The Louvre, Paris

Paris is a city of love and romance, and if you’re looking for the perfect city break with your family, then there’s nowhere better to visit than the capital of France. There’s so much to do here that it’s hard to know where to start, however if you plan your trip well in advance, you’ll have more than enough time to pack in everything you want to see. Whether you’re travelling with your loved one or with your friends, Paris caters for all, and from historical cathedrals to luxury restaurants, you’ll certainly be worn out by the end of the day! Let’s take a look at some of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris this year.

Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris

This cathedral offers some of the most stunning Gothic architecture in the whole of France, and many believe it represents the pinnacle of medieval design and innovation. Imposing on the Parisian skyline, visiting this spectacular monument is a must for any tourist in the city, however if you can’t handle the queues leading up to the Cathedral, then you watch the sun go down over the structure along the nearby Seine.

Le Marche aux Puces de St-Ouen

If you’d like to experience the diverse street markets that Paris has to offer, then head over to Le Marche auz Puces de St-Ouen, one of the city’s most famous alternative shopping districts. From antiques and fruits to fabrics and carved figurines, you’ll be able to let your imagination run wild here, and the prices are very fair too! The locals here like to chase customers, but remember to be respectful in your offers for their produce.

Le Champ de Mars

Le Champ de Mars is one of the most stunning places in all of Paris, and locals as well as tourists enjoy basking in the sun here while taking in the amazing view of the Eifel Tower. With vibrant flowerbeds, crisp lawns and litter-free walkways, you’ll be able to pack a picnic (don’t forget the wine) and laze the day away in this wonderful and tranquil spot.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery 

If you’re looking for a little eerie excitement in Paris, then head over to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery – the most haunted cemetery in the country! Home to some very famous names like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, you’ll be able to visit the tombs and see the amazing shrines that fans have built for their heroes. Visit Auto Europe if you’re thinking about renting a car in Paris this summer.

Marche d’Ailgre

Paris is a city of spectacular food, and where better to try out some of these amazing flavours than at Marche d’Aligre. From mountains of cheese, stacks of sausages, flower stalls as high as lamp posts and spices by the bucket load, this is a great place to visit if you’re renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel. Furthermore, the Marche d’Ailgre is surrounded by wonderful cafés and restaurants, so why not grab a glass of wine after you’ve finished shopping!

Located on a pretty coastline in the south of Spain, Cadiz is surrounded by beaches and populated by friendly people. It has benefited from a wide number of different cultures, all leaving their mark in terms of architecture and way of life.

Cadiz may be one of the destinations included on your holiday with MSC Cruises. With this in mind we have put together a guide to the city, which is widely considered to be the oldest in the whole of Europe.

With so much fascinating history and interesting sights to explore try to ensure you make the most of a short stay in Cadiz on your cruise from Southampton.

Plaza de la Catedral

Head to the plaza housing both the city’s cathedral, constructed between 1722 and 1838, and the Baroque Santiago church dating back to 1635. Before entering either of these religious establishments take a moment to enjoy the square itself.

Notice that a ground plan of the cathedral has been included in the design of the paving stones and stand back to admire the impressive yellow dome. Due to the fact that the construction of the building ended up stretching out over a considerable number of years, its original baroque design has been diluted with rococo and neoclassical elements.

Climb to the top of the cathedral’s tower for fantastic views of the whole city and the surrounding coastline.

Museo de Cadiz

Cadiz’s fine museum is situated within another pretty square surrounded by trees. Downstairs you will find the archaeology section, where the standout attraction is two Phoenician marble sarcophagi. These are joined by myriad Roman statues, many of which are now missing their heads, as well as a likeness of Emperor Trajan from the ruins of Baelo Claudia, complete with his head.

Upstairs you will find a strong collection of religious art, including 18 pieces by Francisco de Zurbarán featuring monks, saints and angels. The highlight of the upper floor is the altarpiece that Murillo was working on for the Cádiz’ Convento de Capuchinas when he fell from the scaffolding and was killed.

Playa de la Victoria

You cannot spend a few days in Cadiz without making the most of its fantastic coastline and we recommend Playa de la Victoria. This is as much for the walk along the promenade from Barrio Santa Maria as for the destination.

This beach boasts four kilometres of sand and sea stretching along the peninsula and is the place where many of the locals like to go when they are sunning themselves.

Gran Teatro Manuel de Falla

Dating back to 1905 the magnificent Gran Teatro Manuel de Falla sits in the Plaza Fragela and still has a comprehensive schedule of performances. Try to get tickets if one of these shows coincides with your trip. Otherwise just marvel at its architectural beauty.

It was known simply as Gran Teatro up until 1926 when it was decided that the name of local composer Manuel de Falla should be bestowed upon it as a mark of honour.

Standout features include the red and white horseshoe arches on the facade, a magnificent vestibule and stunning stairway up to the galleries above. Admire the work of Felipe Abarzuza and Rodríguez de Arias who painted an allegory of paradise on the ceiling.

It’s coming up on the end of the month and hence another big announcement from the single-minded fanatics at the SNCF (French national railways) and this month it’s Barcelona.

Starting in April French TGVs will extend their averous reach beyond the current Catalonian hub at Figueres where for the moment you have to change trains and, if you like, take in the eccentric museum that native son Salvador Dali designed in homage to Salvador Dali. The current journey, not counting whatever time you need to genuflect at the Dali ego emporium, is about eight hours and that reduces in April to a very manageable six hours and twenty minutes.

Now that would be a decidedly satisfying portion of TGV travel news were it coming from any source other than the SNCF, which will lay down a high speed route to any gathering larger than a menage-à-trois if it stays still long enough. So naturally this logistical and engineering miracle combines with SNCF’s new border line unveiled in January to connect Barcelona to Perpignan, Narbonne, Montpellier, Nimes and Valence in France and Figueres and Girona in Spain.

And that’s it. Except that it’s not. Also starting in April France welcomes Spain’s version of the TGV on routes between Barcelona and Toulouse.

That finally is all the TGV news from France for this month, apart from the announced high-speed connection from Paris to Nice, starting in 2015, but I’ll save that for then.

Troodos Mountains by Tech bro (creative commons)

As with many locations, an unfortunate lack of knowledge as to the weather and climate during the trip can lead to not packing appropriate clothing. Lacking in weather-appropriate clothing for a trip can, of course, have negative repercussions with regards to enjoyment while on the trip. As a result it is best to know what the weather is like before undertaking a trip to beautiful Cyprus.

General Climate

The north eastern part of the island of Cyprus is considered semi-arid. Overall, however, the area has a subtropical Mediterranean climate. The area experiences quite mild, rainy winters, with snowfall only happening in the mountain range known as the Troodos mountains which are located in the central part of the island. Humidity in the winter ranges between 60% to 80%. During the summer months, a traveller can expect to encounter warm to hot temperatures and little rainfall. Average humidity in the summer is somewhere in the range of 40% to 60%. The area experiences short springs and autumns, and fog is not common. Winds tend to be light to moderate, with occasional strong winds but most strong gales are kept to the coast and high elevation areas.

Let the Sunshine In

Overall, Cyprus is quite sunny experiencing up to 3,500 hours of sunshine per year, almost double that of many northern European locations. Most of the sunshine is seen in July, which can have up to 13 hours of sunshine on average per day between April and September. During the winter months Sol shines significantly less than even many northern European cities, with only 5 to 6 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Cyprus by Tamstar (creative commons)

Rainfall

Rainfall is significantly more abundant during winter months, especially in the cooler and higher mountainous regions of Cyprus. Most of the rainfall can be experienced between November and March. From approximately the middle of May to the middle of September there is significantly less rainfall, which frequently leads to droughts, occasionally severe, during these months.

Average annual rainfall in the mountainous regions can reach up to 1,100 millimetres (43.3 inches) in the highest portions of the Troodos mountains and as low as 300 millimetres (11.8 inches) annually in the Mesaoria region. Statistically, the island has had shown a trend for decreasing rainfall in the last three decades.

Temperatures

Cyprus is considered to have perhaps the warmest climate in the Mediterranean portion of the European Union, with an average annual temperature hovering around 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and dropping down to 14 Celsius (57 Fahrenheit) during the night hours. Of course, the exact temperature depends on location and time of year. During the summer temperatures can rise as high as 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) and during the winter can drop as low as 7 Celsius (45 Fahrenheit) at night during the coldest months.

Dodrum Marina, Turkey (creative commons)

Turkey is a popular holiday destination with the Brits, but do you know all the tips you could benefit from when visiting this exciting country? Packed full of culture and thrilling attractions, there’s a lot to think about when visiting Turkey.

Where to stay

The south west of Turkey, referred to as the Turquoise Coast, offers visitors clean, unspoiled beaches and is often seen as the gateway to Turkey. Stay here for the perfect trip and look at top Turkish resorts including:
Belek
Bodrum
Kemer
Palmiye

Flights and airports

If you’re visiting the Turquoise Coast, Dalaman and Antalya Airport will be the most convenient destination airports. Both service regular flights to and from the UK, with a variety of holiday providers.

Currency

Before hopping off the plane, you’ll need to change your pounds for Turkish Lira. Depending on the exact rate, you will get around 2.75 Turkish Lira to the British pound.

History

Turkey is often referred to as the world’s largest open air museum because history is everywhere you look. From Julius Cesar to the Gulf War, Turkey has a vast and varied history, so make the most of it and get exploring!

Location

You will find Turkey where the Middle East meets the Mediterranean. It borders eight other countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Weather

The popular south west Turkish resorts have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and wet winters, but up north towards the Black Sea, it is cooler all year round. Pack the sun cream, as temperatures can reach 35-40?C.

Antalya – Hadrian’s Gate by Ingo Mehling (Creative commons)

Cuisine

A blend between the spicy Middle East and traditional Mediterranean flavours, the traditional Turkish cuisine is popular with most visitors. However, you will find dishes from all around the world in the restaurants and cafés, so there’s no need to worry about missing your home favourites.

Things to do

If the swimming pool and beach isn’t enough to keep you occupied, don’t worry as there are plenty of things to do and see in Turkey. Some of the most popular attractions include:
Termessos and Güllük Dagi National Park
Antalya Archaeological Museum
Hadrian’s Gate, Antalya
Koprulu Canyon National Park
Castle of St. Peter, Bodrum

Beaches

Due to vast sea borders, Turkey has a lot of beaches. You will find some excellent beaches at the top resorts, but if you fancy venturing elsewhere, check out these gorgeous golden sands:
Marmaris
Kusadasi
Oludeniz
Bodrum
Antalya

Nightlife

For a true taste of the best nightlife in Turkey, there’s no better place than Istanbul. If you’re staying outside the city, other top destinations include Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris and Halikarnas.

If all this sounds right up your street, visit Club Med to find out more about luxury holidays to Turkey.

View from an old bridge in Bergerac by Lionel Allorge (creative commons)

Bergerac is a popular region of southern west France, also known locally as Purple Perigord (Perigord being the ancient name of the area and ‘purple’ referring to the local grown wines!) It was once a trading port and is situated alongside a river, with easy access to wine making areas and beautiful countryside – it is surrounded in fact by over 120 wind producers, making it a great location for wine lovers and only 90 minutes’ drive away from the famous wine-producing region of Bordeaux. Bergarac and the Dordogne region have both grown quickly in recent years, thanks predominantly to an influx of British holidaymakers and a rising number of affordable flights from various UK airports, including Birmingham, Edinburgh and Southampton flights. Bergerac’s popularity shows no sign of waning and many of its visitors return year after year, staying in cosy guesthouses or traditional French gites – or even camping in the beautiful countryside.

Getting there

As mentioned above, many UK airports fly to Bergerac and the town’s Airport is just 5 km south of the centre – with a five minute taxi transfer. Some visitors also choose to take advantage of Eurostar or the Channel Tunnel and drive across the France (click here for Eurostar discounts), taking in various sights and regions as they go. There are also good high speed rail links to other areas of France.

Bergerac Weather

A good time of year to go is in early Spring and early Summer, when the terraces and town squares come alive for al-fresco dining and drinks and the temperature is balmy. Harvest time in October is great for wine lovers – the region has a real air of anticipation and buzz – and Christmas in France generally is a lovely, family focused and traditional affair.

Bergerac Attractions

Bergerac is a lively and buzzing town that nevertheless is sometimes overlooked by visitors who head to the Dordogne’s traditional villages and castles. Even for day-trippers it affords a good day’s exploring, with a delicious local lunch thrown in and a trip to one or two of the town’s museums or other attractions. The old town runs up in a section from the river and it has a wide number of impressive and culturally important medieval buildings and open squares to relax in. There are several restaurants and cafes to take advantage of, offering everything from a la carte gourmet food, to simple pizzas and pommes frites so is definitely a different option than the more traditional trip to Paris.

Bergerac

Other highlights of Bergerac include the Maison des Vins cloistors, the Wine Museum… or find out more about the region’s important tradition of tobacco cropping at the Tobacco Museum. Art lovers may also enjoy the Costi Museum with many lovely sculptures.

The great thing about Bergerac however is that there are many quirky highlights hidden around corners and it’s well worth finding a nice pub or cafe and speaking to the locals to find out their recommendations. The locals are very proud of their town and are generally happy to point out its best spots! Also make sure to ask your travel agent about the best areas to go to when travelling as they will usually have a whole list of information to provide you.

Amsterdam at Dusk

With its famous red light district and coffee houses you would be forgiven for assuming that Amsterdam is more of an adult destination. However, with its lack of traffic, canals and child orientated attractions Amsterdam is the ideal location for families looking to keep children well entertained.

Museums

Most of the museums offer dedicated children’s tours and the Rijksmuseum is free for under-18s. Three other excellent museums are NEMO, Anne Frank Huis and Tropenmuseum. NEMO is a science museum in an incredible green building, which has to be seen to be believed. You can access the roof which gives excellent views of the medieval part of Amsterdam. Anne Frank Huis will be of interest to older children particularly, especially if they have read The Diary of Anne Frank and the Tropenmuseum is colourful enough even to impress the adults.

Other Activities

Vondelpark makes the perfect location to allow children to run around and let off a bit of steam, there is a great caff next to the playground called Het Groot Melkhuis. Alternatively, for a full day out go to Amsterdamse Bos, a goat farm where children can fully interact with the animals.

Vondelpark, Amsterdam by Jorge Royan

Another winner for children is a ferry trip across the IJ, you can combine a free ferry ride with dinner at the IJ-kantine. Alternatively there are plenty of canal boat rides on offer, where everyone can enjoy the sites of the city as they are supposed to be viewed.

In the winter ice-skating outdoors is a popular pass time in Amsterdam and one that children will love to join in with. In the winter the canals often freeze, making perfect ice rinks and are one of the most magical ways to experience Amsterdam. Smaller ice rinks pop up all over Amsterdam in the winter. If you would rather be a spectator however, there are plenty of ice-skating races and events which take place throughout winter, for up to date information check with your tourist office or hotel. For those visiting in summer there are indoor rinks available or you could visit Artis Zoo. The oldest zoo in the Netherlands, it has a geological and zoological museum, a planetarium and an aquarium.

Eating Out

Other than the Het Groot Melkhuis and IJ-kantine, finding places to eat as a family can be difficult as most restaurants are small and adult orientated. However if anywhere has ‘eetcafe’ in the name it is usually appropriate for children as well. Loetje, Bazar and Los Pilones are particularly recommended.

In the summer children will love the poffertjes, these are little pancakes sprinkled with sugar and can be bought at temporary stands. In the winter these are substituted with oliebollen, deep fried doughnuts.

Children will also enjoy the big Dutch-style pancakes, Pannenkoekenhuis is recommended as children will love the fairy-tale feel.

Once the children are worn out you can leave them with a babysitting service, offered by most high end hotels, to enjoy the city from a more adult perspective.

Lloyd is a freelance travel writer, who is currently a freelance contributor for Cheapflights.

Taking your family on a holiday is the most beautiful thing you can experience. Spending time with the loved ones will definitely bring joy and a bright smile on your lips.

Welcome to Méribel (creative commons)

The winter season is the perfect opportunity to choose a ski resort travel destination. Whether you are a master of ski or haven’t even tried on the ski equipment there is no reason to say no to this. On every ski trail there is an instructor that will teach you the basics.

If you want to take your lovely family on a ski run then maybe you should consider Méribel as an option. This place has its own special thing and is a great challenging mountain for most beginners and intermediate skiers looking for some recreational outdoor activities. It is considered to be one of the most attractive ski resorts in France.

Méribel (creative commons)

There is something to do for everyone in this beautiful region, especially when it comes to the best ski run in Méribel.

Maybe someone in your family is not a really ski junkie. No problem, you will find fantastic places in Méribel where you can enjoy some leisure moments or relax after many hours spent skiing. Look for bars and restaurants that vary from Michelin Starred to the simple ones where you can delight yourself and your family with a great traditional Savoyard cuisine. For non-skiers there are plenty of non-skiing diversions. Take a scenic walk around Méribel and Mottaret and explore the mountain restaurants that can be accessed from the gondolas.

If you are into sightseeing, you can book sightseeing flights from the Altiport. Other major attractions are the Olympic Ice Rink, a large bowling alley, modern fitness centre, snow-mobiles renting option  and shops of every kind. And if none of this seems appealing for you let your family enjoy them while you simply unwind in your chalet with a good book or watching a nice video. At night, take a round and discover the taverns from the centre of Méribel like Le Pub, Jack’s or Le Poste.

For beginners, Méribel Altiport area is perfect place for learning how to ski. Mottaret also has a small protected tow lift for those ski novices.

As for intermediates, skiing in Méribel and the 3 Valleys is the most exquisite spot. Take a 3-valley pass and go exploring the wonderful ski runs.

Advanced skiers are not forgotten. For you there are several excellent places in Courchevel and Mont Vallon where you will find and challenging ski trails with guaranteed snow.

Nou Camp Interior

If you’re a football fan who is keen to combine your passion for the beautiful game with a holiday away, Spain is one destination well worth visiting. Not only is the country home to some of the world’s best club sides, but its national team has won a host of trophies in recent years, including the 2010 World Cup. For a truly amazing sports-focused break, though, it’s worth heading to Barcelona.

Whether you’re an armchair football fan or enjoy playing the game yourself, you are certain to be thrilled with all the great sport that the city has to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to sort a flight to Barcelona and then you can start planning all of your football-related activities.

FC Barcelona

As one of the most successful club sides in world football, FC Barcelona are sure to feature heavily on the agenda of any sport lover visiting the city. Even if you’re a relatively casual football fan, you really should take the opportunity to attend a game at the side’s Camp Nou stadium, if only because it’s the biggest stadium in Europe.

In doing so, you’ll get to see global superstars like Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta in action – whether it’s in a La Liga game or in a European/cup competition – and cheer them on alongside more than 95,000 other spectators.

Taking in a game in person is the most obvious way to experience everything that FC Barcelona is about, but it’s also a fantastic idea to go on a stadium tour and check out the club museum. Doing so enables you to see the dozens of trophies that the side has won over the years – including the 2009 Club World Cup and the 2006 Champions League cup – while a giant 35 m screen enables you to watch some of the best goals and moments in the club’s history.

You’ll also get to follow in the footsteps of the home side by taking a walk down the players’ tunnel and you can even have your picture taken in the club’s own chapel, where you’ll find a replica of La Moreneta, the patron saint of Catalonia. Other places you can see include the press zone and the away team’s changing rooms, while walking out to the manager’s dugout is sure to be an experience that you never forget.

Situated across from Camp Nou is the Mini Estadi (which translates as ‘mini stadium’ in English). This is where Barcelona B – FC Barcelona’s reserve team – plays their home games and is where the likes of Messi and Victor Valdes played before making the step up to the main squad, so it’s a great place to see the stars of tomorrow in action.

Espanyol

While FC Barcelona are undoubtedly the biggest football team in the city, they’re by no means the only side here. Fellow La Liga side Espanyol are also based in Barcelona with the Estadi Cornella-El Prat stadium seating more than 40,000 spectators.

Playing their home games just outside the Cornella and El Prat de Llobregat regions of the city, Espanyol are one of the oldest teams in La Liga and have won a number of trophies over the years, with the 2005-06 Copa Del Rey (the Spanish version of the FA Cup) the side’s most recent accolade.

Coming here to watch a game is sure to be an equally enthralling experience as seeing a match at the Nou Camp, though it’s a good idea to stop by the club shop to buy a scarf or replica shirt so that you fit in with the local supporters.

As you can see, there’s plenty for football lovers to see and do in the city, so a holiday here is sure to hit the back of the net!

Isle of White

When you think of holidaying in the UK, you usually think of Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District and Sussex.

However, by escaping the mainland and travelling to one of the hundreds of islands in the surrounding waters, you can discover some truly amazing destinations. Here’s our pick of the bunch:

Isle of Wight

Less than an hour away from the south coast via ferry-ride, the Isle of Wight is as idyllic as any destination you will find in the UK.

It was a strong favourite of Queen Victoria and it’s not hard to see why. Along with the beautiful rolling green countryside, there’s a number of pretty fishing villages and stunning seafood restaurants.

The island has all the things you associate with the UK: Tesco, The BBC, good ales and left hand drive vehicles, while at the same time feeling very different.

Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are a location that most people in the UK know about, but very few have actually visited. Although much nearer the French coast than the British, it is just a short flight or ferry journey.

The two main islands are Jersey and Guernsey. The bigger of the two, Jersey, is known for its top quality eateries. As well as three Michelin-starred restaurants, there is also a host of affordable dining options for all budgets. Guernsey is famous for its pristine sandy beaches and easy going lifestyle. Whether it’s a relaxing break or an action-packed adventure, the Channel Islands will cater for all tastes.

Isle of Scilly Photo by Tom Corser

Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly are just a stone’s throw from Cornwall, but feel like a different world.

With a population of just over 2,000, the Isles of Scilly are the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – without having to spend a fortune to get there.

The scenery looks much the same as the southern counties of England, with the green rolling hills dominating the views. However, the one difference which will quickly become apparent is the peacefulness.

Gone are the sounds of lorries, aeroplanes and traffic jams. Instead, the peaceful sound of the local wildlife is probably the only sound you will hear.

If you’ve never been, then this summer may be the perfect time to try the Isles of Scilly.

Isle of Man

Perhaps best known for its famous motorbike race, the Isle of Man is actually perfect for more than just petrol-heads.

Just a short ferry ride from Liverpool, the island has retained its own character from the rest of the UK.

Douglas is the capital and has just about everything you need for a short break, including top class restaurants, fantastic sporting facilities and an exciting nightlife.

The exposed island makes for excellent hiking territory and it’s also ideal for cyclists. However, if you are after something more relaxing, there are countless tearooms with a smattering of spas for those who like to indulge in a spot of pampering.