Europe

If you’ve ever been to the Spanish capital of Madrid in the sweltering heat of summer, you’ll know that the idea of actually doing any sport there is enough to make you feel sick. “Nueve Messe de invierno, tres messe de infierno,” (nine months of winter, three months of hell) the locals say ruefully, before sinking another glass of iced water and fanning their face with a rolled-up copy of Marca – a local football magazine.

Norway’s cities offer much more than the more obvious city break destination they combine cosmopolitan culture with spectacular scenery and the great outdoors. So they are the best of both worlds, the city and the countryside.

Oslo, Norway’s buzzing, cosmopolitan capital epitomises Scandinavian chic with its trendy shops and restaurants and striking Italian marble Opera House which resembles a glacier sliding into the fjord.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE, SURREY
This is a perfect day out.  While majestic Tudor palace is the main attraction, wandering around its gardens and getting lost in the maze are perfect additions to a visit on a fine day. And the interpretation is what all heritage attractions should ain for. Costumed guided tours, audio guides, videos and displays are excellent at explaining and capturing the feel of royal history and are all included in the entry price.  Children are well catered for, with family trails and hands-on displays.  And while there are cobbles and steps aplenty, much of the sites is wheelchair accessible.  The palace can be reached by all forms of transport and there are some parking on site.  The main restaurant on site that serves a good selection of food, albeit a bit pricey.

What do you look for in your ideal city break? Well, if it’s just for a few days or the weekend, you must be able to get there quickly and easily.  The city also has to offer memorable experiences, amazing sights, great culture, wonderful cuisine, warm hospitality and tick all the boxes that make it a must visit destination. Because of its closeness to the UK and the rest of Europe, its great holiday experience or short break that won’t break the bank.

LULWORTH COVE, DORSET
The perfect arc of sand at Lulworht is one of the most famous features of the British coastline.  It’s a beautiful beach, although it can get very busy in the summer months.  Lulworth is part of the Jurassic Coast, and you can learn more about it a the excellent visitor centre near the beach, but the best way to explore the area’s beauty is to walk from Lulworth over the cliffs to the extraordinary rock formation known as Durdle Door.

Many of us might know Kielder Water and Forest as having northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England’s largest forest or for activities such as its beautiful lake, star gazing, mountain biking walking and much more. Since October 2010 the Kielder Water & Forest Park has become the location of the Kielder Marathon, a brainchild of former 1,500m world champion Steve Cram, who hopes the undulating, off-road course around Kielder Water will eventually become known as the most beautiful marathon in Britain.

JAKOBSHAVN ‘ICEBERG FACTORY’, ILULISSAT, GREENLAND
This is one of the main outlets of the Greenland ice sheet. Here you can see enormous chunks of ice break off the main glacier and become icebergs.  Apparently, it’s where the one that sank the Titanic is thought to have originated.  Some of the Icebergs are half a kilometre in size and to see them up close is awe-inspiring as it is bizarre.  You can sit in a nearby hotel quietly having breakfast and watch these immense slabs of ice float past. Picture: Paul Souders / Barcroft Media

LEARN TO DIVE IN THE RED SEA
Book a diving course with Responsible Travel who aims to employ local workers and ensure the protection of the environment in which they operate. They offer diving courses at a PADI 5-star Gold Palm Resort on the shores of the Eel Garden dive site in Dahab, Egypt.  The will teach you the basic skills before heading underwater to discover the colourful sea life and coral, secure in the knowledge you are not causing any ecological harm.

With months of cold days and nights no wonder one of the British favourite outdoor activities is going to the beach, especially when the weather forecaster said we are to get some sunshine with high temperature, we flock to the nearest said side and one of them is Bournemouth. It has a reputation of offering some of the country’s best weather and long sandy and clean beaches. Also a visit to Bournemouth would show you why research (done by First Direct Bank in 2007) as found it to be the happiest place in Britain.