If you have never been on a cruise holiday, then there are probably many questions that you will have.

In the past cruise holidays have been associated with older travellers, but today there are cruises to suit everyone, whether you are young and single, a family, or an older person. It is important to choose the type of cruise that suits your interests. Most of the major cruise lines, such as Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Thomson Cruises have cruises that are particularly geared towards families, providing children’s clubs and a host of family-oriented activities. Other cruises are geared more towards adults, with cultural tours and activities. They will often have guest speakers who give lectures on a variety of topics, from local history, to wine, to archaeology.

Sea-sickness could ruin a cruise holiday. However, this is rarely a problem with cruise liners, as they have modern stabiliser systems, and they generally cruise in calm waters.

Another common concern is feeling trapped on a ship, which could become boring. Modern cruise liners come equipped with many facilities, including shops, casinos, libraries, cinemas, sports facilities and games equipment. Cruise lines also frequently run activities for children on board, including quizzes and competitions, so it is unlikely that you would ever be bored on a cruise. There are also frequent opportunities to get off the ship and explore on land. Pre-booked excursions are available, or you can choose to explore on your own.

Accommodation is an important part of a holiday, so a common question is what will the cabin be like? Cabins on cruise ships fall into various categories. All of them will have an en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone and hair dryer. Some will have a sea view and others have balconies. Higher grade cabins will be more spacious and often they have lounge areas where you can relax.

For lovers of history, the prospect of setting foot in the ancient birthplace of democracy will draw you to Athens like a bee to pollen. But the Greek capital has much else to justify its hard-won recent stature as a premiere holiday destination for all. Yes, of course, all the treasures of the ancient world are there for all to see and marvel at – the Acropolis with its stunning Parthenon temple peering loftily at the buzzing metropolis below will make even the most history blind speechless with wonder. But it’s the pedestrian promenade at the heart of the city which will leave everyone enthralled. The banning of cars a few years back has turned this once rumbling and congested area into a spellbinding fusion of the ancient and the modern. Effectively, it’s a vast archaeological park, but those ancient monuments are no longer icons of a long departed civilisation – once again, they’ve become the centre of Athenian cultural and social life in what is undoubtedly Europe’s longest and most architecturally astounding promenade.

Athens is, of course, the oldest city in Europe and the fabulous architectural remnants on display will remind you constantly of this fact. But it’s also one of the most modern: an ancient city in flux and transition, boldly embracing the cutting-edge and the new whilst refusing to compromise any of its cultural treasures in the process. The lifestyle of contemporary Athenians may be relaxed and easy-going but they clearly enjoy a voguish and dynamic street life, with night clubs to take your breath away and keep you dancing till the wee hours. There are also innumerable stylish restaurants and little eateries to keep hunger at bay. Don’t miss it.

The city of Venice is one of the world’s most romantic cities. However, underneath the romance is a city built on sheer nerve and artistry. An engineering marvel, the buildings of Venice are supported by pine and slender oak posts that are driven deep into the mud banks for stability, creating a solid foundation.

Venice was founded more than 1,500 years ago on 117 different islands, which are joined by meandering links of over 150 canals, 400 bridges and many ancient pavements.

The city houses some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, and is still one of Italy’s centres of industrious artisans and craftsmen. Four-star meals are cooked on a single burner, musicians lug enormous instruments to baroque concerts and master shoemakers pound out a staccato rhythm as they fashion shoes into the shapes of swans. There is nothing like the chic bohemian style of Venice, with its wines, Venetian-red paintings and baroque music.

Venice is not a city of genteel decay, but one preciously being restored by wealthy benefactors and enhanced by contemporary architecture and back-alley galleries.

Completing the picture are the gondoliers piloting their boats through the bustling city; ferrying couples in love through the towering edifices of Venice’s alleys and canals.

A modern city with fabulous food, friendly natives, and marble churches, Venice is more accessible than ever before and is very affordable. After an evening spent rubbing elbows with the locals in the authentic pubs and restaurants, you may never want to return home again.

Cheap flights to Venice are available from most international airports.

There is so much to do and see around the state of Florida that the easiest way to make sure you get to see everything is to rent a villa. With its tropical, perpetual sunshine, you will want to get a holiday villa rental so you have a base from which you can visit the many theme parks and adventure playgrounds on offer.

If theme parks are your special interest then Orlando is the ideal location to rent a villa; most of the parks including Epcott Centre, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are within easy reach of the city.

For those who thrive on the open air there is nothing more exhilarating than a ride around the Everglades. This area is a vast wilderness covering much of the south of the state that is a maze of lakes, rivers and canals. You can explore its waterways in canoes, hovercraft, and speedboats or simply cycle through it. There are plenty of opportunities to view the shy manatees and avoid the alligators.

Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa are some of the other main population centres around Florida, each with its own unique quality and style. The islands of Key West provide an ideal destination for the culture vultures. These palm lined streets and botanically diverse islands are creative, friendly centres that have a lot to offer tourists looking for the arts, crafts and world cuisine.

Florida has one of the largest ranges of entertainment available anywhere, from intensely commercialised adrenaline rides to tranquil moments of back to nature.

The Red Sea lies between Africa and Asia. Its northernmost point forms the Sinai Peninsula, and from here it stretches over a thousand miles to join the Indian Ocean between Yemen and Djibouti. The Red Sea is world-famous for its pristine beaches, clear blue waters and abundant marine life. It has long formed the trade route between East and West. On the African continent it is bordered by Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti, whilst on the Asian continent it borders Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Jordan.

Red Sea cruises are the ideal cruise for someone who wants a first-time cruise outside the Mediterranean. There are often fantastic deals on Red Sea cruises, and they are a perfect way to soak up some winter sun, whilst visiting some of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. The great pyramids of Egypt and the lost city of Petra in Jordan number among the great wonders of the world. Enjoy a camel ride, quad bike safari or surf at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.

In addition to its archaeological treasures, the Red Sea itself has much to offer, from the spectacular diving at Dahab, to the resort towns of Hurghada, Eliat and El Gouna. Snorkel in pristine waters off the shores of Makadi Bay, go on a liveaboard diving safari, or visit the beautiful dive sites off Lahami Bay and Marsa Alam in the Southern Red Sea.

More adventurous explorers can head off the beaten track in Sudan, where the coast has many reefs, or to Saudi Arabia where diving is becoming increasingly popular. Jordan is another country that offers exceptional diving opportunities at Aqaba in the far south of the country.

Red Sea cruises are offered by many cruise lines, including P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Thomson Cruises and Princess Cruises.

The region of the Caribbean comprises in excess of an astounding 7,000 islands, islets, reefs and cays. However, the most popular holiday destinations of the Caribbean predominantly include the Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Collectively, they are also known as the West Indies. The crystal clear waters of the Caribbean are perfect for snorkelling and diving, as they contain many different kinds of pretty coral reef, sea turtles and hundreds of species of fish. The landscapes range from mountains and lush rolling hills to valleys, plains, cloud forests, rainforests and countless palm-fringed beaches. Each Caribbean island has its own distinctive laidback vibe, and every one offers travellers the ultimate place to enjoy an unforgettable holiday of total relaxation, tropical sun, beachside cocktail bars and sparkling blue oceans.

During your stay, you can rent one of a selection of holiday apartments and villas, which vary in price according to size, facilities and location. Many have irresistible extras such as private plunge pool, spa Jacuzzi or stunning balcony sea views. Alternatively there are hundreds of guesthouses, B&Bs and boutique hotels available throughout the Caribbean, ranging from simple and rustic to ultimate five-star luxury.

The weather is glorious whatever the season, although some areas are prone to tropical storms at certain times of the year. If you can’t decide which part of the Caribbean you’d like to visit, an easy way of seeing them all is by taking a Caribbean cruise, which stops at a selection major ports according to an itinerary. One day you could be having fun in the sun at a Jamaican beach barbecue, and the next you could be diving from a tour boat off the shores of the Cayman Islands. From birdwatching in Barbados to diving in Dominica, the Caribbean is a smiley, sunny holiday destination with something special for every visitor.

For the holiday seeker or the businessman on flights to Tehran, there are two visa categories that would be considered useful under Iranian laws. A tourist visa is extended for a ten day period, while business visas are valid for three weeks.

In the past, it was highly recommended that tourist visas were obtained before boarding a flight to Tehran because of the time restrictions. However, the process is now streamlined and the visas can now be obtained in about an hour. To get a tourist visa, you will need the application form, a special authorization number from the Foreign Ministry in Tehran and four passport-sized photographs. Nonetheless, it is still not recommended applying for the visa at such short notice, and it is much better to get the visa at the Iranian Consulate at home at least three months ahead of your scheduled visit. Women should be reminded that they must be photographed wearing a head scarf (or the Hijab) before submitting their paperwork.

For travellers, the same rules apply, except there is an additional requirement of business letter introducing yourself and stating your business in Iran. Business visas can be extended twice without any issues for a period of two weeks. Extensions are handled by provincial police departments, who are generally quite amiable to the extensions.

As in other Arab countries, Iran does not allow individuals with Israeli passports into the country. Travel from cities from border countries is also banned to Israeli nationals. Arabs nationals are not required to have visas, and people from countries other than Israel and the United States are allowed to move freely around the country.

If you’ve never considered taking cruise holidays because you think they’re boring (who wants to be stuck on a ship for days?), or because you believe they’re only for the wealthy, it’s time to shed some illusions. The image of aging millionaires sipping whiskies and sitting on deck playing bridge day after day was always a caricature, and it certainly doesn’t apply today. Big operators like Costa Cruises, Thomson Cruises, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises have been working successfully to attract younger travellers and families with children.

Forget deckchairs and genteel card games. Today, depending on which company you cruise with, you can scale a rock-climbing wall or try some onboard water skiing; plunge down swooping tunnel slides in a water park or play a round of golf; take to the ice rink or visit the gym. You’ll have an en suite cabin with a telephone, television and hairdryer (and even sea views and balconies if you want to pay a little extra), as well as gourmet restaurants and plenty of evening entertainment included in the price.

Fleets owned by the big companies also include small, more modestly priced vessels; the service is more personal on these but there are fewer added attractions. Whether you want Far East cruises or Caribbean cruises, Mediterranean cruises or Baltic cruises, there are plenty of choices available and oodles of great cruise deals constantly available, even on last minute cruises. Cruise and stay holidays allow you to mix a week on the beach with a week of cruising. Once you’ve had the cruise experience, you’ll be planning your next one as soon as you arrive home.

If you’re planning a holiday in France any time soon, you’ll be reassured to hear that getting there has never been easier. There are superb air, ferry and rail links from the UK, so much so that you’ll be spoilt for choice. To take just one example of the numerous ferry connections, Brittany Ferries recently launched the luxuriously splendid ‘Amorique’, specifically for use between Plymouth and Breton. You’ll be aboard a €120 million of state-of-the art cruise ship whilst traversing the Channel on this floating palace – it not only has room for 1,500 passengers and 470 cars, it offers the most sumptuous comfort and the kind of spaciousness you’d never get on a flight.

But flights are certainly worth considering. The airline industry may be going through a particularly turbulent time right now, with many smaller airlines falling by the wayside, but the bigger names like Easyjet, Ryanair and Flybe are slugging it out with one another very competitively to attract travellers flying to France – and they haven’t done a bad job. The bargains currently available on flights to France have simply never been better as a result.

For those who enjoy the prospect of driving through France to their holiday destination, of course, the ferry or Eurotunnel links are probably the way to go. Eurotunnel may not be an especially pleasurable trip, but the big advantage is that it’ll only take 35 minutes. If you plan to hire a car when you’re on the other side of the Channel, Eurostar is also worth considering –since its moves from Waterloo to St Pancras, its sojourns to Paris take less time and they’re less expensive, too.

How will the announcement by budget airline Ryanair affect you forthcoming winter skiing holiday? If you had planned to fly with them, then of course you will be affected, but there are plenty of alternatives. They have planned to  cut its UK winter capacity by 16% from November, has blamed Air Passenger Duty (APD) for a move which will see it carry over two million fewer passengers this winter compared to the same period last year. Mainly these cuts will concentrate on London Stansted, where the airline will base 22 aircraft instead of 24. This will mean a flight volume decrease of 17% at the airport and a loss of up to 1.5 million passengers between November and March 2011. The cuts will affect some other UK bases but if you are planning to fly from Leeds or from Edinburgh you will still get to Munich or Treviso.

Ryanair pulling out of the winter flight schedule so popular with skiers could leave a hole but we would imagine that there will be other airlines that can fill the gap. Jet2 and EasyJet are examples who fly to French ski resorts and the popular destination of Geneva could become ever more popular this coming winter as we plan our next skiing holiday.