Destinations

Perhaps even more than the big day itself, the lead up to Christmas provides us with enough excitement to last us the year. That's certainly true with a visit to a Christmas market or two, which is why we took a trip to mainland Europe, the spiritual home of Christmas (sorry, Lapland). From the market's beginnings in the 14th century as a place for the town to congregate, sell their wares and sing carols, it's exploded into one of the...

New Year’s Eve isn’t for everyone. Head out to the bars and you’ll often find packed venues, inflated drinks prices and even charges to get in places that are normally free. Of course, a house party is a great alternative to trudging around the British bars and queuing for ages for a drink. But what if you’re totally sick of the New Year celebrations in the UK and fancy something completely different? We caught up with the experts at Travelbag.co.uk...

The mercury is plummeting and daylight is limited to say the least. Winter can really get some of us down here in the UK. So it’s little wonder that the idea of a sunshine escape in the British wintertime holds so much appeal. And with more competitively priced flights, escaping the winter freeze can be really affordable. We spoke to the experts at Holiday Gems to find out the best and cheapest winter sun destinations.   Egypt While flights to...

From its golden sands and deep blue waters to its bright, juicy fruits and deep burgundy wines, Spain is bursting with colour, beauty and flavour. It’s no surprise that Spain is such a popular destination for holidaymakers; this Mediterranean jewel impresses even the most well-travelled individuals. Variety is the spice of life here, so we've put together an introduction to some of the most popular spots.   Bright and buzzing A last minute holiday to Spain might be one of the best decisions you...

Sri Lanka has enjoyed a special allure with westerners for centuries. Thanks to tales of sparkling gemstones, exotic spices and verdant flora and fauna, few places typified the mystery of the east as much as Sri Lanka. While the country may be easier to reach now than in days gone by, it is still a deeply seductive destination that manages to pack thousands of years of history, a diverse landscape, and a multifaceted culture into its relatively compact size. Thanks...

With the summer months coming to a close it is time to start dreaming of next years’ beach holiday. It is all to easy to head back to the same destination year on year, as one of the most difficult components of booking a holiday is finding the inspiration of where to head to next. After all, beaches come in all shapes and sizes, but how many of them leave us with a truly magical experience? The first beach you...

Canada’s reputation precedes it: it’s the world’s capital of cool as proved by the most awesome Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. It’s so unhomophobic it’s progressed from being gay-friendly to gay-neutral, it’s pumped money into its arts and culture, it has America’s amenities and Europe’s refinement, it gave us Drake, and it’s an almost-perfect example of how different ethnicities can live in the same communities. As a microcosm of the country’s progressive thinking, Toronto is a pretty unique place. Flying to...

When the UK summer starts, after weeks of biting cold, you should be able to ditch the coat. But it’s August and I’m still donning a winter wardrobe. With that depressing thought in mind, it makes the time we spend away from our desks even more precious. The weekend getaway is fast becoming our ‘go to’ option and just the medicine we need to cheer us up. And rather surprisingly, you don’t have to venture too far in order to...

The first thing to say about the trip was that there was a huge mistake, caused by yours truly. I am born and raised just up the road from Seaham Hall, in Newcastle, and I always get the rapid three-hour train journey home. For some reason me and Mrs TLE and I drove…seven hours later we arrived, missing out valuable hours at this luxurious venue. Seaham Hall is a spa hotel nestled beside the wild North Eastern coastline. The impressive...