Life in London can be famously hectic, so if you’re contemplating a break to get away from it all this year; here are a few suggestions of the best destinations from around the world.

On your doorstep

If you’d like to escape to somewhere refreshingly quiet, head to the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with miles of scenic rolling hills. Honey-coloured limestone buildings, shimmering lakes and unspoilt rural landscapes greet you at every turn. The still and gentle countryside is the perfect antidote to city life, and there are a number of charming villages to visit, including the idyllic medieval town of Burford, which boasts a beautiful Gothic church and a variety of inns, restaurants and cafes.

Short trips need not be confined to home terrain however, with much of France reachable by rail in only a few hours. Take a detour from Paris and head south to Rocamadour, one of France’s most lovely regions. Its well-preserved medieval architecture, chateaux and castles blend perfectly into the meadows and woods. In the evening, take to the skies in a hot air balloon for a breath-taking panoramic view before settling down to a candlelit dinner in a local restaurant.

Further afield

For a slightly more unconventional short break destination, try the shore of the beautiful Lake Bled in Slovenia. The clear blue waters combine with the lush green density of the surrounding forests to provide truly stunning scenery – visit the medieval Bled Castle, which sits on an island in the middle of the lake, for a taste of the region’s history, as

For many of us, vacation is typically a summer event, but this doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. You leave home during the most pleasantly warm months of the year, and during the winter you drudge through cold and miserable weather, dealing with freezing rain, ice and snow? Forget convention; plan your next romantic getaway in the winter at one of these fantastic locales.

Bangkok, Thailand



Thailand is a fantastic destination for an exotic and romantic getaway for two. Beautiful scenery and fascinating local culture are just two of the great things you'll privy to in your vacation to Bangkok. Sample the delicious local cuisine, see the sights, go to special events and festivals, or just spend your time relaxing on the beaches. Tourism is popular enough in Thailand that you shouldn't have to worry much about the language barrier; you'll only have to worry about not wanting to go home.

The Caribbean Islands



Lucky for us, the Caribbean isn't full of marauding pirates like in the movies. Rather, it is mostly filled with some of the best winter vacation destinations in the world. Montego Bay in Jamaica is one of the most popular resort towns, along with the Bahamas, the Cayman islands, Aruba, Bermuda, and literally dozens of others. The beaches are warm

When people travel to foreign locales they tend to come home with a lot more than a camera full of pics and a suitcase festooned with bedbugs. Many world travelers pick up pieces of their destinations and bring them home. For some people this could mean adopting a new style of dress or picking up trinkets from the local bazaar, while others will try their hand at learning the language or cooking traditional recipes when they return home. But one thing you may not notice is that visiting another country and culture has shifted your design sensibilities. So if you're looking for worldly inspiration before you start your home renovation, here are a few locales you may want to add to your travel list.



1. Rome, Italy. When it comes to stately architecture, you can't do much better than a visit to Rome to check out the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and Saint Peter's Basilica, just to name a few famous buildings. If you're looking for something stately and impressive for your own home, a Roman holiday could offer you just the architectural inspiration you need.

2. Vancouver Island, Canada. Although there are many reasons to visit this island off Canada's western coast, including charming, cottage-style homes interspersed amongst more modern buildings, the main draw comes not from the architecture, but from the beautiful, natural surroundings. Of particular interest is the Butchart Gardens, a one-time limestone quarry that Robert and Jennie Butchart converted into a massive botanical garden structure shortly after the turn of the century. The idea was to rehabilitate the unsightly mining pits and turn them into something beautiful, and what resulted was a truly miraculous transformation. With Japanese, Italian, Rose, and

Pasta

The belief that Paris is Europe’s undisputed gastronomy capital is outdated at best. In recent years, several other European cities have stepped into the limelight and won over the taste buds of tourists. Italy boasts several culinary contenders, including Sorrento, Siena, Rome, and Florence, the last of which has become a particular tourist favourite; Copenhagen, San Sebastian, and Barcelona also receive honourable mentions. But perhaps the most surprising city to claim a spot in the world culinary competition is London, a city that has suffered from a negative—if bland—culinary image for far too long.

Over the past decade, London has been lauded by food critics and tourists alike for its gastronomic diversity and innovation. In fact, four London restaurants made the list of the Top 10 European Restaurants on TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2012, putting the rest of Europe to shame. What makes London an exciting culinary destination is that in recent years, the city’s increasingly multinational population has been reflected in its culinary offerings, with eateries ranging from South Asian to South American influence sprouting up throughout the city. In addition, the slow food movement has played a part in the reimagining of the traditional English diet. But there’s still

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island hotel

For some vacationers, it's not the destination that sparks the most excitement, but the luxurious amenities the hotel provides. Sure, sometimes it's great to throw a backpack together and head off to rough it in distant lands, but for other trips the key is to find an experience you've never seen before right in the hotel itself. Many five-star resorts around the world make their names by offering up amenities you won't find anywhere else, causing tourists to battle over booking dates and return to celebrate every special occasion. Here is a look at some of the most luxurious hotel amenities available at incredible international destinations.

Underwater Honeymoon Suite

Island vacationers should certainly check out the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island hotel. Many people head to the Maldives to snorkel, but what if you could see the ocean right from your hotel? This destination actually sports an underwater restaurant. So you can dine on exquisite seafood while watching the ocean in action all around you. And

There are so many attractions come at a hefty price point that you may wonder if there’s any point in traveling at all anymore. Not so, really –the real stuff, the real beauty and flavor of any place is actually still free – if you know where to look for it. Never mind, we’ve done your homework for you.

1. Smithsonian, Washington Dc


If you’re looking for the rarest object or painting, you’ll find it at the Smithsonian. After all, on last count, this grand museum has a collection of 136 million items, apart from several historical and architectural monuments.

2. St. Peter's Basilica

The famous Basilica of St. Peter is dominated by its huge dome, the inside of which has been forever immortalized by the famous Michelangelo. The huge church is fronted by a large bisected courtyard manned by huge colonnades. You’ll find outstanding works by Bernini, Michelangelo and other greats here.

3. National Gallery (London)


This grand museum houses more than 2,300 paintings, painted by great artists from the 1200s till the 1900s. The national gallery purchased the first 38 paintings and kept adding to them over time. Some of the notable paintings here are the Raising Of Lazarus, the Baptism of Christ and others.

4. Grand Bazaar Istanbul


One of the oldest and the largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul stretches across 61 streets and has more than 3,000 shops. Large domes cover the bays which are supported by huge pillars. There are 44 large, dome-ceilinged cellars for storage as well. In this bazaar, you can find everything from spices, to jewelry, to rare skins.

5. Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

The Royal Botanic Gardens is a large area of 30 hectares full of ponds, a pyramid glasshouse, rare plants, herbs,

Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with over 14 million visitors per year. With so many tourists in the city, it can be hard to find the real Paris and get away from the crowds. Besides visiting during less popular times (such as November or January), one of the best ways to capture the Parisian spirit is to live like a local and rent an apartment for your stay. Renting an apartment is a great alternative to renting a hotel and here are some reasons why:

Cheap Flights

Economy for Your Euro (Bang for Your Buck)
Paris is an expensive city, and the average price of a double room in a hotel is 204 euros per night (approximately 271 U.S. dollars per night). Most apartments cost less per night and many can sleep from four to six people, bringing the cost per night to even lower rates if you travel as a group. Apartments also give you more space than tiny Parisian hotel rooms, having living and sleeping space, storage areas for your luggage, and some sort of kitchen and dining area. This added space makes you feel more “at home” and lets early risers and late sleepers get along peacefully.

French Flare
It can be hard to get into the bobo state of mind when you’re staying in a non-descript hotel room surrounded by hundreds of other visitors. Most hotels are centered around the popular tourist attractions in Paris, i.e. near the Eiffel Tower, Champs De Elysses etc. By staying in an apartment you can experience different surroundings and your neighbours are locals! Consider the newly happening Canal Saint-Martin or stay in Montparnasse which was a haunt for Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce etc. during the roaring 20’s.


Paris apartments all have their own character. Some are five story walk ups with beautiful winding staircases, others open onto private courtyards. If you have a top floor apartment you may have a slanted roof. You’ll be