Holidays

From the timeless serenity of the desert plains to glittering skyscrapers and busy shopping malls, the United Arab Emirates offers a wonderful and diverse range of attractions.

Specialist adventure operator, ‘Windows on the Wild’, is offering a 7 night action-packed holiday in ‘Wolf Country’, Saskatchewan, Canada. This fascinating tour begins at ‘The Land of the Loon Resort’ on the edge of the spectacular Prince Albert National Park where one stays in a log cabin on the edge of an ice-bound lake.

You may have heard of island hopping, but what could be more perfect than visiting some of Tuscany's magnificent, historic castles as you travel on horseback?

The latest of the BBC’s Tribal Wives to give up her everyday life and spend a month living with one of the world's most remote tribes is Dionne Braham. London teacher, Dionne, headed to Africa to stay with the polygamous Maasai tribe in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Highlands. The Maasai are one of Africa’s largest and most famous tribes, their menfolk having up to 10 wives and women are expected to marry and bear children from the age of 14.

Want to climb a fiery volcano but draw the line at melting your boots? Walk Worldwide’s 16-day tour of Ecuador’s hot and high places includes the physically demanding climbs of four volcanoes - Mt Imbabura (4,630 metres), North Illiniza (5,100 metres), Cotopaxi (5,897 metres) and Chimborazo (6,310 metres).

The BBC’s new wildlife series, Lost Land of the Jaguar starting later this month, brings an international team of scientists, climbers and film-makers to the Guyanese rainforest in search of elusive wildlife including Jaguar and Giant River Otter.

The Pyrenees, the great barrier between France and Spain, rises to over 3,000m and stretches for 450km from the blustery Atlantic to the sun-drenched Mediterranean, offering diverse habitats for an equally diverse flora and fauna. Join Naturetrek on its 8-day French Pyrenees holiday, focusing on birdwatching and botanical walks amongst the spectacular Parc National des Pyrenees on the north-facing French slopes.

Nowhere in South Africa is spring more spectacular than in the Cape provinces as thousands of flowering plants cover the fynbos, national parks are filled by game and Southern Right Whales return to the coast for the mating season. From the beaches of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, to the wheat and winelands and secluded stretches of the Western Cape Mountains, experience South Africa’s pristine and breathtaking scenery on the back of a willing horse.

Safari & Adventure Co. is excited to announce the November 2008 opening of Kalahari Plains Camps, a rustic tented camp situated in a remote part of Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). The camp is beautifully situated on a low sandy ridge fringing a typical Kalahari pan in this productive and diverse protected area.

Leading boating holiday specialist the Le Boat group has increased the number of short-break options that are available, including July and August departures, making it even easier for first timers or those short of time to get out on some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe onboard its luxury self-drive cruisers. No previous boating experience is required as the boats are easy to operate and helpful base staff ensure you are comfortable at the helm before setting off on your holiday. Also, for those new to boating holidays Le Boat provides a DVD with techniques and tips to introduce cruising.

David Cameron is following Gordon Brown’s lead by taking his family on holiday in the UK. It is believed that Conservative leader, David and his wife Samantha are expected to stay at Harlyn Bay in North Cornwall, one of the magnificent sandy beaches of the “Seven Bays” area.

Walking specialist operator, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, is offering a glorious walk from Le Puy to Conques in France – following in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims. This was one of the ancient paths they walked in their thousands (and in some discomfort!) to their ultimate destination, Santiago de Compostela, in Northern Spain.

New accommodation-search specialist, bookahotelonline.co.uk, has a stunning selection of hotel offers for this summer and the autumn half-term holiday. Family sun-seekers looking to escape to warmer climates and exotic locations can choose from the following:

Specialist tour operator, Tropical Sky has teamed-up with bmi and is offering some excellent holidays to the Caribbean this autumn. With non-stop flights from Manchester to Antigua and Barbados, those seeking affordable late summer sunshine will not be disappointed.

Chicago – synonymous with skyscrapers, Hemmingway, Frank Lloyd-Wright, Al Capone and all that jazz – is a great place to explore on foot. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have created a series of special walks including a tour of historic skyscrapers with a local guide;’ an off-beat tour of ‘Gangster Chicago’, which harks back to the days of the mob, the St Valentine’s Day Massacre and speakeasies.

Once considered the centre of the world, Jerusalem’s past and its powerful influence on today’s world unfolds with every step. Many of the ‘giants of history’ are concentrated here including, David, Solomon, Jesus and Mohammed. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays is offering a one-week, half-board holiday in this most iconic an inspiring city, which takes one back across 4000 years of history.

So you a want romantic break with a guaranteed climate but without the hassle of going abroad? Opt for the ultimate private solution, your very own Cornish cottage with a sexy, secluded outdoor hot tub overlooking one of Cornwall’s most dramatic sandy surfing beaches at Mawgan Porth.

Holidays for families can be expensive, particularly in the current economic climate. Even if you’ve managed to save for the holiday, it’s the little extras that can end up putting a strain on your bank balance. Tots to Travel (totstotravel.co.uk), experts in family-friendly travel, have these tips on how to cut costs when travelling with children.

For those already looking to their next holiday, Holiday Extras can provide the perfect and cost-effective solution to escaping the last minute stress and hassle of preparing for their flight. By booking an airport hotel with Holiday Extras, you can travel to the airport the day before your flight and avoid any potential problems on the day of your journey.

Silversea Cruises, known for its exotic worldwide itineraries, luxurious all-suite accommodations and gracious service, has been named the winner of Travel + Leisure magazine's "World's Best" award for 2008. This is the seventh time the ultra-luxury cruise operator has been honored with the highly coveted award.

Fistral beach in Newquay will host the 2010 World Lifesaving Championships – with 40,000 competitors from over 40 countries it will be the biggest sporting event in the UK this side of the Olympic games.

The credit crunch might be biting but don’t let it stop you booking a holiday - just book a break a bit closer to home. UK breaks can offer excellent value for money and have lots of other benefits besides. Fly the flag for the Great British seaside holiday and rediscover what’s so good about holidays that don’t involve travelling overseas.

Luxury self-catering specialist Sanctuary Villas & Apartments is launching a James Bond Experience to tie in with the soon-to-be-released Quantum of Solace. The package will feature four nights and five days in an exclusive apartment in San Gimignano, as well as visits to filming locations, including some that are usually restricted to the public.

Eilat will once again host the Red Sea Jazz Festival, August 25th – 28th this year. Attracting over 40, 000 people to the four open air venues, over 30 concerts are held over 4 days. The stunning backdrop of mountains and sea creates a beautiful setting that no other jazz festival can provide.

Ditch the tent and forget the fields of rain sodden England. For a truly authentic festival experience, why not head off on a cultural adventure to some of the world’s most fascinating festivals. Worldwide tour operator Travelsphere (travelsphere.co.uk) offer a great selection of ideas to some of the world’s most spectacular events without having to sacrifice any of your creature comforts.

Rising oil prices getting you down? Check out this juicy offer - book a holiday with Elite Island Resorts and the fuel surcharges are on them! Couples booking a minimum 10-night all-inclusive stay across Elite Island Resorts’ exclusive Caribbean portfolio are now eligible for an $850 (£428) discount specifically designed to cover airline fuel surcharges and taxes. Single travellers receive $410 (£206).

The UK’s leading provider of holiday cottages, cottages4you has today announced the first ever British Beachcombing Weekend on 25th – 27th July 2008 to encourage families of all ages to holiday closer to home by exploring Britain’s dramatic coastline and to help protect future marine life living off our shores.

Leading boating holiday specialist the Le Boat group has a great formula for exploring the magnificent Lot region of France by both horseback and boat. After collecting your self-drive cruiser from Le Boat’s base at Douelle you cruise upstream to meet your horses just outside the medieval town of Cahors. Here you take on board all the feed and equipment you’ll need, including stakes and electric fencing for corralling the horses overnight.

A mixed start to the UK summer has sparked off a holiday booking frenzy with Brits looking at departing in the next three weeks, says leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com.