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.

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!

Sparkling on the south coast of England is the vibrant Dorset seaside town of Bournemouth, situated between the New Forest and Poole. During the summer, the town just doesn’t stop with fantastic beaches and activities to enjoy during the day, and an endless choice of restaurants, pubs and clubs available through the night!

Bournemouth is popular with the surfing crowd, and as part of a regeneration project £11 million is being spent in Boscombe (10 minutes drive from Bournemouth or 25 minutes walk) to build a reef so that better and more surfing days are ensured. During July and August when the waves are mellower, the reef will cause a lagoon effect in the area making it perfect for families enjoying beach life in Bournemouth.

Whilst you couldn’t have your holiday to Bournemouth without taking in the seven miles of golden beach, enjoying the sand, the sea and many other water sports, there are also many fabulous parks and gardens, as well as fantastic shops and plenty of cultural visits to keep the most discerning visitor happy; the Bournemouth Tourist Information Centre arranges guided walks for visitors to get the most of the town!

Visit the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, an interesting looking Victorian villa where you may view a collection of important paintings and sculptures, ceramics and furniture. There are child facilities and a cafe, as well as the house to explore.  In Bournemouth you will discover many other museums, castles, churches and stately homes, and of course the town is surrounded by stunning countryside and is just east of England’s only UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There are many hotels in Bournemouth, as well as self catering apartments, bed and breakfast lodges and guesthouses, and with over 250 restaurants, there certainly is an excellent choice of eateries, from fish and chips to gourmet delights.

The town also has its own airport which is situated inland to the north east, with schedule, low cost and charter flights flying from Bournemouth International Airport to many destinations within Eastern and Western Europe. You can take holidays from Bournemouth to Spain, the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, Egypt, Bulgaria, Greece, to name but a few! Hire car may be arranged from either the airport or downtown with easyCar.com or there are two stations in Bournemouth if travelling by train.

If you are lucky enough to be in Bournemouth at the end of August the Bournemouth Air Festival runs for four days and includes a show by the Red Arrows. In 2009 it was held from the 20th to 23rd August. Bourne Free a Gay Pride festival is held in Bournemouth in the summer too.

Hiring a car in London is very popular either for those who wish to travel around the great city but don’t usually require a car, or for those wishing to explore further afield.  The main London airports Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and London City are where easyCar car hire is easily collected, as well as at the train stations such as Euston, Waterloo, Kings Cross and St Pancras.

Famous Fulham, Marble Arch, Kennington and Vauxhall (the latter both near the Oval cricket ground) are ideal for collecting car hire in central London with locations such as the Finchley Road, Bayswater and Streatham, Earls Court and West Hampstead easily accessible too.

If travelling into central London by hire car do be aware of the Congestion charge of £8.00 if paid during the day of travel either online, by sms, by phone, at a shop or by post (correct at 6/7/09). A charge of £10 is made if paid on the first charging day after travel, but pay later and penalty charges could be imposed.  However, this charge does not cover the whole of London and the Congestion area is clearly marked in the road and on signs depicting a red circle with a white “c”.

There are so many places to visit in London for all ages, at any time of the year. The Science Museum in South Kensington is a fantastic day out with interactive exhibitions, a selection of IMAX 3D shows and a simulation theatre (selected dates). London Zoo is a personal favourite for many Londoners and will definitely fill a day with visits to see the wild animals, mammals, birds and reptiles. The Royal Parks in London are simply stunning and definitely worth a visit. They incorporate Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Greenwich Park, St James’s Park, Richmond Park, The Green Park and Bushy Park (near Hampton Court Palace) and are often where shows, walks and other events are arranged during the summer.

Of course the accommodation in London is plentiful with many deluxe hotels standing side by side with budget accommodation.  The well known chain of Hilton has a number of hotels in London including the Hilton London Kensington hotel, Hilton London Hyde Park hotel and The Trafalgar Hilton.