Air Berlin now flies to nine international routes including Cancun in Mexico, Samana in the Dominican Republic, Miami and Bangkok.

Titus Johnson, the company’s UK and Ireland manager, said: “Air Berlin has a great reputation for providing full service at lower fares and we’re excited to now be able to offer travellers from London, East England and beyond even more choice to an exciting range of long haul destinations.”

Air Berlin flies to 120 destinations across the world and is Europe’s fourth-largest airline in terms of traffic volumes.

The awards highlight the best holiday essentials products in the UK including airport car parks, hotels and lounges.

The October 2008 winning ariports were Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dover, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Leeds, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Prestwick and Stanstead.

Tim Hagger, gosimply Managing Director, said: “Customers want choice not just in terms of price but looking at suitability of the product for them and their travelling needs. The gosimply Awards will publicly announce best practice in holiday essentials straight from customer experience.”

Alta Badia is comprised of five stunning ski villages, including Colfosco, Corvara, La Vila and San Cassiano. The survey involved 111 Alpine ski resorts and looked at all the major winter sports stations in the Alps.

The researchers considered the Alta Badia region to have a great “geographical situation and mountain setting”. The accommodation, ski lifts and potential for articficial snow covering were regarded as being of high quality.

The runners-up in the survey were Zermatt and the Italian resort of Val Gardena.

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.

As part of an 18 month trial London City and Manchester airports will trial the cards which have been proposed by the Home Office.

“The first ID cards will be issued to people working in specific sensitive roles or locations where verification of identity will enhance the protection of the public,” said the Home Office plan,
“This will start in the second half of 2009, with the issuing of identity cards to those working airside in the country’s airports.”

The scheme will open on a voluntary basis in 2010 and in the meantime marriage visa holders and non-EU students will be the first to receive the biometric ID cards.

Ski enthusiasts can enjoy a mornings skiing on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains followed by an afternoon by the pool with tempretures of around 21 degrees.

The ski season in Cyprus runs from mid January to mid-March and late booking is advisable in order to guarantee snow.

Cyprus is an ideal destination for families looking to introduce their children to skiing for the first time, as well as for sun-worshippers looking for activities away from the sun lounger.

Managing director Peter Spencer said, “bmi has always been a market leader in UK and Europe and is committed to providing the best value flights backed up by our renowned friendly service. Our extensive UK domestic and European mailine network links 17 cities and the abolition of fuel surcharges on these short haul flights are designed to help encourage more business and leisure travel.”

The bmi mainline network offers flights between Heathrow and Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Belfast City, Brussels, Dublin, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hanover, Jersey and many more destinations.

The service will be operated by Iceland Express and will offer eight flights a week between London Gatwick and Reykjavik.

“We have decided to launch this exciting new service in May as it is the peak travel season for Iceland,” says Mattias Imsland, Iceland Express SEO. “The number of bookings for Iceland Express is higher than ever before and we are confident this will continue with our Gatwick route.”

The new service from Gatwick will replace the existing service from Stanstead which will discontinue at the end of April next year.

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.

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.

Amidst a winter wonderland in Finnish Lapland Santa Claus is waiting to meet families and children and spread the Christmas cheer. The silent snowfall and winter twilight provide a magical atmosphere for a winter break and can be followed by a traditional Finnish Christmas dinner with carols and festive folk songs sung around a log fire.

Finland also boasts a host of excellent skiing facilities catering for all abilities. There are also a great range of alternative sports such as telemark lessons, freestyle skiing and snowboarding. Lift queues are virtually non-existent and prices are very reasonable throughout the country.

Snowmobile experiences provide a thrilling ride through the stunning white landscape and for those seeking to see their new surroundings at a slower pace, husky sled rides are very popular. Other exciting activities include ice skating, reindeer rides, kick-sledding and snow-shoeing.

The world famous Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, provide a natural firework display and the perfect end to a fabulous finnish winter holiday.

Barcelona maintains a 12 degree temperature in the winter but has a its fair share of warm sunny days through the season. A scenic city, it offers a wealth of excellent shopping opportunities and stunning architecture. The work of Antonio Gaudi can be seen throughout, and no trip to Barcelona would be complete without a visit to the breathtaking cathedral, La Sagrada Famillia.

The golfing hotspot of the Costa del Sol offers UK visitors a range of beautiful beaches and a pleasant winter climate of around 16 degrees. The cities of Malaga and Marbella host a wide range of attractions for all tastes and the resort is easily accesible from a number of UK airports.

Tha Canary Islands are a favourite of UK tourists and during the winter they offer a 21 degree sunny climate to tempt visitors onto the famous black sandy beaches. Tenerife is one of the most popular islands and the stunning cliffs of Los Gigantes offer a spectacular backdrop to a warm winter break.

In Singapore chewing gum could lead to a fine and eating durian fruit on the train is illegal.

Avoid taking photographs of the local people in Nepal, as they believe it will take away their spirit.

Diners in China should balance their chopsticks together on the side of the bowl. Putting them together vertically in the bowl, like a knife and fork on a plate, is only used for offerings to the dead.

Holiday Which? Editor Lorna Cowan said: ‘Although tourists might be conscious of watching what they say and do when they’re on holiday, sometimes there are customs and etiquettes that would be impossible to guess at unless you knew. If in doubt, make sure you read up on local customs before you travel, or observe how the locals behave. As the old adage goes – when in Rome, do as the Romans do!’

Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon wont be jetting off anywhere without her floaty dresses and flat shoes. Like many women she likes to be comfortable but feminine when she’s exploring new resorts abroad.

28-year-old The One Show presenter, Angelica Bell, considers her hippy chic style short shorts a “holiday must-have” and even packs them for winter holdiays. She also takes her beloved wedges but she always makes sure there is space in her case for some holiday bargains.

Amanda Lamb, presenter of A Place In The Sun, said she likes to take classic style dresses with her on holiday. Unusually she also likes to pack scented candles to give her hotel room a homely feel.

High heels are top priority for the Bill’s Louisa Lytton. Louisa said she loves to accessorize and always packs jewellery to compliment her outfits.

Former Love Island contestant Bianca Gascoigne takes her sparkly party dresses on holiday as she loves the glitzy glamour party style.

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.

The location has been chosen for its beauty and serenity as well as the natural environment and sumptuous Japanese cuisine.

“The area is beautiful and serene - the perfect place for a state-of-the-art resort where Asian and international travellers can enjoy a European-style holiday right here in the region,” said Mr Ernest Tsang, managing partner of developer Annupuri Land.

The resort is due for completion in 2010 and will offer a 70-room hotel, village centre and 149 Capella residences. Capella Niseko has been designed with the “duality and diversity of nature” in mind.

Natural materials have been used throughout, including stone, glass and raw wood as well as fire, water and greenery to create a peaceful ambiance. It is expected that the resort will attract many British and European travellers looking to experience a new skiing environment.

Some of the most popular resorts in Europe this season will include Arlberg, Austria, Chamonix, France and Verbier, Switzerland. America’s top destinations for the winter include Whistler, Sun Valley and Jackson Hole.

For top level skiiers looking to enjoy their sport in some of the World’s top skiing destinations Europe offers the Three Valleys resort if France, which is one of the most famous ski areas on the continent. It offers more than 410 miles of slopes connected exclusively by runs and lifts.

Those British skiiers seeking long and coasting slopes should look into winter holiday breaks at Switzerland’s Davos resort. Its five ski areas covering both sides of the valley offer an endless variety of terrain.

The Aspen ski resort in Colorado has long since been a favourite of British holidaymakers wishing to sample the “champagne powder” which covers the slopes. The three mountains that make up the resort, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountains offer a range of slopes for vaying abilities.

For skiiers seeking a skiing break on a budget there are a good selection of package deals and special offers on this season - holiday experts are advising travellers to shop around to find the best bargains.

A spokesperson from the AITO said ” The Caribbean is a traditional favourite, not least because it offers great beaches and hotels - and it still has a traditional British feel in many of the places as well”.

Other popular holiday destinations include the Middle East, in particular Dubai and Oman.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taking out annual holiday insurance can be very worthwhile and flexible with discounts for families and for travellers who go abroad more than once a year.

Booking early can help you find the best deals with many budget airlines, with many companies offering flights from a penny for bookings made twelve months in advance.

A European Health Insurance Card provides UK travellers with reduced-cost treatment anywhere in the European Union.

Find out about card charges for transactions and withdrawals abroad before travelling, to avoid getting caught out by hefty commission charges.

Plan ahead by booking excess baggage when you book your tickets in order to avoid high charges for overweight luggage.

Using a mobile phone abroad can be very expensive. Contacting the service provider before travelling can allow you to organise a plan for your holiday period.

Pre-ordering currency can be much cheaper than buying it at the airport. Buying it at a post office or travel agents means there is also no commission.

New services from the Swiss Airline include -
Additional Saturday and Sunday flights to Geneva between 14 December 2008 and 18 April 2008 2009. Fares start at £117 return.

“We are delighted to be offering this additional connection between the UK and Switzerland, which demonstrates our commitment to both tourism in the Lake Geneva area and to our customers in northern England, north Wales and Scotland.” said Swiss country sales manager UK and Ireland, Gregor Koncilja.

“Leisure travellers looking for a ski holiday or extended city break can now escape conveniently and directly to Geneva, whilst enjoying the services of a top quality airline and the associated benefits of free baggage allowance, complimentary transportation of skis, food and beverage and, of course, Swiss hospitality from the moment they board the flight.”

This is the second time in three years that New Zealand has been voted the top long-haul holiday destination.

UK travellers currently form the second largest tourist group in the country.

New Zealand tourism minister, Damion O’Connor said “For a small country and long-haul destination we are doing exceptionally well,” he continued. “New Zealand tourism operators should be proud.”

“Our international visitors are obviously extremely satisfied with the experiences they have had here,” he added. “I thank all operators nationwide and encourage them to keep up the good work.”

Around 17% of men asked said they would go on holiday without insuring their belongings or protection against flight cancellations. Only 12% of women agreed.

However a report by the Northern Echo has revealed that travel insurance is currently more affordable than ever. Journalist Sharon Griffiths said, “A year’s travel insurance policy can be bought for as little as £30. If you’re travelling outside Europe then you’re absolutely crazy to think of doing so without insurance”.

UK travellers can also take advantage of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which pays for state medical care in the European Union.

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.

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.

Its durability may be due to the inclusive nature of the holidays, which make cruise breaks much easier for holidaymakers to budget for.

The Director of the PSA, Bill Gibbons, said “With the present difficult economic climate, cruising is better placed than many other sectors as the inclusive nature of a cruise holiday makes it easy to budget for while continuing to offer exceptional value for money.”

Fourteen new ships are planned to be launched next year ranging from luxury liners to family orientated vessels.

To avoid the crowds plan your holiday for January or March time, which have the best deals as they are outside of peak times.

A driving holiday will provide greater flexibility and drving over night could make travelling with children easier, as they are likely to sleep through most of the journey.

Skiiers with their own equipment will find flying with low cost airlines expensive due to the additional charges. Airlines such as Snowjet and BA may be worth looking into for good deals.

Ensure the children are well catered for in advance. France has some of the most sophisticated childcare in the Alps and ski schools are always very well organised.

Many French ski resorts offer loyalty discounts for returning skiiers, which could save money on lift passes and equipment hire. Many resorts also offer free or discounted passes for children, depending on their age.