When you think about the most romantic ideas for dates the beach has to be up the as the most romantic possible. Think cuddling up near a roaring fire, walking hand in hand along a deserted beach what is not to love? So why not book a B&B on the coast and enjoy a simply romantic weekend away hoping the weather holds!

One getaway in the UK that cries of for wet and rainy weather is a trip in to the wilds of the moors. These areas have to be Britain’s unsung natural habitats and are an unusual choice for a getaway, but they can be the perfect place to rekindle the romance. Play out your own Heathcliffe and Cathy scenes across the moors then curl up with a delicious afternoon tea or soak in a luxuriously warm bath while listening to the rain outside. This is ideal for those who want to hike across the moors and those who want to relax in luxury.

Another location many won’t have thought of are local hotels. Many people have some amazing hotels right on their door steps but because they are so close to home we never bother to try them out. Valentines day is the perfect opportunity to try these places, especially if you are unable to take time off work! Many have valentines offers on meaning you can try luxurious hotels in areas you know well providing you with the best of both worlds, an ideal valentines getaway in luxury and knowing the best places in town for food.

Fancy heading to the Netherlands? Here are my top picks for some briliant sightseeing in Europe’s brightest city.

Flower Market

Amsterdam (and indeed Holland) is famous for it’s amazing array of flowers. It’s not all tulips though – something you’ll easily see as you stroll through the amazing Flower Market in the city, alongside the equally famous canals!

Anne Frank’s House

The story of a girl and her family hiding from the Nazis in the city has captured the minds of people around the world for generations, but it doesn’t quite hit home how extraordinary Anne’s story truly is until you step foot inside the house where she hid in the cramped flat behind the bookcase. A must see to remind yourself of the power of history.

Canal boat tour

The canals of Amsterdam are world renowned and the best way to see them is by boat! Hop on one of the many tours for a day out you won’t forget.

The Red Light District

In case you didn’t know, prostitution is legal in Amsterdam. Whatever you think about it, the loud, bright, brash neighbourhood of the Red Light District is certainly an eye opener and if it’s bars and clubs you’re looking for, then head here (Although it is pricey!)

We’ve all heard the theory that that later you book the better deals you get, but is this always the case? Do you get bargain holidays if you book early as well?

There is no denying you can get some great deals if you book a package holiday late on, by late we mean eight to ten weeks before departure. Of course if you have nerves of steel and book a few days before you can get some amazing holidays for next to nothing. The reason why holiday are so cheap this close to departure is because tour operators don’t want to loose money. When planning their holidays tour operators book seats on flights and rooms in hotels, if they don’t sell the amount they’ve bought in a specific timeframe they lose their money. The closer you book to the departure date the lower the prices as they are desperate not to lose the money on the holiday.

If you are looking just to go somewhere hot and cheap then leave booking as long as possible, booking the week before you want to go means you can get some amazing trips for dirt cheap prices! Of course there are certain disadvantages to booking late; you need to be flexible on dates, times of flights and even locations. If you need specific hotels or services like crèches then it is best not to chance it with a last minute deal.

If you do want to stay at specific hotels on your holiday or need a hotel with certain facilities don’t fear you are missing out on bargains, there is another way to save. If you know when you want to go on holiday you can book early, that is up to nine months in advance and get some great deals. Tour operators tend to offer early booking brochure discounts which tend to be £100 couple discounts and buy one get one free weeks. These early sales help them to plan how many holidays to book themselves so they are keen to get people booked in early.

Walk in to any shop and you’ll find row upon row of suntan lotions all offering different things and trying to grab our attention. But which is the right one for us and what do the different levels of SPSF actually mean?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, this factor measures how much ultraviolet, or UV, radiation it takes to burn your skin when it’s unprotected compared to how long it would take to burn in the same level of radiation when you have the suntan lotion on. The higher the SPF level the more protection it offers against sunburn.

It is a common myth that SPF levels relate to how long you can spend in the sun, for example if you stay in the sun for 30 minutes before burning and are wearing SPF 10 you should be able to stay in the sun for 300 minutes or 5 hours before burning. This may sound daft when you read it but people do believe this. SPF doesn’t just relate to the duration of sun exposure, it also relates to the amount of sun exposure. The intensity of the UV radiation also impacts on the amount of time you can spend in the sun.

The are other factors involved in the amount of time you can spend in the sun including the skin type of the user, the amount of suntan lotion that has been applied and the frequency of  the reapplication. What you do while wearing the suntan lotion also impacts, swimming tends to lead to loss of suntan lotion unless it states it is waterproof. The amount of sunscreen the skin has absorbed is also a factor.

If you’re heading the capital of France, then make sure you tick the following sights off of your list.

Eiffel Tower
You couldn’t visit Paris and fail to visit the Eiffel Tower. Even if you don’t want to climb it, you should certainly have a wander around the gardens surrounding it. However, the sights from the top are almost unrivalled.

The Louvre
As far as museums go, the Louvre is one of the world’s most interesting and has something for everyone. Whether you fancy a Da Vinci Code tour to see the inverted pyramid, say hello to Mona Lisa or you just want to have a wander around the many exhibits, this is a sight that is well worth your time in Paris.

Sacre Coeur
As far as churches go in Paris, there are plenty to choose from. Many people would choose Notre Dame over the Sacre Coeur, but this magestic building, with spectacular stained glass windows is not to be missed.

The Moulin Rouge
Catching a show at the Moulin Rouge is a classic Parisian sight and should be on everyone’s list. For an evening’s entertainment, you really can’t go wrong.

The River Seine
You can’t really miss this impressive river and it really is the heart of Paris. Whether you choose to stroll along it, jump on a bike or hop on a boat, there are plenty of ways to explore the might of the Seine.

Ferries have always been a popular choice, but these can often be an over night affair and take up a lot of precious time. Because of this many people are opting for other modes of transport, the main one of these being the Eurostar getting you from London to Paris in only 2 hours, the amount of time you usually spend in the airport!

With the transport link between Paris and the rest of France it is easy to see why so many people are choosing to opt for the convenience of Eurostar. Lille is also connected to London by Eurostar and it is the idea place to relax and watch the world go by for a day or two, or if you are looking for something a bit more jam packed there is the (possibly) irresistible Disneyland – perfect for a surprise for the kids or even the big kid inside us!

The delight of Paris needs no introduction or explanation, it is one of the most romantic cities in the world and packed full of delights for every taste or want from a shirt break. Brussels is another city that is connected by Eurostar, this is a perfect location for a short break with so much to do and see you can spend days wandering around, amazing given the central area of the city is quite easy to walk around by foot!

The Rolling Effect

This is one I picked up while backpacking. There’s nothing worse than creased clothing and rolling your clothes actually creases them less than folding them. It also seems to take up much less space too. Lay flat and fold in the sleeves of any tops, then roll into a neat package. It’s also worth arranging the space into different sections – one for tops, one for bottoms, one for dresses etc.

Fold your clothes together

Taking 5 different vest tops? Lay them one on top of the other in a pile and then fold them all together, this can help to minimise the space that they take up and helps to reduce wrinkling.

The Bundling Method

This one is a bit trickier to explain, but it is well worth it. First of all you need to create your bundle, which should be around ½ the size of your suitcase. This could be all of your underwear and socks for example. Pop in a cloth bag or pillow case. Next start laying your clothes in the suitcase.

Start with the piece of clothes that wrinkles the most, or your biggest piece of outerwear. Lay the collar or waistband flat against the edge of the case and then let the remaining fabric drape on the outside.

Repeat this process but alternate which way you lay the clothes. When all your clothes are laid down, put your ‘bundle’ in the middle of the suitcase and then fold the draped fabric back into the case, over the top of the bundle. Do this in reverse order and you will end up with a large bundle that doesn’t waste any space in your suitcase and because they aren’t folded too much, your clothes should stay fairly wrinkle free!

Firstly, if you were a fan of In Bruges and have been drawn to investigate the city further after seeing it, you will find that a leaflet directing you to the locations used in the Hollywood film is available from the tourist board. Parts of the city played a major role in the film, including the centrally based Market Square with its imposing Belfry standing at 270ft. Other settings used as backdrops for the film include Burg Square, Astrid Park and Jan van Eyck Square – named after the Flemish artist immortalised in a statue there.

If you are seeking accommodation for your stay in Bruges probably the finest hotel in the city is the Hotel Tuilerieen, with a spectacular view of the skyline, which is where the stars of the film stayed during the filming. In terms of cultural attractions, the jewel in the crown of Bruges is the Michelangelo marble sculpture Madonna with Child, which can be found in the Church of Our Lady. Beyond this the city has many fine galleries such as the Groening and Memling Museums.

Finally, in recognition of two of Belgium’s most noted exports Sukerbuyc is a traditional family chocolate business, while De Halve Mann is the one surviving brewery in the city. Both of these can be visited to learn more about the manufacturing of these products.

If you are planning a trip to Bruges, make sure that you have secured the necessary holiday insurance from a reputable source. For example, a quotation for endsleigh travel insurance is available either from the website or by phone.

Paris, Amsterdam and Rome are all popular choices, but if you fancy somewhere a bit different, then hop on a flight to Prague. Easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the city of spires has something for everyone to enjoy and the best part is that you only need 3 or 4 days to see it all.

Here are my top picks for sightseeing in Prague:

Prague Castle
A pretty obvious one, Prague Castle dominates the skyline. Take a wander around the grounds and be awe inspired by the fantastic structure of St Vitus Cathedral, feel like a giant in the tiny houses of Golden Lane and delve into the dungeons of the towers. If galleries and museums aren’t your thing, opt for the reduced tour that features the main sites.

The Astronomical Clock
There are few old world sights that are more impressive than the Astronomical clock. Measuring, not only time, but the movement of the stars and planets too, this mechanical centrepiece is something that draws in the crowds. Be there on the hour, from 10am to 10pm, to see the mystical figures make their journey and to hear the trumpet calls.

Charles Bridge
Easily the most romantic place in Prague. If you want to avoid the crowds then be there in the early, misty morning or in the evening. During the day the bridge is packed with artists, musicians and craftsmen selling all kinds of wares, so if you want to pick up a unique souvenir, this is the place.

Eat ice cream!
You’ll see them everywhere – stalls and shops selling giant mounds of ice cream in yummy flavours. The further from the tourist centres you are, the cheaper it’ll be but it all tastes delicious!

For one, the castle is the first documented meeting place for the Scottish Parliament. It was also the place of birth for the only child of Mary Queen of Scots. When visiting Edinburgh Castle, such rooms as the Great Hall and the room when Mary Queen of Scots gave birth are open for tours.

Another popular tourist attraction in Edinburgh is the National Gallery Complex. Within the complex is the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy Building. The National Gallery of Scotland is well known for its collection of European art. Some works of art included in the exhibition are by masters such as Raphael, Titians, Rembrandt and Poussin.

When planning a visit to the charming Scottish capital of Edinburgh, remember to include travel insurance in your preparations. Even if you aren’t travelling far from home, it is still a good idea to be covered in the event that the unthinkable occurs.
Travel insurance will protect you in the event your become ill or injured while on your holiday to Edinburgh. It can also be helpful if you should have any trouble with your luggage. For instance, if it is lost or stolen, your travel insurance policy will cover this loss and reimburse you for it.

Travel insurance can be inexpensive depending upon the coverage selected and your destintation. Endsleigh cheap travel insurance might be a budget friendly option for coverage. By having travel insurance, it makes it much easier to enjoy yourself without worrying what could go wrong.