There are few places on Earth where you can gaze at an active volcano one day and hit the beach the next.  As a holiday destination Costa Rica has it all, from invigorating hikes through dense rain forests and adrenaline-pumping river rafting to pure relaxation in hot springs.

On your arrival into Dublin you will need something to eat, which shouldn't be a problem.  The rolling hills of Ireland are blessed with some of the best produce in Europe, which has made easy for you to find something to your liking. The idea of the gastropub took a while to reach the Irish capital, and most boozers still don’t sell decent food because, frankly, it’s all about the Guinness. But head past the pumps at L Mulligan Grocer to the small upstairs dining room and you’ll find some of the city’s most exciting cooking.

For that combination of sun-dappled piazzas, culture and knockout coffee, Naples is definitely up there with the Italian greats.  Any foodie with even a hint of knowledge about Neapolitan cuisine will know that this city is famous for more than pizza: espresso are rich, strong and will keep you buzzing into the early hours.

Intramoenia Caffe Letterario  is great for rubbing shoulders with Naples’ bright young things on the city’s Amadeus inscribes any name or message on your cappuccino’s foam; many a marriage proposal has been accepted with this caffeine fix.

With its luxe marinas, clubs and well-heeled clientele from Istanbul, the vibe of this peninsula is French Riviera with an exotic twist.  Bodrum was once a forgotten destination but now with increasing visits from the A-list and equally big spenders, it’s become a sun-drenched oasis.

There are nearly 5,000 miles of navigable rivers in Burma.  At the height of the British Raj they were vital commercial arteries and the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, founded by Scottish merchants, ran the largest privately-owned fleet of ships in the world.  Its 650 teak-decked steamers with their shallow drafts were a glorious sight threading their way through the complex sand banks as they ventured up country.

They are defined by their isolation. Over the past five million years, evolution has been running one of nature’s most fabulous experiments in a laboratory cut off from the rest of the world.  The Galapagos are more than 1,000 kilometres from mainland Ecuador and there is no evidence that man set foot on this string of volcanic island until the 16 century.

YORK
York is an ideal destination for a weekend break, with its historic 14th century streets known as The Shambles, the impressive Minster gothic cathedral and the York Castle Museum offering plenty of culture and charm.  The historic city has many establishments or hotels for visitors to choose from but only one offers true, unadulterated elegance and that’s The Cedar Court Grand hotel; York’s only five-star hotel.

One arm outstretched towards the Thames, grasping the tail of Tam o, Shanter’s horse in her hand, is the ghostly white figure of Nannie, figurehead of what was once the fastest tea clipper in the world.  Below her on the brow, the words Cutty Sark glitter in bright new gilding.  In old Scots, the phrase means short skirt of petticoat: the teasing garment that caused Tam, in Robert Burn’s  ballad, to risk losing his life to a ghostly dancer so fleet of foot that, had she been able to cross water like her racing namesake, she would have taken him to the underworld.

Have you ever wanted to sleep under the stars in Antarctica?  For the adventurous, you can now experience the world in a way that a rare few were lucky enough to enjoy generations ago.  Adventure expeditions are now a mass tourist activity, where you can enjoy with a group of friends or likeminded individuals.

Not many of us are able to take our holidays during the summer months for whatever reason.  Taking a short break in autumn to get some of the summer sun is another option.  We have found five places in Europe and elsewhere that offers excellent autumn sunshine at some of the hotest hotels and resorts.  Whether its luxury, relaxation, party or sports these locations offers it.