The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s main tourist attractions. At over 200m high, they are amongst the tallest cliffs in Europe and stretch along 8 kilometres of County Clare Atlantic coastline.

The cliffs are a breathtaking destination and the view from the top is spectacular. For a really great view, climb up to the top of O’Brien’s Tower, an old stone watchtower midway along the cliffs. On a clear day, the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and The Twelve Pins mountain range can all be seen from here. The Cliffs of Moher are also home to one of Ireland’s largest seabird colonies. Atlantic Puffins can be seen amongst the guillemots, gulls and hawks.

The cliffs may not seem like a great destination for families visiting with children. However, the Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience centre provides plenty of entertainment for all the family. The domed centre has many interactive exhibits & displays that children will love. Another good way to get children excited about the Cliffs of Moher is to tell them that they featured in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film.

The Cliffs of Moher are located just south of the Village of Doolin in County Clare, Ireland. They are easily visited by car while Bus Eireann runs passengers between Doolin and the cliffs. There is a car park where cars, campervans and motorbikes can be left. The Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience opens daily at 9.00am while closing times range from 5.00pm to 9.30pm so check in advance. O’Brien’s Tower opens daily at 10.00am.

The city of Manchester has a number of theatres offering a variety of entertainment to suit all tastes. 

The Library Theatre can be found at the Central Library in the city centre.  Manchester City Council developed the theatre company in 1952 for the theatre situated in the basement of the building.  In the past the theatre has proved very successful with productions of classic American drama. Some of the country’s finest actors have worked there.  The theatre’s central location makes it just a short walk from all of the main railway stations and tram stops can be found nearby. 

The Lowry is one of the newest theatres and is based not far from the city centre in Salford.  It is part of the Lowry complex, which also features a shopping centre and art gallery.  The theatre provides a variety of entertainment from plays to musicals and stand-up comedy.

The Opera House is a large theatre which plays host to touring productions of opera, ballet and musicals.  The theatre is situated on Quay Street in the heart of the city’s shopping area and attracts many productions that have featured in London’s West End.  The Palace Theatre programme is similar to that of the Opera House and the theatre is situated directly opposite Oxford Street railway station. 

The Royal Exchange is a unique theatre experience as the audience encircles the stage and the actors have to cut through the audience to reach it.  The theatre specialises in critically acclaimed productions and attracts stellar casts. 

With unrivalled landscape, wildlife and vibrant cities, Australia and New Zealand are becoming increasingly popular for cruise and stay holidays. Newcomers to the world of cruising are especially drawn to the many routes available and it is an ideal location for young travellers or groups of friends looking for a fun-filled destination. Auckland, Wellington, Sydney and Melbourne all offer excitement and you are certain to never run out of entertainment. Cruise holidays in Australia and New Zealand are especially popular during the winter months, when it’s summer time in the southern hemisphere.

Of course, with the wondrous sights further inland, in addition to those along the coast, plenty of time will be set aside for exploring. The vast and varied landscape of Australia offers deserts, jungles and some of the most captivating natural wonders in the world, such as Ayers Rock. Closer to shore, there will also be astonishing sights such as the Great Coral Reef and the white golden sands of Bondii Beach.

Many people think New Zealand and Australia might offer a similar experience, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. As well as significant cultural differences the New Zealand landscape is far removed from that of its nearest neighbour. Here the lush scenery, captivating fjords and mountains are sure to impress. New Zealand has become a highly sought after destination since the release of the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy, which was filmed across the country.

With a very compact city centre, most of the attractions Dublin has to offer are within walking distance. The city itself is split into North and South by the River Liffey, with the North boasting fantastic shopping areas and the south being home to the majority of museums. The North / South divide may be an issue to the Dubliners but for tourists, it is one they probably wouldn’t notice.

The choice of attractions in Dublin is varied.  There really is something to suit all tastes, such as the Guinness Storehouse in St James’s Gate. Arthur Guinness set up his now famous business here at St James’s Gate, and a tour through the adjacent storehouse, with each floor covering various times in the history of the company is one not to be missed.  (Particularly the pint of Guinness you get at the end of the tour in the Gravity bar!) Also worth a mention is the amazing view of Dublin from this bar.

Phoenix Park, the largest park in Europe is worth a visit, with beautiful lakes and woodland, and as it is home to Dublin Zoo there is more to do here than just picnic and stroll.

The National Gallery of Ireland has some wonderful, world famous works of art.  As admission is free, it is also perfect for those on a budget. Trinity College, one of the most famous universities in the world, is located right in the heart of the city. It boasts fine architecture and lovely cobbled walkways. You might recognise some areas as it has been used as a location for many films including ‘Educating Rita’.

Hiring a villa in Turkey will give you a holiday experience with a difference.  A Turkey villa will give you the opportunity to experience the country while enjoying a home away from home.

If you decide to hire a holiday villa in Turkey then you must consider carefully what type of holiday you would like.  If you want to be near the nightclubs and are going to be staying up all night partying, then renting a villa near the middle of town will be a good idea.  However if you would like something a bit more relaxed and peaceful, then perhaps you should consider renting a villa a bit further out in the countryside. 

Most Turkey villas come equipped with amenities to keep you going for your holiday, and to make your stay as comfortable as possible.  If you are willing to pay a little more, you will be able to hire a Turkey villa with its own private swimming pool.

The cost of hiring a villa in Turkey will vary depending upon many different factors, such as the location and the size.  If you are planning to travel with a group then you will be able to split the cost of hiring a large and well equipped villa, however if there are only a couple of you the cost is going to be more of a deciding factor. 

If you are considering looking at holiday villas then the advice is to do your research thoroughly before you book. If you do that then you can guarantee that your holiday will be an enjoyable experience for all involved. 

St. Barts (or, more officially, Saint Barthélemy) is one of the most charming islands of the French West Indies. A favourite amongst the rich and famous, the island is both glamorous and quite European in its outlook. With world class accommodation, pristine beaches and plenty of activities to suit all tastes and ages, St. Barts is a true Caribbean jewel.

Despite the islands small size, it nonetheless boasts some 22 spectacular beaches. Anse du Gouverneur, on the south side of the island, is one of the most popular beaches, partly due to its proximity to the island’s capital Gustavia. The nearby Grand Saline beach is less developed, perfect for swimming and very popular with the locals. Grand Cul-de-Sac beach, meanwhile, is one of the best for both swimming and water sports. The water here is incredibly calm thanks to an enclosing reef, making it the perfect place to learn how to sail or windsurf.

Gustavia is both the island’s capital and harbour town. Due to a period of Swedish colonial rule, the town is an intriguing mix of French and Swedish architecture. Slightly to the east of Gustavia, the town of St. Jean has become a tourist hotspot with its numerous chic restaurants and bistros, most of which are distinctly French. If relaxing on beaches and eating great food all day doesn’t suffice, then horseback riding, scuba diving, sailing, and deep-sea fishing are all readily available.

Large commercial jets cannot land on St. Barts’ small runway. However, regular ferries run passengers from St. Martin, a larger island served by a handful of major airlines.

Moscow was once at the centre of world Communism being the capital of the Soviet Union, a city that it was almost impossible to visit.  Now there are numerous cheap flights from the UK to this lovely city, now the capital of the Russian Federation.

A bargain this month is flying with SwissAir and LuxAir from London Heathrow to Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow with one stop in Zurich.  The flight time outbound is 5 hours 54 minutes and the inbound flight is 7 hours 25 minutes.  The cost for this return flight is £297.97, including fees and taxes.

You do have to look carefully for these types of bargains as the next cheapest option is Bmi at a cost of over £700, but this flight is a direct flight.

Also flying out of London City to Moscow is Lufthansa and their tickets start at £413 for a return flight, with a stop in Frankfurt on the outbound flight and Munich on the inbound flight.

London Heathrow and London City Airports have regular cheap flights to both Moscow’s Domodedovo and Sheremetievo Airports.

Two days may be enough time to get a taste of this fascinating city and take in a few of the sights including the Kremlin, but if you really want to explore Moscow then plan to stay for at least a week.

The beauty of the cruise is that the emphasis is taken off the reaching of a destination and passengers are encouraged to enjoy their journey. Cruise liners are equipped with every possible entertainment to ensure that each and every traveller returns homes truly having had the time of their life.

Onboard activities on cruise liners run by such companies as Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and P&O Cruises are certain to offer something for everyone. Passengers wishing to be pampered can take advantage of on board beauty and spa facilities, while the more energetic will wish to take advantage of the amazing exercise opportunities on board, from fully equipped gyms to rock climbing walls and surf simulators – modern day liners boast it all.

Lovers of the arts are well catered to on board cruises with programmes of theatrical presentation on most routes, with some operators offering guests the opportunity to take part in courses aimed at improving all sorts of artistic skills.

Since the inception of the liner, the dining experience has been at the very centre of the cruise experience, a fact that remains as true today as it ever was. Fine dining is a must on board a cruise ship and chefs of great repute are behind a number of floating restaurants around the world, which have served thousands of contented cruise customers.

For those who like to socialise of an evening, cruise liners offer bars and nightclubs and even casinos – with many ships so large that guests can sample a different venue on each night of their time onboard.

Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s must-see destinations. Adults and children alike will enjoy exploring the castle grounds and the various historical displays. Optional (but free) guided tours can help lead visitors around the castle’s numerous locations.

The magnificent Great Hall, completed in 1511, was once the focal point of Scottish power and ceremony. The royal apartments can also be visited, giving an impressive insight into the lives of the castle’s most important former residents. Visitors can also witness the nation’s crown jewels, still kept within the castle, along with the legendary Stone of Destiny.

The firing of the One O’clock Gun will keep children entertained. The gun is fired at 1.00pm daily (except Sundays) and the spectacle is always popular with the gathered crowds. The huge Mons Meg cannon, one of the world’s oldest siege guns, can also be found on the castle battlements. Re-enactors dressed in period costume and wielding traditional weapons also provide great entertainment for kids.

The Prisons of War Exhibition can be found in the castle vaults. Here, conditions faced by 18th and early 19th century prisoners of war are vividly brought to life. If this experience sounds a little too frightening, a visit to St Margaret’s Chapel may be more tempting. The small chapel is the oldest building in the castle, and in Edinburgh itself.

Edinburgh Castle is open from 9.30am to 6.00pm throughout April to September and from 9.30am to 5.00pm from October to March. The castle is open seven days a week except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 

Ski holidays are great winter getaways, but you don’t need to be a skier to go on one. There are other enjoyable activities available for people who don’t like or who don’t want to ski. Before deciding that one of these holidays isn’t right for you, consider everything that ski resorts have to offer.

Just because someone is a non-skier, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy being out in the fresh air. Hiking, snowshoeing and ice-skating are all enjoyable winter activities readily available at most ski resorts. If you haven’t been tobogganing since you were a child, why don’t you consider having a go during a visit to a ski resort? Some of them offer snowmobiling as an activity, and this can be a wonderful way to spend some time out of doors.

Ski holidays can also mean spa time. While your partner or the rest of your party are enjoying some time on the slopes, why don’t you spend some time being pampered? Get a facial or a massage and take a break from your everyday concerns.

Ski resorts also offer other activities, like shopping or day trips to local attractions. Whether you go on your own or with your partner, this is an enjoyable way to spend some time on your holiday. Rather than feeling left out because you are not skiing, find other ways to spend your time and enjoy yourself. That’s what ski holidays are for, whether you spend your time on the slopes or not.