Madonna, Michael Fassbender and More A-Listers Love this Under-the-Radar European Destination

The little country at the edge of the Iberian Peninsula, long under the radar, received a big profile bump last month when Madonna revealed she'd be moving to Lisbon so her son David Banda, 11, could attend the prestigious Benfica soccer academy. The Queen of Pop has reportedly picked up an 18th-century Moorish-style mansion for $8.9 million in the picturesque suburb of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that was long a summer destination for Portuguese royals.

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RELATED: The Best Places to Travel in October, Whether You Want to Peep Leaves or Track Elephants

But Madonna's not exactly roughing it while the historic restate is being restored — she's reportedly staying in a suite at Lisbon's Pestana Palace hotel.

Peter Adams/Getty

The Queen of Pop isn't the only star to purchase property in Portugal. Other noteworthy residents include Christian Louboutin and Michael Fassbender, who purchased a home in the historic Alfama district in May.

Native Cristiano Ronaldo is embracing the influx of A-listers: The second outpost of the soccer star's hotel CR7 (his initials and jersey number) opened last year. The first was in his hometown of Funchal on the island of Madeira, a Portuguese territory off the coast of Morocco.

WATCH: Take a Virtual Vacation to the Magical Portuguese City of Óbidos with Travel + Leisure 

Portugal has beautiful coastline in the southern Algarve region, which lures sun seeking English celebs to hotels like Vila Vita Parc. In the north, is the culture capital of Porto and the Duoro Valley (the birth place of Port Wine. Stars looking for a one-of-a-kind stay, should check into Pedras Salgadas Spa and Nature Park, where they can relax in a futuristic treehouse between treatments.

Pedras Salgadas SpaCourtesy Pedras Salgadas

DO IT FOR LESS

Budget-conscious travelers should take note, too. More affordable than many other European destinations, Portugal has plenty to offer for a reasonable price: In Lisbon, book a stay at the stylish B&B Casa Amora (from $100/night) and ride the city's famous yellow streetcar — route 28 stops at major tourist spots, and a day pass costs $7.25.

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In Porto, discover the country's famous blue-and-white tiles, called Azulejos, for free at Porto Cathedral and take in a show or just ogle the architecture at Rem Koolhaas's ultra-modern Casa da Música.

Whatever you do, don't leave Portugal without trying its signature egg tart. Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon is a famous purveyor, where the treats cost $1.30 each.

Source: Madonna, Michael Fassbender and More A-Listers Love this Under-the-Radar European Destination

14 reasons to make Russia your next holiday destination

A hundred years on, Chris Leadbeater relishes Russia's revolutionary appeal.

1. Mausoleum

It's been 100 years, but you still can't have a Russian Revolution without Lenin. The poster boy of 1917 still has pride of place in Moscow, his tomb on Red Square. You can visit him, daily (except Monday and Friday) 10am-1pm. moscow.info/red-square/lenin-mausoleum.aspx

2. Madonna Litta

Over in St Petersburg, what was once the Winter Palace, city home of the Tsar, is now the Hermitage Museum – home to this marvel by Leonardo Da Vinci, among other jewels. Tickets 600 Roubles (£8), queues inevitable. hermitagemuseum.org

The Hermitage Credit: ROMAN EVGENEV 3. Romanov

The deposed royals are remembered in St Petersburg at the sumptuous Grand Hotel Europe – where you can stay in the Romanov Suite which once framed their slumbers. From R61,000 (£790) a night; other rooms for R16,000 (£207). Read a full review and check availability. 

4. The Kremlin

The Revolution knocked St Petersburg off its plinth and made Moscow Russia's focal point, its power set in the walls of the Kremlin. You can visit the museums inside (from R250/£3.25). Vlad Putin works here. Not in the ticket office. kreml.ru/en-us

St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow Credit: getty 5. Glass act over the Moskva

Moscow has just revolutionised its riverfront, creating Zaryadye Park on the site of the demolished 3,000-room Rossiya Hotel. The site has walkways, cafes, a concert hall and a glass bridge over the Moskva River. visitrussia.org.uk

Zaryadye Park Credit: getty 6. Four Seasons

An act of rebellion of your own? The terrace of the Moskovsky Bar at the Four Seasons hotel looks on to the Kremlin. Indulge in some capitalist decadence by ordering a vodka-laced Moscow Sour cocktail for R850 (£11). Read a full review and check availability. 

The Four Seasons in Moscow 7. Dasha Zhukova

Moscow is doing some highly revolutionary things with paint and sculpture at the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art (R500/£6.50), which was founded by Roman Abramovich's (soon to be ex-) wife in 2008. Great cafe too. garagemca.org/en

8. Mansarda

St Petersburg's image as a city shaped by palaces and heritage is shattered by this glass-sided rooftop restaurant, which offers epic views across the streets where the Bolsheviks marched, as well as tagliolini with caviar for R2990 (£38). ginza-mansarda.ru

9. Afternoon tea

Find a more traditional take on St Petersburg at the five-star Hotel Astoria (a haunt for both Madonna and Lenin in the past) where the Russian Afternoon Tea (from R1500/£20) includes delicate pirozhkis (small meat pies). Read a full review and check availability. 

10. Novaya Gollandiya

St Petersburg breaks another mould in its "New Holland" enclave – the remains of one of the Tsar's old naval prisons, reinvented as a green space with food stalls, deckchairs, play areas and the locals at weekend rest. newhollandsp.com

Novaya Gollandiya Credit: getty 11. Volga

Why visit one Russian revolutionary city when you can take in two? Steppes Travel sells a 13-day cruise between Moscow and St Petersburg which meanders slowly north-west along the Volga, Europe's lengthiest river – from £2,495. steppestravel.co.uk

The Volga Credit: HOLGER LEUE 12. Yekaterinburg

The revolution took one of its darkest turns in this easterly city, where the royal family was killed on July 17 1918. On The Go Tours sells a "Route of the Romanovs" (£1,495) tour which visits the memorial Church On Blood. onthegotours.com

Yekaterinburg, where the revolution took one of its darkest turns Credit: © Florian Blumm / Alamy Stock Photo/Florian Blumm / Alamy Stock Photo 13. Anastasia

Legend once had it that Nicholas II's youngest daughter survived the execution. Alas no. She is entombed in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St Petersburg – part of the Cox & Kings "St Petersburg's Highlights" trip (from £860). coxandkings.co.uk

14. The Ballet

Russia's aristocrats loved ballet, the Bolsheviks less so. Strike back for the old guard by seeing a performance at St Petersburg's Vladimir Palace – courtesy of The Telegraph's Russian Revelations with John Simpson tour. From £4,725. 

Why you should visit Russia in 2017 02:47 But beware... Paperwork

The Russians adore paperwork. Love the stuff. They like you to like it too, which is why the application process for a single-entry tourist visa (from £108.40, including fees) is long (up to three weeks) and dull, but also essential. ru.vfsglobal.co.uk

Source: 14 reasons to make Russia your next holiday destination

Cheap alternative flights to all of Monarch's European destinations that you can still snap up now

Monarch Airlines has gone into administration , with all flights and holidays from Monday 2nd October onwards cancelled.

While there are flights to bring Brits stranded abroad back home, for those with holidays planned over the next few weeks it's thrown a huge spanner in the works - but you don't need to despair and cancel your break just yet.

First of all, you could be entitled to compensation for your cancelled flight, especially if your holiday is ATOL protected - check out our comprehensive guide here .

For those travelling in the next few weeks, there's also a silver lining. Currently there are plenty of airlines hosting autumn sales and cheap routes , many of which cover the destinations on offered by Monarch.

That means you could still bag cheap flights, meaning there's no need to break the bank to still go on holiday.

Then of course there are the airlines' extensive networks covering the affected routes - easyJet and British Airways seem to be offering the biggest selection when it comes to finding available seats.

We take a look at Monarch's popular destinations and alternative airlines you can fly with on a budget...

Grounded Monarch airplanes sit on the tarmac at Luton airport (Image: AFP) Croatia Dubrovnik Split Zagreb Read More Cyprus Lanarca Paphos Read More Find more cheap flights to Europe France Nice Gibraltar Read More Greece Heraklion, Crete Rhodes Read More Europe City Guides Tel Aviv Read More Italy Naples Rome Read More Venice Read More Verona Read More Portugal Faro Funchal Lisbon Porto Read More Holiday booking secrets Spain Ibiza Menorca Palma de Mallorca Fuerteventura Gran Canaria Read More Lanzarote Tenerife Alicante Almeria Barcelona Madrid Malaga Valencia Sweden Stockholm Read More Turkey Antalya Dalaman
Source: Cheap alternative flights to all of Monarch's European destinations that you can still snap up now

Super Independence Discounts! KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers you up to 20% off to destinations in Europe, America and Canada

Where would you be traveling to as Nigeria turns 57? KLM Royal Dutch Airline is offering special Independence discounts!!! Now is the time to make all those exciting trips with up to 20% discount on all your flight ticket purchase.

Hurry! Buy your tickets from September 28 – October 6th and enjoy up to 20% off in Economy cabin to destinations in Europe, America, and Canada.

Tickets can be bought online.  Visit the website;  www.klm.com.ng . You can also visit any KLM ticket office or your travel agent.

____________________________________________________

*CONDITIONS APPLYFares are inclusive of taxes. Subject to availability

Sale: Till Friday, October 6th, 2017Travel: Till Tuesday, December 12th, 2017 (Last departure)Maximum stay: 12 monthsMinimum stay: NoneStop-over: 1 free in Paris. Additional at $100 per wayChange: $120

For more information, call 0814990676, 09030907124, 08101341037. Follow us on social media

Twitter: @KLMFacebook: @KLMInstagram: @klm

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Source: Super Independence Discounts! KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers you up to 20% off to destinations in Europe, America and Canada

Why this Swiss city is Europe’s best city break destination

Europeans wondering where they should spend their next weekend away need look no further than the Swiss city of Geneva.

The Old Town during springtime in Geneva, Switzerland. Image by GlobalVision Communication / GlobalFlyCam / Getty Images

The country's second-largest city was voted Europe's leading city break destination for the third time in four years at the World Travel Awards 2017 in St. Petersburg. The awards are considered "the Oscars for the tourism industry" and placed Geneva as Europe's top spot for a short holiday.

Geneva is perhaps best known as home to the headquarters for international organizations like the World Trade Organization and World Health Organization, as well as being home to large branches of the United National and the World Bank. But the slick and beautiful destination is also a vibrant and cultural hot spot for the locals, students and tons of international workers who call it home.

In the running against cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Rome, the Swiss city came out ahead, with Geneva Tourism explaining that it offers high-quality services without facing some of the downsides of mass tourism that are prevalent in other European cities.

The lakeside city also offers visitors a chance to enjoy the shores of Lake Geneva, as well as providing easy access to the Alps. The local tourism board has also created a number of services for travellers, such as free public transport and access to reduced rates on activities with the Geneva Pass.

Also honoured at the World Travel Awards was the notorious Irish prison on Spike Island, which was named Europe's top tourist attraction.

Source: Why this Swiss city is Europe's best city break destination

Former Irish prison beats Colosseum and Eiffel Tower to be crowned Europe's top tourist attraction

The 104-acre former prison site in Cork harbour beat famed destinations like Buckingham Palace and the Eiffel Tower to claim the prize at the World Travel Awards in St Petersburg, Russia last night.

It's the third victory in a row for Ireland following wins by Titanic Belfast last year and The Guinness Storehouse in 2015. In a huge win for Cork, it's also the first attraction outside the capital to earn a nomination.

Fortress Spike thanked Cork County Council and paid tribute to the "passion and hard work" of their "incredible staff".

A statement on their Facebook page said:

"We beat off the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower and more to win the highest award a tourist site can win. We also became the first ever site outside of the capitals to win this award."

"An enormous thank you to Cork County Council, Fáilte Ireland, those in Cobh with the vision to fight for Spike, our visitors, and most importantly to our incredible staff and tour guides, whose passion and hard work have made this a deserved award."

Cork County Council and Failte Ireland invested over €6.5 million into the former Monastery, fortress and prison to create the award-winning visitor attraction which reopened in June 2016.

Cork Mayor, Cllr Declan Hurley, who attended last night's ceremony, told the Irish Examiner: "This award is recognition of the incredible dedication by a great number of people who foresaw the potential of Spike Island."

The island, which is accessed by boat from Cobh, served as a monastery in the 6th Century.

In the early 1800's a fortress was constructed to protect the island from Western Europe.

The fortress became a prison under British Rule in the 19th Century, before it was handed over to the Irish State in 1938 – one of the last areas to be handed back after independence.

Under Irish rule it served as a prison again from 1985 to 2004.

Fortress Spike Island wasn't the only Irish winner at this year's awards.

Sandymount Hotel in Dublin was named Europe's leading green hotel and Dublin's Convention Centre Europe's leading conference centre.

Source: Former Irish prison beats Colosseum and Eiffel Tower to be crowned Europe's top tourist attraction

Float to Western Europe's Highest Peak

Three Gore-Tex–clad mountaineers are making their arduous slog up Mont Blanc, Western Europe's tallest peak. Its 15,771-foot summit looms still some 3,000 feet above them. Their top-of-the-world vista takes in a snow-dusted Alpine massif that spans France, Switzerland, and Italy.

My friend and I share nearly the same epic view the climbers have, but not the same foot blisters or crevasse hazards. Unlike them, we have arrived at 12,395 feet via a 20-minute cable car ride from the French resort town of Chamonix to this observation deck on Aiguille du Midi, a peak neighboring Mont Blanc.

Gondolas have ferried passengers to surrounding heights from Chamonix since 1924. The Aiguille du Midi gives them a taste of what it's like to be an alpinist—but without the need for expensive hiking boots. It's bright, cold, and blustery, though, and we still need warm layers, sunscreen, and sunglasses on the observatory walkway.

We pull up Instagram to capture our obligatory "step into the void," a glass cube off the walkway that thrills with the spectacle of a sheer Alpine drop below our feet.

While the mountain climbers are refueling on energy bars, we enjoy strong coffee and chocolate cake at Le 3842, one of the highest restaurants in Europe. The Aiguille du Midi also has one of the world's highest museums. Located in a rocky chamber deep in the mountain, the Musée de l'Alpinisme Pointe displays photos and memorabilia from the early days of extreme sports—such as BASE jumping, for which Chamonix has historically been considered a top spot.

We hop on the cable car back to town, with a new appreciation of Alpine peaks and the adventurous people who explore them.

ACROBATIC PARAGLIDING IN THE ALPS

Filmmaker Shams captures pilot Théo de Blic's aerial maneuvers in the French Alps.

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Source: Float to Western Europe's Highest Peak