The sun kissed shores of southern Florida frequently rank amongst the best beaches in the USA and with good reason. Conveniently for anyone wishing to enjoy a beach holiday in Miami, many of the finest sands are found only a short distance from the city.

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For most visitors to the Miami area South Beach springs to mind as the classic image of long hot Floridian summers and toned tanned physiques playing volleyball or jogging on the boardwalk. Despite the reputation, it has to be said that South beach thoroughly lives up to the hype forming as it does the central point of a lively scene, just a stone’s throw away from some of Miami’s swankiest hotels and hippest nightclubs it remains a hub of activity by day and night.

North Beach is the largest singles stretch that together with the several others make up the more than seven miles of beach that can be found around Miami. It has a pleasant boardwalk offering easy access to all parts of the beach and is ideal for families as it has safe shallow waters and is protected by lifeguards – it is also a popular spot to rent jet skis.

If you’re something a little more unique in you beach holiday in Miami then Bill Baggs State Park maybe just the ticket for you. Located on the south end of Key Biscayne,it offers visitors the opportunity to spend a day on the beach surrounded by nature and with the added attraction of the famous Cape Florida Lighthouse. Guided tours of the lighthouse which offers spectacular views over the surrounding area, are available in good weather and the park also rents out bicycles, paddle boats, hydro bikes and kayaks for those looking for a little more action whilst on holiday. For fun of a slightly slower place the sea wall is a top spot for fishing making it the ideal spot for families looking for activities in addition to a beautiful beach.

Another favourite for those sharing their holidays with small children is Crandon Park Beach. Also in Key Biscayne it offers more than three miles of gentle sheltered beaches protected by 13 lifeguard towers and facilities that included children’s playgrounds and picnic areas to help make sure that every member of the family can relax and enjoy.

At the other end of the scale is Haulover beach, the only public beach in Miami with a ‘clothing optional’ policy. Located on Miami beach between the Sunny Isles Beach and Bal Harbour this it the perfect place to wave goodbye to those strap marks and go au natural – perhaps not the best option for kids though.

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Australia is one of the biggest countries in the world and as a result you can have thousands of unique and exciting experiences all in the one place.

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Taking a trip around Australia is like a mini trip around the globe with a mix of cultures, adventure tours and locations making every pit-stop completely different.

There are hundreds of towns and cities worth visiting but we’ve put together Australia’s Top 10 Destinations to ensure you see as much of the ‘Land Down Under’ as you possibly can.

1: Brisbane

Kick off your tour in Queensland’s capital Brisbane.

All the action is based right on the Brisbane River and the restaurant and entertainment strip of South Bank is the perfect vantage point to watch the world go by.

Sports fans might also want to catch a game at Suncorp Stadium, widely considered the best rectangular stadium in the world!

2: Gold Coast

With heaps of competition from Gold Coast hotels you’ll find great value in an incredible location.

Check out the famous Surfer’s Paradise Beach right on your doorstep or head up to the adventure capital of Australia with four adrenalin pumping theme parks right next to each other!

3: Sydney

Make your way down the central coast through Newcastle and you’ll eventually reach Sydney.

It’s the icon of Australia and attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney harbour Bridge will blow your mind.

It’s also home to Bondi Beach, the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.

4: Canberra

The capital of Australia is Canberra and housed here are some of the countries most important sites.

Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial are just a couple of the must visit locations during your Australian journey.

5: Melbourne

Many consider Melbourne to be the cultural capital and indeed the restaurants, shopping and accommodation here are second to none.

If you fancy a big night out then head to Crown Casino, right in the middle of all the action.

6: Hobart

It’s the capital of Tasmania and home to the best natural landscape anywhere in the country.

Book your accommodation in the rainforest to experience the rare native flora and fauna first hand and truly discover what the island state has to offer.

7: Adelaide

The historic architecture of Adelaide is breathtaking with a cluster of extravagant cathedrals and churches.

It’s also the gateway to Australia’s bets wine country and the rolling hills of the Barossa Valley are only minutes from your accommodation.

8: Perth

On the west coast you’ll find Perth, a big city with big character.

It’s different from the other capitals as geographic isolation has allowed Perth t develop its own personal unique style and attitude.

9: Alice Springs

Visit the outback and find out what life is really like in country Australia.

Right in the middle of the country there’s no better example of the Aussie spirit than in Alice Springs.

10: Darwin

Finish off in Darwin at the top of Australia.

It’s like a big country town with friendly locals and a relaxed atmosphere but still plenty to keep you entertained.

Grab a beer at the local pub and feel content knowing that you’ve taken in the best Australia has to offer

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Whatever happened to weekends away? Everybody got too busy, that’s what. Well this weekend, why not turn your phone off, pack your overnight bag and overfeed the cat – it’s time to bring back the two-day getaway!

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First things first, if you’re going overseas you want to find the cheapest fights you can. This can often be one of the most expensive parts of your holiday, so choose wisely. Try a comparison website to save you time as they do the legwork for you. By booking last minute, you may be able to take advantage of late notice deals.

Now you’ve booked the flights, it’s time to pack. It’s a good idea to check the weather before you go so you know what to expect and can pack accordingly – you can usually see the forecast up to ten days in advance. Try and pack as lightly as you can: after all, it’s only one weekend! Forget the five pairs of shoes and the back-up hairdryer, as you can easily do without for two days. But for warmer climes, still pack a light top or jacket for evenings, and for some destinations taking a travel-brolly is always a wise move.

So, where are you going to go? City breaks are always popular, as you can generally see a lot in a couple of days and come back infused with culture by Monday morning. You could visit the iconic sights of Paris. You’ll be able to look over Paris at sunset from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and take a tour around the classic artworks of the Louvre. Maybe Venice is more appealing? Try a romantic stroll through the maze of narrow lanes, or a cruise on a traditional gondola down its waterways. There’s even the trendy atmosphere of Barcelona to sample, with a gastronomic tour of the city’s Spanish tapas bars and vibrant clubs to enjoy.

If you can’t face going too far from home, try a trip in the UK. Brighton, on the south coast, has an intriguing mix of vintage and chic shops, as well as the famous Brighton Pier where you can pick up a stick of rock or get rid of your change in the amusement arcades. If you want to really get away from it all, a relaxing break in the Cotswolds could be the answer. With stunning landscapes and quaint villages, this is the place to wander or unwind. The Isle of Wight is also a great choice: ferries from Portsmouth take just 22 minutes leaving you all the time you need to explore.

Wherever you decide to go, a short weekend break can really revive and refresh you for whatever Monday morning throws your way. After all, a short getaway won’t break the bank and it’s great fun to make the most of the two days off; you know you deserve it!

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Many people think that they don’t need annual travel insurance as they travel to low risk countries or purpose built resorts where the likelihood of anything untoward occurring is severely limited. If you travel predominantly within Europe, you may think that a European health card is as good as separate insurance policy. However annual travel insurance offers a number of benefits that can still make it a worthwhile investment even if you are unlikely to need some of the features.

Firstly, travel insurance policies offer a plethora of health benefits. Whilst you may be unlikely to catch a disease or fall ill in many countries you should still be prepared for the worst. Regrettably things can happen that you cannot plan for and you can often incur high fees for medical treatment or emergency room visits. Having to worry about these things whilst in the middle of a crisis or being unable to afford treatments is a serious worry whilst travelling in foreign countries. In the event of an emergency it is much more beneficial to not have to worry about the extra stress and hassle that can come with medical bills and expenses. As in many aspects of life it is better to err on the side of caution rather than be unpleasantly surprised. Whilst most of the time this will be unnecessary you can’t risk it becoming an issue, making comprehensive annual travel insurance cover a necessity.

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Secondly, annual travel insurance policies cover a range of personal liability costs and any legal expenses you might incur whilst travelling. Again, this might seem unlikely to occur but if for any reason it should, you could end up facing a very hefty bill whatever country you may be in. Having personal liability insurance means that, should any accidents occur, you will be covered. This again can give you added peace of mind while you travel making it a worthwhile investment.

Thirdly, even in secure resorts and chaperoned holidays thefts and damage of personal belongings can occur. Losing your money or valuable items such as digital cameras can put a real dampener on your holiday. Annual travel insurance policies cover most personal belongings as well as cash and credit cards so are a very good way of keeping your belongings secure. Annual travel insurance policies will cover replacement credit card fees as well as passports and travel documents should they be required.

Fourthly, and finally, annual travel insurance will generally cover any delays, trip interruptions, baggage loss and last minute cancellations. These are some of the biggest advantages of annual insurance policies as often these affect large amounts of travellers. If you are delayed at the airport and have to find and book hotels often your airline company will pay for the rooms. However if not then you can claim on your travel insurance and you won’t have to incur additional costs. If you lose your baggage annual travel insurance policies will generally recover any costs for returning your baggage to you or arrange additional financial reimbursement for any extra expenses you incur replacing the lost items. If your trip is interrupted for any reason or you are forced to make an early return your insurance policy will cover the lost costs or lost value of the remaining days of your holiday. Finally some, though not all, annual policies will reimburse you should you have to cancel your holiday unexpectedly. You should not book a holiday if you suspect you will have to cancel it but if you have to cancel due to unexpected circumstances you will be entitled to reimbursement.

With these features as standard annual travel insurance offers a myriad of benefits. Whilst many single trip travel insurance policies will cover the same aspects having the knowledge and peace of mind that you are always covered in case of any eventuality makes the process of going on holiday much more enjoyable.

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When planing holiday… some travel tips

Planning to travel for your next holiday don’t need to be complicated. There are plenty of options available for you to get things going and hit the road. One of the most important aspects of holiday planning involves getting airline tickets. The Trick is to find cheap airfares that will not suck your bank account dry. After all, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of cheap flights? The best way to do this is by doing research. There are plenty of websites that offer cheap airfares. The next step is to find one and compare it with others and then go with one.



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Finding cheap flights these days can be a little difficult, especially if you do not know where to look and how to find. There are some time tested methods which will almost always work. The first tip is to make your bookings as far in advance as possible. Many airlines and travel websites give hugely discounted rates if you commit a few months before the actual travel date. This brings us to the next point and that is to not travel during the holiday season, if possible. For example, a few days before Christmas will be one of the worst times to travel.

The next tip is the opposite of the first one. This involves booking a few days before the departure date. The logic being that at any given date, the airline will have unfilled seats which they will sell for at a discounted rate. However, this is a risky option. The next would be to never commit to a cheap ticket right away. Always compare and make sure that there is not something better. Often times travel agents, airlines as well as travel websites will try and outdo each other by giving a cheaper fare.

The next tip may seem to be unbelievable but it can be true at times. This is about one way fares versus return trips. Sometimes one way fares will cost more than round trip tickets! If this is the case, then it obviously makes more sense to by a round trip ticket, even if you do not intend to use it. Last but not least, be flexible when choosing a departure or destination airport. This means, if there is another airport close by, check and see what the cost would be to fly to and fro. Sometimes smaller airports will be cheaper to fly from than large international airports.

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