Many think Ireland is coloured in about forty different shades of green; it is undeniably rainy, but not all the landscape glimmers in the famed emerald hues.  An area known as the Burren, which was formed at the sea floor 340 million years ago is a unique landscape.  It includes miles of exposed limestone that in turn connects to streams, lakes and caves accounting for the different coloured water, and the unusual flora and fauna that thrive there.

Ireland’s coastline is approximately 1,450km in length and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the West and the Irish Sea on the East.  One could expect that Ireland would have an abundance of opportunities for water-related sports and activities, which it does.  There are also many coastal fishing villages where you will find some of the finest seafood in the world.

With Ireland being somewhat isolated and remote, the country offers some secluded hideaway locations to escape the stresses of everyday life.  Many of Ireland’s remote island areas did not have any electricity until the 1970s.  It is said many of the islanders still choose to live in an antiquated way not wanting to change from their ancestors’ way of life.  

So for a real break, visit any of the following islands of Ireland for relaxing isolation:  Coney Island (National Trust), Tory Island, Clare Island, Rathlin Island and the fabled Aran Isles.

Holiday villas are available for rent throughout the year, and you will find them available in all your favourite sunny locations.  Many are located near the beach, and if you are in a hot location the holiday villa is likely to have its own private pool.  The benefits of hiring a holiday villa include the fact that you can do as you please, and you have privacy for the time that you are away.  The holiday villa is much like having all the home essentials away from your house. 

Holiday villas will usually include several comfortable and well-appointed rooms.  En-suite bathrooms are now commonly found and there is almost always a fully equipped kitchen.  A television, DVD player and internet broadband access are also now regarded as essential items.  Some letting agencies will even stock the fridge ready for your arrival, so that you don’t need to worry about finding the nearest supermarket on your first day.

Staying in a holiday villa should be a very enjoyable experience, and you will not have to get up early to catch breakfast – as you can eat just when you like.  You also won’t need to worry about getting a sun lounger by the pool – as most holiday villas have their own private pool solely for your use.

Seefeld is sited close to Innsbruck Airport which means that transfer times are short, typically less than 30 minutes. The child-friendly ski slopes are close to the resort centre and the main ski school has a dedicated children’s ski school and a ski kindergarten. The top hotels are used to catering for children and there is plenty for them to do outside of skiing hours.

Obergurgl, Tyrol is a high altitude ski resort that has long been favoured by British ski families. At first glance this might seem surprising as the resort is not close to an airport, is not especially cheap and does not have all the facilities other resorts have. However, where it wins out is on the standard of service. The local ski school is outstanding and the standard of accommodation is excellent. The resort is small and quiet which is a big attraction for some families.

Scheffau, Tyrol is another good choice for families with its excellent ski school that is especially good for beginners. The award-winning Kinder Kaiserland is a special children’s ski park which provides lessons for children who are too young for a full course. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are on offer during the day and in the evening there is a good entertainment programme featuring snow figure competitions, tobogganing, Austrian bowling, candlelit walks and snowboard/tubing. Babysitting and child minding services are also available.

Skiing in Austria can be a wonderful experience for all the family. Search for ‘Ski Holidays Austria – family’ on the internet to find further details, prices and special offers.

1) The Caribbean – This is a region comprised of the great Caribbean Sea and the islands and coasts that it envelops. You can get there via a Thomson cruise to the Gulf of Mexico and North America, the eastern part of Central America, and the northern part of South America. Most travellers choose a week long Thomson cruise to enjoy their first Caribbean experience.

2) The Mediterranean – Joined together with the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean region encompasses the Mediterranean Sea. Thomson Cruises’ ships travel here via the north of Anatolia and Europe, Africa’s southern regions, and by the Levant. This Thomson cruise can voyage around 17 different countries, including Egypt, Greece, Italy and Spain. Every nation provides various attractions that each traveller can experience.

3) The Canary Islands – This Spanish archipelago forms one of the many Spanish Autonomous Communities and is an outer region of the European Union. A Thomson cruise can reach this off Africa’s northwest coast, which is a hundred kilometres west of the border between the Western Sahara and Morocco. La Gomera is the second smallest island in the chain of seven, and is perfect for nature lovers. Tenerife also attracts tourists with the moonscape embracing the El Teide Volcano.

Cairo is a mixture of a modern bustling city and the really ancient areas. Reckless drivers (be very careful crossing roads) and crowded noisy streets juxtapose with the sight of a felucca sailing quietly along the waters of the Nile.

Ten million tourists visit Cairo each year to visit its most famous attraction – the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only surviving wonder of the ancient world.

Flights from the UK to Cairo take between four to five hours, making it a medium haul destination, so a long weekend is the minimum break that is practicable; there are plenty of good holiday deals and cheap flights around.

To make your weekend cost less, you can fly in the summer months but beware that it will be extremely hot; even the Egyptians escape the summer heat.

Flights to Cairo depart from London Heathrow and the best choices are either British Airways or Egyptair, who both operate direct flights.  Other European carriers will fly you to Cairo but will make a stop en-route adding hours to your flight.  If you want to spend a few hours or a couple of days in Rome, Amsterdam or Paris, then this may be the option for you.

For anyone planning a golf themed cruise, there is a wealth of options to choose from. On some voyages, professional golfers are brought on board. Without doubt, Caribbean Cruises offer some of the most highly sought after golfing holidays and boast a stunning range of courses in places like Grand Cayman, St Thomas and the Dominican Republic. Elsewhere the Red Sea and Far East cruises are enjoying an upsurge in popularity of the sport and should also be considered for a golfing cruise.

Costa Cruises are one of the main lines offering golf themed breaks on their Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises. Another option to consider is P&O, who organise golfing breaks in a variety of destinations. If you are part of a large group, you can sometimes choose the course at each port of call. The ship’s crew will look after everything, from transport on shore to club rental, but guests are reminded to pack their own golf shoes.

The easiest way to visit Russia is by air, with many airlines now offering flights to Moscow and other major Russian cities. Some of the country’s most remarkable places to visit would have to include Moscow (Russia’s current capital city), Saint Petersburg (the country’s former capital city), the little known seaport city of Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast, and the infamous historical outpost of Siberia.

Tourism in Russia has grown immensely since the late Soviet times. It was firstly the internal tourism that took off and then the International tourism began to grow steadily.  The rich culture and heritage place the country of Russia among some of the most interesting destinations to visit in the entire world.

Also contained within Russia are 23 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage sites, with several more on the UNESCO tentative lists.  If you visit Russia you can take popular tourist routes by cruising on the larger rivers, such as the Volga; journey by train on the famous Trans-Siberian railway, or venture around the Golden Ring of Russia’s ancient cities.  No matter where you go in this amazing country, it will be very rewarding.

A mandatory safety drill is carried out on all ships before they embark on their journey. If you are not present, it is more than likely that a member of the crew will be knocking on your cabin door. This procedure involves putting on life jackets and being made aware of the designated assembly areas for each part of the ship.

Sometimes it is not possible to have access to your cabin as soon as you board, so this would be a good time to start exploring the ship, as well as book any restaurant seats, spa treatments or entertainment.

The itinerary for your cruise can be conveniently planned from details provided in the ship’s newsletter, which is usually delivered to each cabin, daily, depending on the company. It will inform you about what will be happening on the ship as well as the best attractions at each port of call.

When the ship is ready to embark its passengers, family and friends will often come to wave goodbye, but under no circumstances are they ever allowed to board. Seeing the ropes being thrown from the dock and the ship slowly pulling away from the pier is a real sight to behold and will be the defining moment of the first day of your cruise holiday.

Very few British people have heard of Moena or the Val di Fassa where it is located. However, it offers smooth skiing, crinkly mountains and a deluxe holiday for the price of a cheap chalet in some of the big-name resorts. In the 1930s Moena was frequented by aristocrats, Vatican officials and industrialists, but today skiing has changed all that. Now most people bypass Moena on their way to the better known resorts. If you stay in Moena and commute to the slopes you will find classic Dolomite country, huge rocks towering above forests and nearby plateaux that make wonderful viewing platforms. The pistes are not crowded and skiing down the steeper slopes is exhilarating. The food is excellent. If you follow the links to ‘Ski Holidays Italy’ on many websites it is unlikely that Moena will be listed so you will need to put together your own package.

Another Italian resort that is ideal for those on a budget is Gressoney which lies in the Italian Alps. Gressoney has plenty of slopes and is never crowded. The beautiful scenery is reminiscent of the North Pole and the prices are considerably below those of the more expensive ski resorts. Gabiet Refuge is highly recommended as a place to enjoy skiing in Italy at an affordable price.

Cervinia is another budget option and by basing yourself at this resort you can ski the Matterhorn for less.

There has been much controversy over the minimum requirements for cruise ships catering for the disabled, due to the fact that they do not need to meet the regulations of a particularly country if they are registered and flying the flag of another nation. A famous case, involving Action Now, an American disability rights group and Carnival Cruises, resulted in the company adhering to minimum requirements, based on US law.

Fortunately, this sent shockwaves through the cruise industry and now it is much easier for disabled travellers to have an enjoyable experience. However, should you need extra assistance, it is up to you to tell the company before you book your ticket. You should also be given a larger room if you request wheelchair access. Once you embark, the first thing to do is locate all the facilities, bathrooms etc. that you will be able to use and don’t be afraid to asked one of the crew to show you around. Should you require regular medical attention or be on special medication, introducing yourself to the ship’s doctor is also recommended.

Judging by customer reviews and opinion polls, Royal Caribbean cruises are the most popular among travellers with disabilities. Although, no matter which company you choose to book your cruise with, it is best to go for a more modern ship, as there is a greater chance it will have better disabled-friendly facilities on board.