Are you a self-confessed beach bum but have had enough of high rise over-development and rowdy beer boys? If so, we have pulled together a list of some of Europe’s finest beach resorts with not a crowded disco bar or banana boat in sight.

Best for incredible coastline

Amalfi Coast, Italy

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You would be hard pressed to find coastline as jaw-droppingly beautiful as the southern side of Sorrento’s peninsula. The Amalfi Coast is 50km stretch of towering cliffs, winding roads, pungent lemon groves, vineyards and whitewashed villas. The resort has long been a magnet for the rich and famous and although the area is incredibly popular, thankfully over-development has been limited-probably largely due to it’s unforgiving terrain. The gorgeously located Sorrento and Ravello shouldn’t be missed nor should the photogenic but expensive town of Positano. If you are a tight budget give the exclusive hotels a miss and stay in one of the family run B&Bs instead.

Best for authentic charm

Sesimbra, Portugal

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Sesimbra, located on the west coast of Portugal is a small and attractive working fishing port where visitors will also benefit from a long promenade, a great beach, clear turquoise sea and some better than average hotels. Sesimbra is not what you’d call underdeveloped but it still somehow manages to retain it’s rustic charm and village atmosphere – the resort is the antithesis of the unashamedly brash Algarve. Lisbonites come here to escape the city hassles and is undiscovered by most living outside Portugal. The bay is excellent for swimming and dolphin spotting and there are endless rows of cafes and restaurants to enjoy the local catch of the day. Being only an hour’s drive from the capital, Sesimbra also makes the perfect base to explore Lisbon and the neighbouring cosmopolitan seaside town Cascais.

Best for hanging out with the beautiful people

Sardinia, Italy

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Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean sea is popular with affluent tourists, island-hoppers, beautiful bronzed people and the odd celebrity or two. It’s also a travel destination of contrasts – it’s both historic and cosmopolitan and laid-back and lively. As well as some impossibly picturesque traditional towns, Sardinia has natural beauty in abundance and the perfectly clear turquoise sea and white sandy beaches seem to have more in common with islands much nearer the equator. Head for the glitzier resort towns of Costa Smeralda and Porto Rotundo for your celeb-spotting fix.

Best for boating

Kefalonia, Greece

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The popular novel Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli’s Mandolin turned Kefalonia into one of the most sought after Greek island resorts but yet this large but still traditional island has somehow managed to escape the problems that the other tourist ridden Greek islands have suffered. As well as being blessed with natural beauty, Kefalonia is adorned with all the usual cliched Greek images such as olive groves, white washed villages, incredible beaches and rugged mountain ranges. Try hiring a small boat to discover one of the many secluded bays inaccessible by road or foot, or use discount cruises to island hop the rest of the Ionian islands.

Best for timeless beauty

Croatia, Dalmatian Coast

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Croatia has come a long way from it’s unsettled past and is now considered a safe and welcoming country. It’s also a much-loved and much hyped holiday destination. Rapid development has been kept to a minimum here and Croatia with it’s bustling fishing ports, stone-built villages, quiet coves and historical towns is one of Europe’s most unspoilt and timeless places to take a holiday. Part of it’s appeal is it’s renowned dramatic and lengthy rugged coastline often known as the New Riviera. Dubrovnik, Lord Byron’s ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ deserves a special mention, it’s a unique city that has pristinely preserved its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, palaces and monuments.

Best for rugged scenery and chic coastal towns

Corisca, France

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Although popular with tourists, Corsica is another island that has surprisingly not succumbed to over-development. Holiday-goers flock here for the mild climate, white sand crescent beaches, serene rocky coves and unrivalled diverse landscapes. The rugged mountainous parts of the island attract walkers and hikers and the chic towns and ports lined with pavement cafés and palm trees offer the perfect place to relax. Try the famous GR20 – one of the top trails in the world for a particularly exhilarating hike or drive.

Best for budget

Patara, Turkey

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Patara is a beachside village located on the glistening ‘Turkish Riveria’ (the south-west Aegean coast of Turkey). The resort has one of the longest and most beautiful sandy beaches in the Mediterranean and has the added bonus of being outside the expensive euro-zone. Legend has it that Patara is the birthplace of Apollo and at the height of the Roman Empire it was one of the most important harbours in the western Mediterranean, fine examples of excavated Roman masonry can be found in the village’s ticketed archeological site. Nowadays Patara mostly attracts Turkish day trippers, bohemian foreigners and nesting turtles!

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Do you fancy doing something a little different for your honeymoon? If so here is our list of underrated and often overlooked honeymoon destinations specially selected to suit a wide range of tastes.

Tuscany Villa
Perfect for couples looking for peace, seclusion and culture

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Book a secluded villa in Tuscany a region in central Italy for your honeymoon and relax with your loved one in utopia-esque Renaissance country. The landscape is a pastoral quilt of olive groves, vineyards and rolling green-valleys and has inspired many famous artists including Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, it also has remained virtually unchanged for centuries and certainly lives up to it’s hype. Head into one of the sleepy hill-top towns nestled in the countryside and indulge in typical Tuscan cuisine such as mushrooms, truffles, roasted meats and sheep’s milk cheeses like pecorino and ricotta of course washed down with a glass of the region’s world-famous wine. If you tire of indulging in the sweet art of doing not very much at all, then hire a boat and Island hop along the region’s coast, visit Florence, Pisa or one of the perfectly-preserved atmospheric medieval towns or a grand gothic castle.

Toyko Four Seasons
Perfect for adrenaline seekers and Asian culture lovers

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Often overlooked as a honeymoon destination, many don’t realise that it’s possible to enjoy the best of both world’s in this adrenaline fuelled city if you retreat to a peaceful haven each night like the Four Seasons hotel. Tokyo a giant, fascinating metropolis where the old and the new jostle for space would make a perfect honeymoon for adrenaline junkies, fans of cutting-edge modernity and quirky trends. Although the city does offer an alternative side; the Japanese are fiercely proud of it’s ancient traditions and neighbourhood festivals are held regularly and shrines and Zen Temples can still be found on many streets. Looking for a romantic day trip out? Then head for the Temples of Asakusa or the beautiful gardens of the Imperial Palace. The Four Seasons Hotel would be a great choice for a honeymoon hotel because it offers a calming ultra-modern natural wood interior, Zen-inspired spa treatments and impeccable Asian hospitality serenely secluded amidst a historic Japanese garden- a perfect antidote to a chaotic but uniquely exciting day.

Borneo Rainforest
Perfect for adventurous wildlife fans

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Honeymooning in the Borneo Rainforest would suit adventurous eco-conscious couples with a fondness for wildlife. If you book a trip here you would benefit from pristine white sandy beaches, ancient forests with unique flora and fauna, breathtaking mountain scenery and of course the now world-famous Sepilok Sanctuary where you can see the most lovable of all monkeys-the orangutans. Depending on your choice of holiday you could include a trip to the awe-inspiring Mount Kinabalu or the Batang Ai Reservoir where the Iban Headhunter tribe live. Another option could be braving a canopy walk high above the jungle or interacting with endangered turtles and Proboscis monkeys in Kinabatangan River sanctuary. After a long but extraordinarily wonderful day, retreat in comfort to your eco-friendly luxury beach villa or rustic jungle lodge.

Scottish castle and whale watching
For outdoor and history loving couples

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There’s probably something very appealing about living like a 12th century King or Queen in a remote part of Scotland. Staying in a Scottish castle for your honeymoon would combine tranquil seclusion with luxurious, opulent accommodation and wild rugged and romantic landscapes. Dine on a six course meal in the grand hall, sip whiskey by the fireplace or even take up croquet for the duration of your stay. Trips out could include a romantic scenic drive from Fort William to Mallaig, a visit to the iconic Eilean Donan Castle or whale watching on the Isle of Mull. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the Hebrides is an area of outstanding natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife. One Isle of Mull company (Sea Life Surveys) offers a 98% sighting success rate of seeing either minke whale, porpoises, basking sharks, dolphins, orca or grey seals.

Roadtrip through South America
Perfect for adventurous film fans

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Fans of the Motorcycle Diaries might fancy retracing the historic route or part of the route that was so beautifully captured on film. Travelling through South America is now a uber-trendy and increasing popular honeymoon destination for more adventurous types looking for the ultimate wild and romantic roadtrip. Okay so not everyone has eight months to spare like Che Guevara, but a route touring through four countries starting from Santiago in Chile and ending Buenos Aires in Argentina (via Bolivia and Brazil) in 25 days might be an option. Learn to dance in Buenos Aires, join the carnival in Brazil or just enjoy the rugged and unparalleled beauty of Chile and Bolivia.

Cruise the Rhine in five star luxury
For honeymooners looking for relaxation and traditional sightseeing

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Germany and the beautiful River Rhine is a romantic destination in the traditional sense and would best suit couples fond of history, culture and sightseeing. Thanks to a fairly new river cruise ship, the Premicon Queen you can now cruise the beautiful Rhine river in sophisticated five star luxury. This spacious ships comes with modern dark wood decor, spa facilities and attentive staff. Dine under the Cologne bridge, sail past fairytale historical castles, half-timbered villages and picturesque mountain pastures and stop-off and picnic among the ancient evergreens of the Black Forest- a perfect alternative honeymoon.

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Check out our list of luxury resorts for health, relaxation, fitness and wellbeing. The list includes properties that go beyond the usual ‘resort with spa’ – all of them offer tailored programmes which will help you make changes towards a healthier lifestyle in unique and permanent ways.

Europe

I spent an amazing week in the Monchique Mountains of Portugal learning Thai Chi and practicing yoga with Gordon Sillence (the Director of Wellness) and I would thoroughly recommend AlmaVerde as one of the world’s luxury resorts for health, fitness and wellbeing. All of the programmes and treatments at AlmaVerde Wellness Centre are developed following the holistic approach of treating a human body as a whole, looking at all aspects of human mental and social existence.

• For more information visit AlmaVerde

The Americas

Photo: lyng883

The BodyHoliday in St Lucia is for anyone interested in health and well-being, old or young, fit or unfit, looking for adventure or relaxation or just looking to rediscover themselves. The resort’s Centre of Health & Well-being, ‘The Oasis’, is the Caribbean’s most award-winning spa. From non-stop relaxation to non-stop activity and anything in between this resort means pleasure, rejuvenation and relaxation. You’ll leave this resort feeling totally rejuvenated both mentally and physically.

• For more information visit The Body Holiday

Asia

Rated as Asia’s Favourite Destination spa by Conde Nast Traveller 2009 readers, Chiva-Som aspires to provide its guests with a total lifestyle transformation to achieve wellness and longevity with a continuing programme of self-improvement. You can also indulge in the award-winning Spa cuisine using organically-grown fruits and vegetables from the Chiva-Som garden, proving that low calorie, nutritious food can truly be a gourmet experience.

• For more information visit Chiva-Som

Photo: Dennis Wong

Oceania

If you really want to get healthy while experiencing what a low carbon footprint feels like in a subtropical pampering resort then Ora Ora Eco Spa Resort is the place for you. This Eco Wellness Resort combines luxurious accommodation in private villas, organic gourmet food & beverage at Makai Restaurant and re-juvenating spa and massage treatments at Maora Wellness Centre – all coupled with exceptionally friendly service.

• For more information visit Ora Ora Eco Spa Resort

Africa

Situated near Cape Town, The Hydro has become a world leader in the holistic approach to balance a clear mind, healthy body and positive mental attitude. The Hydro has five basic principles; diet to cleanse, treatments to rejuvenate, exercise, relaxation and lifestyle motivation. The knowledge imparted during your stay will continue to enrich and add value, encompassing peace and harmony in the body, mind and spirit.

• For more information visit The Hydro

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If the mince pies and new year’s hangover has taken its toll you may be thinking about booking yourself into a health retreat. We’ve picked seven of the best and most beautifully located places to cleanse the system, take some time out and probably drop a couple of pounds at the same time.

Best for serious detox and cleansing

Jiva Healing, Goa India

If you’re a person who never does anything by halves and fancy a week of hardcore purging in beautiful surroundings then book yourself in for Juice Fasting Retreat in Goa, India. No toxin will be safe after enduring a tailored programme of juice fasting and cleansing designed to rid your body of all your seasonal sins. Also included in the programme are massages, yoga and meditation. Jiva Healing has an excellent reputation and only book small groups for a more personal touch. Still need convincing? Check out the before and after photos on their website.

• Juice Fasting Retreats and Healthy Eating Retreats Goa, India (February/March 2010)
• From £400/$636 per week
• www.jivahealing.com

Best for spa lovers

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa, Koh Samui, Thailand

Kamalaya is wellness centre centred around a monk’s cave on the gorgeous island of Koh Samui, Thailand. The centre prides itself on its peaceful and calming location and offers tailored programmes specifically designed to combat the modern problems of stress, burnout, weight control and other health ailments. Feeling a bit noncommittal? Just relax and enjoy the award winning spa instead.

• Prices from US$1,619.42
• www.kamalaya.com

Best for a range of therapies

The Retreat, Bali

The Retreat is a wellness centre located away from the crowds on the east coast of Bali. With an emphasis on a combination of therapies as well as rest and relaxing the centre attracts guests suffering from diseases including Cancer and MS. The retreat offers all the usual nutrition, yoga and mediation programmes as well as astounding array of healing and wellness therapies and state-of-the art equipment (including stuff you’ve probably never even heard of) from infra red sauna, ozone therapy, oxygen therapy to bio-magnetic resonance. Stay from to 3-30 days.

• From US$220 per night
• www.theretreatbali.com

Best for escapism

Chiva Som, Hua Hin, Thailand

Chiva Som is a particularly atheistically pleasing resort. Here you can relax by a pristinely kept swimming pool, perfectly landscaped gardens with pretty orchids, manicured lawns and huge banyan trees. Come here to detox and to truly get away from it all. If you select a five night package this includes a monitored cleanse, herbal detox supplements, a ‘cleansing cocoon’ and a physical analysis. Other therapies offered are a colonic hydrotherapy, massage and tai chi.

• From US$515 per night
• www.chivasom.com

Photo: Sami Taipale

Best for getting into shape

Kangaroo Island Health Retreat, Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island’s Health Retreat was voted one of the world’s best health retreats (by Harper’s Abroad). The centre is run by Sue McCarthy who has 30 years experience of health, anatomy and nutrition and uses this experience help people lose weight, de-stress and increase their fitness. The Retreat probably isn’t for the faint hearted as each morning begins early at 7am with a litre of water and a three kilometre walk. The rest of your day includes nutrition workshops, pilates, a plunge-pool ritual, swimming and more walking. However, the exceptional results speak for themselves.

• $2600 for 6 nights
• www.kihealthretreat.com

Best for rustic charm

Rancho la Puerta, Baja California, Mexico

This Rancho la Puerta is a true institution in North America and has been helping rid people of their ills since 1940. Founders Edmond and Deborah Szekely were health and wellness pioneers preaching the threats of cholesterol and processed foods long before these ideas were even heard of. Book a stay in the charming casita style accommodation, follow the health and fitness programmes, enjoy the organic food and luxury spa amenities and go home happy, healthy and glowing.

• Rates from $2,000 per week
• www.rancholapuerta.com

Best for Yoga enthusiasts

Quinta Mimosa, Portugal

Yoga has now become a de rigueur pastime for celebrities, if you fancy getting back to basics check out Qunita Mimosa, a small and rustic yoga retreat and the Algarve’s best kept secret. Wake up to yoga classes in a fully equipped light and airy studio and then wander down to the orange groves before breakfast, meditate by the pool at lunchtime and squeeze in a spot of pilates before dinner. Food and tuition also provided.

• From £430/$684 per week
• www.quintamimosaalgarve.com

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Best for Atmosphere

Cologne Christmas market is actually six markets in one town, the four largest and the most impressive are located right outside the town’s beautiful Gothic cathedral. The markets are a huge event and every year they regularly attract 2 million visitors. The half-timber stalls, the temporary ice-rink, the floating market and the Medieval Christmas market outside the Chocolate museum are particularly attractive to visitors and are just a few of the reasons why this market has charmed so many to keep returning in huge numbers year after year. In fact nobody does a Christmas market quite like Germany and Nuremberg, Dresden and Munich are also considered some of the most beautiful and atmospheric.

Cologne Christmas market: 27th November – 23rd December 2009
Nuremberg Christmas market: 27th November – 24th December 2009
Dresden Christmas market: 26th November–24th December 2009
Munich Christmas market: 27th November – 24th December 2009

Good value and popular hotels in Cologne:

• Azimut Hotel City Center
• Hotel Lyskirchen
• Hotel Domstern
• Or search all hotels in Cologne

Search all hotels in Nuremburg, Dresden or Munich

Best for Children

There is a strong emphasis on fairy tales and folk-lore at the the Prague Christmas markets and the organisers really go that extra mile in creating a true “Winter Wonderland” setting. There is even a nativity style petting zoo, a very large (and extremely well lit!) Christmas tree, dance and singing concerts and horse carriage rides as well as traditional seasonal foods and decoration/gifts.

Prague Christmas Market: 28th November 2009 – 1st January 2010

Good value and popular hotels in Prague:

• Arcadia Residence
• Park Inn Hotel
• Hotel Julian
• Or search all hotels in Prague

Best for Budget

It might not be the most famous market but this traditional but less commercial Christmas market in Bratislava, Slovakia might be the perfect choice for a more budget-conscious traveller. Popular with tourists and locals alike this market offers everything from locally crafted gifts, winter clothing and ceramics as well as everything in between. Watch live entertainment as you scoff bread with dripping and onion and potato pancakes filled with goose liver (or just fruit-filled pancakes and apple pies..)

Bratislava Christmas Market: 1st November 2009 – 1st January 2010

Good value and popular hotels in Bratislava:

• Hotel Arcus
• Hotel Antares
• Ibis Bratislava Centrum
• Or search all hotels in Bratislava

Most Unique Shopping Experience

If you’re after something a little bit different then perhaps the Christmas market in Valkenburg, Holland would appeal, the whole market takes place in a cave underneath the city. Trawl the candle-lit labyrinth of passageways and caverns for gifts and decorations and marvel at the impressive mural carvings and sculptures also located there.

Valkenburg Christmas Market: 28th November – 14th December 2009

Good value and popular hotels in Valkenburg:

• Hotel LeTo
• Hotel Atlanta
• Schaepkens van St Fijt Hotel
• Or search all hotels in Valkenburg

Best for Chocolate Lovers

If you or your family had a particular addiction to all things chocolate then the popular Christmas fair in Brussels, Belgium should be right up your street. The “Winter Wonderland” takes place on the Place Sainte Catherine and as well as culinary delights such as steamed snails, oysters, gingerbread and forest mushrooms on toast, as expected there is also a vast range of Belgian chocolate treats.

Brussels Christmas Market: 27th November 2009 – 3rd January 2010

Good value and popular hotels in Brussels:

• NH Stephanie
• Hotel a la Grande Cloche
• Four Points by Sheraton
• Or search all hotels in Brussels

Coolest Christmas Market

Barcelona is often considered one of the coolest European cities and Christmas in Barcelona is no exception. The weather is still warm enough to walk comfortably around the city at night and the lively street artists in Las Ramblas make for a very good atmosphere. The Santa Lucia market is located near the cathedral in the Gothic quarter in Barcelona, here you can buy local crafts, unusual gifts (including Caganer, a Catalan “pooping” statue!) and the traditional Spanish Christmas sweet turron. If you plan your stay around the 28th December, you’ll be treated to the Spanish version of April Fool’s Day when the streets will be filled with even more lively entertainment, artists and music.

Santa Lucia Christmas Market: 1st – 24th December or 28th December 2009 for “Holy Innocents’ Day” (the Spanish version of April Fools Day).

Good value and popular hotels in Barcelona:

• Condado Hotel
• Hotel Praktik Rambla
• Catalonia Port
• Or search all hotels in Barcelona

Best all rounder

The “Christkindlmärkte” in Vienna, Austria is another very popular (and seven hundred year old!) Christmas market. It’s a very traditional market with an emphasis on nostalgia, fun and romance. As well as the usual concerts and nativity displays there is also a well-loved live advent calendar display and a Children’s Christmas Workshop in the City Hall. The atmospheric streets, town square and the surrounding park are all filled with the aromas of candied fruits, cotton candy, Christmas punch and roasted chestnuts, surely the perfect way to get you in the Christmas mood?

Vienna Christmas Market: 14th November – 24th December 2009

Good value and popular hotels in Vienna:

• Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design Wien
• Bella Vienna City Hotel
• Starlight Suiten Am Salzgries
• Or search all hotels in Vienna

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Five days in Hong Kong didn’t seem nearly enough, once you finally get your bearings (and believe me even for a surprisingly small island this is more difficult that you realise) and once you checked out most of the main tourist attractions; the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront, Victoria Peak, the pretty and aromatic flower market in Kowloon and the bird market (although slightly nervously as we travelled there only a year after the bird flu outbreak!) you are still left wanting more.

Although Hong Kong is a very different Asia to what I have been used to, having travelled less developed Asian countries, this was definitely Asia but with a much less harder edge. As you would probably expect, evidence of the British occupation is everywhere, all of the information signs are written in both English and Cantonese and even aside from the main ex-pat congregation area of SoHo there is still an increasing amount of westernised restaurants and shops. Marks and Spencer’s anyone? All of this makes the island seem somehow familiar and of course much easier to travel around.

Shopper’s paradise

The shopping and food choices were extraordinary, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place so happily obsessed with consumerism. You cannot fail to be impressed by the vast amount of designer shops and even if that’s not what you are into there are plenty of dinky boutique malls most with original designs from Asian fashion students (although unfortunately being an above average height westerner I didn’t stand a chance in hell of ever getting into any of the clothes, still was nice to look).

The smog and the crowds aside (almost 7 million people call 1100 square km home) this place still unbelievably has large areas of natural beauty and on a trip to Repulse Bay and Lamma Island we saw the alternative Hong Kong, the one that attracts many nature lovers, walkers and climbers each year. In my opinion Hong Kong is an exciting and intriguing travelling destination and would deliver no matter what you are into. It would also be a perfect way to begin exploring Asia.

Highlights of Hong Kong and Kowloon

• The 270 degree panoramic view over the harbour, the chic decor and the creative cocktails at the Excelsior Hotel’s Talk of the Town restaurant.
• Dodging the crowds and people trying to sell you fake stuff in Kowloon’s shopping district.
• Giving in and actually buying lots of fake stuff at the Night Market in Temple Street.
• Marvelling at the amazingly clean, modern and efficient and public transport system… you will draw comparisons to our rubbishy old public transport and you will feel envious and hard done by.
• Shopping in Jumbo SOGO, a huge Japanese-style department store – 13 floors of retail heaven!
• Seeing the island cityscape lit up at night from the Kowloon waterfront.
• Enduring a foot massage verging on torture in Happy Valley but somehow coming out feeling so much better…

Hong Kong and Kowloon: The Lowdown

Hong Kong is an island located on China’s south coast, 37 miles east of Macau on the opposite side of the Pearl River Delta. It is surrounded by the South China Sea and it has a humid subtropical climate. Summer (June – August) is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms and the winter (Mid-December – February) is noticeably cooler but still mild. Spring (March – May) and Autumn September (Mid-December) are usually the best times to visit. Hong Kong is a large city with several districts and Kowloon is a large peninsula on the mainland of China, just north of Hong Kong Island.

Where to stay

We stayed at the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay which was a large and very comfortable hotel in a fairly central location near Victoria Park.

Popular and good value hotels in Hong Kong and Kowloon:

• Langham Place Hotel
• Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel
• Lanson Place Hotel
• Novotel Citygate
• Royal Park Hotel
• InterContinental Grand Stanford
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Unless you are escaping to a desert island for the whole of December, Christmas shopping is pretty much unavoidable but if your local shops just aren’t going to cut it this year (and you don’t want to rely on the post!), then why not use our guide to head out to the best shopping locations in the UK? Pre-Christmas sales are not uncommon now so search around for some real bargains.

1. Oxford Street, London

Forty million shoppers making their annual Christmas pilgrimage every year can’t be wrong. People come for the lights, the two mile stretch of 300+ shops, the extended ranges in many of the international flagship stores and the massive amount of choice (Selfridges, Top Shop, Nike Town, John Lewis, the list goes on). Although they probably don’t come for the crowds. Oxford Street is one of London’s top tourist attractions and is still one of the most popular shopping destinations in the world.

2. Manchester

England’s unofficial second city has the cooler edge on many of it’s rivals. Not even counting the The Arndale Centre, this city is a shoppers paradise and is crammed full of small niche retailers, vintage/retro boutiques and shabby chic/boho stores many with an original Mancunian style. Perfect if you really stuck for Christmas shopping ideas – just remember to pack the umbrella!

3. Brighton & Hove

Even though it’s a small city, Brighton & Hove has made it high on the list because of it’s amazingly diverse range of shops from chic boutiques, contemporary unique fashions to antiques and original art and jewellery. The more bohemian and trendy shops are located in Brighton’s North Laines. Wander the half a square mile of streets and alleys buying 50s and 60s kitsch, aspirational lifestyle products or french reproduction furniture and then stop for a mung bean burger at one of the many health and vegetarian food outlets. Designer bargains are to be found in the Brighton Marina and the big name stores are located in Churchill Square.

4. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a very aesthetically pleasing shopping location and is often considered one of the most beautiful cities in Britain. People brave the cold to come here and view the sights as well as do their Christmas shopping. The locals take style and consumerism very seriously and as well as being packed with designer names (Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton, Prada etc) there are plenty of hip and trendy smaller boutique shops.

5. Birmingham

England’s official second city shouldn’t disappoint would be shoppers, it’s an easier place to get your bearings than you might think with most shops located in the newly redeveloped Bull Ring and New Street. Brummies love trendy designer labels but they also love a bargain. They also love unusual architecture (the £40 million futuristic Selfridges building is worth coming to Birmingham to see in itself although, having said that, it might not be to everyones taste!). As well as all the major high street shops including Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser, the well-known jewellery quarter should sort you out with all your bling!

6. Spitalfields Market, London

Okay this would be the alternative choice but if you’re fed up with the same old stuff in all the usual high street stores then Spitalfields market with it’s eclectic range of stalls – many with original designs – is definitely worth a visit. Buy your cool cousin an original leather satchel, your mum a vintage brooch, your niece or nephew a trendy printed babygrow or just pick up a slice of wheat-free Christmas cake.

7. Newcastle

If you like your shopping experience to be on a very large scale then this would definitely be the place to visit. The enormous Metrocentre is probably the reason most people travel to Newcastle for shopping as it’s one of largest shopping and leisure centres in Europe. North Easterners also have a fondness for original designs so as well as the usual high street favourites there is also a wide range of independent shops and a popular art and craft market each Sunday on Armstrong Bridge in Jesmond.

8. Bath

If it’s the quintessential English Christmas shopping experience you are after, look no further than Bath. With it’s grand Georgian streets, Roman baths and beautiful abbey, Bath is very easy on the eye and even the most discerning shopper is well catered for. As well as all the familiar big name stores, the town offers a wide range of independent shops and stylish boutiques and a well-organised Christmas Market running from 26th November to 6th December 2009.

9. Dublin

Ok, it’s not in the UK, but Dublin is a fun and vibrant city and would make an excellent choice for an easily accessible Christmas shopping destination. It’s a very compact city with all the shops in walkable distance and most of the shopping centred around the pedestrianised Grafton Street (shops towards the upper-end of the market) and St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre (the usual high street shops). After you finished there head for Temple Bar for trendy and more unusual clothing, music and art stores (and probably also a pint of Guinness).

10. Cardiff

Even if you’re not searching for a rugby shirt or a Welsh Love spoon don’t overlook Cardiff as a Christmas shopping destination. Cardiff is a very friendly city and is now one of the best shopping locations in the country thanks to the new St. David’s shopping centre £675million extension. Every major store is represented in the very impressive “St. David’s 2″ but if it’s more intimate shopping you are after try the cute Morgan and Castle shopping arcades still with their Victorian and Edwardian features.

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1. La Rochelle, France: The place where dreams are made

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It’s always hard to decide where to go on holiday, you can spend hours flicking through brochures only to have a longer wish list than you started with. This year I took the easy option, I got my retired dad to check out the internet for possible options. All I told him that we wanted to go somewhere in either France or Spain for a relaxing week. He came back to me within two hours with La Rochelle.

Even though we didn’t really know what to expect, in the past my dad had never let me down so my girlfriend and I both agreed to give it a go. We then tried to find out as much information on La Rochelle as we could. After researching on the internet and speaking to a few people it sounded just the sort of thing we were looking for. We found an article that recommended boat rides, gondolas (which weren’t really gondolas but the French equivalent!), Ile de Ré (Island of the King) and one particular restaurant by the name of Andrès. After reading the article I wanted to do everything, I knew that this really wasn’t possible but still it’s always nice to plan ahead and to at least try and fit everything in!

We managed to find and book a very reasonable flight and an excellent hotel. We stayed at The Mercure – a very comfortable three star hotel with an amazing view of the port and luxury boats. During the short taxi journey from the airport to the hotel we were amazed at how lovely the place was. La Rochelle doesn’t have the highest volume of air traffic so we were limited to a 6.30am flight from Dublin. When we arrived we were pretty tired from the lack of sleep but we didn’t mind because we got to see the city whilst everyone was still sleeping.

Arrival breakfast and a good start

Having dropped our bags off at the hotel we headed out to explore, our first port of call was to get some breakfast, you really can’t beat fresh croissants… a perfect way to start any holiday. We made our way around the city’s port and were amazed at the number of restaurants and bars. It wasn’t long before they were filling up, the port was soon packed with people, most of whom were French. Generally when I have been to on holiday to tourist spots I have only ever heard English being spoken.

I was very impressed with La Rochelle, a place where I could even quite happily settle down. For a decent sized property just out of town you can pay around €250,000 or €300,000 for somewhere more central. It has definitely given us both something to think about for the future!

After quite a competitive game of crazy golf we made our way across the road to a lovely little bar where we ordered two “Plat Du Jours” (Plates of the day) which happened to be an impressive “Moule Mariner” (a classic and popular French dish of mussels) but to our disgust neither of us could finish the huge amount of fish on our plates.

Incredible seafood restaurants

In the evening we visited the highly recommended Restaurant Andrè and we found the recommendation wasn’t unjustified. We opted for one of their set menus and we were impressed. In the past, my experiences of UK/Irish set menus haven’t really been that positive, yet on the continent they often offer an excellent choice and it was no different at Andrès. Our main dish was Fruits de Mer (Fruits of the Sea). There was an incredible amount of fish all very tasty and all for €26. Another positive was that I finally got the hang of eating crabs and oysters! The meal was truly superb, normally when I see lots of restaurants in a tourist area I am usually sceptical, but this wasn’t the case for La Rochelle.

Andrès was wonderful but it’s neighbour Bistrot Des Pecheurs was even better. If you wanted to take a break from big fish dinners there are also excellent kiosks were you could purchase fresh baguettes, crepes, gallettes or fries with mayonnaise.

Markets, street performers and water pipes

We came across a few clubs but for those who enjoy a quieter break (like myself) there were also plenty of other options on offer; incredible restaurants, various market stalls and lively street performers. In the market we came across the quirky artist Mateo Vullo and his stall where he was selling pictures that were designed on his computer, they all had the same theme – what La Rochelle had to offer (including the restaurants, bars, beach, aquarium or just meeting a potential lover!)

Another stand out place was a bar called L’Eescale Orientale where we enjoyed a strawberry “narguile” (a water pipe) and an impressive range of Eastern teas, to us, the perfect way to finish a relaxing day.

Overall I would definitely recommend La Rochelle for a holiday. Aside from just relaxing, shopping and eating you can take a boat trip or hire bikes and ride to the Ile de Ré. You could also enjoy a quiet journey on the “bateliers” (the gondolier that isn’t a gondolier!) or visit the well-designed aquarium or one of the various city museums. Ideally we’d have liked to have seen a lot more but at least it means that we’ll have to go back one day!

La Rochelle – The Lowdown

La Rochelle is a city in South-West France on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is an unspoilt and historic seaside town and it is also a good base to use for visits to the Bordeaux wine country or to Cognac. La Rochelle’s weather is dominated by a Gulf Stream which moderates temperatures and keeps La Rochelle warm through the year. In the centre of La Rochelle is an old port, called the Vieux Port.

Getting there

The airport de La Rochelle serves Airlinair (air France), Ryanair, Flybe, and Easyjet. Buses running Monday through Saturday take you to La Rochelle centre.

Where to stay

Search over 30 major travel sites at once to find the cheapest price and best hotels in La Rochelle.

Other Popular hotels in La Rochelle

• Best Western Masqhotel
• Hotel Les Brises
• Les Gens de Mer
• Premiere Classe Aytre Hotel
• Ibis Centre Hotel La Rochelle

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1. Is a Californian roadtrip the perfect honeymoon?

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It took us about a year to finally decide where to go on honeymoon after our wedding in July this year. To say the list of potential locations was long would have definitely been an understatement, war zones aside (!) I don’t think there were many places that weren’t included on our list…

After many hours trawling the internet we eventually decided on a California/Nevada roadtrip, probably because it ticked so many boxes. Big Sur and the Pacific Coast Highway often top the ‘places you must see before you die’ lists and seemed to us like the ideal romantic location (we are both far too fidgety to sit on a beach for two weeks..) We also wanted to include Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas partly because we are both film obsessed and many of our favourite films are based here and partly because it seemed just too long a way to go without visiting them.

The Honeymooners

We planned the trip meticulously, including a candlelit dinner in Clint Eastwood’s ranch restaurant in Carmel-on-sea, wild bear spotting in Yosemite National Park and a tour of Alcatraz on our itinerary (incidentally Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most poplar tourist attractions – it seems like most people love a day trip to a prison!).

We landed on the Las Vegas strip, jet-lagged and bleary eyed and spent the next three days adjusting to the 43degree desert heat (which wasn’t unlike a really hot hairdryer being blown in your face, full blast), spending vast amounts of money and marvelling at what is essentially an adult Disneyland. The experience is intense but exhilarating and our hotel the MGM Grand was truly impressive and not only for it’s size. Even if gambling’s not your thing this place has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

Leaving Las Vegas

From there we drove across the Nevada desert to Los Angeles staying in the sleek and luxurious Sofitel in Beverly Hills (True Blood fans might recognise the distinctive hotel lobby!). We both fell in love with LA and found the city to be far more relaxed and friendly than we’d imagined and of course the weather was beautiful.

After three days we travelled up the Pacific Coast Highway stopping over at some of the sweetest and most welcoming places we’ve ever stayed (Avila La Fonda Hotel in Avila Beach and the The Tradewinds Inn at Carmel-on-Sea). Avila La Fonda even had a very cute little tuck shop pantry complete with honesty box!

Our guide book called Yosemite “the Taj Mahal” of National Parks but still nothing prepared us for how amazingly beautiful the park was when we eventually arrived. The main lookout point was a scenic but fairly gruelling hour-long drive from our accommodation but we were both instantly moved by our first Yosemite Park lookout encounter. Even though we were both a little surprised by the crowds and the over-development in the valley and even though we didn’t manage to catch even a small glimpse of a wild bear, the park was still definitely worth the 320 km detour.

Final Destination

San Francisco is a bohemian and cultured city but it’s also very windy! Our diverse range of activities during our stay included cheering along young Tony Hawk wannabes in a skateboard competition in Golden Gate Park, queuing for a free chickpea curry at a vegetarian food festival and my personal favourite watching the crazy wrestling seals at Pier 39. Napa Valley and it’s idyllic landscapes and the incredible food and wine tasting was a perfect day trip, and for us, California was the perfect honeymoon.

California and Las Vegas highlights

• Doubling our money (and then swiftly losing it!) on the roulette table at the Bellagio Las Vegas.
• Trophy wife/beautiful people watching from a gorgeous cafe/bakery/restaurant on Rodeo Drive early on a Sunday morning.
• The Big Sur Coastline (no need to say anymore).
• Sipping cocktails in 90 degree heat on the veranda of the Wawona Inn in Yosemite National Park.
• Watching the Old Faithful Geyser and then eating the world’s most tastiest salad bought from a local grocery store in Calistoga.
• Cycling to see the Golden Gate Bridge and eventually arriving – against all the odds (kind of wishing someone had warned us about the wind and the jaw-droppingly steep hill on the coastal path).

Our Roadtrip Itinerary

• Flew Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick to Las Vegas.
• Stayed three nights at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
• Drove across the Nevada desert stopping at Barstow and Calico Ghost town and eventually arriving in Los Angeles.
• Stayed three nights in the Sofitel, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.
• Took Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway) to Avila Beach and stayed one night at the Avila La Fonda Hotel.
• Drove further up the coast staying one night at the Tradewinds Inn in Carmel-on-Sea.
• Drove from Carmel to Yosemite National Park staying 2 nights at Wawona Inn.
• Stayed five nights in Le Meridien Hotel in San Francisco and from there took a day trip to Napa Valley and Calistoga.
• Flew Virgin Atlantic from San Francisco airport to Heathrow.

(Seventeen nights in total)

Search over 30 major travel sites on once to find the cheapest price and best hotels in California.

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