There is never-ending stunning scenery in the Maldives and if you have never heard of it, the Maldives are a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, just north of the equator.

There are about twelve hundred islands in all which are separated into a series of coral atolls, with only two-hundred being inhabited. This is where visitors will enjoy swaying palm trees and beaches of white sand, surrounded by crystal clean waters and deep blue lagoons.
You now have a picture in your mind of the scenery of these tropical islands and if that is what you want for your next travel adventure, you know which ocean to do your searching in.  There are literally thousands of island throughout the oceans and seas of our planet, all you need to do is choose one.

So, if you are looking for the perfect location for your next break, be it a mini-break or one of significantly greater length, you could do much, much worse than consider one of the many family run lake district hotels such as the Ellerthwaite Lodge…

Amongst the many reasons for this choice is the issue of location, or, if you’d prefer, setting. See, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of hotels in the lake district and each of these establishments has something different to offer in terms of setting. For example, there are rural lake district hotels which take you back to nature, allowing you step out of the door and into a lush, green environment which couldn’t be further removed from the city or town you’ve been looking to escape. These places are likely to offer magnificent log fires and a traditional feel, and yet some are also more modern in terms of décor and set-up and yet maintain this all important link to nature which for many of us can completely make or brake a holiday or getaway. The lake district is of course a place of significant natural beauty and as such, the scenery which awaits you on the doorstep of numerous lake-district-hotels would be hard to beat, particularly in the United Kingdom.

However, perhaps you fancy something a little more urban and yet equally as attractive to the naked eye. If so, you are also catered for. The lakes themselves are well known, but there are plenty of delightful towns in the region, each with an attractive layout, offering a range of amenities and with a rich and detailed history. So, if you are all about the location and, let’s face it, when booking a holiday there is no greater facet which deserves your attentions, then a lake district hotel might be right up your street, so to speak.

They will look into holidays to Lapland and choose one of their short breaks that include a private visit with Santa for each family. If grandparents will be coming along, there is a savings for them and optional safaris for the kids.  Playing in the snow is what kids love to do but adults can play also and join in making snowmen and being part of a good old fashioned snowball fight.

A three or four day break can have you waking to a winter wonderland on Christmas morning and what could be better than that? A white Christmas is the dream of many children, especially when they don’t have snow where they live.  There is still time to book your stay before Christmas and let your kids know that Santa will be waiting, along with reindeer, huskies and snowmobiles.

Off the mainland there are thousands of isles, of which a couple of hundred are inhabited. The archipelago is separated into a number of groups – including the Ionian Islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Argo-Saronic Islands and the Sporades – and you can travel between many of the clusters by ferry.

Renowned for its pleasant climate, tasty Mediterranean cuisine and rich history, Greece and its surroundings make for the ideal holiday, especially if you make the journey during the summer months when you can enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures.

You can book accommodation before you travel, or, if you relish the spontaneity of last-minute breaks, you’ll often find locals waiting at the ferry terminal to offer rooms at their guesthouses.

Why not start your Grecian adventure at the largest isle – Crete? Located at the southern edge of the Aegean Sea, Crete boasts wonderfully rugged scenery along with some golden sands, ideal for making the most of the sunshine and working on your tan.

Additionally, the island is home to a palm tree forest, numerous Byzantine churches and fascinating ruins, such as the Minoan Palace of Knossos.

There are three airports in Crete, so you might choose to find accommodation on the island for ease of travelling to and from Greece.

Next, board a flight for Santorini – one of the Cyclades islands. The spot was the site of the massive Minoan eruption from the volcano Thera thousands of years ago and retains its craggy landscape as a result. Here, you can view the volcanic crater or climb up to the capital of Fira, which perches on clifftops and affords amazing views over the water below.

Afterwards, journey to the prehistoric site of Akrotiri to admire the sight of ancient buildings that are remarkably intact, or take a boat ride out to Red Beach or White Beach and spend some time on the sands. Alternatively, stay on the boat and opt for a tour of the volcanic islands.

From Santorini, you can take the ferry to Mykonos, another of the Cyclades islands and arguably the archipelago’s most famous spot. The isle is the place to be if you enjoy a party atmosphere and boasts sophisticated nightlife that attracts thousands of visitors every year. You can enjoy dancing until dawn and recover on one of the many beautiful beaches to be found here, some of which offer water sports facilities if you feel like cooling off.

Take a ferry to Syros next and admire the Venetian and neoclassical buildings before heading on to the Dodecanese island of Patmos. The mountainous region’s impressive monastery is its main landmark and the site is well worth a visit.

A religious island, Patmos has long been a site of pilgrimage as a result of being the place where St John received a vision from Jesus. There are a few UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore here, including the island’s historic centre Chora, as well as the monastery.

Make your way around the bustling port and soak up the sun at Agriolivadi Bay or Cape Yenoupa before you journey on to Leros – a pretty little island that is largely unspoiled and offers some authentic Greek charm.

The isle was once used as a prison for political rebels and also as a naval base by the Italians and Germans, but is now a calm, relaxed spot where you can explore the remains of a Byzantine castle or browse the fresh food on sale at the markets.

Brush up on your local culture with a visit to the archaeological museum or the war museum on the island or call in at the well-preserved old flour mill.

Head to Kos next via the ferry and spend some time relaxing on the beaches here – one of the island’s main draws. It is equally well known for its buzzing nightlife and if you’re in the mood to party you’ll find a wealth of bars and clubs to visit.

From here, you can take a boat to Rhodes, home to a beautiful sandy coastline, inland forests, mountain villages and medieval architecture.

Make your way around the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and wander through the Valley of the Butterflies before sampling some rustic Greek food at one of the upmarket restaurants to be found here.

These are just some of the many Greek Islands you can visit – for more holiday ideas to Greece and elsewhere visit iWantSun.co.uk.

If you love the ocean, you will choose somewhere on the coast or you might want to try island life and head out to sea for a lush and tropical island.  Maybe you are searching for a new location for scuba diving or you want to learn to windsurf or sail.  If this sounds like your kind of vacation then you will want to see what the island in the Indian Ocean have to offer. 

The Seychelles offer all kinds of water sports and you can book your trip with the Seychelles Holidays.  These islands are outside the cyclone belt so you won’t find high winds here. This is perfect for windsurfing and sailing. Fishing, snorkeling and world class scuba are all offer here in the warm Indian Ocean.  If you are a water enthusiast, then this will be your travel choice. 

The Museum of the Subterranean World, beneath the caves, has many archaeological finds. Along with a tour through the caves and a museum, visitors can expect a boat ride, a railroad ride, a trip through the Han Wildlife Reserve and an exhibition on the Maasai. Of course, some walking is done to get from one cave to the other, but it is a worthwhile attraction that can be experienced with family and friends. When visiting the Caves of Han, visitors can take an hour and a half tour through the cooling caves. There are many chambers and sites to see that date back to the Neolithic time period thousands of years ago. The Scarab chamber at the entrance of the cave was considered home to the local people.

The Vigneron chamber’s first lever would be flooded when the Lesse River would run through it. The chamber of Cataclysms underwent a cave in, where the rocks have fallen in, yet its concretions and blocks are still as natural as they were thousands of years ago. The Minerat chamber is 12,000 years old and six meters high. It is a very beautiful site to see. The Mysterious chamber is called mysterious for a reason. Its rocks and formations are of different sizes, shapes and colors. The largest concretion, at seven meters high and with a circumference of 20 meters, can be found in the Trophy chamber. The Armoury, or the Weapons room, is the second largest room in the caves, and it is 110 meters underground. The Dome Chamber is the largest room, with a small lake inside, at 62 meters high and 145 meters long. The Boarding Chamber is where visitors take a 250 meter boat ride through and out of the caves. A surprise canon lighting is traditional when exiting the caves. The lighting in the caves is just right, and the cool air make for a spectacular tourist attraction to visit in Belgium.

The greatest thing standing between people and cruising is, often, the cost. Indeed, if we look at it at just a glance, it might seem a little too expensive, especially compared with some deals that we see in travel agencies. But cruise holidays don’t necessarily need to be that expensive. First of all, you need to factor in that most cruises are full board, meaning that you won’t pay anything extra for all the meals you have while in the cruise. Most services, if not all, on the ship are also included, from swimming pool access to the spa or gym. And there are also great deals to be found out there on the internet – you just need to look around a bit.

If you are looking to avoid all of the typical vacation woes, then look into Villa Holidays for your next trip. Occupying a single private property is a great way to both relax, and bring together the family in a homey environment. Enjoy your own facilities, you can cook, and lay out by the pool in complete seclusion. You also have the option to discover a new city, and take in foreign culture, with many properties scattered all over. Enjoy the sun and warmth of Portugal or Spain, and come back to a cozy house at the end of your adventure. Rent a villa for your next vacation!

A good agent can probably get you a better package deal for a trip to Europe than you can find yourself. Agents are trained professionals and know instantly how to search for the best hotels, the best planes and the best deals for their clients.

If you book a trip online you may wonder how you get your tickets. When you use a travel agency your tickets will be handed to you, along with your itinerary. If for some reason a part of your travel plans change, due to the hotel or airlines, your agent will keep you posted of the changes, prepare new tickets and a new itinerary.

If for whatever reason, if the hotel is not satisfactory or you need to fly home due to a family emergency, your travel agent can make all the necessary changes for you. That way, you don’t have to worry about all the details.

Have all your liquids in bottles of less than 100ml and not more than 1 liter in total, all in a zip lock bag. Remember that gels that can turn into liquids are counted as liquid. Some stores sell sachets of toiletries.

Any medication you may need on your trip should be with you. Don’t forget to put in some anti nausea and tummy bug stuff. Small vials of artificial tears are wonderful on long trips.

Take tissues and wet napkins.

Remember a raincoat or jacket if you need one at your destination.

When packing assume your luggage will go missing. Pack 3 sets of underwear and a couple of tee shirts. If you can, a spare set of jeans. Include toiletries you may need for a few days and extra medication.

Scan all important documents and put onto a memory stick. Even if you don’t have a lap top you can get access to a computer to reprint e-tickets if you should have to.

Have a list of all your contact telephone numbers and addresses. In the case of a long layover in a town it may be useful to look up an old friend. If all else fails you have everyone’s numbers in case of delays.

Take an empty water bottle. You can fill it up on the plane. Some times you are allowed to take water from the duty free. But it does make it easier to have your own water supply.