In the USA, resorts tend to be a little smaller than those in Europe, but the accommodation is usually noticeably more spacious and luxurious, with double beds and large rooms.  Even middle bracket lodges tend to have hot-tubs, outdoor pools and saunas. Less expensive than catered chalets are ski ‘condos’ – little self-catering apartments or ‘condominiums’.

If you really want to pack in some extra skiing miles, try resorts in the Rockies, which are usually grouped so you get to try out neighbouring areas too (although be prepared for some extra travelling in the morning if you want to do this). Resorts which are a tad closer to European travellers (like those in Maine and Vermont) are aimed at the ski-weekender from the big cities more than the longer-stay visitor and they do tend to be little on the small side as a result. Wherever you opt to ski in the US, you’ll end up with a superb holiday you’ll be reminiscing about long after you’ve arrived back home.

There is indeed a great deal of entertainment available aboard the modern cruise liners, but you don’t have to take an active part in any of it. There’s certainly no Hi-de-Hi wakeup call first thing in the morning, and there are no redcoats either. Everything is modern and geared towards satisfying your every whim.

Many cruise liners have restaurants designed by top chefs like Gary Rhodes, and the cuisine on offer is equal to that served up in the Savoy. Entertainment is there in many forms if you want to take advantage of it, and there are special kids’ activities to keep the young ones fully occupied.

A cruise liner is a vast, floating hotel, a safe and secure environment where the kids can get on with their thing whilst you take a welcome break and enjoy the bars, restaurants, bistros, cinemas and live entertainment on offer throughout the ship.

There’s nothing quite like a cruising holiday to unwind in style, being taken to different exotic locations every day and being attended to by a professional crew who place your enjoyment as their top priority.
 
Think about cruising next time you’re stuck for a holiday idea.  

The Westfield shopping centre is the ultimate in luxury shopping. Not only does it have a vast array of shops and services, there are also many added extras that truly make this shopping centre special.  At The Westfield there are people to park your car for you, and if you need it, to carry your shopping. There are even personal shoppers available to help you find those perfect items. You can even book hotels in London at the Centre (or any destination required). All in all a shopping trip that is easy and very memorable.

The markets of Covent Garden should not be missed on any trip to London. Apple Market is popular for those looking to buy antiques, jewellery and clothing, while Jubilee Market offers arts and craft wares. Most people visit Covent Garden for the atmosphere, it is friendly and vibrant and a fun way to pass the time.

The Plaza on Oxford Street is more than just a shopping centre. It houses many shops but also has a gym for those needing to let off steam after a hard day at work. It is packed with restaurants and coffee houses and is a perfect place to shop and relax.

There are many holiday apartments and hotels to cater for the massive influx of tourists that Majorca receives every year, especially in the summer months.  However, if you prefer to stay outside the busy resort areas, there are plenty of villas in Majorca available for rent.  These are to be found away from the crowded areas and offer a quieter and generally inexpensive solution for those who dislike the evening disturbances often common in the main resorts.

Majorca has many attractions to visit such as the castle of El Diablo and the Coves del Drac (Dragon Caves).  The caves (can be very busy) are open all year round and you can explore them for a small entrance fee.  Your guide will explain the various stalactite formations and the tour will end with a violin concert on Lake Martel.  You can even take a boat ride on the lake during the concert.

To appreciate the real beauty of the island you must visit Puig de Galatzo.  Tourists can admire the panoramic view of Majorca from the highest peak in this area of natural beauty; from this vantage point the view is breathtaking and provides some great opportunities for photographs.

If you need to shop, then Majorca has plenty to offer, from large shopping precincts to local stores selling handmade goods.  If you are staying close by, in one of the self contained villas in Spain, then there are supermarkets full of fresh produce; cheese made from ewe’s milk, with honey and nuts, is highly recommended and is a local delicacy.

The atmosphere on Carnival cruises is relaxed and informal, and there’s everything you could possibly want from a cruise holiday, with the added bonus of constantly changing views. Carnival cruises have spacious cabins for families, couples and singles alike, and there are child-friendly menus in all the restaurants as well as kids’ clubs and great excursions ashore. Or just stay on board and take advantage of the many facilities on offer.

Carnival cruises offer all the advantages of a traditional holiday, with lots of group activities thrown in as the vessel moves from one exotic destination to another. There are wine-tasting classes, trivia quizzes, and even volleyball and professional golf coaching to keep you stimulated and occupied.

With many bars, bistros, restaurants, stage shows and cinemas available across the decks, you’ll never be short of something to do, and late in the evenings with the kids safely wrapped up you can enjoy a bottle of wine on your own balcony and watch the world drift by.

The kids probably won’t want to come home after experiencing the rich variety of foods and entertainments available on a Carnival Cruise Lines break, and you’ll wonder why you’d never thought of cruise holidays before.

Try a Carnival cruise the next time you’re looking for a fun holiday.

Canberra and Sydney are located in New South Wales. Both are modern, thriving, exciting cities with plenty to offer holiday-makers and travellers of all ages. In addition to the distinctive opera house and its Harbour Bridge (which can be climbed or simply walked across, for a stunning view of the entire city), Sydney has some beautiful gardens and national parks, an aquarium, art gallery, museum and not forgetting the infamous Bondi beach. The Gold Coast is just over 500 miles away.

For arguably the best diving experience in the world, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef has to be experienced. This region has plenty of hotels, from simple lodgings to elaborate suites. Other popular activities include glass-bottomed boat tours, dolphin-watching and even – for the brave – cage-diving with sharks. Another popular site in Australia is Ayers Rock (Uluru), in Alice Springs – which looks particularly sensational at sunset or sunrise. The beautiful island of Tasmania, a short boat ride from Melbourne off the south coast, is well worth a visit – a walker’s paradise with lush rainforests and breathtaking scenery.

There are over 300 airports throughout Australia, a network of established roads, rail links and plenty of “off the beaten track” routes, so it is truly a traveller’s dream. To take in the best of what this glorious, friendly country has to offer, you will ideally need at least three months and a well-planned itinerary. And decent hiking boots!

It doesn’t even have to cost a lot of money. For those who live further away from the capital, booking train tickets in advance can often offer some massive discounts.

There are many London hotels to suit all budgets; the cheapest are not necessarily too far out of the city. There are some bargains to be found closer to the city centre, but these may take some time to find as London is one of the most popular city destinations in the world.

Booking into a London hotel that has breakfast and evening meal included also saves money as this means no additional food costs while out exploring, but it may mean being tied to certain mealtimes.

Many of the museums in London have free admission; this allows you to explore numerous venues, without spending any money. If you are physically able, walking from place to place instead of using public transport is another way to keep costs low.

There are so many London hotels that there is bound to be something to suit your budget and with some forethought and careful planning, you can ensure costs are kept to a minimum.

A whole host of luxuriously decorated and fully equipped cottages in Ireland are available for self-catering stays, allowing you to enjoy your holiday without interruptions common to other holiday types. Georgian style country houses, stone built farmhouses or converted barns are there to choose from when you decide take a holiday in Ireland.

Ireland is a culturally rich and diverse country with a wealth of attractions and sights to visit. To name but a few ; castles such as Blarney, Dublin and Ballyhannon, the Cathedral of St Patrick, and the Guinness Brewery can each provide a pleasurable afternoon’s sightseeing.  Ireland is a perfect place for hiking and the countryside is full of suitable locations such as the mountains of Mourne, Rathlan Island and the Ring of Kerry that all provide suitable destinations for outdoor exercise and sightseeing.

The capital of the Emerald Isle, Dublin is a lively and rich place to visit; packed with museums, galleries, parks and shops, pubs and lovely narrow cobbled streets. Dublin is the beating heart of Ireland and offers a myriad of activities to visitors. Famous places such as Temple Bar, the thriving entertainment centre of Dublin and Grafton Street, full of fashionable shops and boutiques, both will offer many diversions for all holidaymakers.

Going on holiday and staying in a holiday cottage in Ireland will open up a wide range of options and whether you are looking for the thrill of outdoor adventure, a cultural journey or a shopping and pub filled festival, Ireland has numerous events and attraction that will appeal to all visitors.

Talk to someone who has been there before; what better way is there to get a down-to-earth, reliable and easy-to-understand description of the place you want to go? Now the big catch, of course, is finding someone who has been to your planned destination. But if you talk with family, relatives, friends, and co-workers, you will be amazed at how many places people you know have been. Firsthand reviews from personal contacts can provide invaluable insights to a new destination. They may have found a restaurant that is off the beaten track or a local store with unbeatable prices.

If you really can’t find anyone who has been to your holiday destination, another option is to do an online search for blogs about your planned destination. These blogs usually contain firsthand experiences from travellers and many  supply the writer’s email. You can email the writer and ask any questions and indicate any concerns you may have; most writers are obliging and will possibly give you some great suggestions on what to do and see on your trip.

From the moment you step aboard you’ll have all your needs catered for, with a comprehensive range of entertainments and activities that you can take or leave as you desire. If you have kids, this will be a godsend, as there’ll be no need to find things for them to do. First thing in the morning they’ll be up and off, taking advantage of the many activities arranged for them and looked after so you’ll never have to worry about where they are or what they’re up to.

Teenagers, notoriously difficult to please, can make new friends at the discos and other venues, and you’ll be free at last to concentrate on what interests you the most.

Singles and couples also are well catered for on cruise ships, and indeed these floating hotels often attract those looking to meet someone special as well as having a good time.

There’s nothing better than being taken from one exotic port to another, with different experiences on hand every day, new places to explore, and in the meantime having all your needs catered for on board.

There are a great many cruise deals on offer, with all the main players in competition for your custom and wanting you to come back, so there’s never been a better time for looking into cruise holidays.