Looking for a great destination to visit this winter? Why not try the sunny west coast of America and take a trip to California? There are so many great cities that sit on this side of the world, and depending on what you want to achieve from your holiday, there are a few that might suit you.

If you are looking for a really casual trip in somewhere bohemian then make straight for San Francisco. The city offers a multitude of tourist sites including Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, but also a great hub for shopping and eating! Fisherman’s Wharf offers some great little eateries, and a trip to the city is not complete without visiting Lombard Street, the steepest street in the USA. Trips to Alcatraz book up very quickly in high season, so make sure you book in advance so you don’t miss out on one of the most interesting trips in the region.
If you prefer a holiday that is a little more relaxed and beachy rather than being jam packed, make the journey to San Diego. Closer to the Mexican border, the city offers a laid back atmosphere and lots of stunning beaches including Del Mar and La Jolla, where you can see seals in their natural habitat and sit on the cliffs to catch some rays. Head down to the beach and scuba as the waters are so clear and full of wildlife. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land then there are plenty of little tide pools to poke around in, and when you tire there are a host of tiny little cafes dotted along the beach for you to relax in. You’ll also find lots of tourist sights in the area , from SeaWorld where you can see whale and dolphin shows, to the world famous San Diego zoo, to the Old Town, one of the most historical areas in California.

If its glitz and glamour that you desire then the first stop on the coast should be Los Angeles. There is so much to do in the city that you can stay occupied for weeks. Visit Venice Beach and Santa Monica Boulevard to make the most of the cities beaches, or take a trip out to Anaheim to visit Disneyland, a great draw for children and adults of all ages! Disneyland also has a park called Disney California which offers larger rollercoasters and will appeal to older children. Universal studios is also a favourite of tourists to the area, and the most popular ride is the trip around the studios to visit some actual working sets and see your favourite shows, like Desperate Housewives and the Jaws set.

If you want to rent a car in the area then route 101 (the pacific coast highway) is a fantastic route to drive. It takes you through Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, Huntingdon Beach, Laguna Beach and a whole host of other pretty beaches. The road runs right along the cliffs and provides some stunning views of the sea.

If you are travelling to California then ensure you have travel insurance. Swiftcover offer really competitive prices online, so make sure you check there.

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FC Barcelona football tickets represent not only the chance to see a club with a rich football heritage but also allow you to visit the Camp Nou; one of the largest and most famous football stadiums in the world.

Barcelona are the current European champions and are widely accepted as one of the best club sides ever to have played the game. With your tickets to see Barcelona, you will be entitled to see some of the worlds leading sportsmen in players like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. They are applauded by pundits for their ability to play attractive passing football with flamboyance and charisma, a characteristic which summed up Spain’s success in the recent World Cup. The current Barcelona team constitutes the backbone of the Spanish World Cup winning national side. The fluid, skilful way that Barcelona play is commonly held up as the current model for most European teams to emulate.

Football is a cornerstone of Catalan culture and this makes the Nou Camp one of the most exciting places to be in Barcelona. Holding nearly one hundred thousand spectators, the atmosphere and sense of occasion is an experience to be savoured. Football is more than just a sport in places like Barcelona. It is a display of cultural identity, a public heritage institution that forms part of the fabric of Catalan society. Mes que un club (more than a club) is the slogan on one of the imposing stands. FC Barcelona tickets will show you more than a football match; they will provide you with an exciting flavour of local culture and open the door to see the city more as a citizen than a tourist.

For any football fan, tickets to the Camp Nou are a pilgrimage to the heart of European football.

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If you are wondering which continent to honor with your presence this winter, here is a hint for you: how about visiting all three at the same time? If you just can’t choose between old Europe’s refined architecture, exotic Asia’s tempting cuisine or black Africa’s tribal mysteries, you simply don’t have to because Cape Town has them all, and more. The South African rainbow city is overloaded with cultures from three continents to give you the unique sensation of being nowhere and all around the world at the same time. All you need to do is check for a hotel at mydestination.com/capetown and prepare to be overwhelmed.

Long years of Dutch and British colonial rule have left a clear mark on Cape Town’s architecture. You can admire the beautiful Victorian warehouses, now shopping centres, at the V& A Waterfront – the liveliest place in town. There you can feel the true multicultural spirit of the city as you linger for hours in the colourful African shops, lunch with a spicy Asian menu and give in to the irresistible Dutch ice cream. A visit to the Two Oceans aquarium is a must followed by a cup of hot rooibos at an open-air cafe with live Cape Town jazz for your delight. The romantics can enjoy an unforgettable sunset boat trip starring the dark-blue Atlantic, the shimmering city and the magnificent Table Mountain at its back.

Table Mountain is one of the wonders of Cape Town and you’ll agree more and more as you approach its 1000m flat top up the 360° Cableway. The spectacular views of the city, the endless blue waves framed by white beaches and the majestic nature around them will stay with you forever. From above you will also see a deserted region in the middle of the urban area – the former all-whites District 6, reminiscing the apartheid past of Cape Town. For more national history a sail straight to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is obligatory.

Other compulsory visits include a stop at Boulders Beach to greet the charming 27inch South African stars from the penguin colony then have a cocktail at Bikini Beach – the exclusive white shore populated by exclusively tanned people ignoring the exclusively cold waters of the Atlantic.

There is even more Cape Town splendour at Cape Point where it is (wrongly) believed that the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet. The views are nevertheless feasts of nature and the Flying Dutchman Funicular will take you to the lighthouse where you can spot the once terrifying Cape of Good Hope where many ships found their ruin.

The best way to end your around-the-world daily exploration in Cape Town is in one of its restaurants, especially in the Long Street area. Don’t be scandalised if they serve you ostrich, crocodile or kudu steaks, and instead give in to the mesmerizing traditional African rhythms and relax with a glass or two of perfumed South African wine coming from the sun-filled wine lands around the marvellous city, sitting on the ‘cape’ of the world.

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After checking in and going through security, there are always a few hours to kill at the airport before boarding the plane and jetting off on cheap package holidays in the sun. Trying on expensive sunglasses or browsing duty free are not the only things to keep you occupied though, as airports can be fun and fascinating places. Here are a few ideas that are sure to keep travellers entertained – just don’t forget to board the plane on time!

1. Check out the Planes
It’s not every day that the general public can get so close to a real life airplane. As several planes will be sat right there on the runway, it’d be rude not to check them out. Watch as they land and take off, observing the range of different colours, models and sizes or count the number of windows on each plane – a great way to pass the time.

2. Check out the People
Airports really are full of fascinating people from every walk of life. All sorts of characters can be found, from businessmen speaking loudly on their mobile phones to tired-looking mothers trying to control their four kids. People-watching never gets boring as there’s always something amusing to see.

3. Hit the Shops
Whether they’ve been planning their trip for months or they’ve booked late holidays at a bargain price, many passengers forget to take something important with them. Every type of shop imaginable can be found in the biggest airports though, selling everything from sunhats and books to flip flops and medication, so there’s no need to panic.

4. Play a Game
A great way to while away an hour or so is to play a game or two. Whether it’s a Sudoku or crossword for one, or a fun game of cards with the whole family, it’ll be time to board the plane in no time.

5. Start Writing a Holiday Diary
It’s always fun to look back on any funny moments and anecdotes from a holiday and the best place to start putting pen to paper is at the airport. All sorts of strange and unusual people are sure to pass by, so make a note of what they’re doing and the things they’re saying and enjoy reminiscing once the holiday is over.

6. Read a Book
It’s always useful to pack a book in hand luggage rather than in your suitcase so it can be whipped out at any moment. Time is sure to whiz by whilst reading a few chapters of a good book, rather than just staring intensely at the departures board.

7. Grab Something to Eat
Most airports offer a wide selection of food and drink outlets – it’s as if they know passengers will be hanging around for hours! Take advantage of this though and sit and have a tasty bite to eat because later on in the day all that will be available is the dreaded airplane food!

8. Chat to Someone New
There’s no better place to chat to a new person than at an airport. After all, everyone is bound to have something in common – going on holiday! Use that as an easy conversation starter and chat away to the person sat next to you. With a week or two stuck with the same people, it’ll be refreshing to talk to someone new and it’s surprising how interesting this can be.

9. Make a Phone Call
Airports can often be full of businessmen frantically making last minute phone calls before getting on the plane, but they can also be a great place to enjoy a phone call with a friend or family member. Find a quiet place to sit and enjoy a good natter – just try not to show off too much about going on holiday.

10. Go Online
Many airports now have free Wi-Fi so passengers flying with laptops are able to browse the web at their hearts content. Forget about the usual popular sites such as YouTube and Facebook and try researching a particular subject to learn something new. Films and TV channels are also readily available online so travellers can relax with their favorite program before boarding the plane.

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