Ciao UK Blog

Christmas markets - what to look out for and enjoy during the festive period

One of the highlights of the festive season is the many traditional Christmas markets adding festive cheer to towns and cities across Europe. The history of Christmas mar kets goes back to the late middle ages and most are traditionally based on German customs and traditions selling an array of native food and drink at open-air stalls.  Many also include handmade Christmas gifts and feature traditional singers and dancers and all the hustle and bustle and seasonal cheer also makes for a lively atmosphere.

If you’re watching your waistline, Christmas markets might not be the place for you, because with so many delicious sweets and treats to choose from, it can be hard to resist temptation! Gingerbread cookies such as Lebkuchen and Stollen cake are two of the most popular indulgences and if you fancy someting savory make sure you also try Bratwurst, a traditional grilled German sausage.

There are so many great markets taking place across Europe that it is impossible to name them all, but some of the events we recommended include:

Lincoln Christmas market in the UK, as the country’s oldest and largest market it also includes a concert on the steps of the cathedral in the medieval city square each evening. Edinburgh Christmas market is another one to visit if you’re close by, held in the town centre, the market helps Scotland’s capital city come to life at Christmas time. With numerous shows and carol concerts running throughout December as well as the truly magnificent lights brightening up the famous Princes shopping street, Edinburgh plays host to one of the UK’s most renowned festive events.

Two of Germany’s finest markets include those in Dortmund and Nuremberg The event in Dortmund also boasts the World’s biggest Christmas tree which reaches in excess of 45m. It’s no secret that Germans are famous for their penchant of alcohol and its local markets usually include plenty drinks for visitors to sample as well as buy. Glühwein, a warm mulled wine, is one of the most popular, served with or without a shot of brandy it can provide a great kick to help you keep warm inside on a chilly winter evening. If you get a chance, also try out Eggnog, an egg-based warm alcoholic drink that usually goes down a treat.
 
Most of Spain’s main cities hold Christmas markets which often feature traditional nativity scenes too. Spain’s biggest market is held at the Plaza Mayor in Madrid where there are usually lots of gifts, Christmas trees and festive decorations for sale too. Crusty bread rolls and nougart are also popular with local market goers.

France’s must visit Christmas market is in Strasbourg and the city typically attracts over 1.6 million visitors during the season. There is also a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the City centre and a skating rink close by on Place du Château.

For travel information to help you make it to your chosen Christmas market destination - whether it is by train, plane or bus - and for hotel and mini-break offers and savings, take a look at Ciao’s travel pages here.

If you’re not sure which Christmas market to attend this year, why not check out what the Ciao community has to say? You can read member’s reviews and opinions and also find out if there is a local event near you. Or if you’re a seasoned festival goer, why not let us know where you visit each year and the food or drink you most look forward to, after all Christmas is a time for sharing!

Ciao Street Survey: new video with European results

Mixed impact of recession on Europe

We wanted to show you what back in August, we communicated with regards to the impact that the recession has had across Europe.

Today, we wanted to show a short video with the results of this survey

How do these facts measure up against your reaction to the financial situation in 2009?

Fun activities to enjoy this winter with Ciao

Like it or not, it’s getting colder as winter sets in across Europe. But it’s not all bad as with this there are a number of great activities to enjoy that only come round once a year. And with the 2010 winter Olympics held next year in Vancouver, people across the World are getting ready for a season of winter sports and festive activities.

There are lots of different activities to enjoy over the winter months – for the adrenaline junkies who like snowboarding and skiing there are great tips on Ciao on how to improve your technique, as well as reviews on the best snowboards and skiing equipment. And we all know that on the slopes it’s important to look good too, so check out Ciao’s winter and general fashion pages for this season’s hot fashion to make sure you look your best. 

For those staying at home, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks where you can rent ice skates, or alternatively buy your own if you’re a more serious skater.  Or if the snow really starts to fall, why not get out of town and go sledging or tobogganing which the whole family can enjoy – just be careful on the steeper slopes not to go too fast! 

And if you don’t like leaving the house when it’s cold outside, winter is the perfect time to brush up on your cooking skills through preparing winter warmers to enjoy. From stews and soups to mince pies and Christmas dinners, there are a number of great cookery books to make sure you’re cooking skills are top notch this winter.  Or if cooking’s not your thing, why not curl up in front of a good film or even play winter sports on your favourite games console!

If you fancy going away this winter, there are also a number of great ideas on perfect winter holidays on Ciao, alongside reviews on what to do when you get there.

So what are your favourite activities to do at Christmas? Please post a comment here or write a review on Ciao – we’d love to hear from you!

Microsoft’s search engine Bing launches in the UK

We would like to share some exciting news at ciao.co.uk! Today, Microsoft announces the official launch of Bing, a great new search experience to help UK consumers make more informed choices on a daily basis.  Following a period of trial and continued in-depth analysis of consumer usage and behaviour, the service has been put through its paces and Bing is now shedding its beta tag.

Bing’s new search features organize results in a user friendly way and diminish Internet overload and clutter, helping UK consumers get to the information that matters most to them quicker, making decisions faster.

Anyone looking for the best deals on Ciao UK, exclusive shopping platform of Bing, can now make use of an integrated shopping experience searching the Internet to find the best prices, reviews and local availability. 

What does this mean for our members?

Apart from a modernized and updated design for the new, integrated Ciao, all the functionalities members enjoy will stay exactly the same. An additional product answer functionality was created to offer users a more visual experience when searching for a product within Bing. Commerce results will bring back an image result which showcased Ciao’s price comparison and review functionality in the Bing search result page.

On Bing the product search tab currently lead consumers looking for dedicated products directly to the relevant results on the local Ciao site giving users the chance to access the knowledge and experience of Ciao’s International community.

We hope you like the new design and look forward to hearing your thoughts! If you have any questions please contact us via the comments below!

Finding the perfect skiing destination with Ciao

Skiing is one of Europe’s favourite winter sports and with the season fast approaching, many people across the Continent, from novices to pros, will be thinking about booking a getaway and hitting the slopes. But with so many resorts to choose from, deciding where to go and how to find the perfect snow can be tricky.

If you’re looking to nab a bargain there’s always plenty of skiing holiday offers and deals to be found on ciao.co.uk.  To help you decide where to go this year we’ve included our favourite resorts and recommended travel dates for Europe’s top destinations below.

Spain
As the second most mountainous country in Europe (after Switzerland), Spain has several excellent ski centres with many offering snow boarding lessons as an option too. Resorts abound along the Northern boarder in the Pyrenees and there are also several highly recommended locations near several of the major cities including Madrid and Barcelona.

If you’re eager to book a last minute trip over the next couple of weeks, Spain is the best European destination to head to because the ski season is just about to get underway. To mark the start of the season, Madrid is holding the country’s annual National Skiing Fair from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November. Taking place at the impressive Feria Internacional de Madrid the event plays host to a number of exhibitors and professionals, giving visitors the chance to seek advice before booking a holiday and pick up all the essential skiing gear to help plan for a trip.

Germany
Germany becomes a skier’s haven during the winter months with the season lasting from early December to mid-March.  If you fancy going to Germany this year there are several hot spots we recommend. Located at the Austrian border, Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany and with many testing black slopes it’s popular with the more experienced skiers looking to test their skills. Berchtesgaden in the German Bavarian Alps often has lots of last minute skiing bargains too.

France
The prime time for skiing in France is from February to March, so there’s still a little time to save for your trip if you’re not planning on getting away until 2010. France boasts a great variety of ski resorts for all kinds of tastes and abilities and among our favourites are Les Arcs, La Plagne and Chamonix.

On Ciao you can compare the prices of all the kit and equipment you could possibly need, to help you make the most of your money and keep you wrapped up warm when the chill sets in. And to make sure you look your best whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out we’ve included our list of must have essentials below:

Skis
Boots
Jacket
Trousers
Gloves
Goggles

First time skiers
If you haven’t been skiing before and are not sure what to buy there are plenty of suggestions and advice to help you get started on Ciao too. If you’re a beginner make sure you check out our tips for first timers here.

Are you a skiing fan? What do you consider essential kit for the slopes and where’s your favourite spot to go skiing? We’d love to hear your advice or if you have any tips for finding a great European resort please leave us a comment and share your thoughts!

Adding some sparkle to your Fireworks Night this year with Ciao

Fireworks Night is typically celebrated in the UK as it marks the downfall of the plot by Guy Fawkes to blow up the British Houses of Parliament on 5 November 1605. Thankfully, the scheme failed and every year the British celebrate with parties and huge organised events up and down the country. At Ciao, we really enjoy the fun and festivities of everything associated with Fireworks Night and it can be a great evening out for all the family.

Of course no night would be complete without the fireworks display itself and most events have big bonfires to help keep their guests warm on a cold November evening. Whether you’re having your own private gathering this year or attending a spectacular display, below are our ideas to help you sure make the most of your night.

Guy Fawkes effigy
One of the customs of Fireworks Night is making a Guy Fawkes effigy to burn on a bonfire.  If you’ve not made a puppet before, there are plenty of tips and tricks on ciao.co.uk to help you get started.

Sparklers and lights
Part of the excitement of Fireworks Night is the little extras that brighten up the evening such as sparklers and glowsticks and these are likely to be popular with guests too. Why not also check out Ciao’s range of colourful torches and fluorescent lanterns to add that extra special effect in the dark.

Food
Foods traditionally eaten on Guy Fawkes night include jacket potatoes, toffee apples, treacle sweets and parkin. If you want to whip up the perfect fireworks feast for your guests or fancy making a few treats for a party, there are lots of recipe suggestions on Ciao to help you get started.

Music
If you’re holding your own display, having the perfect soundtrack is really important to add to the ‘wow factor’ when the fireworks go off. Why not check out the range of suggested tracks on Ciao?

Clothing
Fireworks celebrations often go on late into the night, so it’s important to wrap up warm! On Ciao you can find some great deals on all those winter essentials including, fleeces, hats, scarves, gloves and earmuffs to make sure you are protected from the chill when the evening draws in.

If you are new to Fireworks night or would just like to brush up on your knowledge, why not have a look at the range of history, fact and fiction books on Ciao where you can also find tales about fireworks celebrations and other events that take place around the world. If you fancy watching a film, there’s a great fireworks DVD selection available too.

If you’ve not planned where to spend fireworks Night this year there are several big events happening across the country. In London, Alexandra Palace notoriously holds a fantastic display each year and there are also fireworks shows along the River Thames and on Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. Elsewhere in the UK, West Park in Wolverhampton is holding a big event which includes a fun fair and a special show for children. At Bitts Park in Carlisle there will be a fire show as well as a huge bonfire and the town is expected to be busy with visitors from around the region who come to see the show. 

Most towns and cities will be holding their own displays and we’d love to hear about what you’re up to. Please let us know the different fireworks displays you have been to in the past and what you thought of them, or if you have any advice for planning the perfect fireworks party why not share your ideas with us and the Ciao community by commenting on this post!

ciao.co.uk partners with Insight Direct UK to extend its computer and electronic offering

London, 3rd November – Insight Direct UK is one of the world’s leading single source providers of IT products and services. Insight Direct continues to strengthen its presence in the UK market by announcing its partnership with Ciao, Europe’s leading shopping and consumer website.

The agreement will integrate Insight into the UK’s shopping portal www.ciao.co.uk offering a competitive range of computers, hardware and software as well as services ranging from basic configuration to advanced design implementation and financing.

Ciao customers will enjoy Insight’s enhanced technical and product support, preferential pricing, stock availability, leading brand names and the latest technology.

“We bring together expert knowledge, vendor accreditations and a full global presence, all with the aim of acting as a Trusted IT Advisor. We believe that through this partnership and Ciao’s strong distribution network, we will increase our revenue by reaching new IT buyers in the market, said Bee Patel, PR and Marketing Executive, Insight UK.

Further information can be found at: http://uk.insight.com/ and http://socialmedia.ciao.co.uk/

Ciao announces winners of MyVoucherCodes and the End of Summer competition

The day has finally arrived! After eight weeks and hundreds of reviews on ciao.co.uk, we can now announce the last winners the End of Summer Competition and MVC campaigns.

Thanks to everyone who participated and congratulations to those who won!

The winners of the End of Summer Competition are:

• Sony VAIO: Yackers1
• Amazon Voucher: Jadiep890
• Amazon Voucher: Clayeree
• Amazon Voucher: SusanLesley  
• Amazon Voucher: Carl.mcqueen
• Amazon Voucher: CareBear
• Experience Voucher: BawBaw
• Experience Voucher: Morgenhund
• Nintendo DSi: Andyk910
• Spa Voucher: Fizzytom

The winners of MyVoucherCode competition also are:  

• Sony VAIO: TheHairyGodmother  
• Nintendo DSi: shmokeh   
• £100 House of Fraser Voucher: MissDanaBanana   
• £100 House of Fraser Voucher: rosebud2001   
• £100 House of Fraser Voucher: languagetimothy    
• £100 House of Fraser Voucher: MizzMolko    

We look forward to reading more of your reviews soon!