Holiday & Travel

Central America's annual festivals reflect ancient traditions while embracing new modern customs, resulting in fascinating quirky events, including the Mayan River Route Challenge, Feria de la Mascarada, and a Chocolate Festival. Experienced and amateur canoers come together every year to take part in the gruelling Mayan River Route Challenge, the biggest sporting event of the year that runs from east to west along the Macal and Belize Rivers.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced they will visit Bhutan for the first time this Spring as part of a six-day royal visit that will also include several days in India. Kensington Palace has also confirmed an official visit by Prince Harry to Nepal, a destination it's understood he has long wanted to visit after serving with Gurkha troops in Afghanistan. Prince Harry has reportedly asked to see the country's reconstruction efforts after the devastating earthquake in Nepal last April.

Final year university students will soon start planning what to do after graduating. Many will be hoping to spend some time travelling, expanding their horizons and enjoying some care-free time before starting their careers. New this year, and created by popular demand, is an escorted tour of Japan for those on a shoe-string budget. The Dragon Trip's escorted tours to China have already proved popular with students due to their low cost and outstanding itineraries.

The unprecedented increase in passenger numbers recorded over the last five years at Budapest Airport has continued into the New Year, with 13% more passengers travelling through the Hungarian gateway, compared to the first month of 2015. Enhancing the capital city airport’s route development, Ryanair has confirmed the commencement of even more routes from Budapest, by adding a further two services this winter.

In celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday the distinctly individual St Ermin's Hotel, Westminster presents the 'Royal Progress' luxury two night retreat fit for a Queen. Based in the heart of royal London and just a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, the hotel's 'Royal Progress' package also includes one of Her Majesty's favourite pastimes, a champagne 'RoyalTEA' as well as a visit to the magnificent Windsor Castle.

These new experiences allow guests at the resort to experience the wild and natural beauty of the Frederica Nature Reserve and include a Mauritian Wildlife Tour and a Photo Safari. It will give visitors an insight into the rich Mauritian flora and fauna. Trekkers will learn about the Mauritian ecosystem and the work that's being done to protect it.

Cunard has added UK regional airport departures to its popular 2016 Mediterranean season programme. Flight departures from Birmingham and Bournemouth are available - with no regional supplement - on selected seven-night Mediterranean voyages on board Queen Victoria this summer.

Herm, Jethou and The Humps (a collection of sandbanks off the north-east corner of Herm), part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the English Channel, have been formally designated as a Ramsar site under The Convention on Wetlands. The announcement coincided with World Wetlands Day on 2nd February, which is marked each year to promote the importance of wetlands, not only for wildlife but also for local economies.

From 20th-26th March 2016, Central America will come alive with colourful processions and festivities in celebration of the 'Semana Santa', or Easter week, the most important religious holiday of the year. Catholicism is the predominant religion in Central America however each country is upheld by its own indigenous traditions that are kept alive throughout the holiday.

Jurys Inn Birmingham scooped the award for ‘Hotel of the Year’ at the 2016 WOW! Awards.  Hosted at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, the awards ceremony is a leading international platform for the celebration and recognition of employees delivering outstanding customer service.

This work of literary nonfiction by Yannis Andricopoulos, former political journalist, author and co-founder of the legendary Skyros Holidays, takes the reader on a fascinating journey through history, politics and ideas on the strength of his own personal experiences in Greece and England, the countries he views respectively as mother and wife.

What could be more romantic than gazing up at thousands of stars with the one you love? From romantic retreats for two in a Dark Sky Friendly cottage to 'stars & spa' breaks and stargazing evenings, discover the wonder of the night sky this Valentine's Day.  To help you, we've rounded up some of the best ways to enjoy the skies above Northumberland in February.

Green is no longer a trend. For a growing number of responsible tourists, it's a way of life. Hotel ICON, a luxury hotel in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui East district, follows this philosophy and has introduced a plethora of eco-initiatives to meet the expectations of today's eco-friendly traveller. From electric transportation options, to oxygen producing indoor gardens, Hotel ICON offers the very latest eco-innovations and technologies. Even guests who enter unconcerned by their carbon footprint will leave inspired to go green.

To commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of England's World Cup glory in July 2016, the five-star Royal Garden Hotel, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has created a bespoke room package for football fanatics to relive a Golden Moment of sporting history.

Tristan Auer, a prevailing force in the design world, famed for his stellar line up of work on the Hotel de Crillon and the Hotel Les Bains amongst others, has worked his magic on the renowned Cotton House Hotel on Mustique. Having been closed for two months for a full refurbishment of The Great Room and The Verandah Restaurant, this picture perfect Caribbean chic boutique hotel has been restored to it's rightful place at the heart of the island.

Love is in the air at luxury boutique The Sarojin, with the five-star resort revealing its 'Thai Rituals of Romance' to lure lovebirds this Valentine's Day. Designed to bring couples closer to Thailand, as well as to one another, those staying on 14 February can enjoy a day of cultural immersion as they discover ancient rituals and timeless Thai traditions of romance. During their day of discovery, couples will visit a traditional Thai temple to receive 'a Buddhist blessing of love' from a local monk.