City breaks are incredibly enjoyable because they give you the opportunity to relax and get away from your concerns at home, but also to stay active and to see some fantastic sights. One of the most exciting cities in the world to visit is Los Angeles (otherwise known as L.A.).

Among L.A.’s chief attractions are things like Universal Studios, Venice Beach, the Hollywood Hills, the L.A. Lakers, and all the shopping fun you could ever wish for on Rodeo Drive. There’s so much to see and do – you’ll be spoilt for choice!

If you’re on a bit of a budget then it might be worth seeing if you can win a trip to L.A. through one of the promotions at Posh Bingo. Posh Bingo is a bingo site that offers a range of special offers and in a few months there is a trip to L.A. up for grabs.

Even if you miss out on the trip, there are loads of cash prizes that could help you to get away for a city break anywhere in the world, with Posh Bingo or with any number of other bingo sites. To keep tabs on the most recent promotions available, check in with ohmybingo.com from time to time.

For Turkey Holidays, I always suggest going around July to September. My preference is usually August as the weather is hot but bearable and the sun shines until late into the evening. I’ve been to a few resorts in Turkey over the years and I love swimming and snorkeling. The sea averages around 20 degrees Celsius in most places although some resorts see even warmer water, and the average heat of the day is around 28 degrees throughout the summer. There’s a pretty good website online that can give you the lowdown on the weather and temperatures for various resorts if you’re looking for weather in Turkey before you book your trip.

It’s been pretty warm in the UK recently but it’s always best to get abroad in my opinion if you want value for money and there are loads of websites offering cheap Turkey holidays nowadays. My preference is 11 days, as a week is never enough, and 14 days tends to sometimes mean that you’re running out of things to do, unless you’re after pure relaxation. Northern Cyprus is also nice during the summer and temperatures are similar to those in Turkey.

If you’ve got an suggestions for websites that you think are good for information on weather, hotels, resorts or flights, please feel free to post a comment on this blog. We can then all ensure we get the best possible deals and have a great holiday!!!

The excitement of getting away can build for as long as you’re planning or saving for the trip itself. But what happens once you’re in the mad dash to find all of your belongings, stuff them and the souvenirs into your bags (and still keep them under the weight limit), and get checked out on time and in a taxi/etc to the airport on time, and checking in and boarding to go home?

Are you excited about seeing people you’ve missed, or are you dreading the experience of having to go home? Have you fallen in love with the place you’ve visited, and find yourself madly checking the local papers, etc, for jobs and houses to rent?

I’ve never lived abroad. But I want to…

When planning a holiday, we tend to start with price – how much can I spend? – or what temperatures we’re after. But when do we stop to consider the destination itself? Is it a well travelled, tourist hot-spot, full of issues and problems relating to high tourist volumes? Or is it a quiet and isolated place where the locals barely realise its there?

Which would you want to visit most? How would you even go about finding the remote, untravelled one? Its not like they advertise!

When we go away, how much thought do we put into actually relaxing or enjoying new scenery, etc? Do we just book something, and assume that everything will happen because we’re no longer at work or home, and can immediately relax?

I don’t think so. I think a holiday takes some effort and certainly planning and, most importantly, a willingness from all parties to enjoy something new.

Over the years, transport has changed. From being something only the rich could afford, to being something that a significant percentage of the population can afford.

But once the flights are booked and paid for – how do you get there? With enough time, all your bags, and no added stress?

Do you drive? You can now leave your car securely parked at the airport – yes, there are some horror stories in the papers every now and then, but I’ve never yet met someone who has experienced it first hand. But parking can be costly, plus the fuel to get you there…. Or you could have friends drive you – but then that’s 4 times the amount of fuel to get you there and back (so maybe not, unless the airport is close….)

Do you use buses? Well, they’re really cramped, very slow, and not a lot pf space for your bags… this is my least favourite option.

Trains? Luggage sections, more often than not they have seats or you can book them, they’re fast and generally on time… but costly too. The rise in websites offering discounted tickets has made this easier to do, and a more cost effective method.

I think the train is the winner.

The majority of my holidays have involved European destinations, where the flight only lasts a few hours, but my next Big Adventure is to fly to Australia – and that’s a 24 hours flight (with a brief 2 hour stop in Dubai).

Now, my main problem in life is sitting still – I like to fidget, move around, and generally be active. I also do not like people in my personal space – so this flight (and the return one) is going to be a nightmare!

However, by making sure my carry on bags are well stocked (books, music, change of clothes, basic toiletries to freshen up, travel pillow, and a “slanket”), I should be comfortable and amused.

This time of year is all about family and relaxing with loved ones and being merry – well, for those of us without family to go to and a lack of a plus-one to make gatherings with friends easier, getting away for the festive period is an option.

But where to go? There are lots of choices out there, and multiple websites that offer cheap deals on flights, and if you know a person or two in a foreign city, finding accommodation can be a snap!

I’ve just decided to go to Australia for a fortnight over Christmas, get away, get some sun – and all for a very cheap price thanks to an on-line website.

A recent post described my fear of flying. This is obviously something that does concern me, but it does not stop me traveling. However, I recently decided to spend a few days in Dorset. A really lovely part of the world and, as a northerner, not an area that I was familiar with. A fantastic few days followed – amazing country walks (and county pubs!), history, landscape, food – in short, everything that is needed for an amazing holiday.

Do not think that you need to sit on a plane for 3 hours to get what you want from a holiday. The UK really does offer some amazing places, and really diverse countryside. From the Scottish Highlands (go there now!), through Northumberland, the Lakes, the Peaks, down to East Anglia and, let’s face it, most of the South-West, there really are gems to be found.

Before you book your next holiday, think local! It could really open your eyes.

We’ve all been there – spending weeks getting excited about going on holiday, turning up at the airport and being told that the flight is delayed. Even when you get there, you can face a three hour wait for the car hire people to sort out your paperwork or a three hour ride on a bus that last had its suspension checked in 1967. Finally reaching your destination and your holiday can start – apart from the half hour check in process. The journey home is just as bad, but without the holiday to look forward to afterwards!

My recommendation – plan ahead and think about every aspect of the traveling. Once this is done, pretend that the traveling is indeed part of the holiday. Trying to enjoy sitting in an airport by planning some entertainment, and see the journey at the other end as a chance to see the new country. It’s all about the mindset – nothing seems that bad (within reason!) if you think about it in the right way.

When I was a kid, I reached an almost apoplectic level of excitement when facing a plane journey. Having been a bit of a techo-geek since childhood meant not only did I love the rush of the journey, but watching the movement of the flaps and the noises of the landing gear and engines was amazing.

That all changed when I hit adulthood. Many adults suffer a nightmare journey that makes all future flights full of anxiety. One flight back from Germany when I was in my early twenties planted a seed. This seed has sprouted into a MAJOR fear of flying. I have swallowed as much data as I can about the safety of flying, but the fear increases. I now know that this has turned into a proper Phobia.

The facts are that the odds of dying in a plane crash are tiny – and even if you are in a plane crash, you have a better chance of surviving than not! So, despite the fear – the squeezing of my partners hand, the loud humming to block out the noise, the uncontrolled sweating – I refuse to let this stop me travelling.