European destinations such as France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to name a few, can provide an interesting and insightful holiday for those who do not wish to spend their time away sat on a beach.

If you have a keen interest in history then a visit to Berlin in Germany will be right up your street, not only do you have the well documented history from the past 100 years but also the history before World War 1 & 2 to get into. You can easily get a flight to Berlin, and there are many cheap hotels to stay in around the city, which will make a great base.

After the Berlin Wall fell the city began a long journey to rebuilding and regenerating itself, however still not forgetting key parts of its history such as the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Check Point Charlie and the remaining Wall so no matter where you go you will always be able to find some history.

This is a city for everyone, with a huge amount of history to take, unbelievable architecture, old and new as well as contemporary shops and clothing boutiques which open until 8pm – 9pm and also shops selling traditional German clothing. To top notch restaurants or simple snack bars that sell traditional German fare including a Berlin staple the currywurst. Berlin is also very easy to get around with highly efficient public transport and roads you will find it a shock to the system.

Sitting around on a beach on holiday is not everyone’s cup of tea, some people like to get out and about and explore the sights and sound of this world, if you’re not looking to travel too far for your summer holiday and want to take in some history and culture then why not hop on a flight to Belfast and explore this fascinating city and its surrounding area.

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is its largest city which is steeped in history, it is mainly remembered for the Troubles that dominated Northern Irelands Politics for nearly three decades and scarred many people’s lives over there and here as well. Although Belfast is still coming to terms with the aftermath of the peace process which was instigated by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement the city itself is starting to turn itself around, undergoing major redevelopment and trying to attract tourists.

If you have a keen interest in history then you will find plenty to keep you occupied, learning how the city began back in the early 1100’s as a cluster of forts, and how it developed its self from then on to become what it is today. Some places of interest include: St Anne’s Cathedral, Odyssey Leisure Centre, Ulster Museum and the Botanical gardens to name but a few.

Belfast also offers many great places to eat offering a wide range of cuisines as well as typical Irish food and drink you can also have a great night out in the city with many fun bars and clubs. For those who like some retail therapy you can indulge in some shopping too from designer goods to highstreet buys as well as local crafts and art so you have plenty to keep you occupied during your visit.

Northern Ireland is easy to get around and Belfast makes a great starting point to visit the rest of the country.

A visit to the Baltic capitals will be no ordinary holiday, the Baltic is a fascinating and captivating region steeped in history with so much to explore and unearth. With a cruise holiday you will get to cross the waves of the Baltic ocean that were once ruled by the mighty Vikings and where great wars were fought by the surrounding countries each vying for control of this great ocean.

You can experience some of the many cultures in Europe and enjoy magnificent scenery as you travel from city to city on a Baltic cruise. Setting off from the UK your first stop is the Danish city of Copenhagen recognised by its dominating skyline as you approach, Copenhagen as with most cities in the Baltic has some of Europe’s most fascinating Architecture and Copenhagen is also one of Europe’s greenest cities. From here you will set out on a cruise exploring many of the wonderful cities the Baltic ocean has to offer such as Gothenburg, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Oslo, Riger, Stockholm and Tallin enjoy the culture, explore each cities history and soak into the atmosphere of each destination.

Different itineraries also offer the chance to explore less discovered destinations along the way, small ports where hanseatic merchants once traded, with quaint centuries-old fishermen’s houses, winding streets and local charm. With so much to see its difficult to decide where to start, there are many great cruise deals that off many different itineraries so all you have to decide is what you want to see first, then book another one next year to start exploring more of this great region.

Boat setting sail into the Baltic Ocean

Picture courtesy of MarvinSiefke

There is so much to see in Germany you will defiantly need more than one visit to take it all in, with vibrant cities, varied landscapes of mountains, forests and lakes. Germany is divided in Federal States and Regions, each with plenty of history to take in and beautiful picturesque landscapes to enjoy from castles and palaces to medieval villages and traditional wine villages you won’t be short of things to do in the land of a thousand possibilities.

One way to take in much of Germany is to follow some of their scenic routes you can get fights to Berlin and Munich and from any of these places start out upon your journey exploring all it has to offer.

For those who like Romanticism you can follow the trail to uncover the treasures of the Romance period, with magnificent stately homes palaces of courtly splendour all exquisitely decorated. This is Germanys most famous and popular tourist rout which runs across a rich and varied landscape along the river Main and through the Franconian wine country to the Alps.

Another popular tourist route and one for those who love their wine is the German Wine Route which runs through Germany’s second largest wine growing region. Here you can enjoy not only the wine but the scenery, with this region, with the weather mild you get a feeling you’re in Tuscany rather than a German Region.

Germany is a country bursting to the brim with culture and this year its host to the European Capital of Culture 2010, with a whole region not just one city dedicated to this. The Ruhr will be the capital which will include 53 towns and cities in western Germany with hundreds of events held in many locations which will reveal a surprising to side to the region. There are also plenty of other things to discover in this astounding country with many things to see and do, including Germanys famous Christmas Markets where people travel from all over the world to enjoy this enchanting experience.

Getting there is easy with many cheap flights to Germany available the only hard thing to do is to decide where to start!

Hohenzollern Castle, Stuttgart, Germany

Picture courtesy of Trodel

For many people Berlin makes them think of one thing and one thing only, the Berlin Wall. Torn down on that glorious night in 1989 freeing people from the horror that had previously kept them locked in, it’s hard to imagine now what that must have been like for many people. Well worth a visit just to see what the city is now like after the years of regeneration after the wall came down, so book a flight to Berlin and explore its past and enjoy its future.

Now Berlin is recognised for how much of an exciting and culturally interesting it has become, and how cosmopolitan and inviting it has become, a far cry away from its dark days. It combines good food, great nightclubs, and relaxation by the lakes and, above all, a fascinating tour of history and art, with so much to offer it’s hard to know where to start.

London can be a great destination for families with plenty for all to enjoy, finding things to do that can keep your kids entertained as well as not making your time to child orientated is easier than you think. A trip to London can include man thinks including history, science and art but all with an element of fun to keep young ones interested. So hop on a flight to London and experience the fun!

A favourite for children and adults alike is Madame Tussauds and one of London’s popular destinations offer plenty for the whole family, featured there are not just celebrities of the here and now but also older personalities that parents can reminisce about. London Zoo also offer lots to so for all ages, with an extensive collection of exotic animals, plus a wide range of free activities. For families with older children The London Dudgeon is also a popular hit, calling itself “the world’s most chillingly famous horror attraction. Chronicling London’s gruesome history you children will be terrified into learning history without even knowing it!

If your children have been very good you can treat them to a trip to London’s Hamleys Toy Shop, here you find seven floors packed full of the latest toy, games and gifts, not to mention fun games for adults and children to enjoy. Also it’s a great way to bribe your kids following you around while you indulge in some retail shopping in the capital.

For families travelling to London could not be easier, with road and rail links and 3 London airports there are many ways to get there.

Edinburgh is a city steeped in history, so much so that people who keep coming back year after, still have not seen all it has to offer. The city which was founded upon the famous castle rock can trace its history back to the Bronze Age all the way to present day, a site commonly noted in history Edinburgh Castle was constantly fought for and its defence can still be seen to today.

Edinburgh consists of the Old Town and the New Town, until the late 18th century it only consisted of the Old Town which is the area where you’ll find the Castle, Royal Mile and Grassmarket. The new Town was developed in the 1750’s to attract back wealthy families who had left for London when the city became over populated, the New Town was designed by James Craig, whose design inspired the New Town’s grid like system of streets which include the popular and well known Princes Street and Queen Street. Since then Edinburgh has grown and grown not only popular for visitors but business alike, it’s easy access of road and rail also make it possible as well as the convenience of cheap flights to Edinburgh Airport.

For historians you will no doubt be enticed by Edinburgh’s history and can trace much of Scotland’s history from here too. Edinburgh offers an array of libraries and museums to indulge in which include the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Museum, the National Library of Scotland, National War Museum of Scotland, the Museum of Edinburgh, Museum of Childhood and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.  Scotland is also know for is traditions including the much celebrated Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place in the Castle Esplanade every night over summer concurrently with other popular Edinburgh festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the  Edge Festival.

Edinburgh also makes a good base for exploring other parts of Scotland located in the south east Edinburgh lies on the east coast of the Central Belt, along the Firth of Forth, near the North Sea. From here you can discover the Lothian’s, where East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian makeup Edinburgh’s surrounding coast and countryside.

St Patricks Day is celebrated all around the world, but nowhere more than in St Patricks home country of Ireland, all around the emerald isle festivities will be springing up before, on and after the 15th of March, from Dublin to Galway and Belfast to Cork there are many festivities to be seen. If you want to experience the best of St Patricks Day then take a trip there and enjoy all it has to offer, you can get great deals on flights to Belfast from most UK airports, Belfast is a great base to start your exploration of Ireland and its festivities.

St Patrick was actually born across the water from Ireland in Wales to wealthy parents at the end of the 4th Century, when he was 16 a young Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders and shipped across the Irish Sea. Here he spent the next six years in captivity working as a shepherd, lonely and away from his family Patrick found solace in his religion and so he became a devout Christian. Six years later Patrick escaped from his captors after he heard God’s voice telling him it was time to leave Ireland and so made his way back home, where he had another vision this time from an angel who told him he should go back to preach Christianity to the Irish. After studying to be a priest for 14 years Patrick returned to Ireland where he built churches and spread the Christian faith for the next 30 years until his death on March 17, 460AD. After his death March 17 became the day set aside for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

Because so much of the Irish population lives all around the world many people who wish to become ‘Irish for the day’ have opted for the green of the Irish flag to express their Irishness, as well as using the shamrock as an emblem. St Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of The Holy Trinity, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. These celebrations are no different in Ireland, this year St Patrick’s Day Festival (March 12-17) in Dublin is celebrated in style, with music, street theatre, family carnivals and up to 4000 performers joining the fun. This year Limerick will host the SkyFest, which is a massive fireworks display over the River Shannon. Belfast offers the annual St Patricks carnival parade with lots of entertainment on offer as well as the Guinness St Patricks Day Race Meeting which is one of the biggest days of the racing calendar.

With Mother’s day coming up in a couple of weeks there is a great way to treat her and show her how much she means to you by taking her to a spa for the day. Spending a whole day at a day spa London will really make her feel loved as well has leaving her feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

There are many treatments to choose from like a traditional Thai massage or experience a Thai herbal scrub, you can also treat your weary hands and feet to the ancient technique of reflexology which not only makes your feet fell better but the whole of your body as well a manicure and pedicure to glam up your hands and feet. Many spas also offer use of relaxation pools and steam rooms where you can rejuvenate and hydrate your skin.

To finish the day off you can also take your mother out for a lovely meal at a fancy restaurant so she will feel fully appreciated after a day of indulgence at a day spa London.

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and it is also the largest city that has a substantial history from disruption, conflict, and destruction called the Troubles. Now it has undergone sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. The past history and current arts, entertainment and attracts make it a great cultural city to visit as well as easy to get to from mainland UK with flights to Belfast International Airport.

When visiting Belfast you will never be short of things to do and if you’re only going for a weekend break you may find yourself wanting to spend more time there. You can go to world class venues such as the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Arena and enjoy lots of exciting concerts, plays and exhibitions and take in the historical and cultural to the scientific and literary in the city that inspired Narnia. You can also take in some great architecture such as Belfast Cathedral/St Anne’s Cathedral or enjoy the natural beauty at one of many parks in Belfast such as Falls Park which is popular with families, children and sports teams and Groveland’s which is popular with gardeners due to its wide variety of trees, shrubs, conifers, heathers, bedding displays and lawns which provide interest and colour throughout the year.

Belfast also has an abundance of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs where you can sample the best of what Belfast has to offer from smart and stylish restaurants to historical hostelries and from gastro pubs and bars to funk and happening nightclubs there is something for everyone.

If you fancy a fun break away for the weekend you can get some great deals on cheap flights to either Belfast International Airport or George Best Belfast City Airport, both which have excellent transport links.

Belfast City Hall

Picture courtesy of pawelbak