With Brussels being just over an hour’s flying time from London, and with flights from Edinburgh to Brussels taking only thirty minutes longer, it’s a good time to take advantage of the many cheap flights on offer to explore this great city, which is home to the European Parliament.

Situated on the borders of France, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany, it justifiably claims to be the ‘Capital of Europe’. Already a busy centre for trade by the Middle Ages, and with a presently small population of about one million, international diplomacy is now its main skill set. But with no big architectural symbols such as Big Ben or the Eifel Tower, and with French and Flemish being its main languages, the city tends to come low down on the list of European destinations for many people, which is a pity because there is much on offer here.

Its labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets, ornate old Guild houses, and the magnificent Town Hall combine with the numerous museums, bars and restaurants to create a unique atmosphere ideal for pleasant strolls and leisurely meals. The architecture is stunning, especially around the Grand-Place, and the quaint little museums devoted to wine and beer, chocolate and lace making are a must on any visitor’s itinerary.

Night life is frenetic, and jazz is a great draw with the Brussels Jazz Marathon in May, but there is music to suit all tastes, and the shopping in Brussels is legendary.

So check out the cheap flights to Brussels, and make a date to see the famous urinating boy statue and much more besides.

Never dismiss a ski holiday in Scotland as a sort of second class skiing adventure, because it isn’t. You will find stunning scenery, areas of untouched snow, heart-pounding ascents and exhilarating descents; you will find that a ski touring is undeniably one of the ultimate mountain adventures on offer both abroad and here in the UK. In common with any off piste style of skiing you will need to be a competent skier and you should be physically fit, ski touring is a pursuit available to many snow sport fans.

Ski touring can be arranged through your ski holiday specialist and there are many places both here in Scotland in the Cairngorms from an Aviemore base. Alpine touring and safaris during the winter season including popular itineraries such as the Haute Route. Ski deals can be a short one or two day excursion to the more popular safari style of hopping from resort to resort.

Royal Caribbean is a name that is synonymous with cruises of all kinds. They don’t just call into the Caribbean though – instead they can be found arriving in more than one hundred destinations all around the globe. This opens up plenty of opportunities for you to book a cruise, choosing somewhere you have always wanted to visit.

If you decide to visit the other side of the world, you can enjoy sailing to Sydney in Australia and Christchurch in New Zealand among others.  Alternatively you can enjoy more daylight by visiting Alaska and leaving your cruise ship to hop on board the Yukon, a world famous railway.

Royal Caribbean Cruises are also well known for offering what is called Cruisetours.  These are a special kind of cruise which is combined with a land trip as well. This enables you to see the best of various locations such as Dubai, Europe, Alaska and Australia among others.  If you want to sample life on board a cruise ship but you still want to get onto dry land to explore too, this could be the answer, thanks to Royal Caribbean Cruises.

There are six types of ship available when taking Royal Caribbean Cruises. Some offer facilities that are more suited to families, while others are better if you like to keep active while you are on board.  Radiance Class ships offer you a better view of your surroundings since they have a lot more glass built into the design.  As you can see, Royal Caribbean Cruises are a sheer delight.

Atlanta in Georgia is a city in America’s Deep South that has had its share of heartache and history, but today you’d never know it.  It’s a town that holds all the big-city amenities you’d ever want, like dining, shopping and nightlife, but has somehow managed to maintain the small-town feel of its past. The people are genuinely friendly and helpful, and you’ll hear “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir” whenever you ask a question.  Rent a villa or holiday apartment as a way to save more money for the sightseeing and fun you’ll have while here.

The city is steeped in history, primarily from America’s Civil War.  Union General William T. Sherman ordered all possible Confederate assets and all public buildings burned during his famous “march to the sea”, and little of Atlanta remained afterward. Churches and hospital buildings were spared, though, so a historical tour is a wonderful way to see modern buildings juxtaposed with pre-Civil War ones.  Don’t forget the Atlanta History Centre and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site for a more complete picture of what makes this city unique.

Modern Atlanta is home to several large corporations, and the CNN Centre and Philips Arena, which sit beside Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, which were held in Atlanta.  For Gaels visiting the city, try to catch a game by Clan nan Gael Men’s and Ladies’ Football Clubs.

If it’s culture you want, try the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Piedmont Park, or the Fernbank Science Centre, both in Atlanta.  The Lasershow at nearby Stone Mountain Park is a wonderful attraction for both old and young. 

If all this sightseeing leaves you hungry, stop at Fogo de Chao for steak, or Bacchanalia or Canoe for American fare with a more informal flair.  Once you’ve visited Atlanta, you’ll want to return again and again.

With flights from Manchester to Edinburgh taking just over an hour, and many cheap flights on offer, whether booking online or through a high street travel agent, there has never been a better time to visit one of the world’s greatest cities.

Edinburgh is positively steeped in history. The famous castle is like something out of a fairytale, perched as it is on top of the long dead volcano now named Castle Rock.  The building has loomed over the city for almost a thousand years and has been the scene of many bloody events.

But there is plenty going on in Edinburgh during these more peaceful days. The Edinburgh Festival in August attracts visitors from across the world, and throughout the year there are a number of cultural events, from Science and Film festivals to the Jazz, Book and Beltane Fire festivals.

In terms of food and drink, Edinburgh simply cannot be beaten. Locally sourced, seasonal produce is on offer at a vast choice of eateries, and for those who enjoy a tipple the Scotch Whisky Experience should not be missed.

Whether you come on your own or with family and friends there is plenty of good accommodation available. There are self-catering apartments on the Royal Mile, right in the centre of the city, as well as luxury hotels at the foot of the castle, or quieter rural retreats outside the city if you prefer.

With the heart of Edinburgh being a UNESCO World Heritage Site combining the Old Town and the New Town, medieval and Georgian, great days out are guaranteed, so hop on one of those cheap flights to Edinburgh for an unforgettable visit.

A change is as good as a rest and travel broadens the mind, so why not take advantage of the many cheap flights on offer these days to explore foreign places and lift your spirits in a time of gloomy belt-tightening? In the travel industry, things have been shaking up and booking flights and accommodation is only a few clicks away. A recent trend is to rent holiday villas abroad rather than settle for the traditional hotel package, as it maximises flexibility and can actually work out cheaper.

Kids love their own rooms and can be as excitable as they like without you having to worry about fellow guests; self catering is a great way in to another culture as you shop for your own food and mix with the locals; and not being pinned down to meal times is a fantastic plus when it comes to arranging the day out.

The trend towards renting villas and holiday apartments can be seen in all holiday destinations now, from the old mainstays like Ibiza, Gran Canaria and Cyprus to the new players in Eastern Europe. In Germany, you can rent anything from  a log cabin in the Black Forest to a castle on the Rhine, and it’s the sheer variety of properties on offer that gives you lots of leeway in choosing the best one to suit your holiday needs.

Just hop on the internet to check out some of the vast range of holiday villas to rent in the destination of your choice.

Many people who choose to take a cruise are looking for a fantastic holiday, but would like to pay out as little as possible.  There are no golden rules about finding fantastic cruise deals.  It just involves shopping around a little to ensure you get the most for your money at the time you book the holiday.

Visit a few travel agents to see what they have on offer at the moment.  Different agents will have different deals and may have extras available to entice customers in, such as free upgrades and free excursions.  Travel agents may also have cancellation deals available – where another customer has cancelled a booking – and these may be available at a discount price. 

Searching online for a cruise holiday can also often produce a few bargains.  There are different websites which are geared up to pointing customers in the direction of last minute deals and one of these may turn out to be the holiday of a lifetime at a knockdown price.  Again, customers should check out a few websites before making a decision as each one will offer different holidays at different prices. 

It is also possible to find a good cruise deal if you go directly to the cruise company.  They occasionally have sales on their cruises and may offer discounts when things are slow.  They often have e-newsletters which you can sign up for to get the latest information, though it may be that you find yourself booking a holiday at the last minute. 

Rivalling Bansko and Borovets for the title of most modern ski resort in Bulgaria, Pamporovo is one of the largest ski resorts in the country, easily comparing to any of the other resorts scattered throughout Europe. Nestled in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains on the slopes of the very peak where the mythical character Orpheus lived, this is considered the premier ski resort in the country, and one of the southernmost ski resorts in the whole of Europe. Only 240 kilometres out from the capital of Sofia and 85 kilometres out from Plovdiv, this is the perfect place for a winter ski trip, regardless of the duration.

Pamporovo is considered to be one of the sunniest ski resorts in the Balkans, with around 120 sunny days during the ski season. The unique atmosphere from the Aegean Sea climate combines with the air currents to create a ski season that starts in mid December and lasts until mid to late April. There are a variety of runs ranging from beginner slopes to the Giant Slalom run, perfect for experts. There are well over 100 ski instructors located in Pamporovo, with plenty of nightlife and shopping. There are accommodation and restaurants available throughout the season, although given the popularity of the ski resort it is a good idea to book your trip at least six months in advance. And while skiing is the main reason for the resort’s popularity, the summer months offer a variety of hiking and backpacking opportunities as well, so no matter what time of year you decide to come there will be plenty of things to see and do.

France, with its great historic cities and rolling countryside has long been a popular holiday destination for culture vultures and campers alike. French cuisine is legendary, and there is everything in this country to make for a fantastic short break or longer stay, and the best way to make the most of the time you have is by renting a holiday villa.

The advantages of this are multi-fold. As most villas charge on the property itself rather than the number of visitors, you can pool your resources with a group of friends to keep the cost down, and a really luxurious villa can work out remarkably cheap that way. But apart from the basic cost, there are other advantages to it. With no set dining times as you would get with a hotel, flexibility is total, allowing you to plan your days without having to worry about getting back on time, and a late breakfast following a long night out presents no problem. Villas in France usually come with complete fitted kitchens, and with local shops and markets within easy reach you can really immerse yourself in the culture.

Whether you’re looking for a restored farmhouse in the Dordogne, overlooking rolling valleys and fields, or a holiday apartment in the spectacular Pyrenees, you’re sure to find something to suit your requirements. 

Hiring a villa makes perfect sense especially if you’re taking kids along, who appreciate flexibility and feel they have enough organising at school without getting it on their holidays as well!

The sunny island of Jamaica is set in the centre of the Caribbean and along with the other Caribbean islands it offers the same mix of fantastic sunshine, beautiful beaches and stunning resorts. However, Jamaica is somewhat different from the other islands with its unique culture and history.

Jamaica has much to offer the visitor besides its friendly people; the Blue Mountains produce the world’s best coffee and visitors can sample a cup at the century old factory at Mavis Bank. Jamaica is also renowned for its world class reefs. Ochos Rios and Runaway Bay are just two options and there are also the palm-fringed beaches at Frenchman’s Cove near Port Antonio or at Treasure Beach. Other attractions include bush-medicine hiking tours, cosmopolitan cities, wetlands that are home to endangered crocodiles and manatees and the beautiful sunsets.

The connection to Africa is felt most strongly in Jamaica and the Maroons who were runaway slaves have safeguarded many of their African traditions. They have also had a significant effect on the culinary traditions of the island, contributing ‘jerk’ seasoning to the distinctive Jamaican cuisine.

Ian Fleming who wrote the James Bond novels had a home on the island. He used his Caribbean getaway for almost two decades, writing best-sellers such as The Man with the Golden Gun, Dr No and Live and Let Die. The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy are partially set in Jamaica. There is also a James Bond Beach which lies to the east of Ocho Rios and unlike other Jamaican beaches it tends to be quiet, ideal as a place to get away from it all and relax.

For those wishing to rent a villa in Jamaica the island has many options from luxury villas to cottage resorts and condos. They also come in various sizes and a range of locations. Visitors can choose villas close to local golf courses or with a nanny service or with spa services.