bit of help from Hotels4u on planning that perfect day to allow the love to blossom.

With Valentine’s Day steadily approaching, we thought it would be fitting to put together a list of some of the most romantic places to tie the knot abroad. Whether it’s a lavish affair in Cyprus or a chilled out ceremony in Italy, it’s easy to see why an estimated one in four UK couples now opt to get hitched on holiday.

Credit: lambatofa