Iceland is the ultimate winter holiday; imagine volcanic landscapes, thermal lagoons, geysers erupting and of course, the spectacular Northern Lights. It’s home to some of the clearest and brightest of skies too – so although chilly, the days will be fresh, making the scenery even more incredible. Very much a travel hotspot, we can absolutely understand why – the destination offers something completely different to the norm! So, if you’re in the search of a unique getaway, Iceland could be the destination for you – take a look below for what’s not to be missed and our top recommendations for your break here. REYKJAVIK No visit to Iceland would be complete without exploring the world’s most northerly capital city. The perfect base for any Iceland trip, most day tours operate from Reykjavik, taking you out to rural parts of the island. But don’t be fooled – Iceland’s capital also offers incredible sights, a friendly culture and a cosmopolitan charm, so be sure to make time to explore it. The city’s full of colour, as each and every corrugated iron house is painted a different colour to the next –  take a moment to soak up the views around you before getting a few snaps. The night life won’t disappoint either – whether you’re a total foodie, want to experience the lively bars or enjoy a bit of both, Reykjavik has an abundance of world-class independent restaurants and quirky bars to party on down in with the friendly locals.

There is so much choice out there today for cruising holidays, where to start in deciding what sort of cruise you want to go on and where can be a daunting task, however don’t worry we are here to help you make sense of it all and decide! Just this year, 30 new ships are joining the world’s fleet of ocean-going and river vessels featuring ground-breaking designs, eco-friendly innovations and swish techno toys and these are not just hallmarks of the new ships, older ships are also being upgraded. Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are two cruise lines leading the way. Royal Caribbean has focused in on families, things to keep the kids entertained at sea include a glow-in-the-dark laser experience on new ship Symphony of the Seas and sister ship Independence of the Seas has undergone a multimillion pound revamp that includes waterslides, children’s aqua park Splashaway Bay, plus an onboard trampoline virtual reality experience, laser tag and an Escape Room. For those who thought that cruising is not for families, that is certainly not the case anymore and as any parent knows, happy children equal’s happy parents! Celebrity Cruises is making big waves with the launch of Celebrity Edge, it features the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform reaching exhilarating heights of 13 stories above sea level, the Magic Carpet glides up and down the side of the ship while transforming into a restaurant, deck space and embarkation area. Some of the best views aboard are to be found here as you soar over the open ocean while you dine, drink, or simply relax. This certainly sounds like an unforgettable experience. Technology is coming to the forefront of cruising, Royal Caribbean have launched a new app, available on Symphony of the Seas, that can be used for everything from checking in and keeping an eye on your spending, to messaging friends and family and booking restaurants, shore excursions and shows whilst on board. Celebrity Edge is also in on the technology act to include digital ‘keys’ on smartphones to open cabin doors, and once in your cabin you will be able to control lighting, room temperature and service via a touchscreen panel. With a Virtual Concierge app, you can order drinks, make restaurant bookings and book shore excursions and a map on the app will help you find your way around the ship. Cruising is all about dining and Celebrity Cruises purports to have ‘the best dining experience at sea – period’. They place an emphasis on delivering a diverse and authentic culinary journey on board, using local ingredients of the destinations your cruise is visiting to inspire the Michelin-starred dishes served. Celebrity Edge has four main restaurants – Tuscan, Cyprus, Normandie and Cosmopolitan. On Celebrity Edge you will even see an animated 3D character, Le Petit Chef, prepare food right in front of your eyes. So, what else can cruising add to your holiday experience? Looking after the mind, body and soul is in Celebrity’s DNA with lots of options for chilling out and pampering. Celebrity Edge takes it to the next level, with salt, steam and rainfall rooms and wellness massages and treatments that will renew, restore and reinvigorate you. Evening entertainment is a ‘must do’ on a cruise and the choice aboard Royal Caribbean ships is hard to beat for both variety and quality, which ranges from musicals such as Greece and Hairspray to ice-skating shows and on Royal’s four giant Oasis-class ships you will marvel at daredevil divers in the Aqua Theatre. On board Celebrity there are ‘fantastic’ theatre shows, which range from music and dance performances such as the Rock City anthem concert to breath-taking aerial acrobatics. Finally, not forgetting the places you will visit… Cruising will always be about visiting new countries, experiencing new cultures, eating local cuisine and immersing yourself in the places to stop off at, the Med has all of this and more. Greece and Croatia Greece is always a top Med choice and Croatia is an increasingly popular place to visit, Royal Caribbean has combined the two for a seven-night cruise. It starts and finishes in Venice, which speaks for itself.

The English-speaking Maltese Islands are always a hit with us Brits – they’ve even been named as one of the top countries to visit in 2018 by many of the top travel publications, including Lonely Planet. But don’t just take their word for it – just a three-hour flight away, it’s the perfect choice for a city break this winter (yes, you’ll still feel the warmth on your skin)! Read on to find out more… JOIN IN WITH MALTA’S CULTURE AND EVENTS Valletta, 2018’s European Capital of Culture and Malta’s capital is flourishing in culture. As you explore you’ll see why – there are over 1,000 local international artists, curators, performers, writers, designers, choirs and film-makers in over 400 spectacular events. Quite incredible eh? We certainly think so! They’re held throughout the Maltese Islands; Malta, Gozo and Comino – so be sure to take a boat trip to Malta’s sister islands whilst you’re there too. Many of the beautiful heritage sites, museums and cultural centres are in fact free to the public in October – great value we think. Or if you’d prefer to visit in November, make sure you go to the Three Palaces Festival – it boasts incredible performances set in historical buildings, it’ll be sure to amaze (both the performance and the setting)! The fun doesn’t stop in December either. Be lucky enough to be in Valletta on 15 December and you’ll see spectacular live shows and music – all to celebrate the year that’s just been. If it all sounds great and you’re struggling to know when’s best for you, take a look at Malta Tourist board’s events calendar here, which we hope will help you out!