Even though the principal tourist draw to this part of the world is the exquisite beaches, any visitor here would seriously be missing out if they didn’t participate in at least a few of the historical tours and market shopping opportunities.

A trip to Nelson’s Dockyard National Park is an ideal place to get a feel for the local history. From here, you can meander over to Betty’s Hope, which was once a sugar cane plantation. There is also the vibrant St. John’s Saturday Morning Market. Here is a wonderful way to begin any Saturday morning with a stroll through the endless aisles of fresh cut flowers and local produce.

The town of St. John’s, aside from the market, is also worth exploring for its quaint cafes, charming museum, grand cathedral, and peculiar shops. If you find yourself on the eastern portion of the island check out Half Moon Bay, rated as one of the most beautiful beaches without a soul in sight. For a little nightlife, English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour are the best places to go.

The best way to experience this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon is by going on a storm-chasing holiday tour. There are a number of companies that offer their services for this purpose but it is worth noting that you should look for a company that has a qualified meteorologist on board along with a good track record at intercepting tornados.

Tornado Alley is the most famous area in the world for seeing twisters. The area that is covered by this term runs from North Dakota down to Texas and as far west as Ohio. There is no such thing as a typical days storm chasing but in general you can expect the following:

The weather will be analysed so that the best targets for the day can be recognised and discussed.
 
The day’s events may change as new data becomes available. The usual time for most outbreaks is in the mid to late afternoon so lunch will be arranged and snacks will be ready so that you can be out on the road heading towards the target destination. On a day when there is a successful chase you will most likely not return to the hotel until nearing 11pm. However on non-chasing days this will probably be around 7pm.

Please bear in mind that special insurance is required to go on a storm-chasing holiday and that once the chase begins there is no stopping.

The famous midnight sun of Norway must be experienced during the summer. A cruise during Norway’s summer will allow travellers to experience one of the strangest phenomena in nature: sunlight all night long. The 24-hour sunlight invigorates the entire country. If you want to make the most of the daylight hours, summer is the time for a Norway cruise. The best months for this type of cruise to Norway are May, June and July.

Twenty-four hours of sunlight may be a little intense for some. If that is the case, why not try a spring Norway cruise instead? As early as March, signs of spring start appearing in the south, but April and part of May are the true Norwegian springtime. During this time, travellers can experience both waterfalls fed by melted water and metre high snow drifts. Spring is definitely a time of adventure in Norway.

Similarly, autumn is a time of transition in the country. A cruise to Norway in autumn will be full of colour. Red, yellow and orange all appear to decorate the mountainsides, hilltops and woods during Norway’s autumn season. Killer whales approach the coast during this season as well. The best time for an autumn Norway cruise is August to November.

The most breathtaking views, however, belong to winter. This is when travellers will see the Aurora Borealis lighting up the northern sky, as well as beautiful fields of pure white snow. The best time to see the Northern Lights are from October to March, in Norway far away from any artificial light.

One of the most productive areas of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta area not only has rice paddies, but also fish and shrimp farms, sugarcane, various fruits and coconuts.

Lots of local wares and fresh produce can be purchased from the many floating market boats, such as pottery, clothing, jewellery, and food such as pineapple, bananas, and even bowls of hot ‘Pha’, the native meat and noodle soup.  If you dare, try the local rice wine, rumoured to increase male virility!

On dry land, there are plenty of places to stay suiting all budgets, from local huts, to grand hotel resorts.  There are beaches nearby too, with excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities.  Try a day on the beach of Hon Chog, or a stay on the picturesque forested island of Phu Quoc, which has the mesmerising An Thoi archipelago in the south and the Mong Tay and Doi Moi islets to the north. 

Places of interest in the area of the Mekong Delta include various pagodas, such as the Khmer pagodas around Soc Trang, as well as wildlife sites such as bird and butterfly sanctuaries, or the stunning Binh Thuy Orchid Garden.

The Italian Alps see a variety of tourists from all corners of the world during the peak season.  In between skiing, many of them flock to the cosy restaurants and local inns for a taste of some heart-warming local fare.  It is quite easy to reach this area by public transport, since there are many trains that run between the Alps to various cities and towns.  Only one ski lift pass is needed since it includes access to all ski lifts in the area.

The Biggest of the Balearic Islands Majorca is always a favourite of British holiday makers, with plenty of sights to explore from museums, cathedrals and castles in around the capitol, Palma and further afield. There is not just sightseeing on offer, Majorca and all its little towns offer plenty of entertainment no matter what you like. Restaurant choices are covered with cuisines from all round the world as well as lively nightlife or sedate nightlife.
 
With food and entertainment covered, you can also turn your attention to the beaches and this is what this island is really about. You will find plenty of golden sand beaches against turquoise see perfect for catching a tan the only problem is, deciding which one!  Many of the main resorts have an abundance of beaches around them so you’re just a stone’s throw away from a beach at many of the hotels.

For families why not look at staying at resorts in Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa and Cala Bona which cater well for families and if you want something livelier then head to resorts such as Magaluf and Palma Nova. If you want something more sedate then have a look at staying in Ca’n Picafort or Sa Coma which are perfect for couples.

If you are a sand and sun lover and also something of a golf junkie, there are many great destinations made just for you. True relaxation for golfers is all about lush fairways and a set of clubs, however, a beautiful ocean view and cool breeze only adds to the experience. If you intend to take your next winter holiday in the Caribbean, consider the two top golfing destinations.

Barbados

Golfing holidays in Barbados will allow you to play like a pro on any one of six world-class golf courses. Three of these luxurious courses are located at the renowned Sandy Lane, which features challenging fairways and greens. There is also Rockley Golf Club, which remains the oldest golf club in Barbados. There is also the elaborate Royal Westmoreland, with its 18-hole course, which is ideal for the expert golfer. If you are on the west coast of the island, Almond Beach Village offers a great par-three course, where you can spend the day getting in a little practice.

Bermuda

Another leading choice for a Caribbean golf holiday is Bermuda. If you have yet to experience this island’s courses, do not underestimate them. Bermuda offers golfers a chance to play on eight championship courses. Start with a practice day at Bermuda Golf Academy or Ocean View Golf Course before heading over to Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club. Beginners will enjoy Tucker’s Point Golf Club, while the experts in your group may want to head straight to St. George’s Golf Course, at the east end.

Book in advance

While some travellers wait until the last minute before booking, hoping for a deal, if you want to secure a high-class room on the cruise of your choice you need to be the early bird. Book your cruise six months to a year in advance; the winter months are the best time for booking. Cruise companies such as Bon Voyage offer their best deals to help fill up the summer and year-end cruises. You will also have more options and can place restaurant reservations ahead of time. 

Explore your options

Once you know where you are going, browse the options before making that final booking. You have numerous online travel agent websites and cruise line companies to compare and select from. Another way to lower the cost of your trip is to leave from a less crowded port. The largest ports often cost the most; so booking at a less well-known embarkation point can find you some hidden savings. Taking a holiday during the less busy times of the year also offers savings, as cruise lines try to fill their cabins. 

Find a package

In addition to the coupons and discounts offered through the cruise line, check in to their cruise and stay packages. These packages bundle hotel accommodation, restaurant reservations and cruise tickets into one deal. They offer you savings and give you an extra night or two onshore in a luxury hotel for a much cheaper price.

To check out the latest cruise deals from Bon Voyage click here.

Most of the larger, well-known cruise lines offer family themed cruises, and there are a number of great cruise choices for families who are travelling with teenagers.  Parents who are taking a cruise with teens should check out the options on the individual ships carefully before making their final decision.

In most cases, cruises that are designed with families in mind will offer a number of extra activities specifically aimed at teenagers.  While on board, the teens (along with other family members – including parents) can enjoy a variety of fun activities which may include surf simulators, zip lines, mini-golf, and ice skating at an onboard rink.  There are also numerous dining choices that will appeal to teens which can include popular spots such as Ben & Jerry’s, Johnny Rocket’s, and Sorrento’s Pizza, along with other ice cream parlours, fast food options, and burger shacks where fries and shakes are plentiful.

For teens wanting to spend the day on their own, some ships offer a posh lounge just for them where they can make friends with other teens and hang out.  Some cruises include special dance clubs that serve ‘mocktails’ (non-alcoholic), while others offer tanning decks that are private, teen-only areas.  Some ships offer DJ lessons given by instructors from professional DJ schools such as the Scratch DJ Academy, while others feature large video arcades specifically for teen travellers.

Most family themed cruise ships will be fully equipped with a variety of teen-oriented dance clubs and lounge areas, and will also offer numerous teen-only shore excursions.  These well-supervised shore excursions are a great way for mum and dad to get a bit of time to themselves while the kids are entertained on shore.