The greatest sporting event is visiting Rio this summer, and after the success of the London 2012 games, the upcoming Olympics has a lot to live up to. Britain’s athletes will of course hold high hopes of echoing the medal haul from London four years ago, but what can they expect from Rio, the city famed for surfing, samba and carnivals. It’s easy to forget that Rio only hosted the World Cup two years ago too – it’s certainly a great time for the party city.   From the beaches of the Copacabana to the forts and hills that surround the city, the region is preparing ... [More]

Britain has 300 years of sovereignty over Gibraltar and it is officially classed as an Overseas Territory. This puts the territory into the same category as Bermuda and the Falkland Islands in that it falls under the jurisdiction of the UK, without actually being a part of it.  It’s under 7sq km in size and with around 30,000 people crammed into that space, it has the fifth highest population density of a country or territory in the world. Don’t monkey around Gibraltar is also renowned for the Rock of Gibraltar, which is inhabited by a colony of Barbary macaques. The only plac... [More]

Owning your own business means a lot of things, providing flexibility, freedom and a wealth of opportunities, but it also needs loads of hard work and persistence at the beginning. According to the Office of National Statistics, around 15% of the UK population is currently self-employed, equating to around 4.7 million people. And the figure is rising too. Building your own business is very much like a giant research project – you need to do your homework and learn as much as possible to lay the foundations for success, long before you officially open the business. But what else do you ne... [More]

Now that summer is officially here (although you may be forgiven for not knowing given the shoddy weather), it’s time to dust off those garden chairs, drag out the swimming pools and relax with a drink in hand. If course this very much depends on the sun coming out to play, but in the hope it does, here’s a few drinks for you to enjoy – add alcohol if you wish. 1. Jalapeno and lime spritzer   Flickr While you might not immediately associate jalapenos with a drink, adding them can give your concoction a delicious spicy kick.  Add lime and soda together and serve with... [More]

The United States of America is comprised of a number of states (hence the name) – 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.   Each varies in size and the backdrop has changes significantly since the USA gained independence in 1776. Initially there were only 13 states, although that number has now increased to 50. Given that they are spread out over a range of geographical areas, it is understandable that each state is different. But are some of the more unique factors that help to set them apart? 1. Alabama The Confederate flag was first designed in Alabama in 1861, with ... [More]

For fans of tennis, the coming of Wimbledon is a bit like waking up on Christmas morning – it’s viewed as the pinnacle of the sport and winning there is something that the top players treasure. The best players on the planet return year after year in their quests for glory.   Wiki For some, like Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, winning Wimbledon became a habit. The pair have won seven singles titles each, although the latter will be hoping to add to that figure this year. Sisters Venus and Serena Williams have won 11 titles between them, but both still have some way to go to ca... [More]

Your guide to Euro 2016: The host cities Europe’s premier international footballing competition is in France in 2016, and with thousands of fans expected to make the short trip across the channel, what exactly do they have to look forward to? England’s qualification, along with Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, means there will be plenty of interest in this year’s Euro 2016 competition. Roy Hodgson’s England made qualifying look easy, winning all 10 games and should fancy their chances in a group containing Russia, Wales and Slovakia – the latte... [More]

Summer's here! So that means BBQ’s and some time off with some fruit-filled desserts, no-bake treats and frozen summer sweets to satisfy your warm-weather cravings whilst you top up your tan (if it’s sunny of course). Whether you are hosting a family get together or just trying to impress your friends, here are some treats to make sure you satisfy your sweet tooth in the sun this summer. Fantastic fruit fun   Parentmap If you are having a hard time deciding which fruit to enjoy on a warm summer’s day, then you can put them all too good use in one bite-size frozen pop sna... [More]

Selling online can provide a significant boost for any business, as it opens up another potential route to make money. Of course, selling isn’t always that straight-forward, as a seller will require a means of carrying out the process – a platform capable of e-commerce activity. And that’s where eBay comes in. The site where it’s possible to buy and sell items and keep an eye on competitor activity. But what do you need to know about selling on the site? Getting started It’s best to start with getting an idea of how it all works. Essentially the user or business ... [More]

Spain’s major cities are visited by thousands of people every single year, as each has its own unique appeal.   From beaches and architecture to arts and entertainment, there is plenty for visitors to find appealing. Here we take a look at some of Spain’s major cities, and discover what exactly it is that makes them such popular destinations… Madrid Spain’s capital truly represents all things Spanish and is the third largest city in the European Union, after both London and Berlin.   Covering more than 230 square miles, Madrid is the political, cultural and e... [More]