The Easter school holidays, at the end of March/beginning of April, is the perfect time for day trips in the UK.  You don’t need to spend a fortune, you can return home if the weather is too bad and you can usually make plans at the last minute!

If you love movies, how about visiting the National Trust properties used for filming? Ham House in Surrey is where The Young Victoria was filmed, whilst a White Rabbit Easter trail will be held 2nd to 9th April at Antony, six miles from Plymouth where Walt Disney’s quirky Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton was filmed. During the Easter school holidays visit Cliveden in Berkshire where Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law played Holmes and Watson, or Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire; the location of two Harry Potter films.

In London take a flight on the London Eye. With spectacular views over London’s many landmarks, book a 10am Standard Flight and the cost is a mere £10 per adult compared to £17.88 at any other time of day, as the London Eye celebrates 10 years. During the Easter school holidays, take the kids to Kew Gardens on Easter Sunday morning for an Easter Egg Hunt or to the Bank of England Museum for a treasure trail through the Museum.  Enjoy roller skating? Join the Bunny Stroll on Easter Sunday, which covers a relaxed 8 miles of London’s West End.

Easter holiday thrill seekers may prefer the delights of Thorpe Park (opens 18 March at 10am) or Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey; in the heart of England, Thorpe Park opens on 20 March as does the award winning Drayton Manor Theme Park.  In the north of England, Blackpool Pleasure Beach on the west coast of Lancashire is great for the whole family, whilst younger children may prefer the exciting yet sedate Legoland Windsor (Berkshire), with plenty for the young ‘uns at both Chessington and Drayton.

On the 27 March, the Cardiff International White Water in Cardiff Bay, south Wales is opening which will offer courses and activities for all levels of water sports persons wishing to white water raft, hotdog, hydrospeed, canoe or kayak.  Also in Cardiff over Easter, Techniquest has an eggsciting show all about the egg, with fun and science explaining how to cushion a fragile spacecraft – amongst other exhibits!

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.

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

There are many fabulous and exciting countries to visit for a New Year holiday worldwide.

Cheap holidays to Dominican Republic in the Caribbean are available at the moment (13 December) for one week departing from Gatwick on Wednesday 30th December with Thomson Holidays.  Stay in the four star plus all inclusive ClubHotel Riu Bambu in Bavaro, Punta Cana including coach transfers from £1393 per person.  Wake up on New Year’s morning to the beautiful sight of fourteen miles of white tropical beaches, and blow away the cobwebs of 2009 with games of water polo and volleyball, scuba diving lessons and windsurfing.

The beautiful Maldives and spectacular Seychelles in the Indian Ocean are extra special New Year holiday destinations. Kuoni Holidays have last minute offers for 7 nights from 28 December staying at the boutique five star Velassaru Hotel in the Maldives from £2263 per person, and Labriz Hotel in the Seychelles from £4401 per person.

Tropicalsky are offering holidays at the end of December to Le Meridien on the island of Phuket in Thailand, from £1209 per person for six nights and holidays to the Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso Spa in Bali for 7 nights from £1439 per person.

If you are looking for a New Year Holiday for the family with lots of activities, a holiday in Orlando, Florida is always popular. Not only is there an extensive choice of accommodation in and around Orlando, but so much to keep the youngest to the oldest member of the family happy. Travel to the Orlando Theme Parks, Movie Studios and Orlando Shopping Malls and factory outlets for an exciting Florida holiday at New Year.  Holidayhypmarket have New Year package holidays available from £1193 per person for 7 nights, flying from Gatwick on 28 December and staying in a two star Resort hotel on room only basis.

You’ve been to New York and Paris, and you’re booked to go to Amsterdam, but where could you go that will still keep you interested during the cool days and nippy nights on a November City Break?

Oslo is the capital of Norway and the cultural and historic hub of the country. Surrounded by forests, hills and mountains, Oslo has nearly 350 lakes and is actually made up of 40 islands within the city’s boundary which are ideal to explore by boat or mini-cruise. Visit the many historic buildings in Christiania Torv in the heart of Oslo, stroll through the many beautiful parks including Vigeland Park and St Hanshaugen Park, and take a sightseeing tour of Homenkollen, the Viking Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum and the Opera House.  At the beginning of November the temperature will hover around freezing point, so make sure you wrap up warmly for your city break in Oslo, a fabulous interesting and pretty holiday location.

A little closer to home is Brussels, easily accessible with many flights from the UK, direct Eurostar train from London and Ashford, and just over two hour’s drive from Calais.  Steeped in history, Brussels is the fascinating multicultural capital of Belgium and of the European Union.  The architecture is stunning with the classical Royal Palace Koningsplein standing alongside gothic churches and cathedrals, round the corner of stunning art nouveau houses and art deco buildings. Visit the little boy statue on Eikstraat and Stoofstratt near the Grand Place (Market Place), shop till you drop, dine in fabulous restaurants and taste the most delicious chocolate and buy the most delicate lace.

A little cheaper than New York, but still as stunning, is Boston, one of the USA’s oldest cities, situated in New England on America’s east coast.  In this picture postcard city, Boston is a romantic city with cobbled alleys and softly lit streets. There are many museums and theatres to visit in Boston, and for American sport fanatics prebook tickets to watch the Boston Red Sox play baseball or Boston Celtics play basketball, or make a cultural visit to the Boston Opera House or Boston Ballet. The restaurants are excellent with the sea food, particularly good. 

For a sunny November city break, how about Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?  Choose from a luxury five or six star hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea or a more budget priced hotel or self catering apartment in the heart of Bur Dubai with the business and commercial centres a short trip away.  Dubai is a shoppers dream as goods are duty free. Don’t leave before you have visited Meena Bazar!  Shop in Deira City Centre for department store goods and souvenirs, Burjamen Centre for designer clothes and jewellery, Al-Ain in Bur Dubai for gadgetry, and themed Ibn Battuta Mall for gifts from different areas around the globe – amongst others! Deira is the north side of Dubai with Bur Dubai in the south and the city is divided by Dubai Creek. The well know tourist area is Jumeriah. Visit the Grand Mosque, souks, Dubai Museum, the Sheikh Saeen Al Maktoum House in Port Rashid and enjoy the activities at the Wild Wadi Waterpark.