The two phrases that holidaymakers most often like to find together are ‘high quality’ and ‘affordable’. Fortunately, there is a good chance of finding these two in combination at the moment with the many cheap hotels available around the world. A great selection of examples can be found on the enchanting Greek island of Corfu. Warm weather, unique culture and picturesque scenery mix perfectly together here to create an idyllic island destination.

One excellent example of Corfu’s high quality, yet affordable, accommodation is the award winning Mitsis Roda Beach Resort & Spa. This five star all inclusive resort recently picked up recognition as ‘Leading Hotel in Greece’ at the Hotels4u.com and Medhotels.com awards ceremony in London.

Located overlooking lovely Roda Bay on Corfu’s north east coast, the Mitsis Roda Beach Resort & Spa sits among 25 acres of gardens, which lead down to the beach. A good balance of luxury, comfort and affordability makes this hotel a top choice for travellers visiting Corfu’s sparkling shores. Prices start from £29.19 per person per night and include all the benefits of a top all inclusive hotel. This includes your choice of food and locally produced drinks at the resort’s many bars and restaurants, serving a wide variety of cuisine from Chinese and Italian to local seafood and other popular dishes. Meanwhile, for leisure and relaxation there are two swimming pools, a gym, and volley ball, basket ball and tennis courts, as well as a water sports centre and even a mini football pitch. For convenience, there is a souvenir shop, mini market and internet access, as well as kids’ facilities, from a swimming pool and playground to video games area.

This is just one example of what Corfu has to offer, but there are many more. Whatever you’re looking for from your Greek island holiday there is a range of Corfu hotels to complement your mood. Check out the many cheap Corfu hotels and book your holiday to remember now.

The Balearics have long been a popular getaway destination and Majorca in particular is a great British favourite when it comes to island holidaying. The island is well used to catering for the many visitors that flock to its shores every year and has a wide range of cheap hotels ready and waiting to suit all types of holidaymaker. Some prices may seem too good to be true, but there has been no compromise on quality to achieve them. The deals and discounts offered by hotels on the island at the moment offer real value.

Hotasa Samoa Hotel – winner of an award at the Hotels4u.com and Medhotels.com awards ceremony recently, which recognised top hotels around the world – is a great example of the high quality cheap hotels in Majorca. The hotel beat off tough competition in the category, which encompassed hotels across the three major Balearic Islands: Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

Surrounded by stunning beaches and inviting, crystal clear waters, Hotasa Samoa Hotel is ideally located in Calas De Mallorca,  on the east coast of the island. Families in particular will enjoy the variety of activities on offer at the hotel, including a swimming pool, tennis court, mini-golf course, pool tables, games and TV room, onsite restaurants, pool bar, lounge bar, shops, exchange bureau, kids’ clubs, play area and bike rental. In the nearby town centre, there is even more to do, and the beach itself is just a short 200 metre walk away.

The Hotasa Samoa Hotel is just one of the many affordable hotels in Majorca that are designed specifically with family holidaying in mind. Majorca hotels come in all shapes and sizes so it’s not just families that will find the ideal base for their next holiday. The island is just as practiced at being a romantic holiday spot, with its many picturesque landscapes providing an atmospheric backdrop. Party goers can find plenty to amuse as well, with Magalluf a particularly popular hot spot.

Rorke’s Drift is the site of the most famous battle of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1979 and lies around 30 miles southeast of Dundee. The countryside around Rorke’s Drift is unspoilt and tranquil. Irishman James Rorke had originally set up a trading station about 1 mile from the drift (crossing point) of the Buffalo River and was known to the Zulus as KwaJimu (Jim’s place). Reverard Otto Witt of the Swedish Missionary Society later establish a mission station at Rorke’s Drift. Under the shadow the the rocky mountain he named Oskarberg, he built a small church, mission house and cattle kraal.

The mission station had been ‘requisitioned’ by Lord Chelmsford. The house was used as a hospital and the chapel was used as a storehouse. During the battle it was used as a surgery. The defence of the mission station of Rorke’s Drift immediately followed the British Army’s defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana earlier that morning on 22^nd January 1879. Despite an almost overwhelming onslaught by the Zulus, the British garrison at Rorke’s Drift held out and has gone down as one of the finest military defences in history. The 11 Victoria Crosses awarded for valour at Rorke’s Drift are still more than for any other military action in history.

Lord Chelmsford’s forces invaded Zululand on 11th January 1879 and his central column encamped under the mountain at Isandlwana. Three columns invaded Zululand, from the Lower Tugela, Rorke’s Drift and Utrecht respectively, their objective being Ulundi, the Royal capital of the Zulus. On 9 January 1879 the centre column under Lord Chelmsford arrived and encamped at Rorke’s Drift.

On the morning of 22^nd January 1879, the main Zulu army attacked the British camp at Isandlwana. Lord Chelmsford had taken part of his force off in another direction in search of the Zulu army. Hopelessly outnumbered, the British and native forces were slaughtered by the Zulus which saw only around 50 men escape with their lives. The rest of the 1,000+ strong force were killed. After Isandlwana, Dabulamanzi led 4,500 Zulus to attack the small garrison at Rorke’s Drift. These Zulus had missed out on the action at Isandlwana and wanted to prove themselves in battle. The Buffalo River formed the border between Zululand and Natal and King Cetshwayo had ordered his warriors not to venture into Natal. Despite their King’s order, the Zulus took rilfes from the British dead and headed to Rorke’s Drift. 36 of the men at the mission station were in the hospital. There were just 97 fit solders, 14 natives, 5 officers and 2 lieutenants, one of which was new to the area. Isandlwana was a humiliating defeat for the British but just hours later at Rorke’s Drift, 139 men successfully defender the mission station against an attack by 4,500 Zulus.

Rorke’s Drift could easily have ended up in the same disastrous manner as Isandlwana. However, Rorke’s Drift was a supply depot which meant the defenders had a huge supply of ammunition. Over 20,000 rounds were fired by the British at Rorke’s Drift which meany only every 50th shot resulted in an outright kill. Knowing the Zulus were coming, the British chose to stand and fight. Wounded men would had to have been loaded onto wagons and Zulu warriors would easily have caught them in the open. They decided to fight on ground of their choosing.

On top of having numbers that crushed a force five times that size hours before, the Zulus now had the Martini-Henry rifles taken off the British dead, giving them an even larger edge against the British.

Henry Hook and five other privates were ordered on the afternoon of 22nd January to protect approximately 30 patients unable to be moved from the temporary hospital at Rorke’s Drift station. Lines of defence were built to join the store room with the hospital. An inner defensive line was built between the hospital and store room and this proved crucial as the battle of Rorke’s Drift unfolded. The hospital was the first building to be attacked by the Zulus who set fire the to roof. Private Hook and the others fought for hours, digging their way through the inner walls from room to room and eventually escaping the burning building. Wave after wave of warriors with spears and rifles crashed against the makeshift defences at Rorke’s Drift. The British defences held strong as battles raged throughout the night and by morning, the Zulus eventually withdrew.

The massacre at Isandlwana had convinced Lord Chelmsford that Rorke’s Drift had suffered a similar fate. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to the men who held out at Rorke’s Drift. CSM Frank Bourne was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the rare honour of a commission. However, his army pay was his only money had he felt he couldn’t not financially afford to become an officer so declined the commission. Fittingly, he was the last survivor of Rorke’s Drift to pass away on 8^th May 1945 – VE Day. Lt-Col Frank Bourne OBE DCM was 91 years old.

If you plan to visit Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, you will get the most from your visit by staying at Fugitives Drift and taking a tour with one of their team of lecturers lead by the excellent Rob Caskie. David Rattray was the pioneer of Anglo-Zulu War tourism and was the master of reciting the tales of the battles until his untimely death. Since then, Rob Caskie has stepped into his shoes and he brings the battlefields to life reciting stories of how the 11 men won their VCs at Rorke’s Drift. The accommodation at Fugitives Drift is also first class and with all the memorabilia in the lounge at the property, there is no better place to stay.

The men who tried to save the Queens Colours from Isandlwana are bured at Fugitives Drift. 2 nights would allow you to have time to see the graves of Lieutenants Melville and Coghill as well as visiting Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana in the order the battles happened.

You can book your trip to Rorke’s Drift with Explorer Travel by calling 0208 816 8789 or sending and enquiry via their website (http://www.big5.explorertravel.co.uk/BattlefieldsSouthAfrica.htm)