It’s impossible not to have a great time in San Diego, California. It has perfect weather year round, over 70 miles of breathtaking beaches, charming neighbourhoods to explore and more. Best of all, vacationing here doesn’t require bunch of money and there are cheap hotels in San Diego that are sure to fit any budget. You’ll also find an endless variety of exceptional free attractions in the beautiful city of San Diego and vicinity including the following:

Life is a Beach

Visit one of San Diego’s numerous beaches, which are all free to the public, and do a little surfing, swimming, collect seashells, play in the sand or work on your tan. You’ll love the beaches in San Diego; they’re absolutely spectacular.

Go Fly a Kite

Go fly a kite in the grassy field at Mission Bay Park’s Tecolote Shores. The 4,600 acre aquatic park is the perfect place to fly kites. You’ll have the wide open air to fly your kites in away from overhead wires and trees. Seeing the sky filled with color kites along Tecolote Shores is an amazing sight as they gracefully are lifted up into the air by the warm bay breezes.

Picture Perfect Sunsets

To enjoy the most magnificent sunsets you’ve ever seen, visit La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Cove is truly one of the most breathtaking natural settings on the planet.

Step Into San Diego’s Past

Old Town gives you the opportunity to step into San Diego’s historic past as you wander through Old Town’s historical buildings, including the Seeley Stables, the blacksmith shop, Estudillo House, Stewart House and the San Diego’s oldest schoolhouse. You’ll also find shops, restaurants, unique galleries and 9 hotels in Old Town with cheap hotel rooms, making it easy to enjoy this charming community.

Become a Stargazer

Stop by Balboa Park and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on the first Wednesday of the month and do some stargazing. The San Diego Astronomy Assoc. thrills visitors by setting up enormous telescopes to offer visitors a fantastic view of stars that fill the sky at night.

Enjoy a Laid Back Day by the Bay

Stop by San Diego’s Seaport Village for a day of free activities, leisurely wandering the quaint streets and window shopping. Enjoy a relaxing day of lying back in the soft, grassy areas, watching the ships and elegant yachts that pass by on the idyllic San Diego Bay. Better yet, stop by one of the many bay view cafes or restaurants for a bite to eat or a nice cool drink.

There’s Gold In Them There Hills!

Step back into the gold rush days in Julian, a gold mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains. You can get a free map of this century old town at the local Chamber of Commerce and take a self guided tour of Julian’s historic sites. The perfect end to your day of exploring is enjoying a delicious piece of homemade Julian apple pie, a specialty here.

Undersea Adventures

Have a blast snorkeling or scuba diving off San Diego’s shores and swim along with amazing underwater creatures. La Jolla Cove is also a great place to scuba dive because it has some of the clearest blue ocean waters along the California coast and miles of exceptional underwater preserves to check out.

Sitt’n by the Dock of the Bay

Enjoy a picturesque stroll along The Big Bay which is San Diego’s biggest attraction. The Big Bay is made up of 27 miles of stunning waterfront filled with bayside parks, marinas, countless restaurants and shops and miles of bike ways and promenades. It’s virtually impossible to be bored at Big Bay!

This fun loving city offers an exciting and affordable getaway anytime of the year and countless cheap hotels to choose from. Both of these factors together guarantee the perfect vacation experience!

Only got 48 hours in Berlin? Well, this is the city of all-night (all-weekend in fact) partying, so you will have no problem finding things to do at any hour of the day. Take in a couple of the historic sights then reward yourself with a traditional German pilsner. There are kooky boutiques, oddball pubs and open round-the-clock clubs. So be sure to book yourself a cheap hotel in Berlin. After all, you won’t be spending much time there!

Day 1

8:30-9am: Set yourself up for the day with a hearty breakfast at Café Wintergarten im Literaturhaus (Fasanenstrasse 23). It’s a gorgeous turn of the century villa where you can peruse the bookshelves after some smoked salon, poached eggs and perhaps a glass of champagne (well, you are on holiday after all!)

10am: Get your Berlin photo souvenirs with some pictures of the Brandenburg Gate where thousands of people once celebrated the falling of the Berlin Wall. Next head over to the Reichstag for a ride in the elevator to the top and spectacular views over the city.

1pm: Konnopke’s Imbiss (Schönhauser Allee 44b) is a local favourite for currywurst – perhaps the best in town! It’s a simple snack bar located below Eberswalder Strasse U-Bahn Station and dishes up curry sausages and spicy sauce.

2:30pm: Housed in a former railway station, the Hamburger Bhf Museum für Gegenwart (Invalidenstraße 50-51) is Berlin’s main museum for contemporary art. It hosts major exhibitions and some of its permanent collection includes Warhol, Twombly and Lichtenstein.

4:30pm: Take the weight off your feet and tuck in to Berlin brew at Deponie (Georgenstrasse 5) in the Mitte neighbourhood. You’ll find it beneath the railway arches between Friedrichstrasse and Hackescher Markt stations and you can enjoy some pilsners and bottled lagers either in the beer garden or huddled inside among the cluttered bric-a-brac.

6:30pm: The first stop is Bar Jeder Vernunft. You will need to have booked ahead for this dazzling all-singing and all-dancing tent. It is a 1920s themed cabaret and performance space for international artists. Entertainment is accompanied by fine dining and enchanting candlelight.

9:30pm: After the entertainment you could head to Schillerklause (Am Schillertheater 1), a cosy actors’ bar next to the Schiller Theatre for a few late-night games of pool and a few more pilsner pints.

1am: If you fancy pulling an all-nighter at the weekend, head to Berghain/Panorama Bar, Europe’s most famous club housed in an old power plant. If you make it past the bouncers (keep quiet in the queue) a hedonistic but well-mannered crowd live for the minimal techno as the sun starts to stream through the blinds Friedrichshain Am Wriezener Bahnhof).

Thanks to nayrb7, and ordRidden for the images off Flickr. Please note, at time of publication all images were suitable for use according to the Creative Commons license

 Day 2

10-10:30am: A later start today – you’ll probably need a lie in after your night on the town! The smell of freshly baked bread at Brot & Butter (Hardenbergstrasse 4-5) is the perfect comfort food and is accompanied by meats and cheeses. Wash it all down with a fresh buttermilk milkshake.

11am-2pm: You took in a couple of Berlin’s main attractions yesterday, so today you can delve in to the city’s subculture. The Alternative Berlin tour company runs free guided tours of some of Berlin’s lesser known sights including Europe’s largest indoor skate park, daytime raves, flea markets and vintage clothes shops. Tours start at 11am, last three hours and begin at Alexanderplatz TV Tower. No booking required but tipping the guide is recommended.

2:30pm: For lunch Max und Moritz (Oranienstrasse 162) dishes up Berlin specials including seasoned meatballs, pickled cabbages, caper sauce, lamb stew and a couple of rare beers. Choose from the faded elegance downstairs or the cute library upstairs.

4:30pm: Walk off lunch with a saunter around the Mitte district. Here you can pop in to cutting edge boutiques and perhaps pick up a couple of gifts.

7:30pm: After a quick freshen-up back at your hotel, it’s cocktail hour! The Bebel Bar and Lounge (Behrenstrasse 37) inside Rocco Forte’s Hotel de Rome is the best way to enjoy sumptuous luxury without forking out for a room! The bar features original stucco and over 60 cocktails.

8:30pm: Book ahead and try one of Berlin’s famous supper clubs. Some of the most popular include Lotería for north Mexican cuisine, or the more upmarket and experimental Pret a Diner, a pop up restaurant that has previously occupied roller rinks and a former mint building.

10pm: Traditional with a dash of rock and roll, the ballroom at Café Fatal @SO36 (Oranienstrasse 190) is great for people-watching. If you don’t fancy the salsa, waltz or foxtrot at the beginning of the night, the music switches to fun 80s and 90s later on.

The Royal Meridien Hotel is located along the perfect tract of beach in Dubai. With 500 rooms and suites, it is able to accommodate all travelers whether looking for a place to relax or to conduct business. The Royal Meridien hotel in Dubai is the perfect place to be.

The hotel looks out over the crystal blue waters of the Arabian Gulf where guests can enjoy the spectacular view or enjoy some fun in the sun participating in a variety of water sports or frolicking along the beach. In addition, the hotel has three swimming pools, squash courts and tennis courts as well as a Club designed especially for the children. Additionally, the hotel’s Health Club, the Caracalla, offers guests a modern fitness center with an assortment of pools, Jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas.

The Royal Meridien Hotel has 500 rooms and suites that offer a wide variety of features including wireless high speed internet, international direct dialing, satellite channels, flat screen television, DVD player, in-room safe, coffee maker, refrigerator, air-conditioning, wake-up call service, valet service, room service, sea view rooms and non-smoking rooms.

The Royal Meridien Hotel has 14 bars and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines including Mexican, Italian, Thai, Malay, pizza, pasta and seafood.

For guests who enjoy shopping adventures, Dubai has a number of shopping experiences including the famous Mall of the Emirates that has a wide range of restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Other shopping experiences include the Dubai Mall and the Ibn Battuta Mall.

For guests who enjoy golfing, there are several golf clubs available in the area including the Emirates Golf Club, which is the closest to the hotel as well as the Montgomery Golf Club and the Dubai Creek Golf Club.

There are many activities and attractions to see in Dubai. One place of interest is the Dubai Museum. The museum explains the history and culture of Dubai. Additionally, it has a number of interesting displays including fishing boats, instruments, jewelry, costumes and handcrafted weapons. The Al-Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in Dubai, is on exhibit at the museum also.

Another place of interest is the Wild Wadi, which is a great family activity. The Wild Wadi is a water park with a large wave pool, a variety of water slides, a waterfall and a few surfing machines. Wild Wadi is well known for the Jumeirah Sceirah, which is the fastest and tallest water slide in the Middle Eastern region. Wild Wadi also houses the largest wave pool in the Middle Eastern region called the Breakers Bay. The Wipeout and the Riptide are two simulator rides that give people an opportunity to experience surfing.

Another place of interest is the Dubai Zoo which is home to about 230 different types of animals including chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons, bears, deer, giraffes, jaguars, fox, and puma. The zoo also has several bird breeds such as the golden eagle, parrots and ostrich. The Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Arabian Peninsula.

Miami is home to a lot of fun things to do, so many in fact that some of the best activities are sometimes overlooked. When it comes to Miami you might think of the seafood, the beautiful beaches or the night life the city is so famous for, missing out on the great outdoor adventures waiting you in the two magnificent national parks that meet in Miami. The one of a kind parks are filled with lot of breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife and trails and offer unlimited possibilities for outdoor adventures, all within easy reach of several cheap hotels in Miami.

You won’t find a better place to visit for outdoor adventures than the Everglade National Park. It can take several days to see and experience everything the park has to offer so you may want to take a ranger guided tour to start, a great way to see the best sights. Besides taking a tour you can spend a peaceful day bird watching or an afternoon hiking the park under the beautiful blue Florida skies. The Everglades National Park is an extraordinary place to explore the wilderness, catching a glimpse of a majestic alligator or two, enjoy the untamed waterways and more.

Wildlife at Everglades

Also not to be missed is the Everglades Safari Park which offers a variety of tours that get you up close and personal with the wildlife out in the lush marsh filled Miami environments. You’ll see exotic birds, Crocodile and Alligator and other rare reptiles and during your tour may get the opportunity to hold a baby gator yourself. You’ll be able to learn about and experience the wild life first hand and not only on foot; you can enjoy the park via air boat rides as well as bus tours through out the park.

Biscayne National Park

Even though you can see views of Biscayne National Park from the downtown Miami area, from almost all of the cheap hotels in the area, it still seems worlds away. Biscayne’s main function is to protect the area and its unique combination of coral reefs, lush tropical islands, crystal clear waters and a variety of wildlife. You’ll find over 10,000 years of history here from shipwrecks to pirates and pineapple farmers. Outdoors fanatics can spend their days snorkeling, camping, boating and best of all enjoying the wildlife. You can either throw yourself into the outdoor activities or simply relax on the beach.

The discount hotels the city centre will give you the perfect way to wrap up your days of adventure visiting its parks and spend your evening enjoying the city’s exciting club scene and eclectic assortment of 5 star restaurants. Better yet, get out and walk along South Beach and try some of the local cuisine, the ideal way to wrap up any Miami vacation. To find out more about this destination, go to our Miami City Guide.

There are a lot of credit cards on the market today. Almost all of them offer one kind of perk or another. When you’re looking for the best credit cards to bring on vacation and throughout your other travels, there are a few important things to look for. These include such things as where they will be accepted, what kinds of rewards they offer and how expensive they are to carry wherever you go.

Visa and MasterCard are still the cards that are taken just about anywhere. American Express is accepted in a lot of places around the globe, but not as often as with the Visa and MasterCard. The same thing goes for Discover while it is readily accepted, not all merchants take it because the processing fees are higher than the other cards.

If you can only have one credit card in your wallet for traveling with, you need to make sure that it won’t be rejected at any of the merchants that you go to. The last thing you want to deal with is the inability to make a purchase or book a reservation simply because you have the wrong card in your wallet.

Many credit cards are designed for the traveler. There are rewards that help a traveler go farther by using the card. These are the best credit card companions to have whenever you travel no matter how far you’re going. These will often give you points or miles for every dollar that you spend so that you can turn around and use them on more travel, such as with free flights, discounts on car rentals and free nights at participating hotels.

Travel credit cards often provide you with free travel insurance when you book your flight or other travel plans using the same credit card. This is something to look for because it can save you hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars. The travel insurance will cover you in case you lose your luggage, need to cancel an excursion or even need to seek medical attention while you’re away from home.

In most cases, you won’t need to get any additional travel insurance or even fill out forms. It is automatically included as long as that is the card you use for all of your travel related expenses. If you rent a car with the credit card, it will also provide you with rental car insurance saving you even more money.

Look for a credit card that offers travel concierge services as well. These are free to use and allow you to get assistance with booking fun and interesting things to do when you’re on vacation. A phone number will be provided to put you in touch with a live representative. They will help you book restaurant reservations, help you find some exciting attractions and much more.

You shouldn’t have to pay too much for the credit card, either. Try to avoid credit cards with steep annual fees. There are some travel cards that provide you with all of the travel insurance and concierge services without any annual fee at all. If you do get one that has an annual fee, make sure that you are getting something worth your while from it such as a free companion airline ticket, free stays at a hotel or something else that will make your vacations and other travels more affordable. As long as the benefit you gain is worth more than the fees, you are getting a good deal on your credit card.

Travel credit cards can make a great companion as long as you know what to look for when selecting the card to put in your wallet.

If you want to experience a truly amazing holiday then Egypt is the place for you. If you have travelled to Egypt in the past and you are looking for somewhere that is a break from the norm then considering visiting El Gouna. Here you will find a wonderful retreat that gives an opulent, luxurious feel to your stay and with some of the best hotels the World has to offer being situated here it is easy to see why. El Gouna is a relatively new resort having been around for just over 20 years and you can really tell as this resort does not have a tired, worn out look that some Egyptian resorts may offer. You will see lots of pristine and well presented hotels with all of the modern facilities that you could ever want or need while on holiday. El Gouna is definitely an up and coming resort and this is reflected in the prices that you can expect pay while staying here.

El Gouna

El Gouna is home to wonderful sandy beaches with beautiful sea views and dusty deserts that are just waited to be explored. You can find the beach and the desert just a few minutes apart from each other and this makes for the ideal holiday location. This is probably the main selling point of El Gouna and is the reason why more and more people are returning here time and time again for their holidays. You will find amazing sand dunes just by the side of the road on your travels here and these provide an amazing backdrop for the luxurious hotels here.

The Red Sea here will give you some truly stunning views and the architecture here is stunning also. There are blissful little cobbled streets all over the place and you will get a real Arabian twist on Venice while relaxing in the wonderful sunshine and visiting the little shops on offer here. You will find many handmade gifts and souvenirs here that make wonderful keepsakes to take home with you at the end of your wonderful holiday.

El Gouna is within reasonable distance of Aswan and Luxor making for a wonderful day out and the nearest main airport of Hurghada is just 22km away meaning your transfer time should be relatively quick. El Gouna is a wonderful destination throughout the year regardless of the month and you will always find nice weather on offer here, well, nicer than the weather back home!

Besides the wonderful hotels in El Gouna, you will find lots of wonderful locals here too. There is a lovely feel in the community and there is lots to see and do while here. Downtown is a lovely place to visit and if you are looking for shops, bars, restaurants or fitness clubs then this is the place for you! You can even have your hair and nails done in one of the local salons to ensure that you return home from your holiday looking your best with your wonderful new sun tan!

If you have a generous budget then a visit to the Abu Tig Marina is a real must and allows you to take in the luxurious surroundings, each some fresh sea food in one of the wonderful restaurants nearby and even go out on a diving trip to some of the local marine life hotspots.

There is much to see and do in El Gouna that you could holiday here for the rest of your life and probably never get bored of visiting!

The number of luxury holidays to Mauritius has greatly expanded in recent years. Here are five activities you can do in this gorgeous part of the world which help explain why.

1. Big game fishing.

Find out why this is a favourite activity of the rich and famous. Mauritius is world-renowned for the quantity and quality of exciting fish in its surrounding waters, among them the giant blue marlin, black marlin, mako shark, tiger shark, yellow fin tuna and dog tooth tuna, to name just a few. There are many charter companies offering boats, equipment and experienced staff to cater for every level of angling skill and experience. Joining battle with one of the mighty denizens of the deep is an experience never to be forgotten.

2. You can pilot your own mini-submarine.

Go to Grand Baie in the north of Mauritius to indulge James Bond fantasies, singly or in a pair, aboard an underwater scooter. View reef and marine life, comfortably ensconced on adjustable seats inside a 360 degree glass dome. The vessel is very easily manoeuvred, with a steering wheel, two accelerator pedals and a button to control the depth level. Safety is guaranteed, with divers accompanying your trip ready to assist at all times. You may only go 3 to 4 metres deep, but it’s an unusual and very enjoyable experience.

3. You can walk with lions.

Really. In a separate area of the safari park on the banks of Riviere du Rempart, intrepid visitors have a unique opportunity to spend an hour walking among tame lions, leading and even petting them under the guidance of their handlers. (Full safety instructions are given at the beginning.) Watch lions interacting, climbing trees, even feeding. You will receive lots of information, but nothing could teach you more vividly than this extraordinary close encounter.

4. You can visit the unspoilt Rodrigues Island.

Rodrigues is a place where ‘the pace is as slow as the tortoises that once roamed the island,’ and you can taste the best curry in the region, prepared from octopus speared in the lagoon by straw-hatted Creole women.

5. You can do some fantastic sightseeing.

Fair enough, the thought of trailing round an exhaustive list of ‘attractions’ may not really seem that atractive, but there truly is something on Mauritius to suit all kinds of preference, and it’s pretty daft to come all this way without having a look at some of it!. Among others, you may like to consider watching craftsmen at work making incredibly accurately detailed model ships or in the glass-blowing factory which uses 100% recycled glass; seeing the gigantic waterlilies at the botanical garden at Pamplemousses; visiting the holy (for Hindus) lake of Grand Bassin, checking out the 7 coloured earths of Chamarel, viewing the island from the crest of the dormant volcano of Trou aux Cerfs; seeing almost extinct Pink Pigeons and the Aldabran Giant Tortoises in the nature reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes, taking a Tea Route tour; enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of markets such as the biggest one at Flacq. And be sure to be in the right place for any of the many colourful festivals that may be on during your visit.

Apart from all this, there are all the usual water-based activities you’d expect around a tropical island, as well as land-based adventures like zip-lining and treks among stunning scenery.

And if all that activity leaves you feeling tired, all the better to enjoy the total indulgence of relaxing and being pampered! Can it really be a luxury holiday without a session of massage and spa treatment? If you’ve booked a luxury resort, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the spa service provided there, but check out the Ayurvedic and Indonesian treatments offered by independent spas too.

Have a great time!

If you are planning a visit, choose from one of the many luxury hotels in Boston and take in the city’s history, culture and many other attractions that often slip the attention of most tourists. These spots are the hidden gems that are a must do on your list while visiting. These can vary from historical sites to museums, natural protected areas and shopping experiences that are out of the ordinary, making your trip to Boston an unforgettable experience.

One stop that you need to make is at the Charles River Museum of Industry. This spot gives you an inside look at where the American Industrial Revolution has its roots, including where the first labor strike occurred and the first power loom to be put into the action in America. It is found behind the park in downtown Waltham, often overlooked and doesn’t have the massive crowds that are common in some of Boston’s more well known attractions. It boasts exhibits, inventions, steam engines and other marvelous steam engines from the era of early industry, which are explained to you on personal tours given by museum volunteers.

One place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds is at the Sedgwick Gardens, located at Long Hill. This is the site of a 114 acre estate that was built by Ellery Sedgwick as a summer residence. It features a collection of gardens that have flowering cherry trees, apple trees, copper beaches and over 500 types of vegetation for you to take in. You can stroll along the many paths, eat a picnic lunch or just sit and enjoy the scenery.

For a truly unique experience, you can head over to Wolf Hollow and get an inside view of one of North America’s most beloved predators. This site is run by the American Wolf Foundation, featuring 17 wolves that can be observed either on a weekend afternoon or through a one hour presentation given in a protected viewing area. Visitors view these beautiful creatures through a chain-link enclosure that contains a pack. You can gain knowledge and see something different at Wolf Hollow.

If you truly want to escape the city crowds, Plum Island is a smart choice. This site has beaches, swimming and is a great treat for families. You can also take hikes to see protected bird species through the nearby Parker River Refuge. Many people choose from the hotels in Boston Back Bay and enjoy the surrounding area. These escapes, though off the beaten path, offer a unique chance to see another side of the history and beauty of Boston.

People usually associate Cornwall with summer holidays but if you head down to the UK’s mildest county in the winter months you are sure of a treat, especially if you fancy a festive break.

Accommodation is much easier to come by for a start and you’ll be able to rent good quality self catering accommodation in Cornwall for a much cheaper rate than in the summer months. A good number of holiday homes in Cornwall are fully equipped for the winter months so you can snuggle up all after a day of brisk winter walks.

With fewer tourists around you will also be able to sample New Year and the Festive Season with the locals and get a real flavour of what it is like for people living and working in Cornwall all year round.

Several towns around Cornwall have become well known for their exuberant and colourful New Year’s fancy dress celebrations. For serious party animals Newquay’s New Year revels are not to be missed. Visitors can see-in the New Year in style by taking part in Newquay’s renowned fancy dress carnival. Popular with locals and visitors alike, people of all ages are encouraged to take part by dressing in costumes – the more outrageous and creative the better – and walk through the streets, ending up at Central Square as the whole town gathers outside Central Pub for the countdown. Once the clock strikes midnight, spectators can watch the magnificent fireworks display at Newquay Harbour and then head to one of the town’s many nightclubs to dance the rest of the night away.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations in St. Ives have a deserved national reputation for being one of the places to see in the New Year. Fancy dress is not compulsory but you may look out of place without it. Most people make an incredible effort with some creative and painstakingly constructed homemade outfits taking to the streets. The streets of St. Ives are closed for traffic at the bottom of Tregenna Hill so no vehicle access to the Harbour which will be heaving with people. If the tide is out, everyone overspills onto the beach to extend the party. When the bells toll everything goes BANG as the always dramatic firework display illuminates the beaches and town of St. Ives.

Looe also puts on a great display to vie with Newquay and St Ives for position on the UK’s top New Year party list. Fancy dress is more or less obligatory whether you’re Julius Caesar, the Seven Dwarves or something that no one can quite put their finger on! To light up that special moment at midnight, Looe puts on arguably one of the best firework displays in Cornwall.

For a truly ancient Cornish winter festival Montol, meaning ‘winter solstice’ in Cornish takes place every year in Penzance. The ritual heart of the festival is the huge ‘Rivers of Fire’ procession, which features countless home-made lanterns, the Penglaz ‘Obby Oss, disguised dancers and musicians and culminates in the ‘Lighting of the Mock’ at Lesckudjack Hill Fort, one of the most ancient sites in the parish of Penzance.

If you are looking for a more sedate, cosy way to spend your festive season then stroll down to Mousehole – there are some lovely, cosy harbour side pubs where you can enjoy a pint and some festive fare. Afterwards amble along the harbour front and through the village admiring the illuminated boats on the water and the streets lit up with beautiful and sometimes eccentric festive lights.

There’s a particular tradition throughout the coastal fringes of Cornwall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day which is possibly only for the really (fool)hardy. The brave among you could join the many stalwart Cornish residents who troop down to Cornwall’s various beaches for a bracing dip in the wintry ocean before lunch. You won’t get shunned if you wear a wet or dry suit, although the faff of getting in and out of the suit may outweigh the benefits as most people change and dash in for a short dip with a lot of screaming, hollering and laughter. You can’t fail to be impressed by the incredible staying power of the older generations who seem to be unaffected by the chilly waves! You are guaranteed to regain your healthy glow after a night of Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve revelry. Of course you could just take a Thermos of hot toddy down to the beach and a couple of blankets and watch from a cosy seat in the sand. The best places to take a dip are the beach at Polkerris, Gyllingvase Beach in Falmouth, Caws and on the Rame Peninsula, Polzeath on the north coast, St Agnes and Charlestown to name but a few. Most of the top spots are close to the convenience of a pub, a log fire and lots of swift brandies.

Cornwall over the festive season is a delight and if you choose to spend Christmas or New Year there you are sure to be thrilled by the near empty beaches and the warm hospitality of the locals.

Christmas day dip in Cornwall – photo credit Cennydd

Sharm el Sheikh, usually known locally as ‘Sharm’ is a wonderful resort on the southern point of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. A holiday in Sharm el Sheikh is one of the most popular holidays in Egypt and has been for a number of years now. This is mainly due to the wonderful beaches, diving locations and desert views available from almost anywhere in Sharm. There should be something to suit almost everyone here and if you want to ensure great weather on your holiday then this is the place for you.

The majority of accommodation available in Sharm el Sheikh is hotels and with well known names such as Hilton & Marriott being players in the hotel game here you will be spoilt for choice on a Sharm el Sheikh holiday, however, if you want something a little less commercialised then you will also find lots of local hotels and bed & breakfasts here. Some of the hotels here have amazing facilities with private beaches and diving schools being just some of the things that they offer. This means that if you just want to enjoy the wonderful weather and the ocean that you need not even leave the grounds of your hotel if you would prefer not to. You can even learn how to dive and then practice diving in the ocean just on the edge of your hotel grounds.

There is much to see and do in Egypt if you do decide to explore and some of the most popular things to do here include fishing, swimming, diving, shopping, quad bike rides through the desert, taking boat trips and enjoying the wonderful local cuisine. There is also lots of things that you can do that need not cost you a lot of money such as enjoying a wonderful walk or taking in some of the local sights.

The local cuisine is simply wonderful and whether you want to enjoy a refreshing ice cream cone while walking along the beach or try some of the wonderful meat and vegetable dishes on offer here at the beach side restaurants you will not be disappointed.

Temperatures vary widely here through the year with lows of around 12 or 13 degrees and highs of 39 or 40 degrees being the norm throughout the year. July is the best month to visit for sunshine hours and August is the time of year when you will find the hottest weather available to you, however, whatever time of year you visit you will generally find the weather to a little warmer than back home just because of the location of Egypt.

If you are someone who likes to enjoy the local night life when on holiday then be sure to check out Na’ama Bay which is home to the majority of the fantastic night life available in this part of Egypt. You will find lots of bars, clubs and discos here with a wide variety of music to suit almost every taste with everything from chart music to local stuff on offer.

Whatever you decide to do in Egypt you are sure to have a wonderful time with your family and friends as there is something for almost everyone here and to suit most budgets.