Which are the EU member states

Confused about which countries are in the EU ?

The European Union is composed of 27 independent sovereign countries which are known as member states. They are:

Austria,
Belgium,
Bulgaria,
Cyprus,
Czech Republic,
Denmark,
Estonia,
Finland,
France,
Germany,
Greece,
Hungary,
Ireland,
Italy,
Latvia,
Lithuania,
Luxembourg,
Malta,
Netherlands,
Poland,
Portugal,
Romania,
Slovakia,
Slovenia,
Spain,
Sweden,
United Kingdom.

Which countries might be next to join the EU ?
There are three official candidate countries, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey. The western Balkan countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia are officially recognised as potential candidates and Kosovo has been granted similar status.

First 100% Green hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group is creating a hotel that it claims will be the world’s first 100% ecologically-friendly hotel. It is still virtual at this stage though!

IHG with owns or operates almost 4000 hotels worldwide says the hotel's 'green' credentials will set the benchmark for hoteliers around the world. The futuristic, solar-powered 'Innovation Hotel' uses the latest technology in energy and water conservation and recycling.

Among the 'green' features of the futuristic hotel:

• The forwarding of all unused non-perishable food to charities or food banks

• Solar panels on the roof to heat water

• A rainwater harvesting system to supply water to toilets

• A roof garden rich in shrubbery to provide extra insulation

• Windpower to generate electricity for the hotel

• Recycled glass windows

• Furniture and fittings made entirely from recycled materials

• Recycled household waste to provide heat and power

IHG says they are also considering installing LCD Tvs in all its hotels as they use a third less energy than Plasma TVs. In the bedroom all furniture and fittings including towels are made from recycled materials, mattresses consist of natural fibre such as horsehair, as will carpets. Bathrooms feature low-flow showerheads and dual flush toilets.

Have a look at the virtual innovation hotel & please let us know what you think by clicking the comments button below.

Review : Fiesta Jungla Apartments Magaluf

Fiesta Jungla Aparthotel, Magaluf, Majorca,

Overview

Part of the Fiesta Group of hotels, the 3 star Aparthotel Fiesta Jungla is in central Magaluf.
One important thing to note is that your holiday experience will very greatly depending what time of year you stay at the Fiesta Jungla aparthotel. Particuarly in the high season June-September this hotel will be full of "young and lively" types intent of having a good time and not much sleep. Outside of the high summer months it will be a bit more laidback.

Book Fiesta Jungla Magaluf at:

Room

Clean and tidy but basic. Ceiling fan, no air conditioning.
Basic cooking facilities, most importantly for most guests there is a fridge for keeping drinks cool. Some apartments have bigger balconies than others.

General hotel amenities

Huge pool, sunbeds to use on the pool terrace. Other leisure facilities include a multi-sports activity area for five-a-side football along with both table tennis and pool tables.

Food & Beverages

Pizzeria/snack bar and both lounge and pool bars. Due to the locaction in "downtown" Magaluf there is a wide choice of bars and restaurants in the vicinity. Most of these cater for British clientelle. You know the sort of thing, full English breakfast and a pint of Carling.

Location and surroundings

Fiesta Jungla is situated around 300 metres from the beach in the lively resort of Magaluf on the south west coast of Majorca. More specifically, right next to the infamous BCM nightclub in Magaluf.

Viva Las Vegas

"Upto" 40% off hotels at Expedia

• Book by 16th May.

• Stay until 25th December (some exceptions)

• Blackout periods may apply and a minimum hotel stay may be required

Hotel Jungle Tips

• Combine the trip to Vegas with a visit to the Grand Canyon
• The Vegas convention schedule has a major effect on hotel prices and availability.
• Expedia offers flight+hotel deals or check Virgin Atlantic
  

Location of Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca

Map showing location of Llucmajor on Mallorca where Hilton have a new 90 room hotel called the Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca. The hotel will open in June 2008.


View Larger Map

Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca Official Page
Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca Review

Cashback when you book hotels

Would you like cashback with your hotel, Madam ?

Selection of current offers
6% cashback at Hotelopia
6% cashback at Ramada Jarvis
3% cashback at Best Western
2.5% cashback at Hilton
2% cashback at Marriot
2% cashback at Travelodge
£5 cashback at hotels.com


How it works

Some hotel companies offer rewards to websites for referring people to them. Cashback sites like Rpoints share this with their users

What's the catch

Well you don't pay anymore for the bookings, but you do have to wait a couple of months for the cashback to be available to you, and you do have to reach a minimum cashback balance before you can redeem your points.

E111 - European Health Insurance Card

The European Health Insurance Card has replaced Form E111

If you are a UK resident, you are entitled to medical treatment that becomes necessary when temporarily visiting any European Union (EU) country, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Only treatment provided under the state scheme is covered, and will be at a reduced cost or sometimes free. To obtain treatment you will need to take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you.

The EHIC has replaced the E111 form, which is now invalid. The new card is free. Application details, and full coverage details are available from:

http://www.ehic.org.uk

The EHIC and holiday insurance are complementary and you should consider having both. Some insurance companies require you to have an EHIC and some companies will waive the excess charge if an EHIC has been used.