A great place to begin with is the World Museum Liverpool. Inside there are several different galleries, each with its own theme. Whether you are interested in seeing natural history, world cultures, fish, or insects, you are sure to find something you will enjoy. The Weston Discovery Centre has family interactive exhibits, along with their displays of relics from places such as Asia, North and South America, Africa, and even the ocean, that will help you learn more about the continents. The Treasure House Theatre is an excellent spot to see performances of music and dance from around the world. They even offer classes. You can grab a bite to eat in their café or do some shopping in their fair-trade shop.

If you just want to learn more about Liverpool itself, try the Museum of Liverpool. Spread over many galleries are 6000 exhibits, all housed in the largest English museum of the past 100 years. It touches on topics such as the city’s history, pop culture, and society. Children will like the Little Liverpool section that is geared towards teaching the younger ones on their level. The café here lets one sample typical food found in this area.

Music

Any true Beatle fan cannot go to Liverpool without experiencing The Beatles Story. Using interactive exhibits, they will teach you about the legendary band from its humble beginnings in Liverpool to their international success. This can be found in two separate locations, Mersey Ferry Terminal and Albert Dock. Separate exhibits delve more deeply into each individual member of the bands life and fame. Here you can enjoy the Fab4Store and the Starbucks café.

Art

Six centuries of decorative, fine, and contemporary art can be found in The Walker Art Gallery. The history of Liverpool can be seen in Liverpool Cityscape by Ben Johnson, along with works from artist like Rembrandt and Turner. During the 2012 spring and summer season they will be displaying “A Collector’s Eye: Cranach to Pissarro.” Then in the fall they will have “Art in Revolution: Liverpool 1911.” For children they have the Big Art for Little Artists learning section.

Sports

Any fan of the Liverpool Football Club will really love a tour of the Anfield Stadium and museum. Packages are available that include a three course meal in an executive box, free beverages, and a free gift. A guest will drop by from the club’s history to talk about the stadium, and you will get to tour the facility.

It’s becoming clear to me why this area is known as one of the “Seven Underwater Wonders of the World”. It’s a superb place for novice divers to gain their PADI certificates, thanks to the many excellent dive schools, reasonable prices and fantastic variety of sea life. The Red Sea reefs are home to many endemic species, such as the bright yellow blue cheek butterflyfish. For the more experienced, there are several wrecks to explore or liveaboard options.

Hurghada, once a quiet fishing village, is now a stylish and bustling resort. There are activities here for everyone. Besides diving, there is snorkelling, canoeing, windsurfing and parasailing. If you prefer not to get wet, you can still experience the wonderful sea life by taking a trip on a glass-bottomed boat.

And if you tire of the sea, there is quad biking, 4×4 safaris or camel riding in the desert. We opted for a sunset safari, which included quad biking and a camel ride along the sandy dunes, before being greeted with mint tea as we were ushered into a Bedouin tent for dinner and a folklore show of singing and dancing.

For cuisine that is excellent and suitably exotic, El Dahar is the place to go. Restaurants and street stalls here serve authentic Egyptian dishes, such as including falafel, ful medames (fava beans), baba ganush (baked aubergine), lamb kofta and a variety of fish dishes. There are also many Western style restaurants in Hurghada. Recommended restaurants include Al Dente, Felfela, La Gondola and Tuscany.

For shopping, the local souk offers clothes, metal and leather goods, spices and silk. This area is a network of roads and narrow alleys that plunges you headfirst into Egyptian life. Enjoy the local tea you are offered and remember to haggle. Shopping here is an experience of the senses.

Hurghada has a cosmopolitan nightlife and most hotels have their own bars and clubs where alcohol is freely available. Clubs include the Hed Kandi Beach Bar, Hard Rock Cafe, Calypso Disco and Ministry of Sound Beach Club.

A day trip not to miss is to Giftun, an uninhabited island where you can laze in the sun drinking mango juice on white sand beaches, and paddle or snorkel in crystal clear waters.

Resorts in Hurghada include the very family friendly, offering playgrounds and other child-friendly areas. If you’re not staying there, an excellent day trip is to the nearby Jungle Aqua Park, a resort popular for its 35 water slides and 14 outdoor swimming pools and various activities for all ages. Sporting activities offered by several resorts include mini-golf, tennis and fitness centres.

With all this on offer, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to resist being captivated by Hurghada’s subtropical-desert charm.

Holidays to Cyprus consist of spending time relaxing on the beaches or by the pools, eating the wonderful cuisine and taking in some of the spectacular sights. If you like to have fun and adventure then you will love the water sports that are available on almost every beach. If sightseeing is more your thing then you can enjoy some truly amazing historical sites such as the Tomb of the Kings or the Kourion Amphitheatre. Kolossi Castle is definitely worth visiting as well.

There are a number of waterparks in both Limassol and Ayia Napa that you can spend the day at and you will enjoy some fantastic slides and flumes there. At night the island comes alive with lots of bars and clubs as well as charming tavernas where you can enjoy some wonderful food, drink and entertainment.

With fantastic offers on visitor passes, cheap hotels and early booking discounts there has never been a better time to explore some of the not so well known destinations and to see for yourself why there is still so much to uncover in your own back yard.

Belfast City, once a place that few would have considered to be a must see destination is home to fantastic festivals, historically significant monuments, music events and boasts some of the most picturesque parks and castles that Northern Ireland has for all to enjoy. Amazing buildings such as the City Hall, award winning restaurants and spectacular coastlines within a short driving distance from the city itself have placed Belfast on the must see list at last.

Bangor, Wales, long since forgotten as being the place to have a lovely day is a proud city that, even though it is one of the smallest cities in Britain, represents the very best in idyllic places to spend a couple of days. A perfect place to indulge in some vibrant night life and wine and dine in some first class restaurants, Bangor is just waiting to be explored.

Seldom thought of as a visitor hot spot, Coventry in the Midlands is a perfect place to take in some historical sites such as the cathedral and Medieval Spon St. Enjoy the truly multicultural essence of a city that was once bombed to the ground by visiting some of its lively and upbeat bars and clubs. Shakespeare country is just a stones throw away and Coventry Transport Museum is a Mecca for transport enthusiasts.

Uncovering hidden gems like some of those already mentioned make sightseeing and whizzing off somewhere different for a short break all the more worthwhile. Even if your intention is only to travel a short distance from your home there are innumerable cities and places to see that have, for whatever reason, not yet been fully appreciated by tourists from home.

There are five reasons why anyone with a family must enjoy a trip to Orlando, before the children get too old.

Reason #1: The Theme Parks

If there is one thing Orlando is famous for it is the theme parks. Gone are the days when Disney World was the only show in town. Now you can take in a different theme park every day of the week and still not have visited every theme park in town.

Which parks you choose to visit will very much depend on the age of your children. Toddlers and younger kids are likely to prefer the magic of Disney World, whereas a visit to Universal Studios is an absolute must for older children.

The wonderful thing is that whether you’re eight or eighty there is something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if it is white-knuckle thrills you are after or sedate trips down memory lane, you are sure to find it somewhere in this magical town.

Reason #2: The Hotels

Orlando has hotels to suite every pocket from inexpensive ‘motel-style’ accommodation through to some of the finest five-star hotels in the world. Whether you’re looking for boutique-chic or mega resort style comfort there is something for everyone.

If you prefer something more private you can always book one of the many luxury villas that have sprung up on the outskirts of Orlando. If you are happy to negotiate you’ll be amazed at how little you will pay for a four, five or even six bedroomed mega mansion.

Reason #3: The Sun

If you are after sun then Orlando is a destination that has to feature high up the list. It is rare that a day goes by without the sun shining and it’s highly likely that you’ll not see a drop of rain even if you stay for two weeks.

Reason #4: The Affordability

Orlando offers incredible value for money. Everything from accommodation to restaurants can be found at reasonable prices. Theme park tickets might look expensive in comparison to some other resorts, but once you visit the theme parks you will realize just what amazing value for money you are getting.

Reason #5: Memories

It is impossible to take the family to Orlando without coming back with a suitcase full of memories. Although this might not be as tangible as the theme parks, the hotels, the weather and the affordability, it is something that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

A trip to Orlando is something that your children will talk about for years to come, and when they have children you can rest assured that they will get pleasure sharing the tales of their Orlando trips.

That’s five reasons why a visit to Orlando is an absolute-must for anyone who has a young family, but there is one other reason that has to be mentioned and that is that Orlando is guaranteed to put a smile on any face … guaranteed!

If you’re after a bit of a ‘spoil me rotten’ break, you can’t go wrong with all inclusive Portugal holidays. Here you’ll really fall into the lap of luxury where you can enjoy sumptuous food, local drinks and tasty snacks without reaching for your wallet – perfect if you plan to stay in or near the hotel during your stay.

There’s a great range of all inclusive holidays throughout Portugal but one of the best places to experience this style of holiday is in the sunny Algarve. All inclusive Algarve holidays are all equally comprehensive but can also be enormously diverse – covering a huge range of tastes and budgets from standard beach-side hotels right up to luxury golf and spa resorts that offer a five-star experience in every way.

You might find that certain hotels give you more than the standard food and drink package. For example, Algarve is famous for its golf courses so some hotels will offer free or discounted use of the nearby range. Others might offer complimentary use of on-site facilities such as spa treatments, or throw in free lessons for activities like archery.

One of the best things about going all inclusive is that it helps to control your spending while you’re in the resort. With all of your meals and drinks catered for you can save a significant amount on the standard costs of eating out every night. That’s not to say you can’t eat out every now and then, or take a picnic for a day trip – but it really does help if you’re on a limited budget.

Paxos is a small island teeming with both friendly locals and many sights to visit and explore. With such beautiful scenery, it is easy to see why so many people can’t helping returning to holiday on Paxos. It does not take long to get the feeling that Paxos is the perfect location to let go of worldly concerns and take things at a slower pace. Walk along the beach to one of the many seaside cafes. Sip exotic coffee while leisurely watching fishermen bringing in the catch of the day to the market. Tour the shops and eateries using age-old techniques for baking or creating exotic Greek cuisine that everyone is sure to enjoy. When visiting the island, it is easy to see why is is one of the gems of the Mediterranean.

Paxos is quaint and welcoming in every way, though it has all the accommodations one could possible require. The primary port, Gaios, receives all manner of sea traffic in the form of boats, sea taxis and hydro planes. Many of the smaller hubs around the island such as Logos and Lakka do much the same, though a nice introduction to the island is through this main hub. Through Gaios, one will be able to get acquainted with the Greek and Italian influenced architecture. Explore small side streets that cluster around the area, filled with restaurants and eateries scattered everywhere like olive trees. After sampling the Greek cuisine of pasta, breads and sauces one will know that they came to the right place for holiday.

Paxos is one of those kinds of places that combines island casual atmosphere with everyday necessities quite well. One can take a warm stroll along the lanes to restaurants, shops and hotels with ease. Do not forget to take part in Paxos’ lively night-life, filled with waterfront bars and live music that are sure to make any visit memorable. Visit Paxos and walk pebbled beaches with shallow waters that overlook a warm, emerald blue sea. Any traveller is ensured a idyllic visit that is a must for any Paxos holiday.

The service provider or tour organizer will provide you with a detailed map of your travel destination, complete with routes and important marks that you can follow. If you opt for a guided tour, you will also have a professional tour guide with immense experience in exploring the area you are visiting.

Accommodation and luggage transfer are also among the facilities provided by tour operators. You can enjoy the best sceneries and have a fabulous adventure without worrying about the safety or your personal belongings.

Emergency services and logistical back-ups are also among the valuable services offered by the best tour providers operating in Europe. This means you can truly walk the hiking trails in utter freedom and enjoy a memorable holiday nonetheless.

Certain tour operators provide additional services and amenities to their customers, so be sure to check with your operator before departing on a walking holiday to your favorite destination.

So where should you be spending your money and more importantly – your time? We’ve put together a list of the five best places to visit during your stay. Hopefully providing you with a variety of things to do and see!

1. The Grand Palace in the Old City – This is perhaps on the most beautiful and historic places in this great city. The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and is a stunning collection of buildings that for a 150 years were home to the Thai King and The Thai Government. Now it is a protected historical site which you can experience and visit yourself. Cameras are allowed here so you can take loads of photos of the stunning grounds, but make sure you remain respectful inside as there are many temples and religious artifacts.

2. The Floating Market – This attraction is definitely a must-see! Climb on board your own boat and drift along through the traders (who are also in boats) and collect your holiday shopping. The traders sell everything from gifts to groceries so you’ll really be spoilt for choice. It is an experience you’ll have no where else in the world, so it is something you won’t want to miss.

3. Khao San Road – Although Bangkok is a city seeped in culture – you might also want to let your hair down at some point. Maybe you’ve just got off your flight to Bangkok and you need to relax for the night with a good drink and some good music? This is the place to go. Khao San Road is a fantastic hub of East and West and the vibe and energy is fantastic. Filled with clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants, there is something for everyone here.

4. Chao Phraya Riverbanks – Take a river cruise along the beautiful Chao Phraya riverbanks and enjoy the gorgeous views one evening or perhaps walk along the riverbanks instead. Either way this area of Bangkok is a spectacular place to spend your time. For a some truly amazing views, make your way up to the rooftop bars in one of the many 5* hotels and you’ll be able to see for miles around.

5. The Temple of Dawn - Lastly, you should visit The Temple of Dawn. You might recognise this temple as it is one of the most beautiful in all of Asia (so often used on postcards). This attraction won’t disappoint. Plan your visit so you can witness the beautiful architecture at sunrise or sunset, and watch the colours and the patterns of the building come to life.