If you take the time to travel half way around the world to visit New Zealand, the best way to spend your time there is to rent an apartment and see the country. Auckland makes a brilliant base; located in the north of the country, it is built on 48 extinct volcanoes, with two harbours and a perfect cosmopolitan blend of Polynesian, European and Asian cultures.

Auckland offers all the excitement and modern facilities of a major city with the wonder and surprise of its stunning, rugged, tropical rainforest minutes outside the city boundaries. Although the lava ceased flowing millennia ago you can still stand on top of the still visible calderas of Mount Eden, Albert Park and the Auckland Domain.
 
Auckland itself is known as the “City of Sails” and the harbours of Waitemata and Manukau are full of opportunities to take cruises or sail around the coastline, go diving in the clear blue waters or go on a trip dolphin and whale spotting. The old British fort at North Head, on Manukau harbour, makes for a great family day out climbing over the defences and gun batteries. The site is now a nature reserve and one of Auckland’s favourite places for a spot of lunch.

Recent years have seen a growth of apartment rental in Auckland. Fans of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy now flock to the islands to walk the sets and countryside made famous by the film and there are a number of epic landscapes within easy reach of the city that were used in the movie.

With more airlines imposing charges for carrying ski equipment, winter sports holiday makers are wondering, how is the best way to take their ski equipment to the slopes. The latest airline to deliver a blow to the “do it yourself” skier is British Airways with a charge which is by no means low!  You will be charged £58 if you pay for these when you book your flight online, if you do not, but wait until you get to the airport, this charge becomes a staggering £70!

One way round the ski holiday carriage problem is to use “snow train” which is Eurostar and travels from St Pancras to the French Alps each week on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. You still have to get to your resort, which is usually a short transfer, but you can take as much luggage as you want, including skis, free of charge. If you are going skiing in North America, and more of us are taking this choice with the great snow that they offer, you will have no choice but to pay up, but of course you can hire your skis or snowboard when you get to your holiday destination.

Anyone planning a trip ‘Down Under’ should try to include Fremantle in their itinerary. This coastal town is just a half hour away from the bright lights of Perth and has a wonderfully laid back charm and bohemian personality. An old port town at the mouth of the Swan River, its history is linked to trade and commerce, as you’ll find out in the Maritime Museum.

Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour is a great place to see the daily catch being brought in, take in the sights and sounds of the fish market, and then eat in one of its numerous restaurants and bars. Another beautiful old area is the George Street precinct, historically intact and now home to an art gallery and artists’ studios. The impressive prison building, built by convicts in the 1850s but thankfully no longer in use, has guided tours.

With its trendy cafes and clubs, award winning seafood restaurants, art exhibitions, markets and beaches, Fremantle is a great place to rent an apartment or house for a while. Being a historic port, Fremantle has a multicultural influence with Indonesian, Korean, Thai and Italian restaurants. It is also famous for having several micro-breweries and some very good bars to go with them.

From Fremantle it’s a short train, car or ferry journey up the river to Perth, or you can take a boat trip out to Rottnest Island with its idyllic sandy beaches, cycle tracks and secret tunnels. The Margaret River wine region is also nearby.

It you want to experience the thrill of staying in the heart of the African bush then the burgeoning tourist industry in Zambia offers you the chance for villa rental in the thick of the savannah. Over the past ten years Zambia has been developing its role as a tourist destination and now has a number of idyllic locations to entice the world traveller who seeks adventure.

One such location is the remote villa rental of Shiwa Ngandu – this must be one of the most off the beaten track English Country homes in the world. It was built by a British Diplomat, Stewart Gore-Brown who, after serving his king and country returned to his beloved Zambia to construct the wonderfully eccentric Villa in the bush.

The estate still operates as a working farm and offers visitors the opportunity to travel the Zambian countryside discovering its hidden treasures. Excursions from the villa can take in elephant trails, waterholes and observe the wonders of the herds or wildebeest as they cross the plains.

Along with the real African bush trek you can also pay a visit to Zambia’s modern capital city, Lusaka and take a cruise on Lake Tanganyika on the MV Liemba, a German warship from the country’s colonial era. The highlight of any Zambian trip has to be a visit to the breathtaking Victoria Falls. This wonder of the natural world is not to be missed, standing in the tropical rain forest drenched by the spray from the cascading waters of the Zambezi River.

When you think of going on a skiing holiday you do not usually think of a time in late March or mid-April as most people would typically consider skiing during the winter months of December, January, February or early March. In most ski resorts, late March and mid-April are considered the start of the spring skiing season.

Yes, people do ski in the spring and not just in places that have an overwhelming amount of snow for the majority of the year. Some people may not intentionally book their holiday with the thought of spring skiing but due to an early arrival of warmer weather they can find themselves having to adapt to that situation.

Spring skiing can be a lot of fun. You do not have to worry about numb toes or fingers. Usually you can ski in just a light jacket or long sleeve shirt. Some people even ski in just a t-shirt.

One of the biggest drawbacks when it comes to spring skiing is the slush created from melting snow and being subjected to rain instead of snow when you are on the mountain. Towards the top most of the snow stays fairly solid but as you travel down it becomes more and more slushy, which does not make for good skiing. Fresh snow may be no longer possible; many skiers love the fresh powder and wouldn’t want to trade it for some slightly warmer weather.

Now that the Iron Curtain has lifted, Russia is beginning to lure tourists, and some fantastic deals are to be had.  Start with a visit to Moscow, Russia’s capital, and see some of the rich history, culture and tradition that is just begging to be discovered.  Rent a holiday apartment or villa and begin to feel like one of the locals, rather than a tourist.

Moscow is a city of over 14 million people, with a history dating back to at least the 12th century.  Near the Moskva River, from which it gets its name, this metropolitan city has art and architecture around every corner.  It also has a fantastic public transportation system, and getting around should cause little problem, especially if you have a guidebook.

Moscow is laid out in a similar fashion to Paris, with 10 administrative okrugs (area, region) ringing the old part of the city, rather than arrondissements.  Of course, seeing Red Square is a must, along with Lenin’s Tomb and the Kremlin.  The Triumphal Arch on Kutuzov Avenue will remind you of the Arch de Triomph in Paris, and the Moskva River at night is very reminiscent of the Thames in certain parts. 

If you visit Moscow in season, try to get tickets to the Bolshoi.  The building will take your breath away, both inside and out, as will the performances, which need no translation to appreciate their beauty.

The Moscow State Historical Museum is located in a large, intricate, neo-Russian building near Red Square.  Thousands of items are on display at any time, though the museum numbers its holdings in the millions. 

Plan to return to Moscow after your first visit, because you’re guaranteed to find more sights and events that you can see in one trip.

Villa rentals on the outskirts of Cape Town are situated in the sumptuous South African landscape and offer memorable locations.  These self-service villas are elegant and stylish homes, set in gorgeous surroundings with swimming pools, easy access to the town centre and tourist locations and plenty of sunny weather in this southern hemisphere equivalent of a Mediterranean climate.

Cape Town has spectacular views of its iconic Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles Peaks. The modern multicultural city centre has a wealth of sites to visit; the V & A waterfront is a dynamic and energetic place full of trendy bars, tasty restaurants and interesting curio and craft shops.

In the centre of the bay is Robben Island made famous for holding Nelson Mandela during his many years in prison. Nearby there is also the diverse natural landscape of Cape Hope with its nature reserve, seal pups and vast collection of bird life and plants, while the Camps Bay area has some of the country’s most popular beaches and surf.

Visitors can take informative tours inland to the Dutch styled town of Stellenbosch, the second town founded in South Africa and the centre of the country’s wine making industry. You can also travel eastwards along the wonderful green landscape of the Garden Route, which starts not far away in Mossel Bay. This is an area of beauty and tranquillity in the shadow of the Outeniqua Mountains and the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The Alps have many top name ski resorts, beautiful villages and amazing views, and there is something in the Alps to suit all levels of skier. Ski deals to resorts in the Alps should be easy to find as there is so much choice. Searching the internet will produce many good results, or alternatively requesting help and advice from a travel agent, who can also advise on last minutes bargains, may be an ideal way to find an affordable ski holiday in the French Alps.

Possibly the most famous of the ski resorts in the French Alps is Val d’Isere. This will most likely not be a suitable resort for those on a budget as it is one of the most expensive in the whole of Europe. The Val d’Isere resort can cater for all levels of expertise and has many activities for the non-skier.

Chamonix is another extremely popular place for skiing holidays in France. Chamonix lies at the foot of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc, and again is a very expensive resort to visit.

Lesser known resorts such as Aussois or Serre Chevalier are smaller and therefore much more affordable places to holiday for those with families or who are just looking for cheap ski deals.

One of the largest resorts in the Alps is L’Alpe d’Huez. It is thought to be one of the best for family based skiing holidays and has a relaxed but lively atmosphere. Again, there are options for all levels of skier and some beautiful off-piste trails for the more advanced skier to try.

Thanks to the fact that there are now so many low cost airlines operating, you are almost guaranteed that no matter where you wish to fly in the world for a holiday you will be able to grab a bargain. Low cost airlines also ensure that the bigger airlines keep their prices competitive, that means less spent on the ‘getting there’ and more spent on the ‘while you are there’.

This has opened the world up to many people who would not consider long haul at one time due to budget constraints. A quick search of the internet shows it is just as cheap for a couple to holiday in San Francisco for a fortnight as it is for some holidays in the UK, and indeed in the rest of Europe.

Booking last minute can often mean getting some really cheap flights, complete bargains, but there is also the risk that the destination wanted on the departure date needed is not available. If you have flexibility on travel dates then this might be the best way to book cheaper flights.

Booking well in advance of travel assures you of the required holiday destination and date, but as there is no urgent incentive for the holiday company to sell the holiday then these are usually at the top price.

For those with no children booking outside of school holidays will also be much more cost effective. Cheap flights are available all year round, but during school holidays there are not so many bargains to be found.

With 650 km of interlinked ski piste, the ski and snowboarding is limitless whilst the variety of local French and Swiss mountain towns makes the summer a haven for walkers and mountain bikers. Essert-Romand is one of the satellite villages dotted around the main resort town of Morzine. Set in idyllic surroundings the town is mostly residential, with many business owners and local people choosing to live here rather than Morzine itself.

Morzine is a traditional Savoyard town, superbly situated in the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked international ski areas in the world. The ski resort is set in a picturesque valley, and has a distinct charm with its traditional chalet style architecture. Convenient links in the Portes du Soleil allow easy access to the nearby Swiss resorts of Morgins and Champéry, and the French resorts of Châtel and Les Gets, or over into Avoriaz for some more testing runs.