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The natural beauty of Austria in wintertime is well known, and this is why ski holidays in the country have become quite popular. Several different areas of the country are suitable for such a holiday.

For those skiers who are not at the professional level, Alpbach is a good place to start. This ski resort is located in the Austrian state of Tyrol, in the western part of the country. Snowboarders are also welcome here, and there is a half pipe for those who want to test the boundaries of their skill.

Another popular ski resort in Tyrol is the Arlberg Ski Area. This is a resort for more experienced skiers, with excellent slopes. The visually striking mountains help to make skiing here an unforgettable experience.

Filzmoos is a ski resort located in Salzburg, amid the Dachstein and Bischofsmütze mountains. This resort has the bonus of often being sparsely crowded, which means that visitors get more ski time. There are slopes here to suit skiers of all levels. There are also many activities at Filzmoos for the non-skier, which helps to make it an ideal destination for families.

Travellers looking for a skiing holiday in Austria that is not too far from the frills of the city should look into Igls, which is located just a stone’s throw away from Innsbruck. At this resort, the Patscherkofel Mountain can be skied. There is a small smattering of slopes at Igls, and they are most suitable for intermediate skiers.

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The coastline of Croatia is famous for its dramatic rocky outcrops and wild beauty, which have remained unspoiled despite years of tourism. There are quiet coves, uninhabited islands, primitive fishing villages and unspoiled landscape that will enchant every visitor.

The islands of Kornati, Jabuka and Brusnik have unique geological features; others have interesting bays and inlets for visitors to explore. There are many beautiful beaches, like Zlatni rat on the island of Brac and the beach at Brela, near the city of Makarska.

The island of Hvar presents a natural setting that will entice lovers of quietly beautiful landscape and explorers of rugged terrain. It also presents a choice of luxury resorts or budget accommodation.

Dubrovnik is an historic city originally built by Venetian settlers. While it has many places for tourists to explore, it can also serve as a base for travelling to islands in the region.

Split, which is Croatia’s second largest city, has many wonderful historic features, such as the 1,700 year-old Diocletian’s Palace. Visitors to Split will find the city is also dedicated to numerous cultural pursuits.

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New York City is full of things to do and places to see. Regardless of whether you want to spend your holiday enjoying the lively and diverse nightlife, browsing world-renowned museums, watching a Broadway show or learning about America’s history, you are sure to find plenty to do during your stay in this amazing city.

While there are numerous clubs in New York that only liven up when the sun sets, many visitors prefer to enjoy their holidays during the day and get their beauty sleep at night. If this is the case with you, you will not be disappointed with your options. You might choose to join the audience of the TV show ‘Good Morning America’ in the morning, visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the afternoon and end the day with a Broadway play.

New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world. As a result, there is a vast range of cuisine available. Absolutely every type of ethnic food you can imagine is readily available in New York, including Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Brazilian, French, Italian, Chinese and Mediterranean.

If you are able to be in New York for New Year’s Eve, you are in store for a unique experience. Times Square hosts a huge party every year and people from all over the world travel there to enjoy a New Year’s Eve holiday, watch the ball drop and have a great time at one of the biggest parties in the world. Even if you do not normally enjoy loud clubs and boisterous nightlife, you are sure to enjoy being a part of this annual celebration.

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San Diego, California, is a beautiful city to visit on holiday. Whether travelling alone, as a family or with a group of friends, you will find plenty to do in San Diego.

Anyone who enjoys seeing wild animals will want to take time to visit the San Diego Zoo and Walt Disney’s Wild Animal Park. San Diego Zoo is regarded as one of the best, not only in the United States, but also in the world. Hundreds of different species of animals can be seen at this remarkable zoo. Walt Disney’s Wild Animal Park follows the concept of the zoo by housing its animals in man-made habitats that are as similar to the wild as possible.

The beaches in San Diego are stunning, offering visitors who enjoy the outdoors a wonderful opportunity to tan in the sun, build a sandcastle, swim in the Pacific Ocean and go surfing and boogie boarding. If you travel during the winter it will be too cold to comfortably enjoy the water, but do not let that stop you from enjoying the beach and strolling along the boardwalk. Many of the shops and boutiques on the boardwalk remain open, even during the winter, providing a great opportunity for a little retail therapy.

Spending the day exploring San Diego is sure to make you hungry, so it is fortunate that there are lots of great restaurants to check out in the downtown area of the city. Regardless of what type of food you enjoy, you are sure to find something to suit your taste.

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Visitors to the Spanish region of Catalonia should include a trip to Tarragona as part of their holiday.  Barcelona may be the capital and most famous city in Catalonia, but Tarragona has just as much to offer, particularly for those interested in history.

Tarragona is a coastal town to the south of Barcelona, and travelling by train takes around one hour and 15 minutes, with a similar journey time by car.  Like its northern neighbour, there is no shortage of hotels and restaurants to suit most pockets, and both have well-maintained beaches, making them popular summer destinations.  There is also a wealth of historical landmarks, and Tarragona, in particular, is ideal for short breaks as most of the attractions can be found in the historic old town.  With a population of around 140,000, the city has an intimate, relaxed atmosphere.

Perhaps the most impressive attraction in Tarragona is the Roman ruins.  The Romans called the city Tarraco, and the buildings that have survived now form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Highlights include the amphitheatre, the Praetorium tower and adjoining circus, two forums or plazas, and the city walls.  All are within easy walking distance of each other with excellent information points.  There are several more Roman sites nearby including Les Ferreres Aqueduct, a famous aqueduct known as Devil’s Bridge.

Tarragona Cathedral sits at the top of the old town, while the Museum of Modern Art and the Casa Castellarnau Museum, a famous nobleman’s residence from the Middle Ages, are also nearby.  At the centre of the old town is the main square, Plaça de la Font, with a wide selection of restaurants, while a stroll along the Rambla Nova leads to Balcó del Mediterrani, a wrought iron balcony with a commanding view of the Mediterranean below.

With numerous culture activities and festivals, from re-enactments of gladiatorial games to open-air concerts, there is no shortage of things to do in Tarragona.

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People travel from around the globe to visit the Grand Canyon and if you enjoy the outdoors, you are sure to enjoy a holiday here. Flowing through this stunning canyon is the Colorado River and a huge number of people choose to spend their holiday hiking down to it. They usually camp near the river or stay at the Phantom Ranch, spend some time exploring and then hike back out. Others prefer to ride a donkey up and down the canyon, which is somewhat easier than hiking the whole way. If neither option sounds appealing to you, you may prefer to simply view the canyon from the rim, without descending into it.

If you do decide to stay at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, there is the Phantom Ranch, which also has a restaurant. You should be aware that the ranch is extremely busy and if you do wish to stay there you will need to make a reservation up to a year in advance of your visit. Bookings can be made by visiting the Grand Canyon accommodation website.

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Luxury holidays in the Caribbean offer an enormous range of choice. Small islands glistening in the deep blue sea, palm fronds gently waving in a cooling breeze and the gleaming white beaches acting as magnets for visitors.

Caribbean luxury holidays introduce the relaxed lifestyle synonymous with the region, from the northernmost Bermuda with its Caribbean soul to the southerly Trinidad and Tobago, a stone’s throw from the coast of Venezuela.

It may be hard to choose which part of this idyllic region to visit but once experienced the lure of the Caribbean is hard to resist. Those seeking romance and peace and quiet may look to Barbados or Grenada holidays, while those seeking a paradise for sailors will look to the British Virgin Islands. Every luxury holiday destination offers a huge range of sporting activities, both on land or on the water.

Hiking the volcanic trails in St Lucia, windsurfing and waterskiing in Antigua, golf and tennis in the Bahamas, a trip back in history with the colonial architecture of St Kitts & Nevis, every island has its own fascinating story to tell.

Whether it is for luxury holidays to unwind or adventures on land and sea, Caribbean holidays have something to offer everyone. Adults and children alike can always expect the warmest of welcomes, the finest of local and international cuisine, pampering spa treatments and the azure waters forever lapping at the endless beaches.

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The Earth is now experiencing a period described by scientists as the 2012 to 2013 Solar Maximum, meaning that sunspot activity is now at its highest.  Sunspots create solar flares that, when hitting the atmosphere of the Earth, produce the Northern and Southern lights that light up the sub-Arctic and Arctic regions.
 
The Northern Lights can sometimes be seen from late August through to mid April.  It can be quite magical to see the Northern Lights dance across the skies when there is a full moon.  The strongest lights will normally take place from October through November and then February through March between 9 pm and 1 am.  It is better to stay away from areas and towns that have light pollution.
 
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can generally be seen in the north central parts of the United States, such as North Dakota and Minnesota; Lapland including Sweden, Norway Finland, and northern Siberia.  The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, can be seen in parts of Australia and Tasmania.
 
Taking good photos of these dancing Northern Lights can be very difficult, as they are fast moving, usually faint and are against a pitch-black background.  Here are some valuable tips for a fair chance of capturing an eternal memory:
 
•    A sturdy tripod will be essential, as the exposure time will exceed 10 to 20 seconds.  A near-perfect photo cannot be achieved by holding the camera by hand for this length of time.
•    The camera should have a manual exposure of five to 40 seconds.
•    The fastest wide-angle lens should be used, with an aperture of at least f/2.8 (f/1.4 will be best)
•    Fast film:  A good film camera must be used with no less than 400 ASA film (800 ASA is better) or the equivalent ISO settings on digital cameras.
•    A self-timer or cable release to trigger the shots without moving the camera.

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Camel riding tours are a fun and exciting way to see the historical sights of Egypt.  Most of the camel guides in Egypt are Bedouin.  This tribe actually lives in the desert.  As a visitor rides through the desert area on their camel they will have the chance of experiencing the history and culture of the Bedouins and of Egypt.
 
Many different kinds of camel rides are offered when embarking on cheap holidays to Egypt.  These will vary from camel trekking through Sharm El Sheikh and also the more adventurous off-road treks.  Setting off from Sharm El Sheikh, the visitor will trek into the desert and also visit a Bedouin camp to experience the way this tribe lives.  Visitors might even share some herbal tea with the Bedouin natives.  They will also see the beauty of the setting sun while in the desert.  This can be quite an unforgettable experience.
 
Camel safaris can be enjoyed in the high mountainous ranges of the Southern Sinai region that passes between the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba.  This area cannot be seen if travelling by car or vehicle.  This only makes the camel safari even more special.  The Bedouins conducting these tours always look out for any new route and love to show off the incredible scenery that this area offers.
 
When planning a camel safari, it will be necessary to be prepared for any kind of weather.  This can range from freezing temperatures during the night to sunshine drenched heat waves in the daytime.   Direct flights to Sharm El Sheikh depart from various UK airports that include: London Gatwick, Bristol, Belfast and Manchester. 

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The Maldives may be a wonderfully small island country, but it invokes strong feelings of national patriotism and has a strong religious community.  Planning Maldives holidays during festivals – when the local population has a chance to come together and share the same enthusiasm or ties – is a fantastic way to explore Maldivian local culture.

Some significant times to visit the Maldives include:

Republic Day of Maldives

On November 11, the islands celebrate with dances and marches, with children and neighbours.  A collection of lively special events are performed each year to mark the freedom of the republic.

Independence Day

Celebrating independence from the British on July 26, Maldivians welcome the event with pomp and gaiety, including music, dance and jazz performances.

Maldivians also celebrate religious holidays with as much fervour as national ones.  Religious holidays are times of solemnity and respect, and days of observance or celebration among the Maldivian people.  Holidays are scheduled based on the lunar calendar.  Some of the Islamic celebrations that the nation commemorates include Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and the month when the Qu’ran was revealed, and Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of Ramadan fasting.  Other holidays include Eid-Ul-Adha, one of the major religious celebrations of the Maldives.

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