Holiday & Travel

With winter quickly approaching, are you dreaming of a bright Christmas with sunshine, mild weather and postcard-worthy scenery? Leave the snow shovels at home and escape with your family this holiday season to Monterey County. From traditional tree lightings to yuletide carols to a twinkling boat parade, the destination boasts celebrations and festivities for residents and visitors alike, creating unforgettable holiday moments.

There is just over 1 week to go until the new immersive Christmas Light Trail opens at Blenheim Palace. On Friday 25 November, the hour-long family friendly experience will open to visitors. The first trail takes place at 5pm with the last walk leaving at 8pm. Visitors are advised to book their tickets in advance, as some nights are already sold out!

Situated between a long, scenic beach and a freshwater lagoon, bordering the historic Al Baleed UNESCO archaeological site, the resort introduces a new level of luxury and refinement to the region, allowing discerning guests to discover the unique charms of southern Oman. Conveniently located just 15 km from Salalah International Airport, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara sits within easy reach of an abundance of cultural treasures and thrilling escapades.

Sydney is one of the most spectacular places in the world to celebrate New Year's Eve, thanks to its world-famous fireworks that light up locations across the city. Destination NSW reveals some of the best vantage points for visitors to welcome in the New Year from family-friendly viewing at Darling Harbour, to ticketed events at Taronga Zoo, and grassy spots along the Harbour foreshore.

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa has been recognised as the "Best Newcomer or Back On The Scene" by Conde Nast Johansens and received their prestigious 2017 Award of Excellence. The ownership and management are thrilled, according to Resort Director Erica Coppola. “We couldn't be prouder of this recognition. We strive daily to provide the finest luxury experience to our guests, and to be recognized for our efforts is extremely gratifying.”

The Lake District is picturesque all year round, but on a crisp winter's day when the mountains are snow-capped it really is truly magical. From Christmas shopping experiences to jolly events and concerts, there is plenty going on in the area this festive season.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Maldives is excited to welcome German Michelin star chef Marco D'Andrea, who will be in-residence at the resort later this month for a twenty day period. Christoph Pentzlin, Hideaway's executive chef, will be working alongside the celebrity chef to create a range of new exciting menus and experiences including a signature afternoon tea, a new desert journey and exclusively prepared 4 Hands eight course dinner menu.

Voted number one country to visit in 2017 by Lonely Planet magazine, Canada is ever -popular notwithstanding Brexit and the recent US election result. Frontier Canada is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday in some style with some all-inclusive packages with built-in added value so that clients know in advance exactly what their costs will be. Choose Canada for 2017.

Booking data at beach holiday specialist On the Beach has revealed the Canary Islands as the most popular destination for sun seekers this winter sun season, with Tenerife the most popular island. Research has revealed bookings to the Canary Islands are up 6% this winter sun season compared to last with Lanzarote the second most popular destinations this winter season. Alicante, located in the ever-popular Costa Blanca region of Spain is the third most popular destination this winter season, followed by Majorca and the Portuguese Algarve region.

Celebrating 20 years of incredible tailor-made skiing holidays, the team at Ski Safari is well-versed when it comes to recommending resorts based on a skier's ability. Every member of the team is passionate about snow sports, and the three resorts mentioned below are ideal for budding enthusiasts keen to make the transition from snowploughing down green slopes to carving around red runs, and even summoning up the courage to try a black (or ungroomed) piste.

British holidaymakers risk travelling in severe weather, and potentially spoiling their vacations, by not checking the weather conditions of their destination during their travel times prior to booking a holiday, reveals new research from travel insurance specialist Columbus Direct. Despite being obsessed with the weather as a nation, 9.1 million (22%) holidaymakers do not consider potential weather hazards when making holiday bookings. 

Greece has seen a 1.3 per cent increase in year-on-year arrivals from all overseas markets between January and August 2016, provisional data released by the Bank of Greece reports. In the first eight months of 2016 Greece welcomed a record number of overseas visitors totalling approximately 17.2 million compared to almost 17 million in the same period last year without including cruise passenger visitors.

Gaya Island Resort marked another important milestone with the official launch of Gaya Island Resort Wildlife Centre on 26 October 2016. Led by Justin Juhun - Senior Resident Naturalist, the team is committed to long-term conservation, raising awareness for sustainable seafood choices, crafting experiences and educational programmes to protect and improve the natural environment for resort guests and future generations to come with the unwavering support of Sabah Parks and local governing bodies.

August and September mean springtime in South Africa and the landscape explodes into a technicolour carpet of wildflowers. Garden lovers can join Saga’s 16-night Wild Flora of the Cape tour to witness how Mother Nature works her magic, as well as visiting botanical gardens, private gardens and game reserves. Three talks are also included to give a full overview of the Cape’s floral wonders.

Barcelona's huge attraction for visitors has had the effect of leaving much of its province, Catalonia, a bit neglected as a travel destination, but a veritable treasure trove of culture, gastronomy, tradition and adventure awaits the visitor here. This is one of the Mediterranean's most richly varied regions offering everything from secret, turquoise coves with beachside restaurants in the summer to excellent skiing in the winter.

Avoid the January blues this year and boost your health and wellbeing with the ultimate holistic escape on ALEXA Private Cruises. Sail through the stunning Indonesian Archipelago, and take in the natural tropical paradise and calming azure waters. Located in one of the most spectacular archipelagos and coral reefs in the world, guests are invited to dive right into this dramatic and beautifully unspoilt destination. Komodo National Park is a World Heritage site in the Flores Sea and consists of the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar; because of its unique geology and volcanic activity, it creates a dramatic backdrop and stunning scenery both above and below water.