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.

A new craze currently seeping the US is “holidating”, where new couples go on holiday together after only a few weeks of meeting each other.

The luxury hotel chain Fairmont offers “ice breaker” packages for new couples, including an exciting combination of candelit dinners, adventure outings and romantic picnics.

A survey by Fairmont hotels and a Canadian online dating site showed that women were more skeptical of the idea, while half of the men questioned said they would like to go on holiday within the first two months of dating.

Britains however seem more keen on the idea, with a survey by Cupidbay.com showing that 70% of men and women would go on a mini break within a few weeks of starting a relationship.

According to a recent report by the Daily Express, the fascinating turkish city of Istanbul provides the ideal destination for a cultural weekend break or as a compliment to a beach holiday.

The city offers weekend travellers a range of wonderful historical sites to visit as well as excellent shopping facilities.

The modern part of the city, Tksim, offers trendy boutique shops and cafes while the older district of Sultanahmet offers a wealth of cultural sites that are not to be missed.

More information on the best places to stay and some of the city’s beautiful sites can be found at IstanbulCityGuide.com.

On 16th November Tivoli will open its doors and welcome visitors from all over the world into the market town of Pixie Ville. This event provides the perfect backdrop for a family Christmas holiday or weekend break.

At the heart of the pixie village lies a concert hall which will this year stage the premiere of the large-scale family presentation of the musical “Oliver!”.

Specially decorated and designed tents display fabulous attractions for young and old alike with Denmark’s largest collection of mechanical pixies in a variety of settings.

Families will be able to make the most of a whole host of rides and amusements as well as Danish delicacies and crafts on the many stalls. Santa Claus will also be on the Open Air Stage with his reindeer sleigh to welcome all visitors.

The traditional Lucia Parade will take place on 13th December at 6pm with additional parades in the Tivoli Gardens at the weekends, including performances by the Tivoli Elves’ Band playing a wealth of festive Christmas melodies.

Illumination shows will also take place every day from 5-8pm on the Tivoli Lake.

British holidaymakers planning a luxury holiday in the coming months can find out all they need to know at this years’ Luxury Travel Fair at the Olympia, presented by Conde Nast Traveller and British Airways.

Visitors to the show will receive advice and information on a variety of trips to a number of luxury resorts and destinations worldwide.

A number of celebrity guests will be on hand at the event to share their own experiences and adventures abroad.

The event runs from the 6-9th Novermber 2008.

Holiday travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler has revealed some of this seasons’ hottest cities, hotels and islands.

San Fransisco was declared the best city break destination in the USA for the 16th year in a row with South Carolina beating New York into second place.

Italian cities emerged as the favourites in Europe with Florence coming top ahead of Rome and Venice.

Sydney, Melbourne and Queenstown were the most popular in the Australia/Pacific region and Cape Town was nominated the most popular city break destination in Africa and the Middle East.

Among the best hotels were the Four Seasons Gresham Palace in Budapest and the Ritz-Carlton in Berlin. Tuscany’s Il Pellicano was number one in southern Europe with the Four Season George V in Paris in second place.

More information will be available at The Luxury Travel Fair in association with Birtish Airways at Olympia in London from November 6-9th 2008.

A report by the Telegraph has revealed that rail travel in Europe is often much cheaper than flying to your chosen destination.

European rail connections offer many high-speed services, such as the Inter City Express in Germany. The excellent overnight services which mean travellers can leave after work and wake up in Germany, France, Italy or Scandinavia early next morning.

Rail travel also allows for maximum exploration of the chosen european destination, as regional services provide access to the very centre of even the most remote destinations.

Off-season travel offers excellent ticket deals and bargain accommodation packages. Winter festivals are in abundance throughout Europe with many hosting atmospheric Christmas markets and ice rinks.

Travelling by rail also avoids expensive surcharges for transporting skiis and sports equipment.

UK holidaymakers looking for a magical winter holiday destination will find all they want and more in the beautiful European capitals of Vienna and Helsinki.

Helsinki’s active and lively bar and café culture takes on a very special atmosphere at Christmas with countless parties offering hot chocolate and glögi (mulled wine).

Finland’s celebrated, national sport of ice hockey is also a must for visitors as well as a visit to any of the vibrant and colourful winter festivals, such as the traditional Lucia Day, Forces of Light, Viaborg Winter Blues and the Linnanmaki Outdoor Winter Festival.

The stunning Austrian capital of Vienna offers a whole host of winter delights for travellers, such as Vienna Ice Dream: ice skating on Vienna’s City Hall Square rink along to waltz or salsa music against a fabulously illuminated backdrop.

The traditional and world-famous “Christkindlmärkte” (Christmas markets) begin at the end of November, with hundreds of beautifully decorated, wooden huts selling unique gift ideas, local and international delicacies and delicious hot spiced wine.

Spain is by far the most popular holiday destination for families seeking a half-term break this autumn, according to a recent study.

Alicante was rated as the most popular spanish resort for the mid-term break, followed by Malaga, Tenerife and Palma.

The Portuguese city of Faro also proved popular as well as Turkey’s resort of Dalaman and the Cyprian city of Paphos.

The usually very popular city of Amsterdam came 10th and last in the study behind six spanish resorts.

Despite the current turbulent economic climate it is expected that many UK holidaymakers will take advantage of last minute deals to take a short-haul, family break.

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.

The World’s biggest and most famous beer festival, the Oktoberfest, got underway on Saturday 20th September and will continue until 5th October.

Visitors to the festival come from all over the world to sample some of Germany’s finest beers in the enormous, decorated beer halls specially constructed for the event.

This fortnight-long celebration of everything German is an excellent excuse for a spontaneous city break to explore the metropolis of Bavaria’s capital city.

While the festival is a major attraction for beer enthusiasts, the event also boasts a fair ground and a wide variety of German cuisine and crafts from all over the country.

Autumn is the perfect time for a colourful holiday break. The Times has compiled a list of the most colourful destinations for this season.

Lake Trasimeno in Italy is said to be at its most beautiful in the autumn, when the woods along the shoreline glow with the colours of autumn. The mild weather makes walking on the largest island or through the woods close to the picturesque village of Panicale an ideal pastime.

Romania’s mythical region of Transylvania and the Carpathian mountains covered in beech, oak and spruce are a breathtaking sight in the autumn. Many walking enthusiasts come here to experience the wildlife and beauty of the countryside. Small towns such as 13th-century Sighisoara offer insights into the history and culture of the area.

The Lot Valley in France offers an escape from the busier Dordogne and its wooded hills and vineyards provide the excellent environment for those wishing to take in the sights.

The wine region of La Rioja in Spain is the perfect destination for wine lovers as the harvest begins against a backdrop of stunning autumn colours.

The High Tatras Mountains in Poland boast breathtaking landscapes at this time of year with the forests glowing with reds and golds. Hiking and riding are popular activities for which the mountain town of Zakopane provides a great base.

The German city of Cologne is the ideal destination for a short city break. It is less than a hour away from St Pancras, via Brussels and offers a vibrant mixture of history, culture and architecture.

Upon leaving the train station, visitors to Cologne are met by the magnificent double-spired Gothic Cathedral, which reportedly took 600 years to build and houses the world’s largest swinging bell, weighing in at 24 tons.

There are a wide range of museums in the city, including the Ludwig Museum and the Chocolate Museum.

The Old Town offers a varied and lively nightlife with excellent pubs, cafes and restaurants offering the famous Kolsch beer.

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.

As the UK’s festival season draws to a close those festival lovers looking for more music and fun may wish to try a holiday break in Holland, where the autumn festival season is just getting underway.

The first event on the calendar will appeal to classical music lovers as some of the most talented young musicians from around the globe showcase their talent in performances in the Dutch Capital as part of International Gaudeamus Music Week. The event runs from 1st-7th September.

The very best of Dutch and Flemish Theatre is on offer at 15 venues across Amsterdam as part of the Amsterdam Fringe Festival from 4th -14th September.

The PINT Bokbierfestival, which celebrates its 31st anniversary this year, will run throughout October 2008 at Beurs Van Berlage in Amsterdam. The festival provides beer enthusiasts from all over the world with the opportunity to sample and celebrate the fine art of beer-making.

The Amsterdam Dance Event is said to be Europe’s best conference on dance and electronic music. At night numerous venues across the city showcase talent from all dance genres between October 23rd and 25th 2008. Over 100 international artists, including Armin Van Burren and the UK’s Artful Dodger will keep the party going throughout the night.

British tourists wishing to embark on a more environmentally-friendly break abroad may wish to head to the popular holiday destination of Italy, where the ancient city of Perugia has declared itself car-free with the completion of its new ‘Mini Metro’.

The hilltop capital city of Umbria with its narrow streets and massive travertine wall that surrounds this Etruscan stronghold was not designed to cope with the influx of vehicles and travellers that its regular jazz and chocolate festivals attract.

At last it seems the local authorities and inhabitants have decided to put an end to the queues of idling coaches and cars waiting for parking spaces and have chosen to put in place a €95 million project to install a light railway.

The line begins at the valley floor and climbs for 3km, winding around the ancient buildings and monuments to finally reach the drop-off point in the historic city centre where visitors can enjoy views of the rolling countryside. The journey lasts only 11 minutes.

With the capacity to transport 72,000 visitors in and out of the city every day, it is understandable that many other Spanish cities are now considering similar projects.

With the euro at a record high against the pound many UK holidaymakers are being forced to tighten their belts, particularly when it comes to their holiday budgets.

According to a report by the Times Onlne the French Riviera is an excellent holiday destination for those seeking excellent cuisine, entertainment and accommodation on a budget.

During the summer the area offers a variety of different festivals including the International Fireworks Festival and the costumed troubadours at the Mornas’ Marché Médievale. For those seeking to get back to nature Provence offers stunning nature reserves with no entry fee. The 70,000-hectare Mercantour National Park is one such reserve.

Marseille’s fascinating Musée Cantini offers visitors a more cultural experience, while fans of author Dan Brown can visit La Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Ste-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume and get a feel for the background of the Da Vinci Code.

The region also offers a wide variety of affordable accommodation from camping to hostels and cheap hotels to suit every budget.

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.