Best Holiday Destinations in the World

Best Winter Holiday Destinations – Canary Islands

2012-01-23T15:41:00.000-08:00

At this time of year, when the mercury drops to its yearly lows, there's nothing more appealing than a getting away from the UK for a spell of sunshine. We’ve just passed officially the most depressing day of the year but for many the January blues still hang over our heads like a dark cloud. With much of mainland Europe being even chillier than the UK at this time of year (thanks to its lack of Gulf Stream warming) it makes sense to look elsewhere for a spot of winter sun.

And the Canary Islands, off the Western coast of North Africa, are an excellent choice for those seeking a break from the miserable dark days of England. They boast a subtropical climate, with warm winters and warmer summers although the variation between the seasons isn’t massively pronounced. Holidaymakers jetting off in January-March can expect temperatures of around 19-21°C and plenty of sunshine. Below we take a look at a few of the most popular islands in the Canaries.

Lanzarote – The Easternmost Island of the Canaries, Lanzarote boasts a dramatic landscape which has formed as a result of millions of years of volcanic activity. While much of the island is fairly baron, many of the scenery is spectacular, and the beaches are a huge draw, with the warm Atlantic Ocean making it great for a splash about. The capital Arrecife is the main hub for tourism, and is also home to the islands airport. The name originates from the reefs offshore which are a treat for snorkelers and scuba divers.

Scuba diving in Lanzarote

Tenerife – the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is popular with a range of holidaymakers. The South and North are separated by Mount Teide, a volcano and national park which, on a clear day, gives excellent views from the top which can be reached by cable car. The island offers a few good lovely beaches including the largely artificial Playa las Teresitas to the East. The island also offers plenty to do in terms of activities and days out. Loro Parque zoo and Siam Park water park are both must-dos and combo tickets can be purchased for these to save money. Flights to Tenerife can be found at great prices which adds to the draw of this island.

Siam Park, Tenerife

Gran Canaria – another island of volcanic origin, emerging from the sea millions of years ago as a result of tectonic activity. The island has an array of microclimates but generally temperatures are warm in winter. Las Palmas, the capital, is the focal point for tourism and plenty of good value package deals can be found here. It is the scene of much of the islands nightlife and plays host to Carnival every January-February. Due to the differing microclimates certain areas of the island are extremely arid which makes for some lovely sandy beaches and breathtaking landscapes.

Gran Canaria Beach

Overall the Canary Islands offer some of the best holiday destinations for some winter sun and each present their own unique sights and attractions, making them well worth a visit.

Best Holiday Destinations – New York, USA (part 2)

2012-01-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

Welcome to part 2 of our look at New York City. Day two took us up to Central Park – a huge 843 acre public park in the heart of Manhattan. It occupies roughly 60 blocks (streets) in length so to walk the entire length from top to bottom would take almost an hour. We explored the southern half of the park, which was a hive of activity. A range of sports were being played round the park, one of several lakes was scattered with rowing boats, while kids played on the rock formations which were originally imported from a tectonic field in Canada.

Central Park Boating Lake

Several pedestrianised roads run through the park which helps it gain its reputation as one of the roller blading capitals of the world. Joggers and walkers of all ages also occupy these lanes. There’s also a range of interesting architecture around the park including Cleopatra’s Needle, a castle, fountains and such like. The scale meant we didn’t even see the Zoo or the famous ice rink. One of the highlights was a DJ playing funky house in a clearing, with dancers of literally all ages form 4-90 dancing away to the beats. Something we certainly wouldn’t get here in England.

Autumn in Central Park

Times Square, a few blocks down from the park, was our next stop. A major intersection in the city, the square boasts enormous neon advertising boards on all sides, and its aesthetics combined with its situation in the midst of the theatre district, has helped make it the worlds most visited tourist attraction with 39 million visitors annually. It’s scale really helps it s**t on Piccadilly Circus, London’s only “comparable” neon advertising tourist attraction. There’s hundreds of theatre/comedy salesmen loitering while there’s a range of shops and sights that link around the square itself. Its also host to one of the most famous New Years Eve parties in the world, featuring the Ball Drop at midnight. One thing to note is many of the bars, clubs and restaurants nearby are of course tourist traps offering average food or drink at expensive prices. We avoided the area for our night out and instead headed back to East Village for some exceptional BBQ ribs and chicken (with the whole caboodle of classic sides, coleslaw, fries etc) washed down with some tasty US lager.

Times Square, New York

One thing to note when visiting New York, or most of the US for that matter, is that tipping is essentially compulsory. Due to low minimum wage, waitresses are relying on tips to make up the bulk of their income. 15% is standard anywhere where you are served, including when buying a beer in a pub. Failure to tip will result in 1)being called a cheapskate or more likely 2) being thrown out of the establishment and told never ever to return. Something to note when budgeting for your trip.

Part 3 coming soon on Best Holiday Destinations! Email us if you have any queries.

Best Holiday Destinations – New York, USA (part 1)

2011-12-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Nowhere says Christmas more than New York. So when debating where to go on holiday this December for a wintery city break, New York was the first destination to come to mind. And eight hours after jetting off from Heathrow, we were touching down at JFK for five days of sights, culture, food, drink and tinsel at surely one of the best holiday destinations in the World.

We stayed at Hotel 17 – a cheap hotel in Manhattan’s East Village with shared bathrooms, small but comfortable rooms, and above all an excellent location just minutes from East Village’s bars, cafes and restaurants and also really close to New York’s subway system. Our first stop was Wendy’s burger joint for a taste of NY’s fast food scene. Pulp Fiction’s Big Kahuna Burger scene sprang to mind. We then proceeded to hit the East Village bar scene – in our first bar a round of Jaegarbombs was greeted with an “Oh my God you’re from England” from the barwoman, and a generous 30% off the tab to ensure we had “the best introduction to NY possible”. This kind of friendliness was encountered throughout the trip, dispelling the myth of mardy, arrogant and impatient New Yorkers (towards British tourists at least). The highlight from the 1st night was Old McSorley’s Ale House, one of the oldest pubs in New York boasting some tasty ales. The constant buy one get one free policy and sawdust on the floors help create a great atmosphere in a historic pub.

New York Cab

Day two saw us travel south on the subways to Wall Street, with a wander round the financial district in the Southern tip of Manhattan. The Statue of Liberty is visible from the riverside if you don’t fancy a ferry over – it’s current renovation works make it visible from the outside only so no climbing to the top of the head for the time being. A trip to the sombre Ground Zero site is a must – you need a free ticket in advance to gain access to the site itself, which is now home to two huge waterfalls where the Twin Towers once stood. Otherwise the visitors centre is just off-site which again is an emotional experience. One World Trade Centre, the new flagship tower in the rebuilding project, is growing quickly (see below) and is beginning to command the Downtown skyline.

One World Trade Centre

Our evening took us north to Broadway, for a stand-up comedy show. We were sold the tickets at Wall Street, with Chris Rock on the lineup and plenty of free drinks included in the measly $15 price tag. Unfortunately, upon arrival we discovered Chris rock was NOT on the lineup and only one free drink per person was provided. We had fallen for a classic tourist sales scam. After complaining to the manager we were given plenty of free drink and had a really good night but it is something to watch out for, street vendors are everywhere touristy in NY and many are out to make a quick sale.

Part 2 coming soon – Times Sq, Central Park & street dancers on the way - subscribe to keep updated!

Happy Christmas everyone!

Best Winter Holiday Destinations - Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

2011-11-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

With summer slowly slipping away before our very eyes, it won't be long until the leaves are falling from the trees, the dark nights start drawing in and Slade are back on the radio once again. If you think you might have a few pennies left over from your annual Christmas shopping, then you should think about jetting off for a week or so in search of some winter sun.

One destination that isn't likely to disappoint is the Egyptian Red Sea Resort of Sharm el Sheikh. This holiday destination has soared in popularity over the last decade or so and is now a well-established holiday resort on the south coast of the Sinai Peninsula. In 1980, there was practically no sign of any tourist industry at all – it was just a small port town. However, in the 80’s large sums of money was invested in the area, resorts were constructed and large chains of restaurants and up-market hotels, such as the Marriott, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, were persuaded to start up in the area, helping to begin pull in tourists from abroad.

Today, roughly 100 resorts exist in the area, compared to just 3 in 1982. Of course, it wasn’t just the opening of hotels and restaurants that led to a boom. The area needed a wide portfolio of qualities to become a major player in the tourism industry. The hot, dry climate was one major factor – as well as the miles and miles of natural sandy white beaches. The dramatic terrain, with Mount Sinai part of the backdrop, was another draw that gave the area an attractive, romantic image rather than just being another town in the middle of the desert.

Being on the Red Sea, Sharm el Sheikh has a wide variety of water sports on offer, including water-skiing, paragliding and jet skiing. However, it is largely via the help of world-class scuba diving and snorkelling that holidays in Sharm el Sheikh have become one of the best holiday destinations in the world for water sports. Countless varieties of fish, including reef sharks and hammerheads, and beautifully diverse coral reefs make the undersea kingdom here extremely varied and enjoyable to swim in.

Hammerhead Sharks, Sharm el Sheikh

In terms of the weather in winter, temperatures average around 20°C in December-February time, so temperatures are much cooler than the summer months, however days still have long periods of sunshine making it a pleasant contrast from the grim British winter.

Sharm el Sheikh's many virtues ensure tourism in the area continues to thrive, attracting visitors from around the world. You can find return flights to Sharm el Sheikh for under £200 this winter which is great value. So if you are looking to get away this winter, choose Sharm el Sheikh - one of the best holiday destinations in winter.

Best Clubbing Holiday Destinations in Europe – Ibiza

2011-06-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ibiza is truly one of those rare destinations where you experience a very special feeling as your plane touches down on the runway. It’s a country that keeps hundreds of thousands of visitors coming back year after year, a place where (almost) anything goes and different nationalities come together and celebrate the summer season.

Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain – it can be reached in 2-3 hours from the UK or by boat if you happen to be driving through Spain. It came to prominence in the late 80s when Danny Rampling and Paul Oakenfold brought what they saw whilst on holiday in Ibiza back to the UK, helping kick off the acid house scene and spreading the word of what they experienced in Ibiza. From then on, Ibiza grew and grew and it is now a mecca for clubbers across the globe, it’s a place like minded people can come and unite around the central theme of dance music. It’s a true summer holiday destination.

The famous Space Ibiza terrace

There are several different areas to Ibiza – San Antonio in the West is largely populated with young people out to enjoy themselves on holiday – the demographic is largely English here, with plenty of late night bars, clubs and beaches. The famous Cafe Del Mar as well as Mambo and Ibiza Rocks hotel are also found here. Ibiza town and nearby Playa d’en Bossa in the south east are slightly more upmarket destinations attracting more Germans, Italians and Spanish. Space Ibiza and Pacha, two of the most famous and well-regarded clubs in the world, are located in this region. In between the two are another two famous clubs – Privilege and Amnesia. The clubs in Ibiza are sights to behold, mostly holding around 5,000 people with many different areas. Needless to say come summer they attract the biggest DJs such as David Guetta, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Carl Cox and Pete Tong. As far as clubbing holidays go – Ibiza is certainly the number one destination in the world.

The Sunset Strip, West End

It’s not just the clubbing either that makes Ibiza so attractive – there are dozens of beautiful secluded beaches easily accessible with a car, as most people stay in the main towns you can find some gems to relax at. In addition, the seemingly endless sunshine, the temperate Mediterranean sea and a host of chilled beach bars offering delicious cocktails and Spanish food, Ibiza is truly one of the best holiday destinations around.

Best Holiday Destinations – Stag Weekends in Riga

2011-05-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

As far as city breaks or stag weekends go, Riga, Latvia’s capital city, is right up there as a great holiday destination. Visitor numbers to this city have soared over the last decade as the secret gets out about this cracking place. Cities like Prague, Krakow and Bratislava (and maybe Newcastle!) often get banded about as top destinations for a weekend of debauchery for the groom to be. But Riga is a great alternative, with a varied mix of cheap bars, culture, attractive women and adrenalin-filled activities.

Riga is a student city at its heart which lends well to the objectives of many a stag do. A young demographic helps ensure a plentiful range of bars and pubs on offer in the city, drinks are fairly cheap although not to the same extent as Prague or Bratislava. But it is probably a classier, nicer place to go in our opinion, with more to do aside from just drinking.

Indeed, if you are after a pleasant city break, Riga is a great holiday destination in its own right. Just outside the city you can find a Bobsleigh track you can actually get involved in, the old town boasts some magnificent buildings including St Peters Church, there are countless museums, shops, restaurants, golf courses, an aquapark, karting...the list goes on and on.

The locals are also friendly and accommodating to the tourists in Riga – something some other Eastern European countries have (perhaps understandably in some cases!) been lacking on our travels. All in all Riga stag weekends offer excellent diversity, and its also an excellent destination for a weekend city break. There’s plenty to see, plenty to do, and all relatively cheap and close to the UK. You can fly there in less than 3 hours from London. So if you’re looking for a lads weekend, a spot of culture or an adventure holiday – Riga is one of the best holiday destinations in Europe.

South East Asia - One of the best holiday destinations around

2011-04-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

South East Asia over the years has blossomed as one of the most popular tourist destinations for holidaymakers of all types. Each year young backpackers, families and young couples come flocking to South East Asia in their thousands, many of which keep returning year after year. But what is it that makes South East Asia so alluring and why do countries like Thailand make the best holiday destinations?

Typically the answer you will find is quite simple, it has it all. For couples you can find romantic getaways tucked away on some of Thailand’s most stunning islands, for backpackers money can go a long way enabling them to tour every corner of this amazing region taking them to some of the most interesting countries in the world, and for families you will find many activities from elephant trekking to scuba diving to keep everyone entertained. On top of this you have some of the best tasting and most unusual cuisine served in restaurants and on most street corners for everyone to feast their eyes on. On some menus you will find obscure dishes including deep fried insects, snakes blood and even dog in restaurants and street stalls throughout Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Phi Phi, Thailand

However these are probably some of the more typical reasons why South East Asia makes one of the best holiday destinations. Besides these reasons, one of the main reasons that keep travellers returning year after year to South East Asia is the people.

a Vietnamese feast

It might look like unorganised chaos for many first time travellers but behind the hustle and bustle of large metropolitan cities such as Bangkok lies deep rooted tradition that is etched into everyone’s heart of people living there. If you spend enough time getting to know the people and chatting with them you will learn more about their culture which will leave you with long lasting memories.

You’ll find most people will greet you with big smile and a warm welcome. Their hospitable and inquisitive nature will make you feel very special leaving you relaxed and feeling at home even though you are thousands of miles away.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Overall it isn’t just because of good weather, the amazing beaches, great tasting food and affordability that keeps people returning to this region of the world, the real reason people keep returning time and time again is because of the people. Without the people South East Asia wouldn’t have the same charm and if you plan on travelling to this region make sure you take time to get to know them and you will leave appreciating an entire new way of life.

To gain further insight into travels in South East Asia visit Chris Walker's excellent travel blog today.

Best Summer Holiday Destinations in Europe

2011-03-30T04:13:00.000-07:00

The last week or so has brought with it an extremely healthy dose of optimism. It’s been the first week of gorgeous sunny weather since last year, even for myself up in sunny Leeds. I even dusted off my old friend the aviators for a few happy spells spent outside of the office soaking up the suns rays. Which can only mean one thing - summer is here. Well, there’s cloud and rain forecast for the next week but we're at that point where BBQs are a very real possibility. And with summer, comes summer holidays. Many of us have planned and booked our holidays already but if you're stuck for ideas, fear not. Hopefully Best Holiday Destinations can help out.

Spain and Turkey look set to remain top of the list of most popular holiday destinations in Europe this year – choices that thoroughly deserve to be at the top. The Costa Del Sol, Costa Blanca, Istanbul and Bodrum are all excellent choices that are sure to offer up plenty more than just sandy beaches and roasting hot sun. For more info on these countries, check out my past posts. I’ve mentioned in the past how Turkey took the top spot due to the availability of cheaper package holidays, and this theme looks set to continue as VAT rises, NI rises, petrol rises and salaries freeze. Cameron’s token gesture 1p off petrol certainly won’t see me upgrade my seat from economy to business. We're in dark times when a 30p a week saving on petrol is the highlight of the budget. If, like me, you’re after cheap holidays this summer, check out Airtours – a package holiday site with plenty of great deals that I’ve found extremely use friendly. Browse holidays in Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Tenerife, Ibiza, Greece and more to find the hotel, flights and destination that’s right for you.

Ever-Popular Package Destination Benidorm, Spain

Also something to consider – last minute bookings can help save you money – although perhaps not in quite the same way they used to. But if you’re flexible on destination and departure airport then this could be for you, although could be risky if you have a family with specific wants or needs. Happy hunting – planning and booking your holidays can be an exciting and potentially stressful time so get thinking about it and keep checking back here for more info and advice on the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Best Holiday Destinations - Mega Yacht Charter Holidays

2011-03-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of living life like a millionaire? What if you had the opportunity to live a life on the ocean waves, soaking up the summer sunshine whilst taking in the beautiful natural aquatic scenery and being pampered hand and foot in luxurious 5 star surroundings? Well now you don’t have to be Roman Abramovich to have such an opportunity, as these experiences are surprisingly within your grasp (if only for a few weeks!) If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury holiday experiences then mega yacht charter holidays can be the best way of making your wildest dreams a reality.

These fully crewed holiday excursions are a once in a lifetime experiences available to be booked now on board some truly stunning 60 metre long yachts – all equipped with some brilliant on board facilities to keep you entertained. You can travel like a king in some of the worlds most beautiful seaways ranging from the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Indian Oceans as well as some of the other best holiday destinations the world has to offer. With an experienced crew on board to tend to your every need, a mega yacht charter holiday is perfect for big groups of friends or colleagues to bond, relax or celebrate in unparalleled luxury and style.

Best Holiday Destinations - Adventure Holidays in Tobago

2011-03-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

If you’re planning on visiting the beautiful island of Tobago you may want to start planning your holiday already! It’s hard to not get excited about a trip to the Caribbean - Tobago really is one of the best holiday destinations in the Caribbean and is just great for adventure holidays. Here is a top 5 list of attractions in Tobago, helping you to make the best of your stay!

Top 5 Things To Do in Tobago:

1.       Sport Fishing – Take a boat ride out into the sparkly clear waters of the Caribbean sea and catch yourself some fish! Be sure to take a camera with you as there are many sights that you will want to capture forever! Some fishing tours even set up a barbeque for you to cook and eat your freshly caught fish – superb! There are many fishing tours available in Tobago so you won’t have a problem finding one!

2.       Tour the island – Tobago is only 27 miles long but there is plenty to be discovered! Visit the many beaches Tobago has to offer. Take a trip to Speyside where you can just about see ‘little Tobago’ – the inspiration for many James Bond books! Trips to Little Tobago and Goat Island can also be arranged locally!

3.       Sunday School – Although Tobago is a very relaxed island a visit to Sunday School at Buccoo Beach really is a must do! Barbequed chicken is always on the menu with lots of food stalls, a mini casino area, dancefloor and CHEAP rum! Be prepared to shake your booty to the hippest Jamaican dancefloor beats but there are plenty of places to chill out if that’s more your thing. There are even a few shops open for the shopaholics amongst us!

4.       Waterfall and rainforest tours – if you take rainforest tour be sure to cover up and use lots of insect repellent! There are many stunning waterfalls in the Tobagon rainforests - a climb to the top is exhilarating and fun! Let yourself be helped by your guide though as the rocks are slippy and there are no safety precautions!

5.       Snorkelling – don’t leave this gem of an island without snorkelling in its crystal clear waters!

Hope you find this top 5 list interesting - I would really recommend a trip to Tobago - is really is one of the best holiday destinations in the world.

Best European Holiday Destinations - Top Ten

2010-12-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

Europe truly boasts some of the best holiday destinations in the world. Europe has one of the most diverse ranges of destinations of any continent, although I think Asia would possibly top the list, with its wide variety of different cultures. But as Asia is also twice as big as Europe, I think we put up a pretty good fight.

I've not visited all the delights Europe has to offer - I've still got much more to look forward to in that department over the coming years. However, I have been to some amazing countries in my life so far. Below, is a list of the ten best European holiday destinations - in no particular order I must add! Let us know if you think I've missed somewhere out.

Croatia - I love everything about this country. A long trip down the Dalmatian Coast is a must, the scenery here is simply stunning. Add the Italian-influenced dirt-cheap food and Croatia is a winner.
Spain - The classic summer holiday destination for us Brits. The weather is a massive draw for this country - give us the sun and we'll be happy.
Norway - Visit Northern Norway in late Autumn/early Spring for quite simply the most incredible natural light show you will ever see - the Northern lights
Berlin, Germany - I just love the atmosphere of this place. It's really clean, the people so friendly, with cutting edge music and creative flair everywhere you look. Throw in centuries of history and it's a brilliant city destination.
Greece - Take your pick from the many islands Greece has to offer. Beautiful weather, happy happy people, ancient history and gorgeous scenery cement Greece's place in my list.
Prague, Czech Republic - A great little city bursting at the seams with history. And of course a top holiday destination for a stag do as well.
London, England - London has so much to see and do. The iconic sights, the West End musicals, the Queen...and, uh... the lovely weather.
Italy - Great wine and delicious food equal a top holiday. What more do you need? Historical cities and gorgeous sun-kissed beaches? Then visit Italy.
Austria - the perfect destination for a keen skier - the Alps are one of the best destinations for skiing in the World, let alone Europe.
Turkey - Technically only half European, Turkey is as a diverse a holiday destination as any. Great weather, quality food, exciting activities and a diverse culture make Turkey a great destination.

So - those were my top ten European holiday destinations - I feel like I've had to leave many great countries out, but there we go. Let me know if you have any different views! A happy new year to you all.

Best Easter Holiday Destinations - Ski Holidays in Austria

2010-11-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

This year, I jumped aboard a flight bound for St Anton in Austria towards the end of April for a spot of late season ski action. Austria boasts some top class ski resorts perfect for April/May skiing making it one of the best holiday destinations if you’re after a short ski break in the (fast-approaching) spring. There are also plenty of package deals available for those looking to book a holiday a few months away in "low-season" so you need not break the bank.

The resort I was staying in, St Anton, is one of Austria’s most famous resorts, largely thanks to its beautiful scenery, and exciting slopes. The town itself is nestled at the foot of Allberg Pass, within a long, narrow valley. Obviously the quality of the slopes is a top priority for a ski resort, and St Anton doesn’t disappoint. Perfect for intermediates and advanced skiers, the resort boasts a variety of slopes leading to a good varied holiday.

One slight drawback of the resort is its probably not the best place for beginners - most of the slopes are fairly tricky so I'd advise other destinations if you fancy some nice gentle slopes to get you into the sport. Skiing is obviously one of the more dangerous extreme sports and account for more holiday injuries than anything else - it pays to do some research into insurance and such like before you jet off to help cover any potentially expensive hospital bills. If you do have an injury that isn't your fault while you're away, for example an accident due to negligence on the part of your tour operator, then consider the options that holiday compensation claims may hold. You may think most accidents while on a ski holiday will take place on the slopes but many people also get injured away from the slopes, in the hotels for example. The same goes for other types of holiday - many people slip by the pool where the hotel may be accountable, for example. Its certainly worth seeing no-win no-fee expert advice on such matters anyway.

The après-ski is also excellent in St Anton. Probably one of the more lively ski resorts I've been to - there are many late night bars and clubs staying open til after about 2AM so theres plenty to help let your hair down after a tough day on the slopes. The fresh air of the mountains helps refresh yourself the following morning too.

St Anton Ski Resort, Austria

Overall, St Anton is a really good ski resort for some easter skiing. The resort does get busy in peak season however by April/May things do tend to quieten down slightly. I'd say the resort is one of the best holiday destinations for an easter ski session especially for the intermediate/advanced skier, check online for flights and packages today.

Greek Islands voted most beautiful in Europe

2010-10-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

UK holiday makers have voted the Greek Islands the most beautiful holiday destination in Europe.

Zoover.com conducted the survey, asking users for their top holiday getaway in Europe. The survey generated a massive 14,000 responses, 44% of these voted for the Greek Islands as their number one - compared to Spain in second place with 17% of the votes - certainly a wide victory margin. The beautiful coastal islands of Croatia were in 3rd place with 16% of the vote.

The Greek holiday board will no doubt be extremely happy and proud of this result. They cite the variety of options on offer for tourists (Greece boasts over 3,000 different islands), the delicious local cuisine, along with the islands' natural beauty, as the key reasons why the Greek Islands took the top spot by such a large margin. The island of Samos was voted top in the individual stakes - with an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. I've not yet been to Samos but after this survey I have to say I am tempted to give it a visit now.

Samos, Greece

The result is likely to be swayed fairly significantly by popularity - a much larger number of people have been to Greece and therefore a larger number of people will have voted for the islands as their number one. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of votes for tourists who have been to both Croatia and Greece, for example. I think a good proportion of people who have been to Croatia would have voted for it above Greece - from my experiences the islands there are unmatched anywhere else in Europe (that I have been). The country is still growing in popularity, with several European heavyweights such as Spain, Greece and Italy still commanding a much larger percentage of the UK holiday market. If the survey could avoid or absorb the bias in voting somehow to play out the contest on a more level playing field, to weight less visited destinations, it would be interesting to see a revised list of the top results. I think we would see some unexpected (and perhaps fairly unknown) results in the top 10.

The list does, however, certainly give some decent pointers for some of the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Best Winter Holiday Destinations - Tenerife, the Canary Islands

2010-08-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

With August Bank Holiday fast approaching already, it seems like the summer never really kicked off. Luckily, to help cheer us up, there are a wealth of great holiday destinations you should look into when planning your Christmas holidays.Tenerife is one of the best holiday destinations around for a spot of winter sun. The Canary Islands, off the North West coast of Africa, have year long sunshine and high temperatures - because they are near the equator there are no distinct seasons. In December/January, temperatures average 20˚C and around 28˚C in August. Cheap package deals have made holidays here hugely popular all year round, combined with just a 4 hour flight and you are onto a winner. Being a Spanish island the locals speak Spanish but most know some English so you should be able to get by, if not the obligatory tourist hand signals should do the trick.

There are several main resorts in Tenerife. The first is near the airport in the South of the island, and is split into 3 areas, Los Cristianos, Las Americas and the Costa Adeje. This large resort attracts most of Tenerifes tourists, as the South gets the best weather and generally has nicer beaches than the North. Tenerife is a volcano and as a result it tends to be rainier and cooler in the North due to the winds, however it is windier (but sunnier) in the South. There is plenty to do in this area - a newly opened waterpark, Siam Park, is one of the main attractions and is much more impressive than anything found back in the UK. There are also a variety of tour operators that specialise in dolphin and whale watching.

The main disadvantage of Los Cristianos etc. is that the 18-30's flock there on lads holidays, and as a result the area has become slightly tacky. Drinks offers can be found in force, with a large array of bars and clubs perfect for youngsters. Gary Lineker's brother even owns a bar here and is one of the top draws come sunset - the creatively named Lineker's Bar.

The North of the island is slightly less developed, including Puerto de la Cruz. The town has a couple of decent black sand beaches - the main attraction here is Loro Parque, an impressive zoo which also has live dolphin, sea lion and killer whale shows - well worth a visit no matter what your age.

I would recommend getting a hire car if you wanted to explore the island, the best beaches are out of the tourist hotspots - for example Playa las Teresitas, just east of the capital, Santa Cruz (see photo below). Although the beach is artificial, it has white sand (imported from the Sahara) unlike the natural Tenerife beaches and is probably the best beach on the island, and rarely gets crowded.

Overall Tenerife has alot to offer - a trip up to the top of Mount Teide is a must as well - and is definitely one of the best holiday destinations for some winter (or summer) sun.

The most popular budget airline routes this summer

2010-06-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

In my last post, I talked about the latest holiday destination trends being experienced by some of the largest European travel agents. Many operators have experienced a surge in popularity for Turkish holiday destinations such as Bodrum and Dalaman, with the country tipped to be the most popular destination in 2010.

While Turkey has seen an increase in popularity, Spanish destinations are still ever present at the top of many of the budget airlines popularity lists. Spain has long been a favourite of the British holidaymaker ever since the emergence of the package holiday. An array of diverse resorts, excellent climate, good food, sandy beaches and proximity to the UK have all helped contribute to Spain's popularity as a holiday destination. Aside from the typical beach resort, Spain has plenty offer in the way of city destinations. Barcelona is truly a city of culture and an excellent place to go for a short city break or longer family holiday. In fact, Barcelona saw more budget airline bookings than any other destination in June according to Low Cost Airline Guide - a site I recently used when booking my summer holidays, that searches all budget airlines to provide a comprehensive guide showing all available routes and flights in one simple search.

Alicante on the Costa Blanca and Malaga on the Costa Del Sol, are the other Spanish holiday destinations included in the five most popular June bookings on this site - these two locations have long been summer holiday mainstays for us Brits - with towns like Benidorm, Marbella and Alicante itself proving popular. Most budget airlines offer routes to Alicante and Malaga from a variety of UK airports.
Paris is another of the most popular budget destinations this June - with many of us looking to save money, the short flight to the city of romance is an attractive one and this is complemented by cheap flights and package deals to Paris.

The credit crunch has led many of us to tighten our purse strings over the last couple of years, and it is certainly worth searching around for the best deal on budget flights. No matter where you may be heading this summer, I recommend Low Cost Airline Guide to keep up to date with available budget airline routes - I saved time and money with my recent booking to The Algarve in Portugal.

Best Holiday Destinations - Trends & Stats

2010-06-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned several times in my previous posts how Turkey is fast becoming the holiday destination of choice for us Brits. The decline in the economy, high unemployment, and weak Euro have all combined to cause low disposable income for a huge number of British families. This has meant people looking at cheaper alternatives to their regular holidays.
Recent stats from Co-op Travel show Turkey holidays have grown the most in the last year, with Dalaman seeing an 82% increase in bookings in 2010 compared to the same period last year. Bodrum, also in Turkey, as well as Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, Crete in Greece and Larnaka in Cyprus all popular choices for 2010. In terms of overall popularity, Co-op list:
1) Turkey
2) Majorca
3) Orlando
as their top three holiday destinations.

Travel Supermarket list a slightly different top 3:
1) Turkey
2) Egypt
3) Spain
The common theme here of course being that Turkey leads the way in both lists. The "voucher culture" that has arisen over the last year or so has led to a huge rise in people finding 'deals' for their holidays, which Turkey package holiday suppliers have been able to offer and capitalise upon. Florida remains a popular destination for the more long-haul traveler - for car hire Florida visit Hire4Less.
It seems these trends are set to continue at least for the next year or so, with holidaymakers looking to save money where possible while the economy struggles to recover.

Turkey - soaring in popularity

Heathrow's third runway plans cancelled

2010-05-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

Heathrow's proposed plans for a third runway have been cancelled by the new Conservative-Lib-Dem government. The plans were originally put in place by Gordon Brown and Labour, with a third runway allowing for 600,000 additional flights every year. This would have brought in billions of pounds from abroad to help the economy, however the new Government want to focus more on domestic public transport, with proposals for a new high speed railway to link London and Edinburgh, as well as better transport links to Heathrow itself.

Councils, residents and green campaigners are delighted at the news. The additional flights would have had significant implications in terms of noise pollution for local residents, while the environmental damage has led to many a protest. Proposed plans for new runways at Stansted and Gatwick have also been scrapped.

Heathrow is already one of the busiest airports in the world, helping link the UK with some of the best holiday destinations in the World. Approximately 67 million visitors use Heathrow airport yearly. There is obviously huge demand for Heathrow airport parking and plans for expanding these facilities had been included in the 3rd runway proposal.

London still has exceptional links to the rest of the world, and for travelling to your favourite holiday destinations in Europe, America etc, the number of major airports in and around London is second to none.

Best Holiday Destinations - World Cup 2010, South Africa

2010-05-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

The World Cup is rapidly approaching, and there's still just enough time to get your flights sorted to South Africa so you can be in on the action. It's been 6 years since we were last involved in a major tournament and the expectation in South Africa is as high as ever. The atmosphere in the country is going to be absolutely electric so if you have the oppurtunity to visit the country while the tournament is on you should be in for a treat.

The tournament for England kicks off on the 12th June in Rustenberg, where we play USA in the opening game. Situated about 50 miles west of Pretoria and Johannesberg - you could potentially stay in either of these cities and get a bus or train to Rustenberg - either way we recommend booking your hotel as soon as you book flights to ensure you have somewhere to stay when you get there.

Our next game, on 18th June, is in Cape Town at the Green Point Stadium. Being an excellent holiday destination outright, with a great deal to see and do aside the game, Cape Town is going to be the most popular city with tourists flocking to the World Cup.

Cape Town, South Africa

Port Elizabeth hosts the final group game versus Slovenia on 23rd June. Hopefully we should be through to the last 16 by that point however knowing England we may have to win here to progress.

Assuming we top the group, our next two games will take place at Rustenberg, and then Johannesberg, which are fairly close together. Therefore one option is to spend a week in Rustenberg before moving to Johannesberg for the possible quarter final. Even if you can't get tickets for the games, watching the games in the numerous bars will be a great experience. And the breweries are ready for us - millions of extra pints have been brewed to ensure noone goes thirsty.

There are some worries about safety in some areas- however like all cities as long as you're careful and don't stray too far from the city centres you should be fine - a bit of common sense won't go amiss, to ensure your holiday passes without any drama.

Many areas of South Africa are already top holiday destinations - so coupled with the atmosphere of the World Cup, a trip here in June or July should be a once in a lifetime experience.

Best Summer Holiday Destinations - Puerto Banus, Marbella, Spain

2010-03-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Marbella, situated on the Southern coast of Spain on the Costa del Sol, is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations for us Brits, and for good reasons. The climate in Southern Spain is wonderful, with long sunny days and high temperatures of 30 degrees celsius and upwards. Coupled with this, wonderful food and drink, and great beaches make the Costa del Sol a very desirable location.

If you're holidaying in Marbella or Malaga this summer, I would highly recommend a visit to Puerto Banus, although the town is certainly well worth a visit in its own right. It is known as a bit of a playground for the rich and famous, and often draws comparisons as the Spanish St. Tropez. The marina area is always full of huge yachts in the summer months, and flash Ferraris, Aston martins and Lambos line the seafront. Puerto Banus is the place to be seen, celebs will often be spotted dining in the fabulous restaurants or doing a spot of shopping in the areas many designer boutiques.

Puerto Banus Marina

You can get to Puurto banus easily - it is around a five mile drive from Marbella so if you're planning on having a few drinks with the glitterati I recommend getting a taxi. After a wander around the marina, you're bound to be slightly peckish and luckily Puerto banus doesn't disappoint. When I visited we went to a restaurant called Antonio's which quite simply served up the finest Paella I have ever had. There are several other cuisines to choose from apart from Spanish and most restaurants have kids options so you shouldn't be stuck for choice. After dinner there are a good number of bars lining the marina - so order a nice cocktail, sit back, relax and watch the world go by in front of you.

Puerto Banus is one of my favourite places in Spain and certainly one of the best holiday destinations to visit during the summer, for a week or two or just for a shorter visit.

Best African Holiday Destinations - Hurghada, Egypt

2010-03-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

When you mention Egypt as a top holiday destination, most people will instantly think of the towering Pyramids of Cairo or perhaps the coastal paradise of Sharm El Sheikh. However, Egypt has plenty more to offer aside from the obvious.

Hurghada, on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, is one of the country's top tourist destinations and has grown in popularity in recent years. Many companies now offer holidays to Hurghada - with several airlines flying there and many package deals available. The area has seen substantial growth over the last 30 years or so leading to The facilities on offer are therefore very good and enough to cater for most discerning holiday makers.

There are some absolutely stunning hotels available to stay in in Hurghada - the feeling of excess is similar to one you get in Las Vegas although without the cheap and tacky aftertaste that downtown Vegas provides. Much of Hurghada's attraction lies in the stunning coastline. Being situated in North Africa, you can expect the weather here to be excellent from April-September and as a result many people can be sure to spend alot of the day relaxing down at the beach on the miles of golden beaches spanning the Red Sea coast. There are plenty of water sports on offer here as well which is to be expected really - windsurfing, jet skiing, paragliding and more are all exciting activities that can be experienced here. The coastline also provides exceptional scuba diving oppurtunities, much like many other Red Sea resorts.

Coral reefs in hurghada are stunning

Being a fishing vilage originally, you can be sure to eat well here especially if you like your fresh fish. The Red Sea is nutrient and mineral rich - this leads to thriving sea life at all levels of the food chain, so fish is everywhere on the restaurant menus. You will typically see it served up fairly simply - freshly caught, slapped on the BBQ and straight onto your plate.

All in all, holidays in Hurghada have alot to offer and the area deserves its growing reputation as one of the best holiday destinations in Africa. The abundance of great deals to be had in Easter, spring and summer mean it is an affordable holiday destination for families and couples.

Best Easter Holiday Destinations

2010-02-25T10:49:00.000-08:00

It's not a good time of year for us Brits. We've been bombarded with rain, snow and generally freezing conditions for what seems like an age and everyone is starting to get a little bit fed up. Luckily, spring is on the way and in turn some slightly warmer weather - but just when you thought you could go back outside - you can put your house on constant showers over the next few months to wipe that little smile off your face. So it makes sense that a large number of us fancy jetting off for a bit around this time of year in order to get away from it all in the rainy limbo between winter and summer. And luckily for us, the Easter holidays fall in April providing a good excuse to leave the country - the first bank holiday of the year. So where are the best holiday destinations for the Easter period?

Well it depends on what you are after. Much of Europe will still be fairly mild around this time so it may still be worth considering somewhere slightly further afield if you're after a tan to show off to your mates. A recent survey suggest the following destinations are among the top choices at this time of year:

Crete - One of the most popular Greek islands, Crete boasts an excellent climate at this time of year meaning you should see some sun. It's beautiful sandy beaches are a huge draw to tourists, as well as the clear blue sea surrounding the island. The notoriously friendly locals, and the fantastic food and drink, help cement Crete as a top holiday destination in Easter. You can also book package holidays to Crete for cheap, especially if you go for last minute deals.

Muscat - Muscat is the capital city of Oman - an Arab country bordering the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with a good stretch of coastline in the form of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Muscat has experienced a rapid development in its infastructure in the last 30 years or so making it attractive to tourists. The average April highs of 34oC mean your pretty much guaranteed good weather and the area is filled with enchanting beaches. The city itself is great for tourists with some stunning architecture. It is worth researching the customs of Oman however - for example women should be fairly conservative with their clothing, and there are laws regarding drinking alcohol, however drinking in hotel bars etc is usually fine.

Beautiful St Lucia

St Lucia - A beautiful Caribbean island, St Lucia is an exotic choice for the Easter holidays. The island is draped in rainforest, and the mountainous peaks provide really exciting hiking and cycling oppurtunities. For a more relaxing holiday the stunning beaches and gentle seas are exactly what you would come to expect from a Caribbean island. And if you're planning a gorgeous Easter wedding (maybe next year!) then the island is quite simply picture perfect and perfect for couples.

Bournemouth and Poole, England

2009-12-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

Bournemouth and Poole are located on the South of England, and are popular holiday destinations in the Summer months as holiday makers flock to the warm South Coast to enjoy the sunshine and relax on the beach.

Bournemouth Beach is one of the best beaches in England - it is several miles of golden sand, the waves can also reach a decent height (for England) and is therefore popular with surfers. The beach can get crowded in the height of Summer so I would recommend getting there early to get a good spot!

Bournemouth Beach

Sandbanks is a coastal region located between Poole and Bournemouth. It is currently the 4th most expensive area in the world to buy land on - many of the houses are well in excess of £5 million. The main housing street in the peninsula is aptly named "milionnaires row" due to the sky-high prices in the region. Recently a bungalow that was pretty much in a derelict state went on sale for £4 million, indicating the demand for land in Sandbanks. Sandbanks Beach is another highly popular beach, about 3 miles long and boasting extremely high quality for an English beach. There are also a range of activities on the beach such as canoeing. A crazy golf course is another popular destination - a good bit of fun for the whole family.

Sandbanks

Poole is a good place to go as well when the weather is nice - it offers a wealth of boat trips, as well as many restaurants with good food. Brownsea Island, just opposite Poole Quay, is a little National Trust Island and is worth a look around, you can walk round the whole island in a couple of hours. It is also one of the few places left in the UK where red squirrels still live in the wild.

The Dorset coastline is one of the best holiday destinations in the UK, due to its fine beaches and range of other activities aside from the obvious sunbathing. It is definitely worth a visit.

Best stag weekends - Prague, Czech Republic

2009-11-19T11:22:00.000-08:00

Need help planning where to go on your stag weekend? You've come to the right place. There are loads of great places to go for your big do, many in the UK, many abroad. Recently foreign destinations have soared in popularity, especially holiday destinations in Eastern Europe. Bratislava, Warsaw, Krakow - all big with gangs of youths ready for their stag or hen weekends. But out of everywhere on offer, one place stands out as the most popualar stag and hen destination - Prague. Located in the Czech Republic, Prague has become synonimous with groups of revellers out to have a good time.

So what does Prague have to offer? Well, everything you could think really when it comes to activities and nights out. The city itself is relatively small which makes getting around nice and easy - a couple of central areas, especially Wisconsin Square where much of the citys nightlife revolves. The city is also extremely cheap - people often talk of 50p pints in the bars and this is true if you pick the right watering hole. This can make for a really cheap night - generally any beer won't cost you more than £1 so a night of 10 pints or so won't be much more than a tenner!

Another key element of many a stag weekend are the strippers! And Prague certainly has alot to offer in this department. There are many establishments that offer this kind of service in safe surroundings. Prices have risen slightly in recent years so don't expect a dance for £2 but prices are certainly fair, and all the clubs have a host of beauties to choose from. Prague is pretty much busy all year round so you should feel very safe entering this kind of place or even just walking around - certainly any of the horror stories you hear about Eastern Europe are very very rare here - the locals are friendly if you are friendly back to them!

Prague at night

The city also offers much more for Prague stag weekends apart from these two things. Shooting, skiing, brewery trips, archery, bobsleds and golf are all on offer nearby Prague. And Prague hen weekends will love the array of shopping on offer!

All in all Prague is certainly one of the best holiday destinations for a good stag or hen weekend. With so much on offer, at cheap prices, the city has pretty much everything you could ask for from an eventful weekend.

Best Beach Holidays at Christmas - Natal, Brazil

2009-11-17T11:47:00.000-08:00

It's coming up to Christmas, its freezing cold, the rain seems to be unrelenting and its light seemingly for just 5 hours a day. So it's no wonder we all want to get away for a week or two and get some winter sun. And Brazil has got to be fairly high on the agenda for a memorable beach holiday. I previously talked about Fernando de Noronha as a great beach destination off the beaten track off the coast of Brazil. Natal is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, a state in the North East of Brazil. The town was founded on Christmas day in 1599 and is named "Natal" as this is the Portuguese word for Christmas. It enjoys the benefit of having the best climate in the whole of Brazil - it sees only very minor seasonal vaiations as it is near the equator which means it is perfect for a Christmas holiday getaway.

Natal is growing in popularity as a top holiday destination - foreign tourism has increased by 134% between 2002 and 2005. Plans are underway to build the largest airport in South America and the 8th biggest in the world as a result of this tourism boom. This is for a variety of reasons - for example its climate, and its accessability - the area is the closest point of Latin America from Europe meaning it is quicker to reach by plane than other areas like Rio. Natal is also a gateway for the beaches around the region - some of the most popular include Ponta Negra which runs along the coast for much of the city, and Via Costeira, famed for its clear waters. The region as a whole is blessed with countless beautiful beaches, including Pipa, one of the most famous beaches in Brazil.

Ponta Negra Beach, Natal, Brazil

Natal is not just famed for its beaches - the city has also been named as the safest in the whole of Brazil. Also there is plenty to do aside from lying on the golden white sands soaking up the rays. For example, Natal celebrates a huge off-season carnival called Carnatal which is held in December - so book your flights now for a last minute deal to experience this unique party. Slightly different from the carnivals of Rio, the crowds follow round an array of trucks and floats playing music into the streets. There are also a range of your staple tourist attractions such as aquariums, shops, bars, restaurants and, uh, the largest Cashew tree in the world. For more information on Natal and where to stay, check out www.natal-brazil.comOverall, Natal has so many qualities that make it one of the best beach holiday destinations in the World. It is still relatively unknown, however its rapid tourism growth should be enough to indicate Natal must have many things going for it. If you are looking for abit of an Easter or winter getaway Natal should be high on your list of destinations to jet off to.

Budget airline flights to Christmas Markets

2009-11-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

The Christmas holidays are rapidly approaching, and all your friends are planning a big trip away to enjoy a nice few days off. But what's that? You can't afford to go away? Well, think again. Because there are so many great low cost breaks to choose from, to some of the best holiday destinations in the world. And a visit to a traditional Christmas market is the perfect choice at this time of year - they offer something for everyone so you can be guaranteed a good time.

Christmas markets originated in Germany and Austria but are now located pretty much everywhere - which means you should be able to find some low cost deals to take you to a destination that hosts a Christmas market. Generally the markets are held in the streets or in a town square, and consist of a variety of stalls selling a range of food, drink, gifts and Christmas themed items. The nativity theme is very popular, and typical Bavarian food and drinks are common, such as Bratwurst, Christollen, mulled wine and wheat beers. People from all over converge to the markets, leading to a real festival atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy.

A Typical German Market

Some of the best markets include Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Dresden and Salzburg although they are now present in many continental areas including , Alsace, Zurich, Brussels and Chicago. In the UK, large markets can be found in Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester to name but a few. So what next? There are a range of low cost airlines that fly to many of these destinations, so simply choose your departure airport and search for a destination that takes your fancy! For example, from London you can fly out to pretty much all of the major Christmas markets, including those held in Frankfurt, Berlin, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Salzburg, Leeds and Edinburgh. Prices are lower than you would imagine too, especially at an off peak time like November or December. So even if your pay rise has been put on hold, don't assume you won't be able to experience the joys of the Christmas market abroad! Check out the latest low cost flights and don't miss out on a visit to one of the best Christmas holiday destinations in the world!

Cheap Caravan Holidays & Motorhome Holidays - UK & Abroad

2009-11-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

With the recession still forcing many holiday makers to keep their wallets firmly in their pockets, demand for cheap holidays is as high as ever. Recent stats show that searches online for the phrases "motorhomes" and "caravan parks" have increased by about 450% each over the last 12 months as Mr Joe Public shuns traditional foreign holiday destinations for a cheaper, but equally cheerful break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

A huge range of UK and foreign caravan holidays can be found online, each company offering a slightly different take on the traditional concept. Many sites offer a variety of caravan types, from basic to luxury, which you can tow away to your destination of choice and simply return within a given date. This offers a great deal of freedom and excitement - you never quite know where you will end up. The same is true of motor homes, which are basically caravans with an engine, an all in one car and caravan essentially. Caravan and motorhome hire has really taken off, many of the most popular destinations in the UK include the national Parks and areas of natural beauty, including the Lake District, Snowdonia, The South Downs, the Dales and the Peak District. However there are no limits to where you can go. Many companies allow the caravan or motorhome to be taken abroad as well, allowing you to drive down to the South of France or right down to Italy or beyond.

Motorhome Hire UK

Caravans and motorhomes offer a real sense of adventure that you rarely get on a traditional package holiday. You can visit some of the best holiday destinations in England and abroad in your own time, whether you are a family, a couple or simply on your own. Many caravan and motor home parks exist around England and Europe for you to take a break and socialise with other families or individuals. There are so many characteristics of a motorhome or caravan holiday that make it easy to see why the recent trends in this type of holiday are set to continue.

Best Beach Holidays - Salento, South Italy

2009-08-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

Salento is the region in the'heel' of the foot of Italy. As it is one of the furthest points of Italy, the weather there is excellent and incredibly reliable in the summer months. Not the most well known region in Italy, but certainly one of the best holiday destinations if you want a good relaxing holiday at the beach away from the reems of English tourists that flock to other Italian holiday destinations.

The region is extremely popular with Italians themselves, with many heading down to Salento from the Northern cities like Rome and Milan for their own summer holidays. The region has a great variety of beaches, such as those at Torre del Orso and Laghi Alimini - all with good facilities and bars if you fancy a few Heinekens on the beach while you soak up the sun.

Torre del Orso Beach, Salento, Italy

Otranto is one of the main towns in Salento, a historical coastal town with abit more for tourists to do such as looking round the backstreets within the castle, brimming with little Italian stalls selling clothes, crafts and food. There are some excellent restaurants and bars in Otranto too although prices are slightly higher than other areas. Panorama bar is a cool bar right down on the rocks in the harbour - a soundtrack of pumping house beats the background to a few relaxing cocktails looking out into the sea.

At night, Salento comes alive with parties popping up everywhere along the coast. The Italians love their raggae and house music with many big artists and DJ's coming to play there, such as Shaggy, Erick Rorillo and Erol Alkan. A large amount of the action takes place in beach bars and clubs scattered around the coast which helps create an electric atmosphere for many of the nights.

Salento provides a good mix of activities in both day and night. The beaches in the region are of top quality, and are an excellent way to spend the day relaxing after a late night at a beach party. Overall it is one of the best holiday destinations if you want a great holiday a little different from your usual package holiday to Benidorm.

Most Relaxing Holidays – Cruises

2009-07-25T02:38:00.000-07:00

Cruises are a great way to get to see a variety of holiday destinations in a short space of time. They are (perhaps unfairly) often perceived as being, well, abit boring – but it completely depends on what you are after in a holiday. If you want non-stop excitement and adrenalin rushes, yes – cruises probably aren’t for you. Or if you want a great beach holiday – then likewise, cruises won’t really fulfil your needs. But if you just want to get away and unwind then a cruise may just have what you’re looking for.

So what is a cruise? Well there is a large variety of different companies to choose from, but the general idea is that you stay onboard a large cruise ship for around two weeks, and you visit several destinations in various countries along the voyage. Passengers have the option of disembarking at these locations and heading off for a daytrip to see what these places have to offer. Back on board the ship, there are a variety of activities to indulge in such as sunbathing, pool games, golf, gambling, nightlife and of course great food (usually). There is a lot to do, and most of it is enjoyed at a nice leisurely pace – perfect to get away from it all.

P & O and Princess are two of the two biggest luxury cruise operators. Their cruises cover several different continents – many start in Southampton and venture into the Mediterranean sea, stopping off in the South of France, Italy, Greece and many other locations. Other cruises may require you to fly to the Caribbean where the ship will embark on a voyage around a selection of sun-drenched islands.

A Caribbean Cruise

Cruises have typically been regarded as being very expensive affairs for the middle classes – however sue to the current economic climate sales are down and operators are offering outstanding deals to fill up their rooms. Barter with the sales people on the phone for an almost guaranteed further discount – if you don’t ask you don’t get. I would recommend a cruise as something to do at least once during your life – you may love it and go every year from then on. Cruises are definitely the basis of highly relaxing holidays, allowing you to experience many of the best holiday destinations in a short time span – you may discover somewhere you love and decide to turn it into a much longer trip at a later date.

Best Holiday Destinations in July & August

2009-07-05T05:19:00.000-07:00

July is upon us already - it seems like only yesterday we were munching down the mince pies and opening presents round the Christmas tree. Yes, we are halfway through the year, and officially into Summer. July and August are the busiest months for people to go on holiday for much of Europe - because of this high demand you will usually find prices for hotels / flights etc to be at their peak, hence 'peak time'. If booking far enough in advance you can usually get really good deals on your package holidays and flights, however if you are still looking for somewhere to go you'll do well to get a cheap deal - I just bought some flights to Italy for £250 return - if I had booked them a couple of weeks ago they would have set me back just £160. So if you are planning to go somewhere this summer, or September/October time, I'd recommend getting everything sorted out asap to save money, as prices tend to keep on increasing as the date gets nearer. The exception to this can be last last minute deals - if you look to go away tomorrow you can usually get really cheap deals - as it is such late notice and the airlines /travel agents would rather have someone pay less than to miss out on the business completely.

So where are the best holiday destinations in July and August? Well this is a bit of an unspecific question - it really completely depends on what kind of holiday you want, who you are with, your budget and many other factors. Many of us, myself included, like to go abroad around this time - slightly ironic perhaps considering they are the only 2 months in the UK where the weather is actually nice and hot. My advice would be to check with your travel agents and do some research online for good deals - if your on a strict budget its probably best to see what holiday destinations have good deals for them and building from that - ie. choose where to go once you know you can buy flights or a package at a good price. You should always be able to find a range of really exciting places to travel to so you won't be stuck with staying in a 2* out of town hotel in an country you've never heard of, just to get a good deal.

Venice - Most Romantic Holiday Destinations

2009-06-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

Venice is without doubt one of the most romantic holiday destinations on the planet. Located in Northern Italy, it is a truly unique and historic town, brimming with culture. It has been described as the most beautiful city in the world by many and it is easy to see why.

Venice is famous for being situated right out in the Adriatic sea, with a network of rivers weaving through the city itself. It is made up of 118 small islands - this characteristic has earned Venice the title of the "City of Water". The traditional image of tourists snuggled together in a gondola being transported down the narrow, winding waterways between beautiful riverside buildings is a famous one - and rightly so. Nowhere else on the planet is quite like Venice and for this reason alone it is a holiday destination that everyone should visit at some point in their life.

Venice is definitely a good city for couples - gently drifting down the rivers in a goldola, the traditional Venetian rowing boats, is an experience to savour, and very romantic. The city is so beautiful as well, it is easy to spend hours just wandering the streets in your partners arms, soaking up the sun (if you're lucky). The Italian lifestyle and culture is itself is very suave and chic, so combined with the city you get an very sexy holiday destination. The restaurants in Venice are typically very good, serving up your traditional Italian fare like pizza and pasta as well as more up market speciality dishes such as freshly caught fish and local meat dishes. If you fancy exploring areas outside of Venice itself, we would recommend renting a car to drive down the coast or wherever the wind takes you. If you want car hire Italy has many companies to choose from all offering various deals and cars, at various locations.

Traditional Venice gondolas

Overall, Venice is a really special town, full of history. Whether you're in a relationship, with frinds, on your own or with your family, there's plenty of things to keep you occupied. However there's something about Venice that makes it one of the most romantic holiday destinations in the world - I'd definitely recommend it as somewhere to go with your partner.

Brussels, Belgium - European Holidays

2009-06-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

Brussels is a city at the centre of Europe in more ways than one. Not only is it geographically fairly central within Europe, it is also a political centre, with many of the decisions of European parliament taking place in the city. However, don't let the political status of this place put you off, it is a great holiday destination to visit for a nice city break.

The city has excellent transport links to nearby European countries which is a big bonus - you can reach the city very easily on the Eurostar, just a couple of short hours away away from London Waterloo station. Book in advance to save a good amount on your ticket - I got a return from Brussels for about £80 but that was not particularly early notice. Once there, there's a whole host of cheap hostels and hotels to stay in, as well as the more pricey up-market places if you've just been given a Brucey bonus at work.

There's a range of things to do around te city and it's not particularly big so you can explore it on foot if the weathers nice. There are a lot of nice green park areas on the outskirts of the city which are nice to chill out in in the summer. The Grand Place is in the centre of the city and is a great place to take a few snaps. The architecture of the buildings is fantastic - the town hall in particular is a sight to behold, finished in 1455 - the rest of the Grand Place was subsequestly built around this magnificent building. Get a famous Belgian Waffle from one of the many stalls around the Grand Place while you have a wander. Choose from a range of toppings like chocolate sauce or ice cream, just to warn you they are very filling so not recommended before any strenuous activity.

The Town Hall in the Grand Place, Brussels

Another top sight is the Manakin Pis, a little statue of a boy, doing a wee into the fountain basin - one of the symbols of the city. The most famous legend of the statue is that the two year old Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. During a battle back in 1142, the troops of the Duke placed him in a hanging basket nearby as a form of motivation, where he proceeded to urinate on the heads of the opposition - the Berthouts. The Duke quickly gained legendary status from the affair.

Brussels is also a good place to visit for a good night out. There are a good number of bars and pubs around town - a popular pasttime is playing chess in one of the many chess cafes while sipping on a premium Belgian beer. The bar Delirium is famous for hosting the largest number of beers in the world at one time - there are usually over 2000 varieties of beer stocked here at any one time. Definitely worth a visit, and it is easy to end up hanging round in here until the early hours sampling the huge range thay have on offer.

Brussels is definitely one of the best holiday destinations to visit for a classy gastronomic experience as well. The main strip of restaurants offers pretty generic Belgian food, ie. the classic Steak Frites of Moules Frites - however many of these restaurants overcharge so don't be tempted by the special offers offered by the waiters. I would recommend exploring a little further out to get better quality, more authentic food at cheaper prices, although eating on the main strip is definitely an experience.

Overall Brussels is an excellent holiday destination for a pleasant city break - there's plenty on offer here. The nearby towns like Bruge offer a decent daytrip as well if you get bored of the city itself.

London - Best city break holidays

2009-05-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

London, the capital of England, is a truly diverse place. As a holiday destination it is somewhere that everyone should go - no matter where you're from or your background. There is something in London for everyone and a trip here is guaranteed to leave you with plenty of memories.
There is a good chance you are from London if you are reading this post - and you already know why London is a great place to visit.
Of course if you are looking for a beach holiday, or somewhere nice and ralaxing, London definitely isn't the place for you, but as a city break it is second to none. There is so much going on and the pace of life may leave you breathless if you are not used to it but it is definitely an experience.
There are many tourist attractions in London - too many to mention in one post - The London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the River Thames... Evening entertainment is second to none - countless top-class theatres put on shows in the West End, and hundreds of clubs and bars pull in the punters as well. If you want to relax, Londons parks are lovely, especially in the summer.

The London Eye at night

Hotels can be expensive , but if you do you do your research you can find some cheap hotels in London. The Ritz might be out of most peoples league but its a good place to go for some afternoon tea, booking is recommended! Transport around the city is fairly good, with regular buses and tube trains linking up all areas of the city, and the famous London cabs if you want a more luxurious way to get round.

Overall London is definitely one of the best holiday destinations for a city break - you need a good week or so to see all the sights and really enjoy it. It's a city full of history, culture and great entertainment and is open all year round, no matter what the weather.

Best Holiday Destinations for Familes and Kids

2009-05-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Choosing the perfect holiday destination can be hard when you've got kids. Especially when everyone wants different things from your holiday. Dad wants some exciting watersports, mum wants somewhere with relaxing walks through the woods or along the sea, and the kids want somewhere with activities like football and swimming, as well as somewhere they can build sand castles of course.

So what are the best holiday destinations for families? Well, it depends of course on what you are after but here are a few suggestions that offer.

First, holiday camps based in England can be great if you want to stay in the UK and save abit of money, as they can be great fun. Companies like Butlins, Pontins and Center Parks offer pretty good deals and often they can be within a couple of hours drive. Being here in the UK though you can't guarantee the weather will be nice, but with a vast range of activities such as mountain biking, swimming, fotball etc, as well as night time shows, you will have plenty to do even if it isn't as exotic as going abroad.

Spain is a classic holiday destination for families. One of the premier package holiday destinations, Spain offers many great deals for familes and many resorts have great facilities for every taste. The Costa Del Sol and the Costa Blanca are two well established strips of coastline that should be looked into further if a holiday in Spain sounds appealing - many holiday makers just keep on going back.

America is always a safe bet when it comes to taking the family away. Florida springs to mind as somewhere the kids just love - Disney World and the countless other amusement parks are what kids dreams are made of - and they are great for all ages. If they are abit older you can wander off and relax in the gardens and zoos that many of these parks have if the thought of loop the loops and corkscrews on the rides fill you with fear. This sort of holiday comes at a price though, flights are expensive and you will need plenty of spending money once you get there too.

Non EU Holiday Destinations - Home or Abroad?

2009-04-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

Recent statistics reveal that UK caravan holidays are surging in number as people are less willing to splash out on extravagant foreign holidays - people are returning to the classic British holiday culture of the 70's and 80's. Caravan sites and caravans themselves are also becoming better equipped, with better facilities. UK caravan holidays are therefore taking off - and as the economy continues to slump we can only predict that they will continue to grow in popularity. There are many great caravan sites across the UK as well so you are never far away from one, of course it is up to you whether you travel 20 miles for your holiday, or 200.

So it would appear from recent statistics that both holiday destinations outside the EU, which do not use the Euro, as well as domestic holidays such as caravanning, are soaring in popularity. Non EU holidays to places such as Turkey and Eastern Europe are cheaper as they do not use the Euro, which at present is very strong against the pound, causing expensive holidays.

At the same time cheap UK holidays are becoming the 1st choice for many tourists. Foreign European holiday destinations are losing out - places such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and France - places that were once alot cheaper than England but now are just as pricey, making it hard to justify spending hundreds of pounds more than a cheap and cheerful holiday at home.

Most Romantic Holiday Destinations: Paris, France

2009-04-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

When asked where the most romantic holiday destination in the world is, one place immediately springs to mind - Paris. No, it may not have the warm sunshine of the Caribbean or the white beaches of, well, the Caribbean but it has something much more - a certain, how do you say it...je ne c'est quoi.

There's something really romantic about the whole atmosphere of the place - the architecture, the French languare, the food - and of course all that lovely French wine doesn't go amiss either. All in all Paris is definitely one of the most romantic holiday destinations in the world - in my opinion it tops the list.

But you don't have to be in a relationship to enjoy Paris - no, anyone on their own or with friends should find Paris a great city anyway - it is the capital of France after all. There are more activities than you can shake a baguette at - all the usual ones associated with capital cities such as eating, drinking - incidentally Paris is renowned for its exquisite gastronomy - clubbing, sight seeing, relaxing, walking, shopping....you name it you can do it in Paris. Perhaps the water sports on the River Seine have not taken off in the same way as they have on the Australian Gold Coast, but on the whole you can be confident Paris offers what you are looking for.

A romantic Paris sunset

So, Paris is one of the best destinations for couples, but where are good places to go here? Well, the Eiffel Tower is an obvious choice, but for something a bit more special, try the Notre Dame Cathedral, for spectacular views of the city. As you are not as high as at the top of the Eiffel Tower, you will actually be able to see the city in detail, and appreciate its beauty while snuggling in your partners arms.

Paris is also full of beautiful gardens - the Luxembourg Gardens in particular are a great place for couples to go on a nice warm summers day. You can really unwind here and enjoy your partners company - the surroundings really are lovely. You could easily spend the whole day lazing around - just don't have anything else planned as you don't want to be rushing to leave.

I could go on for hours talking about the qualities which make Paris such a great city for couples but in many ways it is better to explore it for yourselves and find your own favourite spots. I'm sure you will agree once you visit, that Paris is one of the most romantic holiday destinations in the world - the only problem is that you may not want to leave when its time to go.

Non EU Holiday Destinations: Switzerland, Europe

2009-04-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

All this talk of global economic meltdown shows no sign of slowing down - people are starting to become much more careful with their money, and rightly so. Car companies are falling like skittles around the world, as are our trusted banks. Because they all decided to go to the Bahamas for their Christmas party and put it on expenses, along with a few dozen crates of champagne and several more strippers apparently. Which has all left you and I with empty wallets and empty suitcases as a result - people are cutting back on their holiday expenses. I told you earlier more people were packing their bags for Turkey than Spain because of the cheaper cost., as it is a non EU holiday destination. So where else can we go that is relatively close and not ridiculously expensive with the Euro?

Well, not Switzerland. It doesn't use the Euro but unfortunately most things are still very expensive in Switzerland despite this. However, despite the high cost of goods, it is a very good holiday destination - especially if you're after a spot of skiing. The Swiss Alps in the Southern side of the country are famous for their sublime snow and as a result draw skiers from all around the world. Again probably not the kind of holiday you are looking for if you're on a tight budget but if you've just received your Brucey bonus at work then I would highly recommend it.

Aside from the skiing, Switzerland has much more to offer. Zurich is one of the top tourist destinations of Switzerland, and is regularly classed as one of the best cities to live in in terms of quality of life - praise indeed. It is also the largest city in the country, but is not the capital, Bern takes this accolade but is more a political centre rather than a tourist hotspot. Zurich is definitely a city worth a visit, there is alot to do including a rich historical background. Switzerland is very seasonal so if you want warm weather go in June to September - temperatures average around 23-23 degrees celcius in July and August. In the winter temperatures plummit to zero - and colder if you are enjoying your skiing in the mountains.

Switzerland is definitely a country worth a visit and is probably one of the best holiday destinations in the world if you are into your skiing. Unfortunately it is not cheap but this is for a reason - it is a country that oozes sophistication and as a result I've heard Barclays are planning to go here for their next Christmas party.

Bahamas - a holiday paradise

2009-03-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Bahamas - a name synonymous with fine white sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, non-stop sunshine and crystal clear turquoise waters. Indeed, the Bahamas are rightly regarded as one of the best holiday destinations in the world, certainly one of the top holiday destinations if you are after one of the characteristics listed above.

The Bahamas are located just North East of Cuba, east of Mexico. The Caribbean Sea is South West of the Bahamas. The Bahamas consist of an archipelago formed of 700 islands in the Atlantic Ocean - a good number of these have been heavily developed on to capitalise on the tourism boom. The capital is a city called Nassau, on the island called New Providence.

The Bahamas

The climate and surroundings are so good in the Bahamas that you will often see settings from the islands popping up on screensavers and posters relating to paradise - it is not hard to see why. A trip to the Bahamas can turn into a trip of a lifetime - certainly one of the best holiday destinations anywhere on the planet if you fancy abit of relaxation time lying on idyllic beaches soaking up a bit of sun.

Non EU Holiday Destinations: Istanbul, Turkey

2009-02-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

I've already previously mentioned Turkey as a top non EU holiday destination, but I would not be doing justice to this great country if I did not talk about it in a bit more detail. Istanbul is definitely one of the hottest locations in Turkey, it has a cosmopolitan atmosphere but at the same time remains relaxing and therefore you do feel like you are on holiday.

Romantic Holiday Destinations

2009-02-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is rapidly approaching, you still havn't booked a restaurant and the presents you ordered off Amazon still havn't come yet...looks like the doghouse for you son. But wait....perhaps the promise of a nice romantic holiday would solve all your problems and earn you plenty of brownie points. But where to take her? There are just too many romantic holiday destinations to choose from, the last thing you want is to end up back in the doghouse after she finds out you've taken her to Grimsby.

So what are the most romatic holiday destinations? Below are a few suggestions of places to take your loved one for a romantic break.

Paris - the ultimate city of romance. If the beatiful river, the stunning architecture, the delightful food and top-notch wine don't bring out the love in you, then a trip up the Eiffel Tower probably won't either- you might as well go to Grimsby after all.

Rome - Italy has a certain charm to it that is certain to appeal to a couple in love. The cafes and restaurants shout out romance. One tip - don't go in August - the heat could cause you're partners make-up to run. Avoid such disasters by sticking to slightly cooler summer months.

Morocco - there's something incredibly exotic and mysterious about Morocco that gives it alot of appeal as a romantic holiday destination. Casablanca and Marrakesh are good places to visit - the sounds and smells of these cities should have you in each others arms.

Bali, Thailand - this beautiful coastal resort could easily be the backdrop for any romantic movie. Aside from the idyllic beaches, there are a host of other activities to partake in as a couple, like snorkeling, skuba diving and kayaking. Thailand's tropical climate only helps cement its appeal as a romantic destination.

Bahamas - another classic romantic destination. Nothing but white sands, blue seas and warming sunshine to distract you from your other half - pure relaxation. Take your pick from the 700 islands.

These are just a few of the best holiday destinations for romance that you could go to as a couple - just do some research before you go to ensure your romantic trip doesn't end in a disaster.

Best Beach Holidays - Fernando de Noronha

2009-02-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Beach holidays are by far the most popular type of holidays - the words 'beach' and 'holiday' go hand in hand. The trouble is, there are so many destinations to choose from so deciding where to go is tricky.

Fernando de Noronha, off the coast of Brazil, is regarded as one of the top beach destinations. The fact it is not well known and barely spoken about adds an air of mystery to the location. It is an archipelago comprising of one large, 11 square mile volcanic island, as well as 20 smaller ones. The main island is reachable by plane from inland, and is definitely worth the effort. As your plane descends from the sky, you can see the beautiful turquoise sea and golden beaches and you just know this is somewhere very special.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Scuba diving and snorkeling are two must-do activities here, as well as the sun bathing obviously. The range of aquatic life is spectacular - there are more species of animal here than you can shake a stick at. The dolphins are also a highlight of the islands - the 'spinner' species present here can be regularly spotted leaping from the depths acrobatically.

A holiday here is probably out of the price range of the majority of tourists, but would be excellent as a romantic holiday destination or for in love honeymooners. The best time to go is between September to March, when the weather is best. Brazil's Fernando de Noronha is certainly a top beach holiday destination and a jewell in Brazil's crown.

Non EU Holiday Destinations - Iceland, Europe

2009-02-01T04:53:00.001-08:00

Iceland is situated North West of the UK on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Capital and only city of Iceland is Reykjavic, with a population of about 120,000 it makes up well over a third of Iceland's entire population - this city is the hub of Iceland's tourism.

Iceland is geologically and volcanically active due to its situation on the Mid-Atlantic ridge - those who did GCSE Geography will know that where tectonic plates meet, volcanic activity is rife. This characteristic is one of the main draws for tourists to come to Iceland - the scenery and landscape make it one of the best holiday destinations for anyone with an interest in geography or geology - however anyone can enjoy the country's spectacular sights, from young to old.

One of the top tourist hotspots is the blue lagoon - an incredible geothermal spa. Considering the regularly freezing air temperatures that Iceland has, you may be shocked to learn that the water temperature of the blue lagoon averages at 40°C. This is becuase of a nearby geothermal power station uses an underground lava flow to heat water that turns turbines, and the hot water is then pumped out into the lagoon for bathers to swim in. The water absorbs many minerals such as sulphur as it passes through the rocks and these help give the water its distinctive blue colour, as well as having medicinal purposes - the water is siad to heal certain skin diseases.

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Turkey

2009-01-29T11:41:00.000-08:00

Turkey is a country that is both within Europe and Asia - the Turkish Straits that run through the country in the North West is generally believed to be the splitting point between Europe and Asia. Due to this location, it has a diverse culture that include Eastern and Western traits and characteristics. Turkey is not in the EU either - and as mentioned in my previous posts this is probably the key factor that has led to Turkey becoming the most popular holiday destination in Europe, overtaking Spain. As the Euro has increased in power against the pound, holiday makers are looking further afield to get the best holiday bargains available. Turkey is now on average about £100 cheaper per person than Spain is - this fact carries great weight with cash-strapped tourists eager to save money before worse financial times kick in further down the line.

Turkey posesses many qualities that help it top the list of most popular holiday destinations - it has a diverse history, as it was home to the Ottoman Empire, a powerful empire spanning three continents, it has a good, hot climate, food is good and the people are friendly. Also, there are a range of possible holiday destinations for prospective tourists - breaks to the cites of Turkey such as Istanbul or more relaxing coastal holidays to unwind after a long period of work back home - Turkey provides it all.

Non EU Holiday Destinations

2009-01-17T04:51:00.000-08:00

In my last post I talked about how the worsening economy is leading to a surge of people booking their holidays to non EU holiday destinations. Non EU does not necessarily a country that is outside Europe – many European holiday destinations are outside of the EU. The EU stands for the European Union – a political and economic union of 27 member countries. There are still a number of countries within Europe that are not members – these may be worth considering when thinking about where to book your holiday as the Euro will not be used in these countries.

As mentioned before, it is the poor pound sterling to Euro exchange rate that is the main factor here, which has indirectly arisen because of the so called ‘credit crunch’. The value of the pound has fallen because foreign banks and businesses are no longer investing money in this currency, so to encourage people to invest from abroad the price of it has fallen in comparison to the Euro. This has meant the average cost of a holiday to a country using the Euro has risen significantly, leading the public to look further a field in their hunt for a cheap holiday.

There are several Western European counties that do not use the Euro – these are Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In Eastern Europe there are more countries who have remained independent and not entered the EU – such as Croatia, Russia and Turkey.

Out of these, Croatia and Turkey would be both be excellent choices if budget is important. Switzerland is an excellent destination for a keen skier but typically this would be quite expensive anyway. Iceland is renowned as an expensive country due to its high taxes – a pint of beer costs around £6. Russia is also very expensive in some areas – Moscow for example is thought to be the Worlds most expensive city.

Holidays & the Economy

2009-01-04T03:38:00.000-08:00

Personally, I'm fed up of people going on about the credit crunch and how we're all going to starve due to a lack of food - and if we don't starve we're going to freeze because gas and electricity prices are sky high. Yes it's probably all true, but unless we work in the Bank of England of happen to own an oil field we can't really do much about it - or is there?

I recently read an interesting article in the Telegraph about how people's choice of holiday destination is changing dramatically due to the faltering British Economy. At the moment the Sterling/Euro exchange rate is at a terrible - 1 Euro costs 95.7 pence. Only a year or two ago a Euro cost us about 60p - the change is dramatic. Add harges placed on cash withdrawls and por exchange rates in some shops and you are basically paying £1 for a Euro. This has led people to look outside the EU for their 2009 holiday destination.

Spain has for a long time been the UK's favourite holiday destination - a country with excellent cheap package deals, good food and excellent weather - a classic destination for us Brits. However, apparently, Turkey has overtaken Spain as the most popular destination for the UK - an astounding fact in my opinion. This is mainly due to the average cost of a holiday to the 2 countries - a holiday to Turkey costs over £100 less, per person, than Spain, partly due to the poor exchange rate.

So in conclusion, there are things we can do to prevent starvation during these harsh economic times, and the public have acted already. A simple change of holiday destination to a potentially cheaper non-EU country can help save our hard earned cash, and maybe our lives too.

Portugal

2009-01-03T05:44:00.001-08:00

Portugal is a popular European holiday destination bordering Spain. About half the country's circumference is coastal - one reason why Portugal is one of Europes's best holiday destinations - tourists love the sea!

Portugal has a beutiful mediterranean climate like its Spanish neighbour - another huge draw for holidaymakers for colder countries such as England! In fact Portugal is one of the most popular holiday destinations for the UK - the Algarve region is the 5th most popular destination at present. And it is not hard to see why - it is only a 3 hour flight from England, it is relatively cheap, and has everything most holidaymakers look for in a holiday - great weather, beautiful cuisine, laid-back lifestyle and gorgeous beaches and sea.

The cuisine in Portugal is diverse and caters for everyone. Especially popular along the coast are fish dishes - bacalhau, or dried cod, is a national speciality with hundreds of recipes. Freshly caught grilled sardines are also very popular - tucking into a plate of these while staring out across the ocean is hard to beat. Unless you've also got a nice Sagres beer to go with it as well, perhaps.

Algarve, Portugal

Berlin Club Scene

2008-12-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

Berlin plays host to some of the best clubs in the world, making it one of the top holiday destinations for anyone really into their dance music. At the moment, minimal and techno are the sounds of Berlin, sounds that can be heard in a large number of Berlin bars as well as in the clubs.

Tresor is one of the best underground clubs in Berlin. It recently moved from its last home, to a huge abandoned power plant in Mitte, Central Berlin. It had previously been located in a much smaller vault (English word for Tresor) underneath the Wertheim department store, which closed in 2005 due to rent problems. The new site is huge, the main attraction being the basement main room, entered via a pitch black 30m long narrow corridor lit only by a flickering light on the roof. DJ’s such as Jeff Mills, Josh Wink, Richie Hawtin, Sven Vath and Cristian Vogel are just some of the DJ’s to have played their in the past.

Berghain/Panorama Bar is another of the best techno clubs in Berlin. Found in a huge renovated power plant, it is easy to get lost in the club, which is split into Berghain, a huge cavernous main room specialising in techno, and Panorama Bar on the 1st floor, which has a more housey feel. The club strictly prohibits any photography within the club to preserve the secrecy of what is a fairly underground establishment, despite its size. The door policy is also famous for being selective – tourists will usually be turned away at the doors if there is any suggestion they may not be there for the music. Once inside the club, however, the atmosphere is electric and full of hedonistic clubbers. Nooks and crannies are in abundance and people indulging in sexual acts can often be spotted in these – nobody bats an eyelid, all in a nights work. The parties at Berghain are often extremely long – leave the club at 6AM and the queue to get in will often be as long as it was at 12PM when you came in.

In my opinion the clubs in Berlin are some of the best in the world. Often unique and with really up for it, friendly crowds, the clubs in Berlin make the city one of the best holiday destinations in the world.

Germany

2008-12-23T16:30:00.000-08:00

Germany is located in Central Europe, bordering several countries including Holland, Belgium, France and Poland. It is a country with an incredibly exciting history, but at the same time is at the cutting edge of modern culture, making in a top holiday destination for anyone.

The Capital of Germany is Berlin, a highly interesting city, with an excellent mix of historical focus and entetainment. The bars and clubs in Berlin are on the whole excellent, with fine German beers being served at reasonable prices. The clubs are also good, a few of the clubs here are regarded as being some of the best in the World, such as Berghain/Panorama Bar and Tresor. Please see the separate page on Berlin clubs for more information on these places.

Berln has had a tough time due to the role of Germany in World War 1 and World War 2. Many of the buildings here were destroyed, so there is a mix of old and new buildings. The Reichstag, or German Government, has been rebuilt since WWII for example and is now topped by an incredible glass dome that you can walk up fora small fee. The guided tours in the city centre are highly recommended - these can be done on foot or by bike. Some are even free although a tip is probably expected!

Berlin at night

Overall, Germany is an incredibly diverse place, and should appeal to all types of people, no matter what their interests. This makes Germany one of the best holiday destinations in the World.

Spain

2008-11-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. It is located in South West Europe and borders France and Portugal.

Many people are attracted by the climate in Spain, in the summer months it is almost always hot and sunny, making it a favourite of English tourists wanting to get away from the mild wet summer back home.

The main two coastal tourist destinations in Spain are the Costa Blanca, the Costa Del Sol, as well as the main two cities, Madrid, the Capital, and Barcelona.

Australia

2008-11-22T01:33:00.000-08:00

Australia is always a favourite of holiday makers the world over. It’s list of qualities goes on and on, a really diverse and interesting country with plenty of potential holiday destinations to be visited.

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Australia is the other side of the world to England, and is completely found within the Southern hemisphere, hence its nickname ‘down under’. Many people think that the capital city of Australia is Sydney, this is incorrect. It is actually Canberra, a fairly new city that was purpose built to act as the political capital. Both Sydney and Melbourne wanted to be chosen to be capital city, so Canberra was built roughly in between these two cities geographically as compromise. As such Canberra is only about 100 years old.

Despite this, Sydney is often seen as the capital because it is the most popular tourist destination in Australia by a long way. Other popular cities are Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and towns along the Great Barrier Reef on the East Coast. The Outback, the arid area in Central Australia containing Ayers Rock (or Uluru), is also a fairly popular tourist destination.

Austraila has a fantastic climate (for most) with high temperatures and little rain during long spells of the year. Obviously in summer, around Christmas time, this can cause droughts and severe bush fires which are devastating to the environment. However, holiday makers love the beach culture that exists in Australia and see the Sun as a blessing. The beaches in Australia are often spectacular, it is often so hot that tourists need to cool off somehow and the sea provides an excellent solution to this problem.

Another reason why Australia is a popular holiday destination is because English is the local language so it is easy to speak to people there. Australians, or Aussies, are also generally seen as very friendly people and there is often a lot of banter between them and the English, who they often call ‘Pommes’.

There is certainly a lot to do in Australia, and combined with its climate and friendly atmosphere, if perceived by many to be one of the best holiday destinations in the world.

Croatia

2008-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Croatia is located in Europe, sharing borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia & Montenegro.

The country has a lengthy coastline, with the Adriatic Sea being found to the South West. Croatia is rapidly expanding as a top tourist destination, with more and more tourists visiting every year. With its stunning scenery and exquisite coastline, this is hardly a surprise as it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Although Croatia borders several Eastern European countries, much of Croatia has a more mediteranian feel to it, especially along the coast, which faces Italy just 100 miles away or so. Italian influence is clear, with the food along the coast sharing many similarities with Italy, Pasta and Pizzerias are everywhere. The nutrient rich waters of the Adriatic lead to a wide array of seafood being on offer in Croatia, almost every type of fish can be found here, all freshly caught and expertly cooked. Its enough to make your mouth water just thinking about, yes the food in Croatia is excellent. Further inland the food is more meat-based, with more Eastern European influence, with plenty of pork, dumplings and cheese - prsut is a speciality of Croatia, cured pork which is very tasty.

The capital of Croatia is Zagreb, locates inland. The other main tourist towns are Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar. All these destinations have their own particular qualities.

Dubrovnik is perhaps the most beautiful town in Croatia. Its old buildings and famous wall make it a brilliant tourist destination, tours around the top of the wall, in a group or by your own, are not to be missed. Situated right on the coast, the views are spectacular on a sunny day, you can see miles across into the Adriatic.

Split is a fairly industrial town, entering from the North by road there is an abundance of cranes, high rise tower blocks and industrial plants and warehouses. However the centre of town is much nicer, with the spectacular Diocletian's Palace being perhaps the biggest draw. Originally built right on the seafront, this palace is now in poor condition but is still a brilliant sight to see. Split is also home to a large port, where you can get ferried you across to a wealth of islands, such as Hvar, Bol and Korcula.

The watersports in Croatia are also widespread, scuba diving being incredibly popular due to the clear waters of the Adriatic as well as the diverse marine life.

Croatia is certainly one of the best holiday destinations in the world if you are after sun, sea and a wealth of things to see and do.

Flights

2008-11-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

Flying is by far the most popular way of reaching the top holiday destinations in the world. Cheap flights run by companies like Easyjet and Ryanair have helped make travelling to more exotic destinations around the world much more accessible and affordable. Last minute flights can often be bought at rock bottom prices, with various websites specifically specialising in this kind of deal.

Cheap flights obviously have their drawbacks though, not much legroom and no free onboard services make the journey not particularly luxurious in most cases, however personally I love that, I don’t like being charged in my ticket for services I don’t want, I prefer to choose so personally I’d rather fly cheaply, more money to spend on food, drink and any other special treats later on in the holiday.

The increasing number of flights abroad does have it's drawbacks though - many people will complain of the expansion of variuos airports, with Heathrow being the prime example. Terminal 5 has recently been completed, which now deals with all British Airways flights, and there are plans for a 3rd runway to be built - this plan has fierce opposition from environmentalists and residents however - the Conservatives have promised to scrap these plans and build a faster and better railway network instead. In my opinion though if we want to keep up with other Global economic powerhouses we must build a new runway in order to meet increasing demand for flights.

The recently launched Airbus A380 is a new airliner in competition with the previous largest commercial jet - theBoeing 747. It has a huge passenger capacity and unparalleled onboard facilities such as casinos, double beds and gymnasiums. This as well as it's huge potential capacity of 853 people mean it could change long-haul flights to holiday destinations forever.

Ibiza

2008-11-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Ibiza is in the Balaeric Islands, just off the east coast of Spain. It is an island made famous by its nightlife, arguably the best in the world. Home to some of the biggest and best nightclubs in the world, including Space, Amnesia, Pacha, Privilege, Eden, Es Parasis, DC 10 and El Divino, Ibiza is a mecca for clubbers from all over the world, making it a one of the best holiday destinations if you want to let your hair down and soak up the electric atmosphere, and plenty of beer as well.

There are two main towns in Ibiza, Ibiza Town, the capital to the east of the island, and San Antonio, to the west. The towns are linked by a main road which has a frequent bus service, taking about half an hour. Ibiza Town is the much more upmarket town, full of stylish and sophisticated clientele, and also has a high gay population. The bars in Ibiza Town are therefore more expensive than in San Antonio, however you generally get what you pay for and the quality of the bars is definitely superior to those in San An. Ibiza Town is also home to Pacha, a globally recognised clubbing brand with nightclubs all over the World. El Divino is another major club there, situated on the edge of the bay, so clubbers can look out over the sea as the dance. Both are stylish clubs, attracting sexy fashionistas from all over the world who love to be seen.

San Antonio is the more popular town for English holiday makers, mostly intent on getting as drunk as possible in the week or two they have away from home. Here the countless bars along the main streets compete to pull in as many punters as possible, leading to ridiculously cheap drinks offers everywhere. Buy one get one free, and free shots are the standard in San An! San Antonio featured extensively on the Sky One show Ibiza Uncovered, which gave Ibiza a bad name due to the culture of getting drunk and having sex with as many people as possible, however this happens in many holiday destinations abroad such as Magaluf and Malia and personally I don’t think San An is any worse. People will always have their opinions on drunkenness though, all I would say is I would not advise the older clientele to stay in San An although it does make an excellent night out, the sunsets by Cafe Mambo and Cafe Del Mar are incredibly atmospheric and suitable for any age of individual, my parents went and they loved it! It is good to sit back with a cocktail and watch the people go by, while soothing chillout music relaxes you as the sun goes down.

Cafe Mambo Sunset

Privilege, Ibiza

2008-11-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Privilege Ibiza is oficially the biggest nightclub in the World, holding a massive 10,000 people. It is located on the main road linking Ibiza Town and San Antonio, opposite Amnesia. Nights at Privilege are mixed, since Manumission left the club a couple of years ago the clubs profile has fallen slightly, as Manumission was a hugely popular night there. The huge, open main room was perfect for the circus-esque shows they held there, with arcrobats flying over clubbers heads while the DJ pumped out his tunes above the swimming pool below. Definitely a very unique club, shame Manumission left. The sex shows were a controversial aspect of Manumission, performed on a stage in the middle of the main room by Mike and Clare Manumission and their helpers. The shows were cancelled years back because they attracted the wrong crowd to the club, the beer boys from San Antonio. Since being cancelled the club has focussed more on its music policy, although still attempting to be unique with themes etc.
Meganite is one of the most popular nights at Privilege now, hosted by Mauro Picotto and friends. Tiesto @ Privilege replaced Manumission on Monday nights, the big man seems at home there, suited perfectly to the club. Famous for his record breaking sets, Privilege is the perfect accompaniment for Tiestos celebrity big room status.

Space Ibiza

2008-11-06T11:16:00.001-08:00

Space.

A name that evokes plenty of emotions from clubbers across the globe.

Regarded by many as the best club in the world, Space is located in Playa Den Bossa, near Ibiza Town. With a capacity of 5000 people, and hosted many of the best DJs in the World, Space is definitely a contender for this accolade.

Space is perhaps most famous for The Terrace, a huge outdoor dancefloor which is most rammed on Sunday afternoons for the night 'We Love Sundays'. A mammoth 22 hour event, and one of the most popular nights (slash days) in Ibiza. The main room often gets overlooked due to this, however it lives up to the Terraces high standards, with one of the best soundsystems in the world and an electric atmosphere. Carl Cox's night on Tuesdays is highly popular, Carl is one of the nicest guys in dance music today and is always wants to make the crowd happy. With his low ticket prices compared to many other big nights in Ibiza he helps show this - just as well really as a drink will set you back about 10 euros inside.

Space definitely attracts one of the best-looking crowds in Ibiza - it is out of the way from San Antonio and Ibiza Town so generally only true music fans will be found dancing away inside. Good news for those looking to avoid San An's beer boys for sure. One thing to note as well is that cameras are confiscated by bouncers at the door and put in a worryingly insecure box for collection at the end of the night - I would recommend leaving cameras at home to prevent it from getting stolen, girls can probably get away with it by putting theirs in their handbags as the bouncers rarely search them, its an unfair world.

Space certainly helps make Ibiza one of the best holiday destinations in the world, definitely a venue to go to at once in your life if you're into house or techno at all, you won't be disappointed.

Space, Ibiza - Terrace

Amnesia, Ibiza

2008-11-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Amnesia is one of the best clubs in Ibiza, and many people who have been would say in the world. Situated on the main road in San Rafael, in between Ibiza Town and San Antonio, the club has a capacity of 5000 up for it clubbers. There are teo main rooms, the now covered terrace, and the dark and atmospheric main room where (arguably) most of the action hapens. The terrace usually plays host to a house vibe wheras the main room usually plays slightly harder house, techno and trance.

A couple of the biggest and most popular nights at Amnesia are Cocoon on mondays, and Cream on thursdays. Cocoon is hosted by the big man Sven Vath, one of the best minimal DJs in the world, and with very special guests such as Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos and Loco Dice, Sven certainly knows how to get the party started. Cocoon has been one of the biggest nights in Ibiza for the last few years thanks to the increase in popularity of the minimal/tech house sound. Definitely one to watch out for, don't missout if you're heading to Ibiza any time soon.

Cream is another massive night at Amnesia. Residents include Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, and in the past, Tiesto. Guests are also big name,exciting DJs such as Eddie Halliwell, Adam Sheridan, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha and Nick Warren. The Terrace does not get left out though, showcasing the very best house, with DJs like Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, D Ramirez, Dave Spoon, Mylo, Deadmau5 and Chris Lake. The Liverpool night is another one not to miss, with one of the highlights being the massive ice cannons above the main room dance floor, which take your breath away when they shoot huge amounts of dry ice onto dancers heads when the beat kicks in, absolutely amazing.

Cream, Amnesia

Best Holiday Destinations in the World

2008-10-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

This site is all about the best holiday destinations in the world, no surprise there then. Whether you're after sun, sea, snow or sangria you have come to the right place.

This site hopes to provide you with honest, good quality holiday information. Whether you're looking book flights to go on holiday, wanting to learn about various places in the World or want to debate the question what is the best holiday destination in the World, I hope you enjoy this site.

With cheap flights nowadays travel to new and exciting holiday destinations is becoming easier and easier, Gap year students all seem to be jetting off with their round the world plane tickets, makes me jealous. The world is our oyster as they say and this has never been more true, anyone could book flights to Spain or Australia today and jump on a flight tomorrow thanks to the beauty of air travel. It seems a waste to pass up the oppurtunity to experience as many different cultures as we can, many offering us genuine life changing experiences along the way.

Feel free to comment on my posts if you do not agree with anything, hopefully we can get a little bit of debating going on about the best holiday destinations in the world are. Also, you can take part in the poll survey by selecting your favourite holiday destination from the list, not everywhere is available to choose from but hopefully someof the most popular places are up there.