In the north east of Spain, south of the Pyrenees and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, is the stunning historic city of Barcelona. The second largest city in Spain and capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is overlooked by the Collserola Mountains.  Whilst most won’t be as interested in the geography of the city, they will not help but be amazed at Barcelona’s magnificent architecture including many works by Gaudi including La Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Olympic Village, the many bustling squares, the Ramblas and fantastic assortment of shops around the Barcelona Shopping Line.

Fly into Barcelona El Prat Airport, eight miles southwest of the city, and collect your Barcelona hire car from Terminal B or C, jump on a train or metro or take the Aerobus A1 from any of the three airport terminals (A, B, C) into the city centre.

Definitely the most cosmopolitan Spanish city, Barcelona is an ideal city break location where you can choose from luxury hotels or budget accommodation, spend time on one of the city’s beaches, visit the many museums in Barcelona, sightsee on day trips or excursions, take a boat tour along the coast, exploring the beautiful parks such as the Parc de la Ciutadella, or discover Catalan life and the gourmet cuisine.

With many UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Antoni Gaudi’s work at the Park Guell (gardens), Casa Mila (or La Pedrera) and Palau Guell (town mansion), you may not want to leave Barcelona but for added excitement just outside of Barcelona, head to the Port Aventura Park and Caribe Aquatic Park, where thrill riders can enjoy the rolling and diving roller coasters, many water rides and tour the “lands” of different countries!

For an extensive choice of beaches whilst staying in Barcelona, why not travel to Sitges on the Costa Dorada, less than 30 miles southwest? Renowned for its all night partying, Sitges boasts 17 sandy beaches; many awarded the EU’s Blue Flag award.

About an hour’s drive from Barcelona is the small city of Girona. A lively city, there is much to explore as it is a location rich in history and culture.  Visit the Cathedral, Houses on the Onyar, the Arab Baths and Sant Feliu.

On the Costa Brava is Tossa del Mar, also an hour’s drive from Barcelona.  A popular holiday beach resort, Tossa has a lovely old centre, a gothic church and is perfect for delightful strolls through the old town.

So what will January 2010 have in store for you?

For January holiday ideas how about a relaxing January holiday in the sun or a sporting January holiday in the snow? A city break for January shopping or a spa break in a luxury hotel?

Already (30 November) Canada is reporting superb snow conditions in Kicking Horse and Fernie with ski resorts in the USA opening in the next few weeks. By January you can almost confirm that there will be fantastic snow in North America for skiing and snowboarding, but do be prepared for the cold weather with extra thermals!

In Europe the snow has started to fall and for January ski holidays you should be able to have the pick of almost any ski resort…  Norway and Sweden are perfect for family skiing holidays in January, with France, Austria and Switzerland offering a mixture of popular ski resorts and quaint characterful villages in the Alps and surrounding mountain ranges.

From ice to sun!  How about a luxury January holiday on the gorgeous Indian Ocean island of Mauritius off the south east coast of Africa, to escape the winter in Europe? January in Mauritius is part of the summer season but head to the east coast and the beautiful Belle Mare Beach (home to many luxury spa resort hotels), is where you should enjoy a cooling breeze. Dramatic forests combine with white sandy lagoons and staggering long soft stretches of beaches in Mauritius, perfect for relaxing family holidays or romantic honeymoons. Visit the Black River Gorges National Park, hike the Central Plateau and Black River, picnic on Blue Bay Beach or take a gentle stroll along the coast at Trou aux Biches.

For a January city break idea, how about historic St Petersburg in Russia, close to the Baltic Sea? There will be a guaranteed chill in the air, but wrap up as warm as the natives, and you’ll have no problem exploring the State Hermitage area on the River Neva, shopping in Nevsky Prospekt, visiting the breath taking Russian Orthodox cathedrals with a break at the Vodka Museum.

A January holiday idea closer to home, could mean spending a weekend break in London, England’s capital. Prebook tickets to ice skate at Somerset House, Hampton Court or at the Tower of London Ice Rinks, or tickets for a show or lively Christmas pantomime! Join the shoppers in Oxford Street and Regent Street for the January Sales or whilst in London in January, take a tour along the River Thames, followed by a visit to one of the city’s magnificent museums such as the Science Museum or Natural Museum.

The Canary Islands and Madeira are only a few hours flight away from the UK and during January are popular spots for a little warmth and wide empty beaches too.

Dorset is a beautiful county in South West England, located on the English Channel coast bordering Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

Hire a car in Dorset and you could drive the length of the Jurassic Coast, visit the wealth of seaside resorts including Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth, shop in the county town of Dorchester and explore the character town of Lyme Regis and stroll along The Cobb or take the kids to Dinosaurland.

Dorset has a large rural area and has been the inspirational home of many authors and poets such as Thomas Hardy, whose cottage near Dorchester is owned by the National Trust. With your rental car tour the picturesque countryside, and drive to and explore the picture box rural Dorset villages such as Piddlehinton, Wimborne St Giles and Sixpenny Handley.

The UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site covers almost the whole of the Dorset coastline and walks along the South West Coast Path are enjoyed by many although walking the whole 630 miles from Cornwall to Poole Harbour in Dorset could take some time!

Bournemouth boasts some seven miles of sandy beaches and is very popular with water sports enthusiasts.  The newly developed artificial reef, Weights Reef, was opened to the public on the 3rd November 2009, built to ensure great body boarding and surfing facilities or a calm lagoon for swimming when the weather calms. There is an excellent choice of shops in Bournemouth as well as superb facilities for the whole family to enjoy and a great nightlife.

One of the locations for the embarkation for troops on D-Day, Poole Harbour is rich in maritime history.  Poole’s Sandbanks beach is one of Britain’s best family friendly beaches and has held the EU Blue Flag for over 20 years and location is the for the British Beach Polo Championships in July. Take a stroll through the woods of Blue Pool, visit the National Motor Museum or during the summer, take

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.

On an Essex holiday in eastern England where could you go?

Stretching for around 12 miles from London, is the scenic 6,000 acre Epping Forest, ideal for walking and trekking, exploring with the family or the dog; over half of the area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
There are many quaint, lovely towns and villages in Essex.

Medieval Saffron Walden in north west Essex is a busy rural market town dotted with independent shops, eateries and boutiques as well as the local market twice a week. Do pay a visit to the stunning Bridge End Garden and Audley End House and Gardens, and the nearby market towns of Thaxted and Great Dunmow.

In mid Essex, head to the county town of Chelmsford where you can visit the 18th century Moulsham Mill to purchase a variety of crafts, or Chelmsford Museum. A short drive away is the beautiful Hylands House and 500 acre Estate, and Ingatestone Hall. Flora and fauna can be enjoyed at Tropical Wings in South Woodham Ferrers, Marsh Farm Country Park and the RHS Garden Hyde Hall.

Essex by the sea will take you to the bustling resorts of Southend on Sea and Clacton on Sea, with Frinton on Sea and Walton on the Naze being quieter yet traditional seaside towns. Rugged coves, sandy beaches and cliff top walks; Essex offers a coastline, some 350 miles long, ideal for water sports, family days in the sand, walking and so much more!

Every Saturday until 7th November, the Festival of Fireworks will take place on the Southend Seafront at 8pm, and every Saturday until 31st October, is the Battle of the Bands, where local bands and musical performers will compete in a slot of 15 minutes each.