A recent report by The Times has revealed some of the top wow-factor breaks specifically with children in mind.

Park Guell in Barcelona provides a rich variety of entertainment for children, with beaches, a giant aquarium and a chocolate museum providing inspiration and stimulation, followed by Gaudi’s breathtaking adventure playground. The Park Guell is an entire hillside of adventure for the children to explore for hours.

The Valley of the Kings in Egypt will amaze children of all ages. The stunning pyramids and exciting history behind the immense structures will fascinate and inspire them long after they return home.

17th Century Swedish warfare comes to life with a visit to the wooden galleoen, the Vasa, in Vasamuseet, Stockholm. This fantastic vessel is covered with multicoloured carvings of mythical creatures and was recovered from the deapths of the harbour over 300 years after it sank. Children can explore the amazing ship and learn all about its amazing history.

Africa is a fascination destination for any child who has ever seen The Lion King or watch animal documentaries on TV. A visit to the Masai Mara in kenya will take the up close to some of their favourite animals in their own natural habitat.

Other fascinating family attractions include Pompeii, the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

Combining Christmas shopping with a weekend city break could be the perfect way to slip into the holiday spirit this year and Boston may be just the place for a magical atmosphere.

Despite the current financial climate, Boston is looking forward to a prosperous season as a result of recent initiatives put in place by the city’s mayor, Thomas Menino. The aim is to make Christmas more affordable for everyone despite the credit crunch.

The website MayorsHolidaySpecial.com provides ideas on a range of cheap attractions and discounted events in the city this Christmas season.

Visitors to Boston wishing to see a Christmas show this winter can find lots of ideas and discounted tickets online. There is also information on shops and malls offering discounts and sales throughout the holiday, including The Shops at both Copley Square and Prudential Center.

The site also provides information on atmospheric events such as tree lighting cermonies throughout the city, ice skating on the Frog Pond, and many other Boston Christmas traditions.

Research by Abbey Credit Cards has revealed that this year’s dissappointing British summer has prompted UK travellers to head abroad in the search for sunnier climbs.

Despite the current economic uncertainties, more than 15 million Britons intend to jet off abroad spending a collective £8bn.

The research also revealed that just over 1 million UK holidaymakers were so disappointed by the poor summer weather that they are opting for a holiday abroad for the first time in three years.

Among the most popular sunspots this winter are the western European destinations such as southern Spain and the Canary Islands, which are expecting almost 8 million visitors over the next few months. Other more exotic destinations include the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.

A report by the Telegraph has revealed that short- and medium-haul destinations are becoming increasingly popular with British holidaymakers as increased fuel charges continue to push up the prices of flights to destinations further a field.

Morocco is enjoying increased popularity this winter and is served by a number of low-cost airlines. Marrakesh and the beaches of Essaouria will be popular destinations in the coming months as well as Tunisia.

Only a six hour flight from London, the islands of Cape Verde offer the white sands of the Seychelles and Maldivian waters but at a much cheaper rate.

The game parks and beach resorts of Gambia offer a less crowded and cheaper alternative to the wildlife safaris in Kenya and South Africa.

Mexico and Brazil are also excellent, affordable winter holiday destinations with British Airways offering direct flights to Rio de Janiero and the pound still strong against the Mexican Peso.

Cruises are also proving to be good value this season, with many lines including Ocean Village, offering week-long Caribbean cruises for under £700 including return flight.

A recent study by the Telegraph has compiled a list of international events this September to cater for all tastes, and providing the perfect reason for an autumn holiday break after the summer period.

The Ryder Cup will this year be held in Kentucky where golf enthusiasts can soak up the sporting atmosphere out on the tree-lined fairways of Kentucky’s Valhalla Golf Club.

Scotland’s many country houses and castles are opening their doors to the public this month, giving those seeking a cultural break the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s rich history.

The Orvieto feast, or Slow Food Festival, in Italy gets underway on the 29th September offering wine tasting and cuisine at a former monastery.

The first Singapore F1 Grand Prix for 35 years will take place on 28th September on a circuit in the Marina Bay area.

Many of Paris’ art galleries hold exhibitions this month including the louvre and the Grand Palais.

The 2008 Expo in Zaragoza will end on the 14th September and is themed on water and sustainable development. The site is located about 20 minutes from the town centre and there are shows and events throughout the day.

The Beethoven Festival takes place in Bonn this month with a celebration of the composers’ life and works.

September 13th sees a night of celebration in Madrid with the famous White Night during which the city will be kept awake and entertained into the dawn with street performances, music and dancing.

Vicenza is the location for the 500th anniversary of the architect Pallaido who trained in the city. A major exhibition of his work and awards will be displayed until January 2009.

A study by the private bank Cater Allen has show that British travellers are increasingly choosing holidays which offer them new and exciting activities.

The research showed that only one in five British tourists were planning to spend their next holiday relaxing by “doing nothing”.

One of the most popular activities is said to be trekking, with popular holiday destinations including Africa and the Alps. According to the study over a quarter of those questioned said they planned to go walking on their next holiday.

Other popular activities are scuba diving in hotspots such as Sharm el Sheikh or Australia, and snowboarding or even sandboarding.

The research shows that increasingly British travellers are looking for alternatives to the traditional family holiday destinations, and are becoming more adventurous in their choice of holidays.

Recent research shows that family city breaks are experiencing a strong revival amongst UK travellers looking to spend more quality time with their loved ones.

Many holidaymakers are opting to take their families to more cultural destinations that offer something for both the adults and the children, rather than more traditional, child-focused family breaks such as theme park visits.

Some of the most popular city break destinations include France, the Channel Islands, Ireland and Holland.

Destinations such as New York and Amsterdam are reportedly very popular with UK travellers wishing to have a short city break as well as a main holiday each year.

While New York’s popularity may be due to the current strength of the pound against the dollar, other popular, far-flung city destinations include Cairo and Sydney.

Despite the credit crunch and soaring fuel prices it seems that the predicted crash of the holiday market has not come to fruition.

Many holidaymakers are reaping the benefits of the current offers and price-cuts being offered by holiday companies.

The cost of long haul flights to some of the more exotic locations has fallen, resulting in destinations such as Asia, Africa and South America becoming increasingly affordable for tighter budgets.

Travel Agents are suggesting that last-minute holidaymakers could make huge savings, but that shopping around is still advisable.

Recent research suggests that British holidaymakers are choosing holidays offering new and varied experiences.

Travel magazine lists extreme sports as one of the most popular holiday activities, with white-water rafting, abseiling and canoeing among the favourites on offer.

Themed cruise holidays such as those centred on a particular music genre have also seen a boost in their popularity.

In addition Luxury Travel magazine reported that many travellers are opting for more up-market holiday destinations such as China, South America and the Far East.

A survey has revealed that men and women have very different ideas about what is important on a luxury holiday, reports Travel Mole.

Women value top quality bathrooms, whereas men favour a concierge and a fun bar.
Overall 5-star accommodation and a comfortable flight are seen as the most important features of a luxury holiday.

Privacy is important to younger travellers, with 20 per cent of 16-24 year olds saying they prefer to stay somewhere on their own.

Thailand is the most popular luxury destination, the Maldives second and Dubai is third.

The poor weather in Britain over the last few summers is leading more and more couples to choose to marry abroad.

The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) says people feel that they just can’t rely on having good weather at any time of the year now.

The proliferation of airlines offering cheap flights to Europe and further afield, it makes marrying abroad an affordable option for more couples.

Peter Staddon, a spokesperson for BIBA said: With low-cost airlines offering great deals for superb locations, there is an increase in overseas weddings.”

The most popular destinations for British couples marrying abroad include Mauritius, the Caribbean islands and Cyprus.

A record number of British people are taking holidays in America, says the Visit USA Association.

New statistics show that there was an 11 per cent rise in visitors to America in May this year when compared to the previous year.

It is believed that the high value of the pound to the dollar is leading more people to take holidays in America.

Peter Moss, Chairman of Visit USA said the figures “really do support the fact that 2008 may well go on to become the biggest year ever for UK travel to the USA - possibly as high as five million visitors”.

British Airways recently revealed that four of its US destinations are in their top 5 global destinations.

The Grand Canyon and the Pyramids in Egypt are the top of the list of places people would like to visit before they die, a new survey has found.

The survey was conducted to mark the DVD release of the Hollywood film “Bucket List”, where the characters of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman find out they are terminally ill and do all the things they want to before the kick the bucket.

“Which places in the world do you want to visit before you ‘Kick the Bucket’?”
1. The Grand Canyon
2. The Pyramids in Egypt
3. The Great Barrier Reef
4. Niagara Falls
5. Canadian Rockies
6. Great Wall of China
7. New York
8. Sydney
9. Rome
10. Venice

When the results were split between women and men the lists looks slightly different. Women have more interest in romantic holiday destinations.

Women:

1. The Pyramids in Egypt
2. The Grand Canyon
3. Niagara Falls
4. The Great Barrier Reef
5. Canadian Rockies
6. New York
7. Rome
8. The Great Wall of China
9. Venice
10. Tour of America

Men:

1. The Grand Canyon
2. Great Wall of China
3. The Great Barrier Reef
4. The Pyramids in Egypt
5. Canadian Rockies
6. Niagara Falls
7. Machu Picchu
8. Sydney
9. The Taj Mahal
10. Tour of America

Barbados is celebrating a five week festival Crop Over until August 4th this year. It is Barbados’ most popular festival with ‘an exciting and vibrant extravaganza of music and masquerade, heritage and culture’.

The Crop Over festival originally started over 200 years ago, when the island celebrated the end of the sugar cane season. At the time Barbados was one the leading sugar producers in the world.

The celebrations end with a grand finale, the Kadooment Day. A summer street festival then takes place with dancers wearing colourful costumes and body paint, dancing to Caribbean Soca music.

There are thousands of choices for a beach holiday, and to narrow down the list for some Concierge.com has compiled a list of the sexiest beaches in the world.

Kaş, Turkey
Malibu, California
Paros, Greece
Loreto, Mexico
Pemba Island, Tanzania
Providencia - Caribbean islands
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Oahu, HawaiiSt. Lucia, Caribbean
Perth, Australia
St. Philip, Barbados
Gotland, Sweden
Natal, Brazil
Lake Nyasa, Mozambique
Fire Island, New York
Peter Island, British Virgin Islands
Krabi, Thailand

Concierge.com is an independent travel information source.

Tourism officials in New York are encouraging tourists and locals to ‘Go Local’ by exploring all five boroughs of New York. People on a city break in New York especially often stick to just Manhattan.

The new Go Local initiative was kicked off with the launch of a new ferry service to Staten Island. Other summer attractions include Summer Restaurant Week 2008.

“New York City is the iconic destination for millions around the world,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.

“The ferry terminal St. George doesn’t have to be the last stop for visitors to Staten Island – in fact, we should look at it as the gateway to the borough,” said DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan.

“With new terminal signs to nearby attractions and by expanding the information we provide to visitors in the terminals, we are making the landing more inviting, and we hope this tour will help lead to a journey beyond the terminal.“

The campaign is led by NYC & Company – New York City’s official tourism organisation.

Grenada’s best holiday resort is the Spice Island Beach Resort, according to an online travel community. Holidays in the Caribbean island have been popular in the same community before, when Spice Island Beach Resort was voted Best Luxury Hotel in the world.

The 64 luxury room resort has been rated as the best in Grenada by online travel site TripAdvisor. The popularity index uses traveller satisfaction, hotel reviews and travel articles to rank resorts.

“We visit Tripadvisor.com regularly in order to monitor customer feedback because that’s one of the key ways we can measure the success of our luxury hotel experience.”

“Many of the guests we speak with say the customer reviews on Tripadvisor.com help influence their decision to stay with us, and they believe the number one ranking has been proven to be quite accurate,” said Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, Owner and Chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort.

Las Vegas tourism officials are well aware that the US is a very attractive holiday destination for British holidaymakers at the moment. That is why the city has launched a campaign to attract more Brits to take a holiday in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is known as a city that never sleeps and is filled with all types of entertainment imaginable. And as the US is an affordable holiday option thanks to the weak dollar, more Brits are being lured to Sin City.

The number of visitors to Las Vegas is expected to jump from 4.7 million in 2007 to 6.2 million in 2010.