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.

With Sharm-el-sheikh swiftly becoming the beach holiday of choice around the UK, Egypt is attracting more visitors than ever. However, the draw of fantastic weather and even better diving may interest some, but for me the draw of Egypt should be base a few hundred miles South-West of Sharm.

I recently flew to Luxor to begin a week-long cruise down the Nile. The chance to see first-hand the historical marvels that Egypt has to offer (yes, there is more than a couple of pyramids) was quite a draw. Starting with the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, before moving down the Nile to Aswan and Kom Ombo (amongst others) whilst enjoying the amazing Egyptian hospitality onboard the ship, this was a trip that I will never forget.

This will appeal to anyone with a taste for history, or who wants to experience a very different culture (both now and 4000 years old!).

Last night I watched an episode of Stephen Fry in America and was reminded of the few months I spent in 2000 touring around the US with some friends of mine. The highlight of the trip that was the three weeks that we hired a car and traveled around Utah, Nevada and California seeing the sights.

As well as jaw-dropping trips to the well recognised sights such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Monument Valley, we were blown away most by a little known national park called Zion. Aside from the obvious Bob Marley connotations, the highlight of this park was a tour through a deep valley surrounded on all sides by the most amazing rock formations.

If you find yourself in the region of Las Vegas (its a few hours drive away from there) then head over to Zion as soon as you can. I cannot recommend it enough!