While the current palace has stood since 1834, a palace has been on the same site since the eleventh century.  Due to a fire in 1512, much of the original architecture and historical pieces were destroyed, however what remained still exists within the palace to this day.  With over seven centuries of political meetings and important historical events, the Palace of Westminster should be near the top of any tourist’s itinerary.

This area of London is a very popular location for tourists and is almost always very busy. There is plenty of accommodation available in the area.  With so many significant structures and historically interesting destinations all within walking distance of the palace, it is an excellent idea for travellers to book well ahead and reserve a London hotel room nearby.

Self-catering is an increasingly popular option for holidaymakers, as it offers flexibility combined with home comforts, and as much space as you want. Kids can amuse themselves without you having to worry about other guests, and you can come and go as you please. After a long trek in the hills or along the fjords, or an exciting but exhausting day trip, you can get an early night followed by a relaxing morning and leisurely breakfast, as you set your own meal times.

Apart from the magnificent scenery, major cities such as Bergen and Oslo are full of attractions, and if you choose well your villa will be within easy reach of town and country for a good balance of outings. Alternatively, reside in isolated splendour in the hills, or in the bustle of town with a rental apartment. The word villa can cover anything from small town apartments to palatial mountain retreats.

With its many natural and man-made attractions, Norway offers great holiday opportunities for the whole family, and renting villas in Norway is the best way to see them.

You can take short day trips around the suburbs of the French capitol but there are extended cruises, sleeping onboard and slipping past gorgeous fairytale chateaux, delightful medieval castles and ancient market towns all the way down to the Normandy coast.

The French love affair with the river means many prominent landmarks and famous locations have used it as their backdrop. You will sail past the splendid gardens of the artist Monet’s farmhouse in Giverny, stopping off to walk the beautifully manicured grounds of the Palace of Versailles.

Rouen with its enchanting market place is another worthwhile port of call, for this is the place where Joan of Arc was martyred.

For a look at events in the more recent past the trip culminates on the beaches of Normandy, made famous during WWII when the Allied liberation of France began here. Visit the much-commemorated Omaha beach and the Mulberry Harbour.

The return cruise to Paris takes in the sublime views of Honfleur, a favourite fishing village captured by many an artist’s brush, including Courbet and Monet. Trips to the popular Smugglers Harbour of Vieux Bassin are very popular as well.

Umbria is very similar to Tuscany, with its rolling hills and scenery, but it is also visited less by tourists which makes it a much quieter place to visit, allowing for a relaxing holiday.  There are many different landscapes in the province, which include the valleys of the Tiber, Chiascio and Nera.  These are rich in colour and are examples of unspoiled natural beauty.

Although there is no coastline in Umbria there are still plenty of places to avail of water sport and related activities. Why not visit the stunning Lake Trasimeno where there are plenty of water sports for you to enjoy?  In addition you can visit the magnificent Marmore waterfalls at Terni.

Although holiday lettings are common in the area, the preferred accommodation choice for families and groups seem to be self-catering holiday villas. In Italy, there is no shortage of these villas, and all are designed with holidaymakers in mind; with full modern amenities and many even have a swimming pool and outdoor dining area. 

The Caribbean is much more than just a sun-seeker’s paradise as each island has its own colourful history and there are many fascinating places to visit. Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts and Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua are just two of the historical locations on the islands that are popular with visitors.

There are also other great attractions for those who want to do more than lie on a beach. Jeep safaris take tourists deep into the tropical rainforest of St. Lucia. Other possibilities are horse riding in Jamaica or swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman. The Caribbean is also famous for its diving and snorkelling as well as offering opportunities to spot dolphins or whales.

There are many different islands in the Caribbean, each one offering something slightly different. Antigua and Aruba are renowned for their stunning white beaches whereas St. Lucia, Martinque and Guadeloupe have amazing scenery that ranges from lush tropical forests to cultivated botanical gardens and even volcanoes. Scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts will want to visit Curacao or Bonaire St. Barts. Dominica and Grenada are well known for their secluded coves and the local spice markets.

The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include the British and American Virgin Islands in the itinerary. St. Thomas UVI is the capital of the US Virgin islands and is a volcanic island with a spine of mountains that runs from east to west.

Ski passes and lessons that are extra often mean that some ski deals are not as cheap as one would have liked, so try to find deals that include these in the package. If that is not possible having a few lessons on the local dry ski slope before leaving for the holiday will help cut costs.

For reasonably priced ski holidays, France, Austria and Switzerland are all amongst the best choices for those who live in Europe as they are easily accessible. There are now many low cost airlines that operate flights to cities near to the ski resorts, with only an hour or two transfer time needed. This can help cut costs immensely.

Choosing a resort to suit your budget is a necessity as some of the resorts are extremely chic and cosmopolitan and offer only high class boutiques and fine dining, so the money you saved getting there could be lost to the ‘extras’ once at the resort.

Self catering accommodation could be one way around the high cost of eating out and renting your equipment could save money too. Clothes and equipment only have to fit and be comfortable and warm – the style is not so important.

For example, how about stopping off in France en route to some luxurious destinations in Spain?  You won’t mind spending a few days sailing from one place to the next because every cruise ship has more than enough entertainment and activities on board to keep you busy during the journey.

Once you leave Spain it is only a short distance to Gibraltar, so why not pick a cruise that takes in this region as well?

Elsewhere you can head down to Greece and Turkey, where yet more delightful ports await you.  There are lots of Mediterranean cruises that focus on the Greek islands alone, so if this appeals to you it can make an ideal holiday and a chance to escape from everyday life for a while.

The key is to think about which area of the Med you would most like to visit.  You can then see which Mediterranean cruises provide you with the most interesting stop off points along the way.  You might end up taking the holiday of a lifetime.

There is a huge choice of holiday villas, or gites in France and they are situated in areas that offer a wide range of interesting places to visit. Many of the properties available are modern and are ideally equipped for your stay; most have luxurious gardens with a swimming pool. Owners of the chateaus, villas and cottages are also able to arrange additional services such as chefs, babysitters and tour guides, extras that allow you to fully enjoy your stay in France.

France offers a wide range of activities; plus their world famous cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, historic sites and excellent museums, as well as numerous festivals that you can enjoy as a spectator or even participate in.

Much of the appeal of France is its close proximity to the UK, with the added attraction of a different culture and language. Of all European destinations France is the nearest and easiest to reach, a quick trip across the channel on a ferry or through Eurotunnel and you are there. With little difficulty you could soon be sitting by the River Seine, or sipping wine from a local vineyard, sampling the freshly cooked bread from a boulangerie, or shopping in Paris. Why not book a gite in France today and find out why France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world?

The gently rolling hills of the border country is the location for many holiday rental cottages in Scotland and an area that has always proven to be a popular destination with visitors. The poems of Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott emphasise and reflect the wondrous sights available, abbey ruins and castles, majestic stately homes and romantic villages are to be found spread throughout the region and all are a reflection of Scotland’s proud historic past.

There are isolated and peaceful beaches fringed with ragged cliff faces, ancient woodland forests and salmon filled cascading rivers. Golf is also available and why not treat yourself to some of the best whisky in the world?  There are some of the oldest and most challenging links courses in this area but a nip of some of the famous whiskies produced locally will soon warm you up if it gets a bit cold.

Staying in a holiday cottage in Scotland will give you chance to appreciate the gentler side of life and afford you the opportunity to get to know the real Scotland, it culture and its warm hearted, friendly people.

The mid-level skier will find plenty of runs to keep them occupied; in fact over three quarters of the runs at Les Deux Alpes are for the intermediate level skier. This does not mean that there is nothing for the novice or advanced skier.  On the contrary, there are 76 runs in total and there are even areas for snowboarders to enjoy their sport.

The resort itself is situated on the largest skiable glacier in the whole of Europe and the conditions for skiing at all levels are usually perfect. Les Deux Alpes is located at an altitude of 1650 metres, with 63 ski lifts giving easy access to all levels and offering amazing views of the landscape.

Non-skiers need not miss out as there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the area. The town offers such amenities as a cinema and bowling alley, but those who want an outdoor holiday can also enjoy tobogganing and snow shoeing.

For skiing holidays, France offers the perfect location no matter what level of skier you are. Les Deux Alpes also has instructors for the beginners which will help ensure a good technique and provide a little confidence building before hitting the slopes alone.