Exploring New Zealand by road is very popular, either by hire car or motor home, allowing you the luxury of exploring this beautiful country at a leisurely pace.
 
Make sure you leave plenty of time to drive around New Zealand as the country is larger than the UK, the roads often winding and most of the highways outside of the cities consisting of just one lane in each direction. There are many small islands sprinkled around New Zealand, which compromise of two main islands; “North Island” and “South Island”. 

Driving in New Zealand couldn’t be easier – they drive on the left!  Like in the UK, when the traffic lights are red, you must stop, and give way to the right.  The speed limits however, are kilometers per hour. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years and seat belts must be worn in the front and back of vehicles.

To combine stunning white beaches and dense forests, take a tour of the north of the North Island. Start in Auckland, and visit the Bay of Islands region, a beautiful area made up of 144 islands and quiet bays where you may go marlin fishing or seek whales, penguins or dolphins. The beauty of the Coromandel is just 90 minutes from Auckland, rich in history, rainforests and long pristine beaches. To enjoy a little Maori culture and European history, head to Roturua.

The South Island is best known for its glorious Alps and Fjords. Start in the capital of Christchurch, and take the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth, one of the world’s most scenic routes. From here you could then drive along the west coast to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.  Inland is the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Enjoy the exhilaration of a Shotover Jet ride speeding down the Shotover River or the normality of historic Arrowtown.

Christmas in New York really starts on the fourth Thursday of November when the fantastic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West. On Thursday 26th November 2009 as the shops open, this enormous parade celebrating its 83rd event of impressive floats, enormous balloons, marching bands, troops of clowns and TV characters, will follow a new Thanksgiving Day Parade route through New York. This year the route starts at its usual point but then turns east onto Central Park South instead of Broadway. See the Macys website for full details.

Another symbol of Christmas in New York is the huge Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Centre, to be lit on Thursday 3rd December. The tree overlooks the outdoor ice rink (West 48th & West 51st Streets).  Must do visits include watching the festive decorative windows of Saks on Fifth Avenue, Barney’s on Madison, Macy’s on Herald Square (take the kids to Santa Land whilst there) and Lord & Taylor’s Christmas themed windows.

Big and little children will enjoy choosing or buying Christmas presents at the biggest toy shop in the world, FAO Schwartz on Fifth Avenue (near 58th Street), a (hopefully) snow covered Central Park, the Laser Light show at Grand Central Station and the spectacular Times Square. On Friday’s until mid January, listen to live music for the lighting ceremony for the UNICEF Snowflake at 6pm, and prebook tickets for the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden for the Cirque du Soleil winter themed Wintuk show.

For a truly authentic Christmas in New York, A Cathedral Christmas Concert is being performed on Saturday 12 December at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine by the Cathedral’s Choir with the American Classical Orchestra. Alternatively, prebook tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Music Hall on Avenue of the Americas where you will watch spectacular dance performances suitable for the whole family, from mid November to the end of December.

It won’t be long now before the first Christmas Markets in Europe open. A fantastic chance to buy unique Christmas presents for your family and friends, so why not cross the sea and buy that extra special gift?

You could purchase regional produce, quaint artefacts, homemade crafts and one off items of clothing – all within a traditional and festive environment with a few glasses of vin chaud or mulled wine!

Enjoy a Winter Wonderland in Brussels in Belguim, Am Dom in Cologne, Germany, Christkindlmarket in Vienna, Austria or Vanocni trh in Prague, Czech Republic. 

In less than two hours you could be in Lille, France having travelled on the super quick Eurostar from London. From 18th November to 30th December stroll through the delightful and historic streets of Lille and head to the Place Rihour for the brightly lit Christmas Market full of stalls selling arts and crafts; however, if travelling with young children Saturday 19th December is the day to visit, when Father Christmas descends from the 80 metre Belfry at the Chamber of Commerce.

For a real magical experience, the Christmas Markets in Prague are very special winter wonderlands. The main market takes place on Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square, with smaller ones within a very short walk of each other. Authentic brightly decorated wooden huts sell traditional handicrafts and hot speciality food, including candles, wooden toys, hats, gloves, puppets and Christmas tree decorations.

In the German city of Cologne, there are actually four Christmas markets open in December, with the famous Am Dom located in the square in front of Koln Cathedral. A stunning setting, there are over 150 stalls as well as bands and musicians playing. The Alter Markt is a short walk south and ideal for buying old fashioned and well crafted wooden toys, stocking fillers and tasty gingerbread.

One of the oldest Christmas Markets is annually held in Vienna, the Christkindmarkt. A stunning setting, the Vienna Christmas Market attracts millions, so why not visit early in mid November and avoid the Christmas crowds or visit during December weekends when choirs perform in the Festival Hall having travelled from all round the world.

With a history dating back thousands of years, the city of Durham offers a fantastic combination of medieval architecture and modern living. Durham is situated less than 20 miles south of Newcastle Upon Tyne and about 200 miles north of Birmingham in the north east of England, County Durham. Newcastle (NCL) and Teesside (MME) airports are around 30 minutes drive.

Enclosed by the River Wear on three sides, Durham University College is located within a Norman fortress which is part of Durham Castle. Together with Durham Cathedral, this site makes up the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the heart of the city.

Take a trip back in time with a guided tour of the Castle but be aware that this is home to many students; tours run during the afternoon throughout term time and in the mornings during uni holidays (telephone in advance). Within the castle is the 57 foot high, Black Staircase, with the oldest part being the 1080 Norman Chapel and Tunstall’s Chapel being built in around 1540. The grassed area in front of the Castle and Cathedral is known as Palace Green, which you approach by either of two legendary cobbled streets.

Steeped in culture, there are many other historic buildings to visit in Durham including the mid 1800s Town Hall and old Guildhall both on the Market Place, and 14th century Crook Hall in Sidegate. If you prefer museums and art galleries, you won’t be disappointed either. There are regular exhibitions at the Durham University Museum of Archaeology, and the Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery, the Heritage Centre and the Fowlers Yard Creative Workspaces where you can meet and observe craftspeople.

Should you prefer the modern side of city living, then there is the superb 40 shop Prince Bishops Shopping Centre in Durham centre and The Gates Shopping Centre north of the river. Bernard Castle, and Dales Centre in Stanhope offer great shopping opportunities, and of course, there are many delightful chic boutiques and independent stores to discover as you explore the winding lanes (vennels). Durham also has a Saturday market which has been running for over 150 years with the Farmer’s Markets held on the third Thursday of each month.

As a thriving university city, there are plenty of excellent restaurants catering for all tastes from Mexican to French and Japanese to Portuguese, and cafes, delis, wine bars, nightclubs and many pubs too!

You wouldn’t be wrong if you thought that the historic inland city of Murcia was set in the Costa Dorada on the east coast of Spain, although you may also be correct in saying it is in Costa Calida (Warm Coast)! Whichever, now is the time to visit Murcia before the tourist crowds envelope the city and claim it as their own!

Murcia San Javier Airport is frequented by bmibaby and flybmi from Birmingham and Cardiff, by Monarch Airlines from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, and by a number of summer charter companies too. The airport is on the coast 45 km from Murcia city, south of Mar Menor. If the low cost airlines and charter flights do not suit your timetable then Alicante offers a selection of low cost and scheduled flights too. Public transport from Murcia Airport is very limited so car hire really is advised, but how better to discover this beautiful area of over 200 beaches and stunning country towns, villages and of course, Murcia City?

From an Arabic mosque, the impressive 15th century Murcia Cathedral was built, a stunning landmark representing different styles developed over many centuries with a 96 metre tower where 25 bells toll. There are many other delightful and historic sites to visit when on holiday in Murcia, and next to the Cathedral on Cardenal Belluga Square is the Episcopal Palace whilst not far away is the Casino, originally built in the 1850s although added to during the last 150 years so that the architecture epitomizes many different styles and eras.

The city still retains many Arabic influences and is a fantastic weekend break location or visit whilst staying in the nearby resorts of La Manga or Mar Menor.