Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Few beaches in the country can match the stunning rugged beauty of Mawgan Porth, which is on the north coast of Cornwall near Newquay. Imposing cliffs on all sides of the beach protect the soft white sands from the worst of the weather, and the water is so clear and blue it looks like a Mediterranean paradise. There are also a number of rock pools and caves that children will enjoy exploring, and because you are near the most south westerly point of the country the sunsets are unrivalled, and there is nothing between you and the horizon apart from miles of wild Atlantic Ocean. Surfing is popular as well on this beach, and there is a school for beginners here and several excellent surf shops nearby selling equipment and clothing.

Eilean Shona, Scotland

If you like to get away from other people on your holidays, then Eilean Shona is the place for you. This private island off the west coast of Scotland is just a short boat ride from the mainland, and offers a tranquil, setting of white sand beaches, native woodlands and rolling hills. You can stay at the beautiful historic house, which sleeps up to 11 adults and 8 children, and comes complete with a full compliment of staff. A holiday on this stunning island will set you back by £7,000 per week full board, which if you fill the house right up works out to be £368 per person, which is not bad for the chance to stay on such a stunning private island getaway.

London

There is so much to see and do in London you will be spoilt for choice, from the latest trendy bars and restaurants to seeing some of the most iconic historic monuments in the world (Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament etc). London also has several world class museums and art galleries, and top favourites included The Natural History Museum, The Tate Gallery and The Imperial War Museum. Lots of visitors come to London purely for the excellent shops, and this truly is one of the greatest shopping cities in the world with such a diverse range of departments stores, shops, boutiques, delicatessens, warehouses and markets on offer you can just about buy anything you could ever want here.

There are a few new and innovative additions to the walking tour scene, and of course the vibrant street festivals that characterise certain districts of London and that are a fun and flavoursome way to get a taste of all the quirks of London city life, but when it comes to accommodation, you’d be understood if you were left scratching your head a little.

The choice between all the different types and styles of hotels in London is certainly mind-boggling, and the right choice often depends on your travel requirements – for instance travelling on a strictly-enforced budget and checking into youth hostels in London, something more extravagant but better suited for a business trip, right through to travelling with a family or looking into the possibility of self-catered apartments.

Yet there is a way to experience something new on your next trip to London and southern England – and that’s by taking a step back to enjoy life in the slow lane. Hotel boats are an unbeatable way to sample the ebbs and flows of life in London, to check out some of the prime sights from a different perspective, and to spend an idyllic or romantic weekend. Catered for couples or small groups, there are only a few hotel barges that offer their services along the Thames, but the experience is well worth it. Staying onboard overnight also gives guests a fine opportunity to feel exactly what it would be like to own a houseboat, and it’s a hands-down winner over day cruises, both in terms of value for money and catering.

Discover a new side to London, come down to the riverside.

The Federal Republic of Germany Art Hall, Bonn

This art gallery in has one of the best reputations in the world and is set in a stunning old building, and popular exhibits include ‘Tutankhamen-The Golden Beyond’, which has a number of stunning pieces of classical Egyptian burial art work and also ‘Art in the GDR’, which explores the rich history of German art. This gallery has excellent links with other national and international galleries and there is an impressive range of temporary loan exhibits throughout the year, and interesting upcoming events include ‘10,000 Years of Art and Culture from Jordan’ and ‘The Baroque in the Vatican ’.

The Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum , Bremen

This museum is a celebration of both classic and modern European art, all housed in a stunning old building that has been carefully restored so that it feels both like the historic building it is, and also a modern, light spacious gallery. Current exhibitions including works from the late 19th Century onwards by important artists such as Renoir and Feininger, and there is also a stunning display on the life and works of Lucas Cranach, who was one of the foremost painters of the Renaissance period.

The Victoria and Albert Gallery , London

This museum has an excellent reputation for not only historic exhibitions, but also unique and daring ones, and unlike many top museums it has secured its ongoing success by occasionally straying from the traditional style of classical and modern art work from the likes of Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh etc… and showcasing some of the most controversial art works in the world, which allows visitors to experience a whole new side to art previously ignored by mainstream galleries. Current exhibits include a fascinating display of contemporary and future fashion from the recent Royal College of Art (RCA) fashion MA graduates shows, and also a visually stunning display of work from Reg Wilson, one of the Britain ’s most prominent performing arts photographers.

The Fitzwilliam Gallery, Cambridge

Although this is not one of the most prominent galleries in the world, it does have a very good international reputation and has been very well funded over the years, with the full support of passionate, knowledgeable gallery staff determined to make the best of the space and provide interesting, varied exhibits for visitors. This gallery has a number of excellent exhibits currently on show, including one that focuses on wartime art with photographs and paintings created by soldiers from WWII.

The Palmer and Parker Holidays website allows you to search through all of the available villas on the books, by destination, facilities and availability, and there are villas for larger groups as well, including the lovely Palacete de Cazulas which is located near Granada in the Costa del Sol, and sleeps up to 24 people and includes a large private swimming pool, tennis courts and even conferencing and catering facilities on request.

Wedding Venues

If you are thinking of getting married abroad then Palmer and Parker have some wonderful locations that specialise in marriage ceremonies and receptions, and the stunning villas on offer provide a much more intimate atmosphere for weddings than hotels, and you will also be put in touch with local party planners who can help you with all of your wedding arrangements from the flowers through to the catering and accommodation.

One of the most breathtaking wedding properties on the books is the classic Chateau de St-Loup in the beautiful Loire Valley in France , which can accommodate up to 46 people and has a ballroom and great hall for entertaining, and over 145 acres of stunning grounds overlooking the pretty village of St Loup sur Thouet and surrounding areas.

Car Hire

Palmer and Parker Holidays can also help you to arrange car hire for you and your guests, and have contacts with main international car hire companies such as Avis and Hertz, and cars can be booked ready for you to pick up from the airport, or you can arrange to for a taxi transfer from the airport and have to have the hire cars delivered to your villa when you have settled in.

Special Offers

Palmers also have a special offers page on the website, so that you can quickly and easily check out all of the latest deals on available.

The Baltic countries have some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in Europe, from the breathtaking fjords of Norway through to the stunning gothic, Baroque and neoclassical architecture of Russia’s most impressive cities, St Petersburg and Moscow, and provides a wide range of activities and sights so that holidaymakers will be spoilt for choice.

The Baltic Travel Company has a number of diverse holidays on offer and you can see more details by visiting their website .

Popular holidays include:

• Classical Russia Tour – this tour guides you around the main sights of St Petersburg and Moscow , and an 8 day (7 night) trip will cost from around £1,235 per person.
• The Baltic Circle – this tour guides you around three of the Baltic States main capitals, four of its best national parks and also a trip along the Baltic coastline and a 10 days (9 nights) trip will cost from around £775 per person.
• Norway Winter Fun – Norway has a lot to offer all year round and here is your chance to stay in the unique Ice Hotel near the Winter Olympic resort of Lillehammer , with 6 days (5 nights) from £785 per person.

Each of the holidays offered through The Baltic Travel Company are covered by the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL), so you can book your dream Baltic holiday with peace of mind knowingly that your investment will be protected.

You can book your holiday securely online or by telephone, using a credit or debit card, or you can send a cheque to The Baltic Travel Company, London House, 271-273, King Street , London W6 9LZ . Also on the website you can find some helpful travel advice regarding issues such as visas, holiday insurance, car rental, currency and language. :coo:l