In the city centre itself, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is home to many ancient buildings, some dating back to Roman times.  Many of the area’s twisting little streets are closed to most cars, making it a perfect place to wander slowly and appreciate the wide variety of impressive architecture.

One of Catalonia’s most famous sons, architect Antoni Gaudi, built his as yet unfinished masterwork here, the Sagrada Familia.  This large Roman Catholic Church is unique in its design, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is Parc Guell which features his designs set into large landscaped gardens.

There are seven beaches along the coast of Barcelona, totalling 2.8 miles of coastline, meaning that even in summer there is space to sit.  The city centre is walkable, with a good metro service too, making getting around the main tourist sites easy.

A trip to the daily flower market at Place Louis-Lépine is made magical on Sundays, when a chirruping bird market is held. The traditional sights of Paris are made only more beautiful in the spring, from the world-renowned Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame to Montmartre, the beautiful and unique village within Paris. Surrounded by leafy greenery and budding flowers, the atmosphere is one of joy of life, what the locals would call ‘Joie de Vivre’ and of course, romance.

At anytime during the spring, heavy rains may burst from the Parisian sky, but it is a far cry from the heavy heat of summer. At this time of year, before the hordes of tourists come to explore this beautiful, historic city during summer, it is a peaceful place, though never without a spark of life.

Slip into one of the bars and ask for a bolleke (a ‘little bowl’) of one of Antwerp’s famous beers, maybe a De Koninck, a mild strength ale, or a Kriek Boon, a beautiful cherry beer.  If you decide to take some home – and you certainly will – visit the excellent Den Dorstvlegel beer shop.

Antwerp is a rising fashion city thanks to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which hosts perhaps the best fashion department in Europe.  Graduates tend to remain in the city to make their mark, rather than decamp to Paris or New York.

Its architecture spans medieval to modern, with The Cathedral of Our Lady dominating the skyline.

Head north of the centre to the quiet urban cool of Park Spoor Noord, a expansive centre of relaxation, play and entertainment that hosts concerts, sporting events, or if you prefer, a family picnic.

If you enjoy exploring on foot, start with a tour of the Parliament buildings, an impressive collection of stone buildings that face the Inner Harbour. Next, take a short walk to the historic Empress Hotel, to enjoy high tea. You might next consider a walk along the Inner Harbour, which bustles with activity all day long. Tourists and locals mingle among the local artisans and buskers. View the aboriginal wood carvers, listen to a steel drum band or get your caricature drawn. If you are in need of a rest, hop aboard the ferry to explore the harbour.

Step back in history at the Maritime Museum and the Royal British Columbia Museum or visit the undersea gardens to explore the creatures living in the harbour. There are plenty of food stands along the Inner Harbour and restaurants abound throughout the downtown core, from sushi to steak, pasta to seafood and tapas to gelato. Stroll north along Government Street to stock up on souvenirs. Take a turn onto Fisgard Street and venture into Chinatown, the second oldest Chinatown in North America. If you are still feeling energetic, sneak down Fantang Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, which was once known for its opium dens. Turning back southeast, enjoy a brisk walk up Fort Street to admire the treasures on display on Antique Row.

Victoria offers many cultural activities to keep you busy during your holiday.

I quite like championing cruise holiday to travellers who may not have considered that as a holiday option before, a lot of people don’t. Although cruises have started to become quite popular over the last couple of year and not just with older travellers, the younger generations and families are now looking to cruises for their holidays. This is because there is so much scope when taking a cruise holiday and they cover pretty much all bases when it comes to the type of holiday that you’re looking for. 

You can enjoy beach holidays with plenty of stops at exotic locations that offer white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, like the Caribbean, Florida or Mexico. If city breaks are more your thing and you want to explore Europe, then there are plenty of coastal cities which Mediterranean cruises stop off at which are steeped in history and culture. You can also look at going further afield and explore the Far East as well as Australia and New Zealand for a once in a lifetime holiday.

Even exotic destinations don’t have to break the bank, there are a lot of options available online that can help you get a great cruise deal, so you’re not having to spend a fortune. Many liners have great standard room, which may not be as big as their suites but they can fit the bill, especially if you want to get out and enjoy your ports of call or whatever the liner offers on board.

The Centrum area of Warsaw is where interesting attractions are likely to be found. The Old Town has some especially beautiful buildings that have existed for hundreds of years. The Royal Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in Poland. Special exhibitions are sometimes hosted here. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pays homage to Poles who gave their lives for their country. The Jewish Quarter offers a good look at how Warsaw’s Jews lived for many years. Here, visitors will see the Nożyk Synagogue, which is the only Orthodox synagogue still in the city.

In addition to some independent shops that mainly cater to locals, most of the shopping in Warsaw is in the form of larger European chain stores. Many items can be found at Carrefour or Tesco. There are also several shopping malls in the city. These malls keep late hours and may have bowling alleys or cinemas in addition to shops and restaurants.

Warsaw offers quality food for decent prices. The Śródmieście district has several inexpensive kebab shops. The kebabs are quite tasty. There are also several favourite fast food chains represented. These include McDonald’s, Subway, and Burger King.

Amsterdam has a well-deserved reputation for its liberal attitude towards a freer lifestyle, and although it is still possible to while away the hours in the city’s coffee shops (which legally sell more than just coffee), times are changing.  For example, there is now a smoking ban, and tighter control on the sale of certain substances.  As a result, people are beginning to see Amsterdam in a new light and taking full advantage of what this extremely pretty city has to offer.

The architecture and scenery in Amsterdam is almost chocolate box beautiful.  The canals that meander through the city are hugged by cobbled streets and tall, thin gabled buildings.  If you wish to do as the locals do, you can hire a bike to fully explore the leafy, charming streets.  For that extra romantic experience, hire a tandem and cycle down to Vondel Park with a picnic. 

Culturally, Amsterdam has plenty to offer; from the sublime to the ridiculous, Amsterdam has a museum for pretty much everything.  The Rijksmuseum houses works from two of the city’s most famous sons, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, whilst the sobering experience of the Anne Frank House is a must for any visitor.  For the lighter side of life, the city is home to the Heineken Museum (complete with samples), and there are even a couple of sex museums thrown in for good measure. 

This city truly is the sparkling gem in the Netherlands’ crown.

Amsterdam

Picture courtesy of Joao Maximo

The archipelago is situated in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and belongs to the municipality of the Isle of Youth. Its 4,195 inlets take up approximately 110,000 square kilometres of space. Although the weather is always seasonally pleasant, July and August bring the hottest temperatures, while May through October bring the most rain. 

Two popular holiday destinations in Cuba are the cities of Havana and Trinidad. Both have undergone massive restoration efforts during the last decade, yet they remain time-warped in their 50-year-old revolution. Even though the country may give seasoned tourists a bit of a culture shock, it is still worth a visit.

A tour through the major cities of Cuba may have you feeling like you have stepped back in time, however, tourist accommodation at local resorts are very modern. These holiday retreats allow visitors to indulge in sparkling waters, thick jungle forests, magnificent coastlines, endless beaches and a lot of interesting history. Local history is particularly prevalent in Old Havana. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is where some of the country’s most preserved colonial buildings can be found.

Cuba

Picture courtesy of twicepix

The most iconic symbol of China, the Great Wall, has to be on your ‘things to do before you die’ list – it is simply incredible.  Trips to lesser-travelled parts of the wall are not for the faint hearted as a great deal of it is in a state of disrepair, and will require climbing at points.  However, once you reach those watch towers and look out, it is all worth it.

Great Wall of China

Picture courtesy of matt512

A more recent discovery of ancient Chinese history may just rival the Great Wall of China for marvelling at the ingenuity of humanity.  The great Terracotta Warriors found in the 1970s near Xi’an had been completely forgotten over the mists of time, and it is believed the 7,000 or so excavated figures in this massive site are the tip of the iceberg in terms of what still lies underground. 

Further inland yet again from Xi’an is Chengdu, home of the great symbol of China, the Great Panda.  These beautiful creatures are endangered but visitors are able to go to the Panda Breeding Centre here, and if you are willing to part with your cash, can even have a photograph taken with an incredibly cute baby. 

Wherever your journey takes you in China, you are bound to have an unforgettable time, and the treasures that this country holds will stay with you forever.

Many visitors to Barcelona say the food is the highlight of the trip.  Tapas Bars are a great choice for dinner, where diners can order a selection of hot and cold snacks to literally fill the table top and share leisurely throughout the evening..  Octopus is a popular Barcelona favourite, as are traditional dishes such as tortilla Española, a Spanish omelette, and patatas bravas, potatoes spiced with paprika in olive oil.  Some of Spain’s best sparkling wines also come from the region.

Barcelona also offers a wide variety of shops for holidaymakers.  The El Born district is made up of fashion boutiques, and Passeig de Gracia and Avinguda Diagonal also contain a number of shops to occupy the day.

One of Barcelona’s most famous buildings is La Sagrada Familia, a stunning building designed by the well known architect Antoni Gaudi.  Work has been ongoing on this building since 1882 and is not due to be completed until approximately 2020.  The Park Guell is one of Gaudi’s outdoor masterpieces and is filled with architectural surprises.  The Picasso museum houses over 3000 works by the artist, and is very popular with tourists.